IELTS Speaking Part 2 cue card · Books, media and culture

Describe a news story that interested you

The full cue card, a one-minute plan for its prompts, a sample answer by Lingo Copilot and the vocabulary for this topic.

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Describe a news story that interested you.

You should say:

  • what the story was about
  • where you heard or read about it
  • when you came across it

and explain why this news story interested you.

How to plan your answer in 1 minute

A minute is short. Spend it on keywords for each prompt, in the order of the card:

  1. 0:00–0:10

    Choose your answer

    Decide on a news story that interested you. Pick something real that you know well, so the details come easily when you speak.

  2. 0:10–0:20

    What the story was about

    Write two or three keywords, not sentences: a name, a place, a time or a detail you can expand on.

  3. 0:20–0:30

    Where you heard or read about it

    Write two or three keywords, not sentences: a name, a place, a time or a detail you can expand on.

  4. 0:30–0:40

    When you came across it

    Write two or three keywords, not sentences: a name, a place, a time or a detail you can expand on.

  5. 0:40–0:55

    And explain why this news story interested you

    Note one reason and one short example or story. This is the part you can keep developing until the examiner stops you at two minutes.

  6. 0:55–1:00

    Check the order

    Number your notes in the order of the prompts, then use them as a checklist while you talk.

Sample answer

Written for practice. Use it for ideas and phrasing rather than memorising it, then answer about your own experience.

Sample answer by Lingo Copilot · 250 words

So, I want to tell you about a news story that captured global attention — the rescue of twelve boys and their football coach from a flooded cave in Thailand in 2018. This extraordinary event showed human courage, international cooperation, and the power of working together with determination. The story began when the team entered Tham Luang cave complex during an outing, then became trapped by unexpected flooding that blocked the exit. The boys, aged eleven to sixteen, along with their twenty-five-year-old coach, found themselves stranded deep within the cave system with limited food and no clear way out. What made this news story particularly gripping was the massive rescue operation that developed. Experts from around the world — cave divers, engineers, military personnel, and volunteers — came together at the remote location. The operation required solving numerous technical challenges, including pumping millions of liters of water from the cave and navigating narrow, flooded passages. The rescue attempt was truly dangerous. One experienced diver died during preparation work, highlighting the serious risks involved. The decision to go ahead required weighing the danger of acting against the danger of waiting. In the end, rescuers decided to sedate the boys and dive them out individually — an unprecedented and risky approach. The successful outcome, with all thirteen people rescued safely, sparked global celebration. It reminded me that humans are capable of extraordinary compassion and courage, and that sometimes the best stories are about ordinary people achieving remarkable things through determination and cooperation.

Another sample answer (2 of 3)

Sample answer by Lingo Copilot · 243 words

I want to describe a local news story that had a big impact on my community — the discovery and cleanup of illegal toxic waste dumping that had been poisoning our neighborhood's groundwater for years. This investigative journalism exposed serious environmental crimes while highlighting the importance of persistent reporting. The story broke two years ago when a local newspaper journalist noticed unusual illness rates in our neighborhood. Rather than accepting official assurances that nothing was wrong, she investigated persistently, interviewing residents, reviewing property records, and eventually discovering that a now-closed factory had illegally buried industrial waste decades earlier. What made this news story particularly important was that it revealed failures by multiple institutions. Environmental agencies had ignored resident complaints, property developers had built housing on contaminated land without proper checks, and local government had approved construction without adequate oversight. The investigation uncovered widespread neglect endangering hundreds of families. The news coverage triggered immediate action. Environmental authorities were forced to conduct proper testing, confirming dangerous contamination levels. Affected families, armed with this information, organized and demanded accountability. The public pressure led to funded cleanup operations and health monitoring for affected residents. On a personal level, this story was frightening — I'd been living on potentially contaminated land without knowing. However, I also felt grateful that persistent journalism revealed the truth rather than allowing a continued cover-up. It also reminded me to be more involved with local issues rather than assuming authorities always act responsibly.

Another sample answer (3 of 3)

Sample answer by Lingo Copilot · 244 words

Let me share a news story that personally moved me — coverage of a young climate activist's global movement encouraging students to strike for environmental action. This story showed how individual determination can inspire worldwide change, particularly among younger generations. The story centered on a teenager who began protesting alone outside her country's parliament every Friday, demanding stronger climate policies. Her solo protest seemed unrealistic initially, but her consistent message and unwavering commitment began attracting attention. News coverage spread her message globally, and students worldwide started organizing similar protests in their communities. What made this news story particularly inspiring was watching a grassroots movement naturally spread across the world. Within months, millions of students globally took part in coordinated climate strikes, making their voices heard regarding their future. The movement showed young people refusing to accept inaction on issues affecting their generation most severely. The news coverage showed both the inspiring side — young people politically engaged and demanding change — and the criticism they faced from those dismissing them as naive or manipulated. Watching debates about whether children should be politically active revealed tensions in society about youth participation and who gets to define legitimate activism. Personally, this story challenged my own lack of action regarding environmental issues. It reminded me that waiting for others to solve problems is itself a choice, and that meaningful change often begins with people refusing to accept unacceptable situations, regardless of how powerless they might initially seem.

Useful vocabulary

headlinenoun
The title or main heading of a news article, designed to capture the reader's attention and summarise the key point.
coveragenoun
The extent and manner in which a news event is reported across various media outlets.
unfoldverb
To develop or be revealed gradually over time, as events or details of a story become known.
credibleadjective
Capable of being believed or trusted, particularly regarding sources or reports of information.
controversialadjective
Giving rise to disagreement or public debate, often because the topic involves conflicting viewpoints.
corroborateverb
To confirm or support a statement, theory, or finding with additional evidence or testimony.
disseminateverb
To spread information, knowledge, or news widely so that it reaches a broad audience.
polariseverb
To divide opinion sharply into two contrasting groups or camps.
substantiateverb
To provide evidence or proof that confirms the truth or validity of a claim.
allegationnoun
A claim or assertion that someone has done something wrong, typically without definitive proof.
obfuscateverb
To render something unclear or unintelligible, deliberately or otherwise, often to conceal the truth.
incendiaryadjective
Tending to inflame passions or provoke conflict, particularly through provocative rhetoric or reporting.
spuriousadjective
Not genuine, authentic, or valid; based on false reasoning or fabricated evidence.
diatribenoun
A forceful and bitter verbal or written attack against someone or something.
inscrutableadjective
Impossible to understand or interpret; mysterious in nature, often describing motives or expressions.

Useful collocations

  • breaking news

    The breaking news bulletin interrupted regular programming to report the earthquake.

  • widespread coverage

    The trial received widespread coverage from both domestic and international media outlets.

  • credible source

    A credible source within the ministry confirmed that the policy reversal was imminent.

  • compelling evidence

    The prosecution presented compelling evidence that left little room for reasonable doubt.

  • mounting pressure

    Mounting pressure from the public forced the authorities to re-examine their initial findings.

  • polarised opinion

    The article polarised opinion, with supporters and detractors exchanging sharp criticisms online.

  • corroborating testimony

    Three independent witnesses provided corroborating testimony that strengthened the prosecution's case.

  • rigorous scrutiny

    Every claim in the report was subjected to rigorous scrutiny by a panel of experts.

  • unsubstantiated claims

    The article was criticised for circulating unsubstantiated claims without adequate verification.

  • sweeping reforms

    In response to the scandal, the government pledged sweeping reforms of the regulatory framework.

  • follow the story

    I followed the story closely as it developed over several weeks.

  • public outcry

    The decision sparked a public outcry that forced the government to reconsider.

  • compound the problem

    Ignoring early warning signs only serves to compound the problem.

  • reliable source

    I always check that the information comes from a reliable source.

  • shed light on

    The report shed light on an issue most people didn't know about.

Follow-up questions on this topic

Questions stored with this card in our question bank, to take the topic further:

  • Do you think the media reports news fairly?
  • How has the way people consume news changed?
  • Should news focus more on positive stories?

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