IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe a person from a different cultural background

Describe a person from a different cultural background

You should say:

One minute to prepare, then speak for one to two minutes.

How to plan it in one minute

  1. Jot down the person's name and origins to anchor your story immediately.
  2. Use bullet points to list two specific cultural lessons you learned from them.
  3. Focus on sensory details like food or habits to make the description feel authentic.

Band 8 model answer

I’d like to talk about my close friend, Kenji, who comes from a small coastal town in Japan called Kamakura. We first crossed paths about five years ago while I was backpacking through Asia; we ended up sharing a dorm room in a bustling hostel in Tokyo. Despite the language barrier initially, we bonded over a mutual love for photography and street food, and we’ve kept in touch ever since through video calls. What strikes me most about Kenji is his profound sense of 'omotenashi', or Japanese hospitality, which is essentially the art of anticipating someone’s needs before they even ask. When I visited him last year, he planned every detail of my trip with such meticulous care, ensuring I experienced authentic local life rather than just the tourist traps. From him, I’ve learned the value of mindfulness and the importance of slowing down to appreciate the finer details of everyday existence. In my own culture, we are often quite rushed and efficiency-driven, but Kenji taught me that taking time to prepare a proper cup of tea or observing the changing of the seasons can be deeply restorative. He also introduced me to the concept of 'kintsugi', the practice of repairing broken pottery with gold lacquer. This philosophy—that something broken can become more beautiful for having been damaged—has fundamentally shifted my perspective on my own personal failures and setbacks. Learning about these cultural nuances through his eyes has not only broadened my horizons but has also made me a more patient and observant person in my own day-to-day life.

259 words, about two minutes at a natural pace. Details are invented; use your own.

Vocabulary from the answer

crossed paths
To meet someone by chance or during travel.
meticulous
Showing great attention to detail and precision.
tourist traps
Places that attract many visitors but are overpriced.
mindfulness
A mental state achieved by focusing on presence.
restorative
Having the ability to return health or energy.
nuances
Subtle differences in meaning, expression, or cultural tone.
broadened my horizons
To expand the scope of one's experience or knowledge.
setbacks
Reversals or checks in progress toward a goal.

Part 3 questions that follow this card

Answer each in three to five sentences: position, reason, example, limit. See the Part 3 guide.

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Frequently asked questions

How should I start the cue card "Describe a person from a different cultural background"?

Jot down the person's name and origins to anchor your story immediately.

How long should my answer be?

Speak for the full two minutes, about 220 to 280 words at a natural pace. The examiner will stop you at two minutes, which is a good sign, not a problem.

Can I use this model answer in the exam?

Use its structure and vocabulary, not its sentences. Examiners recognise memorised answers and mark fluency down; a shorter answer from your own memory scores higher than a recited one.

More cue cards: a person