Describe an accomplishment in IELTS Speaking part 2, 3

1. Vocabulary related to Experience

2. IELTS Speaking Part 2: Describing a challenging accomplishment and its success

To start the speech, candidates need to directly address what difficult experience they have gone through. They should relate to their personal experience and choose the most memorable one.

Next, candidates need to describe the process of how they completed that challenge and explain why that challenge was difficult. This is the main part of the speech, so candidates should spend more time on this part.

At the end of the speech, candidates should express their own feelings about that challenge. After the challenge, what lesson did the candidate learn, and what emotions did they experience?

2.1. Example 1: Obtaining a driving license

Please listen to Mytour's sample Part 2 Podcast:

So let me tell you about the time I spent getting ready for my driver’s license ten years ago. It happened during my first year of college. My parents enrolled me in a driving school because they wanted to finish it as soon as possible since I had a two-month summer break.

Well, I used to think that driving was easy for me because I used to go karting with my younger cousin. But when I arrived and turned on the car, it was very different from what I had anticipated. I struggled to handle the steering wheel and was unable to park the car in the proper spot. In addition, I only had a short amount of time to practice. You see, acquiring your driver’s license before starting work is essential because else you won’t have much free time to do it. For this reason, every summer break, the driving school was packed with pupils.

I asked my dad if he could educate me and give me some advice after learning that I might not pass the test because I hadn’t had much practice. Then we sped out to a location free of pedestrians and got behind the wheel. After a few days, I’ve gotten better at controlling the car and can now drive a little more smoothly without the battery dying. It was a pleasant experience overall. In the end, I aced the exam and received my license that summer.

Translation

Let me tell you about the time I prepared for my driving license ten years ago. This happened during my first year of college. My parents enrolled me in driving school because they wanted me to complete it as early as possible since I had a two-month summer break.

Well, I used to think that driving was very easy for me because I had previously raced go-karts with my cousin. But when I got behind the wheel, it was very different from what I had anticipated. I struggled with the steering wheel and couldn't park properly. Additionally, I had only a short time to practice.

You see, getting a driver's license before starting a job is necessary because otherwise, you won't have much free time to do that. For this reason, during the summer break, driving schools are crowded with students.

I asked my dad if he could teach me and give me some advice after realizing that I might not pass the test because I hadn't practiced much. Then, we sped to a location with no pedestrians and I sat behind the wheel.

After a few days, I improved my driving skills and can now drive more smoothly without running out of battery. It was an overall interesting experience. Finally, I passed the exam and got my license that summer.

Key Vocabulary

• Enroll in (v): ghi danh vào
• Go karting (v): đua xe
• Anticipate (v): dự kiến
• Struggle to (v): khó khăn làm gì đó
• Handle the steering wheel (v): nắm vô lăng
• Be packed with (adj): đông đúc
• Speed out to (v): phóng tới
• Pedestrians (n): người đi bộ
• Ace the exam (v): vượt qua kỳ thi

2.2. Example 2: Shedding Weight

Please listen to Mytour's sample Part 2 Podcast:

In my life, I’ve faced a lot of difficulties. Losing weight 10 years ago was perhaps one of the obstacles I once encountered and overcame.

Actually, I was still struggling with my weight because I detested working out and would definitely need to lead a rather sedentary lifestyle. Therefore, it severely pains me both physically and mentally. Sometimes I don’t feel so confident, and I worry that people will make fun of me or that even tying my shoes will be a hassle. Therefore, I believe it is time for me to change. However, it’s simpler said than done.

When I began to do that, I found that it is a fairly difficult thing to accomplish and a difficult decision. Secondly, things that people used to do when they were comfortable. They are unwilling to alter. I don’t want to alter my way of life. Undoubtedly, it is a really tough task.

On occasion, all I want to do is have more, consume more, or simply sleep on it. So, at that time, I actually received some assistance from my pals who enjoy exercising and working out in a chain just as much as they did when they pushed me to do so. And my friend would simply keep calling me and pleading with me to accompany him.

I believe that I received some oversight from other people. So all we can do is attempt to support one another. You feel better after experiencing this kind of blockage, as you may know. So, finally, it’s been a long time after just a year or so. I finally dropped between 15 and 16 kg, my weight returned to a normal range, and I was in excellent form. I was also naturally more muscular and lively.

Therefore, I believe that although you may encounter many challenges or barriers during your life, if you persevere long enough, you will succeed. Just a matter of time, really. That is how I feel about my accomplishments in life, you know.

Translation

In life, I have faced many difficulties. Losing weight 10 years ago was perhaps one of the obstacles I encountered and overcame.

In fact, I am still struggling with my weight because I dislike exercising and definitely need a fairly sedentary lifestyle. So, it causes me physical and mental pain. Sometimes I feel quite insecure, and I worry that people will mock me or even tying my shoelaces becomes troublesome. So, I believe it's time for me to change. However, saying is easier than doing.

When I started doing that, I found it quite challenging and a difficult decision. Secondly, it's what people usually do when they feel comfortable. They don't want to change. I don't want to change my way of living. There's no doubt, it's a truly challenging task.

Sometimes, all I want to do is have more, consume more, or simply oversleep. So, at that time, I really received some support from my friends, those who enjoy exercising and follow a routine like they did when they urged me to do so. And my friend would call me and persuade me to go with him.

I believe I received some supervision from others. So, all we can do is try to support each other. You feel better after going through this difficulty, you know. So, finally, that went through a long time just after a year or longer. Finally, I lost from 15 to 16 kilograms, my weight returned to normal, and I am in great shape. I am also naturally more confident and energetic.

Therefore, I believe that no matter how many challenges or obstacles you may encounter in life, if you are persistent enough, you will succeed. It's just a matter of time, really. That's how I feel about my achievements in life, you know.

Vocabulary Highlights

• Obstacles (n): khó khăn, thử thách
• Encounter (v): đối mặt
• Detest (v): ghét
• Sedentary lifestyle (n): lối sống ít vận động
• Hassle (n): rắc rối
• Alter (v): thay đổi
• Accompany (v): đồng hành
• Oversight (n): sự giám sát
• Blockage (n): sự đóng kín
• Accomplishments (n): thành tích

3. Sample 3: Overcoming a Challenge

Hãy tham gia nghe Podcast bài mẫu Part 3 của Mytour nhé:

3.1. How vital is having confidence at work?

To the best of my knowledge, having confidence may be essential for success, particularly in the workplace. High self-confidence encourages a person to take risks in order to expand their potential, which is helpful for their professional development. People with high levels of confidence may be better able to overcome challenges and perform better at work. Because confidence influences people’s mindsets, it can also help them grow their networks.

• Expand sb’s potential (v): mở rộng tiềm năng
• Overcome challenges (v): vượt qua những thách thức
• Influences people’s mindsets (v): ảnh hưởng đến suy nghĩ của mọi người
• Grow sb’s networks (v): phát triển mạng lưới quan hệ

(Dịch: Theo quan điểm của tôi, việc tự tin là rất quan trọng để thành công, đặc biệt là tại nơi làm việc. Sự tự tin khích lệ người ta chấp nhận rủi ro để mở rộng tiềm năng của họ, điều này rất hữu ích cho sự phát triển nghề nghiệp. Những người tự tin có thể vượt qua thách thức và thể hiện bản thân tốt hơn trong công việc. Vì tác động của sự tự tin đến suy nghĩ của mọi người, nó cũng có thể giúp họ xây dựng mạng lưới quan hệ của mình.)

3.2. Theo bạn, điều nào quan trọng hơn? Sự tự tin hay kiến thức?

I believe it varies depending on the circumstances. For me, it’s important to have both knowledge and confidence. Fundamental skills for a particular job are comparable to the career ladder that advances individuals to higher positions. However, lacking self-confidence stops people from performing at their best, which prevents them from advancing in the workplace.

• Comparable to (adj): quan trọng với

(Dịch: Tôi tin rằng nó thay đổi theo hoàn cảnh. Với tôi, quan trọng là có kiến thức và tự tin. Các kỹ năng cơ bản cho một công việc cụ thể có thể quan trọng trong việc thăng tiến nghề nghiệp giúp cá nhân đạt được các vị trí cao hơn. Tuy nhiên, thiếu tự tin khiến mọi người không thể thể hiện hết khả năng của mình, điều này ngăn cản họ tiến lên trong nghề nghiệp.)

3.3. Làm thế nào để bạn tập trung?

Rất khó để tôi tập trung vào những việc nhàm chán. Tuy nhiên, tôi vẫn tìm ra nhiều chiến lược để hoàn thành nhiệm vụ của mình. Một trong số đó là loại bỏ những yếu tố gây xao lạc. Thường tôi tắt mạng xã hội và các ứng dụng không cần thiết. Để tự tổ chức và tăng động lực sau khi hoàn thành một công việc, tôi cũng thêm những việc cần làm vào danh sách công việc của mình.

(Dịch: Tôi có thể khá khó tập trung vào những thứ nhàm chán. Tuy nhiên, tôi vẫn nghĩ ra một số chiến lược để hoàn thành nhiệm vụ của mình. Một trong số đó là loại bỏ phiền nhiễu. Tôi thường tắt mạng xã hội và các ứng dụng không cần thiết khác. Để luôn ngăn nắp và tăng động lực sau khi hoàn thành một nhiệm vụ, tôi cũng thêm các mục vào danh sách việc cần làm của mình.)

3.4. Người ta có nên đặt ra mục tiêu cho bản thân không?

Yeah. People might feel more purposeful after setting objectives. Once you have something in mind, it's essential to follow a structured approach. Before transitioning to the next segment, you have a clear understanding of the tasks at hand.

And while completing tasks often involves challenges in the middle, making goals could help you better prepare for anything unexpected. If your goals are well defined, you may also be reminded of the issues you are likely to run across and come up with remedies or backup plans.

• Remedy (n): phương pháp

(Dịch: Vâng. Mọi người có thể cảm thấy có mục tiêu rõ ràng hơn sau khi đặt ra mục tiêu. Khi bạn có điều gì đó trong tâm trí, việc thực hiện theo một phương pháp cấu trúc là rất quan trọng. Trước khi chuyển sang phần tiếp theo, bạn đã hiểu rõ những công việc cần phải hoàn thành.

Although completing tasks often involves encountering mid-way challenges, setting goals can better prepare you for any surprises. When your objectives are clearly defined, you can also be reminded of potential issues and devise solutions or contingency plans.

3.5. Các người thành công thường cảm thấy cô đơn không?

I’m hesitant to offer a direct answer. I don’t believe successful individuals experience loneliness as they have ample opportunities to engage with people from diverse backgrounds.

But do these prosperous people actually have pals with whom they can share experiences and carry on activities no matter what? You see, the supposedly successful individuals are constantly ambitious, thus work or profit is always put first. Then most likely no friendship can continue in their presence.

• Prosperous (adj): thịnh vượng, giàu có

(Dịch: Tôi e rằng tôi không thể cung cấp cho bạn câu trả lời trực tiếp. Tôi không nghĩ những người thành công lại cô đơn bởi vì họ có rất nhiều cơ hội để gặp gỡ những người có xuất thân khác.