Sample Speaking Part 2: Describe a special cake you received from others

If you are asked to describe a birthday cake in IELTS Speaking Part 2, how would you describe it?

For the task "Describe a special cake you received from others", of course, we will choose to talk about a birthday cake. However, the special nature of a "cake" is always tied to special occasions, so remember to spend 2-3 sentences talking about the context - when, where, and who gave it to you. Then you can get into the main content - the appearance and the taste. And don't forget to explain why the cake was important to you!

So let's see how Huong Ly (8.0 Overall in IELTS exam) can handle the task "Describe a special cake you received from others" as easily as eating a cake, shall we!

I. Cue card: Describe a special cake you received from others

II. Outline: Part 2

1. Sample idea

For the task "Describe a special cake you received from others", we should choose a specific type of cake to talk about. However, spend about 2-3 sentences discussing the context - when, where, and who gave you the cake. Next will be the main content of the speech:

• For the appearance, describe how the cake was decorated. Was it simple or elaborate, what were the colors like. Here, we can briefly mention the decorative ingredients used.

• For the flavor, list out the ingredients that make up the cake. We should discuss this part in more detail, analyzing how each component contributed to the overall taste of the cake.

• Finally, in the "Describe a special cake you received from others" task, spend 1-2 sentences explaining why the cake was important to you. Try to choose a notable event where the cake held special meaning.

2. One-minute note taking

III. Sample Speaking: Describe a special cake you received from others

Below is a sample IELTS Speaking Part 2 response on the topic "Describe a special cake you received from others" compiled by the teachers at PREP. Review it right away to practice IELTS Speaking at home effectively!

To be honest, I hadn’t held a birthday party for a long time. Basically, it was because I found this kind of event disturbing. However, last year, with a sudden shift, I invited my friends over to my house to celebrate my birthday as I wanted to bond with my friends and colleagues. For that reason, they gave me a tiramisu, which was mouth-watering from the outside to the inside.

I remember the side of the cake was covered by ladyfingers and the top was dusted with cacao powder. I would say the decoration of the dessert was minimal, but chocolate - related food has always been my Achilles heel, so even if it was that simple, I would still appreciate it. 

Contrary to the look of the cake, the flavor of the tiramisu was rich. I could taste the mild sweetness of mascarpone, the slight bitterness of cocoa and the light espresso soaked in ladyfingers. At that moment, I thought to myself why I hadn’t done this more often with my friends. Besides the cake, I also prepared other food and drinks to serve the guests, such as wine, fruits, and snacks. That evening had a convivial atmosphere as we had time to socialize instead of talking about work or future plans.

Generally, the tiramisu cake connected closely to my special event, my birthday, so it somewhat became one of the best parts of that day. Would I like to celebrate my birthday again? Certainly, yes. It is such a valid excuse to eat a delicious cake again. 

Vocabulary used in the IELTS Speaking Part 2 sample response on the topic "Describe a special cake you received from others":

• Disturbing (adj): causing a feeling of confusion or anxiety

• Mouth-watering (adj): deliciously appetizing

• Ladyfinger (n): a type of sponge cake

• Dust (v): to sprinkle lightly

• Minimal (adj): reduced to the smallest possible amount

• Rich (adj): dense and intense in flavor

• Achilles heel (n): a weakness or vulnerable point

• Mascarpone (n): a type of creamy Italian cheese

• Bitterness (n): a sharp, bitter taste

• Soak (verb): to become thoroughly wet or saturated

• Convivial (adj): friendly, lively, and enjoyable

This article has provided a sample IELTS Speaking Part 2 response on the topic "Describe a special cake you received from others". PREP wishes you effective at-home exam preparation, so you can confidently enter the test room and score a high band!