Speaking Part 2 · Media & abstractIn the May–Aug 2026 forecast
Describe a Goal You Want to Achieve
In short
“Describe a Goal You Want to Achieve” is a common IELTS Speaking Part 2 cue card. You get 1 minute to prepare and should speak for 1–2 minutes, covering all four points below. This page gives you a Band 9 model answer, an idea map so you can make it your own, the Part 3 follow-up questions with answers, and the vocabulary examiners reward.
The task card
Describe a Goal You Want to Achieve. You should say:
- •What the goal is
- •How long you have had it
- •What you are doing to achieve it
- •And explain why it matters to you
Band 9 model answer
The goal I would like to talk about is becoming genuinely fluent in Spanish — not just able to order coffee, but able to hold a real, comfortable conversation and understand films without subtitles.
I've had this goal, on and off, for about three years, though I only started taking it seriously in the last twelve months. Before that it was more of a vague wish than an actual plan.
In terms of what I'm doing, I've tried to build it into daily life rather than treat it as a chore. I have a lesson with an online tutor twice a week, I use a spaced-repetition app during my commute, and — the part that's helped most — I've switched my phone and a couple of shows over to Spanish, so I'm surrounded by it even passively. Progress is slow but I can feel it adding up.
As for why it matters, it's partly practical — I'd love to travel through Latin America properly one day, and language unlocks that in a way a phrasebook never will. But more than that, it's about proving to myself that I can stick with something difficult over the long run. I gave up on languages twice as a teenager, and finishing this feels like closing an old loop. It's a stepping stone, really: if I can stay disciplined enough to reach fluency, I trust myself far more with every other goal I set.
Make it your own: three angles
A learning goal
A language or skill — concrete steps and a clear "why", easy to sustain for two minutes.
A career goal
A promotion or a business; good for ambition and long-term vocabulary.
A personal or experience goal
Fitness, travel, a creative project — strong for the emotional "why it matters".
What the examiner is listening for
Because the goal is future-facing, this card rewards a mix of the present perfect (how long you've had it), the present continuous (what you're doing now), and the future/conditional (why it matters and what it will unlock). Concrete steps beat vague intentions — 'I have a lesson twice a week' shows more than 'I try hard'.
Part 1 warm-up questions
- Do you set goals for the future?
- Do you make plans at the start of a new year?
- Is it important to have ambitions?
- Do you prefer short-term or long-term goals?
Part 3 follow-up questions & answers
Why is it important to have goals?
Goals give life direction and a way to measure progress, which keeps people motivated through the difficult, unglamorous middle of any effort. Without them it's easy to drift and feel busy but not fulfilled. Even modest goals turn vague hopes into concrete steps you can actually act on.
Do people give up on their goals too easily?
Many do, and usually it's because the goal was vague, too big, or not truly theirs. Motivation naturally fades, so the people who succeed tend to rely on systems and habits rather than willpower — small, regular actions that keep going even on the days they don't feel inspired.
Should parents set goals for their children?
Guiding and encouraging, yes; imposing, no. Children benefit from parents who help them aim high and build good habits, but goals that belong entirely to the parents often breed resentment or burnout. The aim should be to teach children how to set and pursue their own goals.
Are financial goals the most important kind?
They matter — financial security removes a lot of stress and opens up choices — but treating them as the only measure of success is a mistake. Goals around health, relationships, and personal growth arguably contribute more to lasting happiness. The healthiest approach balances the financial with the personal.
Has social media changed people's ambitions?
Considerably. It exposes people to constant highlight reels, which can raise ambition but also breeds unhealthy comparison and unrealistic timelines. It has also created entirely new goals — becoming an influencer, going viral — and can make people chase visible success over quieter, more meaningful achievements.
Is it better to have one big goal or several small ones?
Ideally both working together — a big goal gives long-term direction, while smaller sub-goals provide the regular wins that keep motivation alive. A single distant goal with no milestones is discouraging, whereas lots of small goals with no larger purpose can feel aimless. The two reinforce each other.
Useful vocabulary
| Word / phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| to set my sights on | to decide to achieve something |
| to work towards | to make progress towards a goal |
| in the long run | over an extended period of time |
| to stay motivated | to keep wanting to continue |
| a stepping stone | something that helps you progress to the next stage |
| to pay off | to produce good results after effort |
| to aspire to | to have a strong ambition for |
| on track | progressing as planned |
| a milestone | a significant stage in progress |
| determined | firmly resolved to do something |
More cue cards
Describe an Achievement You Are Proud Of
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