IELTS Speaking Part 2 – Topic: Describe some local news that people in your locality interested in

I came across this intriguing article in a newspaper I read at my school’s library. It involved how positive attitudes have greatly affected people’s success, based on the story of how a local woman had never given up her dream and had now become a world-famous novelist.

According to the news story, optimistic people are more likely to be successful. Since they look at the bright side, their lives are always full of enjoyment. Therefore, when running into problems, optimists try their best to work out solutions. This leads them to great achievements. In contrast, pessimistic people tend to act negatively, which not only puts them under a lot of strain, but also has a bad impact on their performance and people
around them.

Since I read this news, I have tried to maintain positive attitudes about everything. Whenever I fail to do something, I will not blame myself but work harder to overcome such failure. I hope that, like this woman, everybody can learn to be optimistic about whatever situation they face.

– intriguing: [adjective] very interesting, because the news was unusual.
Example: He told me an intriguing story about how a shark had once attacked him while he was swimming in the sea.

– had never given up: [phrasal verb] had never abandoned: she had always continued to believe in her dream.
Example: The police announced that – after 10 days – they had finally given up looking for survivors of the air crash.

– world-famous: [adjective] known all over the world
Example: McDonald’s is a world-famous chain of fast-food restaurants.

– novelist: [noun] a person who writes novels – fictional stories.
Example: The author of the ‘Harry Potter’ books used to teach English, but now she is a world-famous novelist.

– optimistic: [adjective] expecting good things to happen or to be successful.
Example: He was optimistic about his chances of passing the exam, because he had studied hard.

– look at/on the bright side: [expression] to be cheerful about a bad situation, by thinking of the advantages – not the disadvantages.
Example: Although you have lost your keys, look on the bright side – your brother has a copy of all of them.

– work out (solutions): [phrasal verb] think of (solutions).
Example: Engineers work out solutions to many technical problems when they design new buildings.

– pessimistic: [adjective] expecting bad things to happen or expecting things to fail.
Example: The patient was very ill, and the doctors were pessimistic about his chances of recovering.

– puts them under a lot of strain: [expression] puts a lot of pressure on them, because they are worried about being able to solve a difficulty.
Example: The team have lost every match, so this puts them under a lot of strain when they have to face new opponents.

– whatever: any or every (situation)
Example: Whatever the situation about your travel visa, we will work out a solution together.