Describe a story someone told you, and you remember – IELTS speaking part 2 and part 3.
Describe a story someone told you and you remember
You should say:
- Who told you the story
- What the story was about
- Why do you remember it
And explain how you felt about it.
“I guess I probably heard many stories back when I was a little kid, but the one that has always stuck in my mind is a story my grandfather told me when I was maybe about 7 or 8 years of age. My grandfather, who was an incredibly kind and loving person was however, a man of few words…but when he had something to say, it was usually something worth remembering, and something very interesting about his own life growing up back in the day.
I remember it was Christmas time when he told me this story about his life, when he was about the same age as I was at the time, and how life was so different back then. He told me how when he was growing up, the family were very hard up and often strapped for cash, and were not able to have a proper Christmas dinner like most families today.
He went on to tell me how both of his parents had to work every god given hour, pinching every penny, so they could just put enough food to survive on the table.
It’s a story I have always remembered, and often think about, even today. It reminds me of how lucky and privileged I was growing up, in a pretty well off family, never wanting for anything. I still feel thankful to this day, when i stop to think of the sacrifices that my grandparents and their parents before them had to make so we can live the lives we have today.
Thank you…”
Idioms
- Stuck in my mind
This just means that something you heard, saw or experienced, clearly stays in your memory.
“The advice my father gave me when I started my first job has always stuck in my mind.”
- A person of few words
A person of few words is a person who never says much about their opinions or feelings.
“My grandfather was a man of few words, although he never said he loved me, I always knew he did.”
- Back in the day
This is just an informal way of talking about the more distant past.
“My father was a very good footballer back in the day.”
- Hard up
To be short of, or desperate for money.
“My friend John is a little hard up for money at the moment, so can’t come on holidays with us.”
- To be strapped for cash
Basically the same meaning as to be hard up
“I would love to buy the new iphone, but i’m a bit strapped for cash at the moment.”
- To be well off
If we describe a person as being well off, it means that they are wealthy enough to have a very comfortable life.
“He’s very well off, and drives a new BMW.”
Describe a story somebody told you and you remember – part 3
Are there many traditional stories from your country or culture?
“Yes, there are so many old tales and stories from Vietnam, and the country is full of mythology and legends that have been passed down from generation to generation. Personally, I believe that these old stories are very important for teaching children to understand and have an interest in Vietnamese culture. What’s more, many of these stories and legends contain a lot of valuable moral lessons, which are a great way for children to learn about the different values in life.”
Do old people in your country enjoy telling stories about the past?
“Yes, they most definitely do, and I think this is also,probably true for old people all over the world. Old people often love telling young children about how much harder life was back in their day, and how they never had the luxuries that children take for granted today. Grandparents will also read or tell their grandkids many of the old myths or legends that their grandparents told them when they were little kids, which i think is a really wonderful thing, as well as something that can never be replaced by the use of technology.”
Has storytelling changed over the years?
“Well, personally, yes I really think it has. I remember in the past that stories, especially older myths and legends were passed down from generation to generation through word of mouth, and every child learned these traditional tales and stories from their grandparents.
However these days, I think most children are usually glued to a TV or mobile phone screen, watching cartoons from Japan or Korea, which are taking the place of traditional storytelling. I really think this is a little sad, and it would be a terrible thing to lose the art of traditional storytelling, as these old stories are part of our culture.”
Which do you think is better, traditional storytelling or the use of technology in storytelling?
“Well I think generally speaking that traditional storytelling is much better than the use of technology. I feel that with traditional storytelling there is a personal connection and a bond between the storyteller and the listener, which is something that cannot be replaced by technology, and really is something special. On top of that I think that traditional storytelling encourages a child to use their imagination, which is always a good thing for childrens to learn.
Having said that, I guess that technology can actually provide more interaction, with lots of vivid pictures, voices and even animation which can really grab a child’s attention. Mind you, I still feel that traditional storytelling is way better than the use of technology.”
More links to IELTS speaking part 2 and part 3 example answers
Describe a city you think is very interesting
Describe an invention that changed people’s lives
Describe an interesting neighbour – IELTS speaking
Describe something you did to learn another language
Describe a surprise that made you happy-IELTS speaking
Describe a competition-IELTS speaking
Describe a positive change you made
