IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe a successful sports person you admire

Describe a successful sports person you admire.

You should say:

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

How to plan it in one minute

  1. Note down the name and one specific, major achievement to anchor your story.
  2. Use a transition phrase to bridge the person's character with their professional milestones.
  3. Focus your final minute on the personal impact they have had on your perspective.

Band 8 model answer

I would like to talk about Andy Murray, the British tennis icon, who has been a constant source of inspiration for me. I first started following his career back in 2012 when he won his first Grand Slam at the US Open, ending a long drought for British men in major tournaments. Since then, I’ve tracked his journey through the highs and lows of his career, particularly his transition from a promising youngster to a world number one. Beyond the court, he is widely known for being incredibly grounded and dry-witted. In interviews, he often comes across as self-deprecating and surprisingly humble, despite the enormous pressure he has faced from the media throughout his life. His greatest achievement, in my eyes, wasn't just his two Wimbledon titles or his Olympic gold medals, but his sheer resilience. He underwent major hip resurfacing surgery, an operation that many thought would effectively end his professional career. Yet, he fought through arduous rehabilitation sessions, refusing to hang up his racket, and returned to the circuit simply because of his genuine love for the sport. I admire him because he personifies the grit and determination required to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. While many athletes focus purely on their statistics and marketability, Murray has always championed equality in sport and has been a vocal supporter of female athletes, often calling out gender bias in tennis. His tenacity during matches, combined with his integrity off the court, makes him a true role model who proves that success is defined as much by how you face defeat as how you celebrate victory.

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

Vocabulary from the answer

constant source of inspiration
someone or something that motivates you regularly.
dry-witted
having a clever and subtle sense of humour.
self-deprecating
modestly criticising oneself to be humorous.
arduous
involving a lot of hard work and effort.
hang up his racket
an idiom meaning to retire from sport.
insurmountable
a problem so great it cannot be overcome.
championed
to vigorously support a cause or principle.
tenacity
the quality of being determined and persistent.

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 successful sports person you admire."?

Note down the name and one specific, major achievement to anchor your story.

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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