IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe a person you know who makes plans a lot and is good at planning

Describe a person you know who makes plans a lot and is good at planning.

You should say:

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

How to plan it in one minute

  1. Identify the person clearly and explain how you know them within the first thirty seconds.
  2. Use concrete examples of their planning, such as spreadsheets or travel itineraries, to add detail.
  3. Focus on the 'why' by highlighting their specific skills, like anticipating problems or managing time.

Band 8 model answer

I would like to talk about my close friend, Sarah, who is the most meticulously organised person I have ever met. We first became friends during our undergraduate studies at university, where we were project partners for nearly three years. Even back then, she was the one who kept our group on track, and that trait has only intensified as she has embarked on her career as an event coordinator.

Sarah makes plans for absolutely everything, ranging from the mundane, such as her weekly grocery shopping and meal preparation, to the more elaborate, like organising elaborate weekend getaways or complex professional conferences. When we travel together, she is always the one who maps out our entire itinerary, often creating a colour-coded spreadsheet that balances sightseeing with necessary downtime. It is never chaotic or hurried; instead, it is a seamless flow of activities.

I believe she is exceptionally good at planning because she possesses a rare ability to foresee potential bottlenecks before they even arise. She always builds in a buffer zone for unexpected delays, meaning she is never flustered when things go slightly off-script. Furthermore, she is brilliant at breaking down gargantuan, daunting projects into manageable, bite-sized tasks. Her talent lies not just in setting goals, but in anticipating the logistical hurdles that others might overlook. Watching her work is genuinely impressive, as she turns complex, overwhelming objectives into a series of logical, stress-free steps. Her foresight and calm demeanour make her the person I turn to whenever my own schedule starts to feel like a house of cards ready to collapse.

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

Vocabulary from the answer

meticulously
In a way that shows great attention to detail.
embarked
To start a new project or professional journey.
itinerary
A planned route or journey of travel events.
bottlenecks
Situations that cause delays in a larger process.
off-script
Happening in a way that was not planned.
gargantuan
Something that is extremely large or very difficult.
logistical
Relating to the organisation of complex operations.
foresight
The ability to predict what will happen next.

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 you know who makes plans a lot and is good at planning."?

Identify the person clearly and explain how you know them within the first thirty seconds.

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