IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe a person who often helps others

Describe a person who often helps others

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 ensure you can provide specific, natural-sounding details.
  2. Use a clear narrative arc: introduce the person, describe their habits, then explain their impact.
  3. Focus on one or two specific examples of their help to keep your story coherent.

Band 8 model answer

I would like to talk about my neighbour, Mr. Henderson, who is genuinely the most selfless individual I have ever encountered. He is a retired schoolteacher in his seventies who lives just a few doors down from me in a quiet suburb of Manchester. He seems to be in a constant state of offering assistance to anyone within a five-mile radius. Almost every single day, you will find him doing something for someone else, whether it is pruning the overgrown hedges for the elderly couple next door or helping local students with their maths homework in the community centre. His motivation is purely altruistic; he simply believes that a neighbourhood functions best when people look out for one another. He often tells me that he finds retirement boring and prefers to keep his mind sharp by tackling the various problems others face. He has this remarkable way of making people feel that their troubles are manageable, offering a calm, steady hand whenever someone is overwhelmed. Personally, I hold Mr. Henderson in very high regard. Seeing him act so consistently with such grace and good humour has genuinely shifted my own perspective on community living. I used to be quite insular, keeping to myself, but his influence has encouraged me to be more proactive in checking on my own neighbours. He makes me feel that kindness is not just a moral obligation but a rewarding way to live, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have such an inspiring role model living right on my doorstep.

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

Vocabulary from the answer

altruistic
showing a selfless concern for other people's wellbeing
pruning
trimming a tree or bush by cutting branches
insular
ignorant of or uninterested in other people's cultures
proactive
creating or controlling a situation rather than responding
in the same breath
saying two very different things at once
doorstep
a step outside an outer door of a house
manageable
able to be controlled or dealt with easily
selfless
concerned more with others' needs than one's own

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 often helps others"?

Choose someone you know well to ensure you can provide specific, natural-sounding details.

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