Of course! Describing a risk is a great topic for IELTS Speaking Part 2. It allows you to use a wide range of vocabulary, talk about personal experiences, and express your opinions.

Here is a complete guide to help you structure your answer, including a sample answer, key vocabulary, and tips.

Part 2 Cue Card

Describe a risk that you have taken.

You should say:

• What the risk was
• When and why you took this risk
• What the outcome was
• And explain how you felt about taking this risk afterwards.

Structure and Sample Answer

Here is a sample answer broken down into the four parts of the cue card. This structure is clear, logical, and easy to follow.

Introduction: What the risk was

Start by directly answering the first question. State what the risk was and give a little context to set the scene.

"I'd like to talk about a significant risk I decided to take about three years ago, which was to quit my stable, full-time job to start my own small online business."

• Why this is a good start: It's direct and immediately tells the examiner what the topic is. Using phrases like "significant risk" or "calculated risk" shows you have a good range of vocabulary.

Body Paragraph 1: When and why you took this risk

This is where you tell the story. Explain the circumstances (when) and your motivations (why). This is the core of your answer.

"At the time, I was working as a marketing specialist for a well-established company. The job was secure, paid well, and had great benefits, but I was feeling increasingly unfulfilled. I had a passion for sustainable fashion and had been researching the industry for months. I saw a gap in the market for affordable, eco-friendly clothing that was stylish and accessible. So, the 'when' was at the end of 2025, and the 'why' was a combination of my personal passion and a business opportunity I couldn't ignore. It felt like a 'now or never' moment."

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• Why this is a good paragraph:
  • Provides Contrast: It highlights the "risk" by contrasting the "safe" job with the "risky" venture.
  • Explains Motivation: It shows why you took the risk, which is more interesting than just stating the fact.
  • Uses Good Vocabulary: Words like fulfilled, passion, gap in the market, eco-friendly, and now or never make your language sound more natural and advanced.

Body Paragraph 2: What the outcome was

Describe what happened after you took the risk. Be honest and detailed. This shows you can describe a process and a result.

"The outcome was a real rollercoaster, to be honest. For the first six months, it was incredibly tough. I had to dip into my personal savings to cover the initial costs of inventory and website development. There were days when I felt I had made a huge mistake and got zero orders. However, I persisted, focusing on social media marketing and building a small but loyal community. Slowly but surely, things started to pick up. By the end of the first year, I was not only breaking even but actually making a small profit. Now, two years later, my online store is thriving, and I've even hired a part-time assistant to help me."

• Why this is a good paragraph:
  • Shows Narrative Arc: It tells a mini-story with a challenge (incredibly tough), a turning point (I persisted), and a positive result (thriving).
  • Honesty is Good: Admitting it was "tough" makes you sound more genuine than if you just said it was a huge success from day one.
  • Specific Details: Mentioning "six months," "dipping into savings," and "hiring an assistant" adds concrete detail and credibility.

Conclusion: And explain how you felt about taking this risk afterwards

This is your chance to reflect and give your opinion. Summarise your feelings and what you learned.

"Looking back, taking that risk was one of the best decisions I've ever made. The initial fear and anxiety were completely outweighed by the immense sense of pride and accomplishment I feel now. It taught me that playing it safe can sometimes be the biggest risk of all—risking a life of regret. The experience made me more resilient, confident, and business-savvy. I don't regret the uncertainty for a second because it led me to a career that I truly love and own."

• Why this is a good conclusion:
  • Clear Opinion: It directly answers the final question and gives a strong, positive opinion.
  • Reflects and Learns: It shows you are a thoughtful person by talking about what you learned (resilient, business-savvy).
  • Strong Ending: The final sentence is memorable and provides a powerful summary of your experience.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases for "Describe a Risk"

Using varied and topic-specific vocabulary is key to a high band score.

Types of Risks

• A calculated risk (a risk that has been carefully considered)
• A leap of faith (to do something without knowing if it will succeed)
• To gamble (to take a risk with the hope of a good result)
• To put something on the line (to risk something valuable)
• To go out on a limb (to do something that is different from what others are doing)

Describing the Situation

• Safe/Stable: secure, steady, nine-to-five, a steady paycheck, benefits, a comfort zone.
• Risky/Uncertain: uncertain, volatile, high-stakes, a venture, an enterprise, to be self-employed, to be your own boss.

Describing Feelings & Motivations

• Negative feelings: apprehensive, anxious, nervous, fearful, hesitant, to have second thoughts.
• Positive feelings: excited, exhilarated, thrilled, ambitious, driven, passionate, unfulfilled, stifled.
• Motivations: to seize an opportunity, to pursue a passion, to branch out, to be my own master, to escape the rat race.

Describing the Outcome & Result

• Positive outcome: a success, to pay off, to bear fruit, to be worthwhile, to thrive, to flourish, to reap the rewards.
• Negative outcome: a failure, to backfire, to fall flat, to go under (for a business).
• Neutral/Uncertain outcome: to be a hit-or-miss situation, to be a double-edged sword.

Useful Idioms

• To bite the bullet: To force yourself to do something difficult or unpleasant that you have been delaying.
• To cross that bridge when you come to it: To deal with a problem when it actually happens, not before.
• The bigger they are, the harder they fall: The more successful or powerful someone is, the more dramatic and damaging their failure will be.

Tips for Your Answer

1. Choose a Real Story: It's much easier to talk about a real experience. Your emotions and details will be more genuine.
2. Structure is Key: Use the four points from the cue card as your guide. This ensures you answer all parts of the question.
3. Show, Don't Just Tell: Instead of saying "I was scared," say "My heart was pounding, and I kept going over the 'what-ifs' in my head." This is more descriptive and engaging.
4. Connect Your Ideas: Use linking words like "however," "as a result," "consequently," "on the one hand... on the other hand" to make your answer flow smoothly.
5. Be Honest About the Feelings: Whether it was a success or a failure, talking about your true feelings (fear, regret, pride) will make your answer more compelling and human.