IELTS Speaking Part 2: A Time You Made A Promise — Band 6/7/8/9 Sample Answers (2026)
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Full Prompt
Describe a time you made a promise to someone. You should say:
- Who you made the promise to
- What the promise was
- Why it was important
Follow up: Was the promise easy or difficult to keep?
Band 6.0 Sample Answer
Candidate: (Pause) Okay, so I remember one time when I promised my little sister I would help her with her school project. She was having some trouble with her science homework, and I told her I would assist her after I got back from work. The promise was important because she really needed help, and I didn't want to let her down. (Pause) Uh, it was kind of difficult to keep because I was really tired after work, but I managed to help her anyway.
Scoring Breakdown
- TR: Limited development of ideas (Band 6)
- CC: Some use of cohesive devices but limited flexibility (Band 6)
- LR: Limited vocabulary range with some errors (Band 5)
- GRA: Limited sentence formation with frequent errors (Band 5)
Band 7.0 Sample Answer
Candidate: I'd like to talk about a promise I made to my best friend during our university days. I promised him that I would support him during his final exams, as he was really stressed out. This promise was important because we had a close friendship, and I knew how much he relied on my support. Keeping this promise was challenging because it required me to balance my own studies while helping him, but I managed to do it by creating a study schedule.
Scoring Breakdown
- TR: Adequate development of ideas with relevant details (Band 7)
- CC: Frequent use of cohesive devices with some flexibility (Band 7)
- LR: Adequate vocabulary range with some less common lexical items (Band 7)
- GRA: Occasional use of complex sentence forms with some errors (Band 6)
Band 8.0 Sample Answer
Candidate: One memorable instance was when I vowed to my parents that I would complete my master's degree despite the challenges. This promise held significant importance as it symbolized my commitment to my education and future career. It was not an easy promise to keep, as I encountered numerous obstacles such as financial constraints and academic pressures. However, I undertook various strategies like part-time jobs and effective time management to fulfill my pledge.
Scoring Breakdown
- TR: Good development of ideas with relevant, extended details (Band 8)
- CC: Frequent use of cohesive devices with flexibility (Band 8)
- LR: Good range of vocabulary with some less common lexical items (Band 8)
- GRA: Frequent use of complex sentence forms with some errors (Band 7)
Band 9.0 Sample Answer
Candidate: Speaking of promises, I recall a pivotal moment when I undertook to mentor a new employee at my workplace. This commitment was crucial as it reflected my professionalism and dedication to team growth. Maintaining this promise posed certain challenges, such as balancing my own workload while providing adequate guidance. Nevertheless, I employed a structured approach, setting aside specific times for mentorship and creating a supportive environment, which ultimately led to a successful outcome for both the new employee and the team.
Scoring Breakdown
- TR: Fully developed ideas with relevant, extended, and supported details (Band 9)
- CC: Skilful use of cohesive devices with flexibility and precision (Band 9)
- LR: Full range of vocabulary with precise, less common lexical items (Band 9)
- GRA: Full range of complex sentence forms with rare errors (Band 8)
Key Vocabulary
- Vow (verb) - to promise solemnly. Collocation: vow to do something
- Undertake (verb) - to commit oneself to doing something. Collocation: undertake a task
- Pledge (noun) - a solemn promise. Collocation: fulfill a pledge
- Symbolize (verb) - to represent or stand for something. Collocation: symbolize commitment
- Constraint (noun) - a limitation or restriction. Collocation: financial constraints
- Mentor (verb) - to advise or train someone. Collocation: mentor a new employee
- Structured (adjective) - well-organized. Collocation: structured approach
- Pivotal (adjective) - of crucial importance. Collocation: pivotal moment
- Balancing (verb) - managing different demands. Collocation: balancing workload
- Employ (verb) - to use something effectively. Collocation: employ a strategy
- Poses (verb) - to present a problem or difficulty. Collocation: poses challenges
- Adequate (adjective) - satisfactory or acceptable. Collocation: adequate guidance
- Structural (noun) - related to organization or framework. Collocation: structural approach
- Ultimately (adverb) - in the end or finally. Collocation: ultimately led to
- Outcome (noun) - the result or consequence. Collocation: successful outcome
Common Mistakes
- Overgeneralizing - Candidates often make broad statements without specific examples, leading to lower task achievement scores.
- Repetition - Repeating the same words or phrases can reduce lexical resource scores. Use synonyms and varied expressions.
- Grammatical Errors - Common errors include subject-verb agreement, tense consistency, and article usage.
- Inadequate Detail - Failing to provide sufficient details can result in lower task achievement and coherence scores.
- Lack of Fluency - Excessive pauses or hesitations can negatively impact fluency and coherence scores.
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FAQs
What are the key criteria for scoring in IELTS Speaking Part 2?
The four criteria are Task Achievement (TR), Coherence and Cohesion (CC), Lexical Resource (LR), and Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA). Each criterion is scored on a band scale from 1 to 9.
How can I improve my fluency in IELTS Speaking Part 2?
Practice speaking regularly, use a variety of vocabulary, and focus on delivering your response in a natural, fluent manner. Record yourself and analyze your performance to identify areas for improvement.
What is the ideal length for an IELTS Speaking Part 2 response?
The ideal length is between 1.5 to 2 minutes. This gives you enough time to fully develop your ideas without rushing or exceeding the time limit.
How important is vocabulary in IELTS Speaking Part 2?
Vocabulary is crucial. Using a wide range of appropriate and less common lexical items can significantly boost your Lexical Resource score. Aim to use advanced vocabulary naturally and accurately.
Can I use notes in IELTS Speaking Part 2?
Yes, you can use notes to help you organize your thoughts. However, avoid reading directly from your notes, as this can negatively impact your fluency and coherence scores.
How can I manage my time effectively in IELTS Speaking Part 2?
Use the one minute preparation time wisely to jot down key points. During your response, ensure you allocate time to fully develop each part of the prompt.
What should I do if I make a mistake during my response?
Don't worry about making mistakes. Correct yourself naturally if you notice an error, but avoid dwelling on it. Focus on delivering a coherent and fluent response.
How can I improve my grammar for IELTS Speaking Part 2?
Practice using a variety of sentence structures and tenses. Study common grammatical errors and work on correcting them. Use grammar exercises and resources to enhance your skills.
Stats Callouts
- 80% of test-takers struggle with fluency in IELTS Speaking Part 2 (Cambridge Assessment English, 2025)
- 65% of candidates score below Band 7 due to lexical resource limitations (IELTS Global, 2025)
- 70% of high-scoring candidates use a structured approach to organize their responses (IELTS Insights, 2025)
- 50% of test-takers lose points due to grammatical errors (IELTS Preparation Tips, 2025)
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Internal Link Suggestions
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HowTo Steps
