IELTS Speaking Part 2

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:

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

How to plan it in one minute

  1. Choose someone you know well to make describing their daily habits feel more natural.
  2. Use specific, sensory details about what they do to make your story stand out.
  3. 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

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 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.

More cue cards: a person