IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe a person you really enjoy studying/working with

Describe a person you really enjoy studying/working with

You should say:

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

How to plan it in one minute

  1. Identify a specific person to make your narrative feel authentic and grounded.
  2. Use the bullet points to create a linear timeline for your story.
  3. Focus on one or two specific character traits to explain why you enjoy the collaboration.

Band 8 model answer

I’d like to talk about my colleague, Sarah, who is a senior graphic designer at the marketing agency where I work. We have been working together for about two years now, and we are usually paired up whenever a high-stakes rebranding project lands on our desks. Our collaboration typically kicks off at the start of the working week during our morning brainstorms, where we often retreat to a quiet corner of the office to map out our creative strategy over far too many cups of black coffee. We primarily work on visual identity projects, which involve creating logos, colour palettes, and typography for various corporate clients. It’s a demanding process that requires constant back-and-forth communication, as we have to align our creative visions before presenting them to the directors. I honestly enjoy working with her because she possesses an incredibly infectious energy and a level of professional rigour that I find quite inspiring. While some people can be quite territorial about their creative ideas, Sarah is the complete opposite; she is remarkably open to critique and always encourages me to challenge her suggestions. Her approach is never about ego, but rather about refining the work until it is polished and impactful. She has this knack for breaking down complex design problems into manageable steps, which keeps our stress levels low even during the most frantic deadlines. Beyond that, she’s just great company, and our shared sense of humour helps us navigate the inevitable pressures of the industry. Working with her feels less like a chore and more like a genuine partnership where we both end up producing better work than we ever could alone.

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

Vocabulary from the answer

high-stakes
involving serious risks if things go wrong
rebranding
changing the image or design of a company
infectious
easily spread to others in a positive way
professional rigour
the quality of being extremely thorough and accurate
territorial
possessive or defensive about one's own space
knack
a natural skill or talent for something
frantic
conducted in a hurried and chaotic way
polished
refined, elegant, and of a very high quality

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 really enjoy studying/working with"?

Identify a specific person to make your narrative feel authentic and grounded.

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