Describe a person who likes to look after the natural world
Describe a person who likes to look after the natural world
You should say:
- Who this person is
- What he or she does
- How he or she does it
- How often he or she does it
- And explain how you feel about this person
One minute to prepare, then speak for one to two minutes.
How to plan it in one minute
- Choose someone you know well to make describing their daily habits feel more natural.
- Use specific, sensory details about what they do to make your story stand out.
- Structure your response chronologically, moving from their identity to your personal feelings about them.
Band 8 model answer
I’d like to talk about my uncle, Arthur, who is a committed environmentalist living in a small coastal village in Cornwall. He has always had a profound connection with the ocean, but in the last decade, he has turned that passion into a full-time mission to preserve the local marine ecosystem. His primary focus is the restoration of seagrass meadows, which are essential for carbon sequestration and providing habitats for local sea life. He does this by meticulously surveying the shoreline at low tide, identifying areas where invasive species have choked out native flora, and then manually clearing debris or replanting indigenous seagrass seeds he cultivates in his own home greenhouse. He is out on the beach at least four mornings a week, regardless of the British weather, rain or shine. He often brings a small group of local volunteers with him, teaching them about biodiversity along the way. I feel immense admiration for Arthur because he embodies the idea that individual action can create tangible change. While many people simply express concern about the climate crisis, he chooses to get his hands dirty, quite literally. Watching him work, knee-deep in the cold Atlantic water, reminds me that environmental stewardship isn't about grand, abstract gestures; it is about consistent, quiet labour. His unwavering dedication to a patch of coastline he doesn't own, but feels responsible for, has completely shifted my own perspective. He has taught me that we are not just inhabitants of our environment, but its custodians, and that realisation is what makes me so proud to call him my uncle.
262 words, about two minutes at a natural pace. Details are invented; use your own.
Vocabulary from the answer
- committed environmentalist
- a person who is dedicated to protecting nature
- profound connection
- a very deep and strong emotional link
- marine ecosystem
- a community of living organisms in the ocean
- carbon sequestration
- the process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon
- indigenous
- originating naturally in a particular place or area
- tangible change
- clear, real effects that can be seen
- environmental stewardship
- the responsible planning and management of natural resources
- custodians
- people who take care of or protect something
Part 3 questions that follow this card
- Do you think parents should teach their children how to protect the environment?
- What laws about the environment are effective in your country?
- Which do you think people prefer, rewards or punishment, when it comes to government intervention in environmental protection?
- Is it easy for children in cities to get close to the natural world?
- What can people do to protect the natural world?
- Is it important to teach students environmental protection at school?
Answer each in three to five sentences: position, reason, example, limit. See the Part 3 guide.
Say it out loud and get a band
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Frequently asked questions
How should I start the cue card "Describe a person who likes to look after the natural world"?
Choose someone you know well to make describing their daily habits feel more natural.
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.
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