IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe a time when you taught a friend/relative something

Describe a time when you taught a friend/relative something

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 person's name and the specific skill to ensure you have a focus.
  2. Draft a quick sequence: the preparation, the teaching method, and the final outcome.
  3. Include a brief emotional reflection to ensure you complete the final prompt thoroughly.

Band 8 model answer

A couple of years ago, my younger cousin, Leo, was struggling to get to grips with basic digital photography. He had just bought his first DSLR camera, but he was completely overwhelmed by the manual settings, so I decided to sit him down for a weekend workshop in my local park. To teach him, I avoided drowning him in jargon immediately. Instead, I started by demonstrating the relationship between shutter speed and aperture using his own camera. We spent an hour just taking photos of moving cyclists, experimenting with how a faster shutter speed could freeze motion while a slower one created a blur. I made sure to let him hold the camera the entire time, guiding his fingers to the dials while I explained the exposure triangle. The result was genuinely rewarding. Within a few hours, he managed to capture a crisp, well-exposed shot of a bird in flight, which was a massive step up from the blurry, overexposed pictures he had been producing previously. He was absolutely thrilled with his progress and even ended up using that shot as his desktop wallpaper. Personally, I felt a deep sense of satisfaction throughout the experience. It wasn’t just about the technical aspect; it was seeing that ‘aha’ moment when the concepts finally clicked for him. Teaching him allowed me to look at photography through fresh eyes again, reminding me of the excitement I felt when I first picked up a camera. It reinforced my belief that breaking down complex tasks into bite-sized, practical steps is the most effective way to mentor someone.

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

Vocabulary from the answer

get to grips with
To begin to understand or deal with something
drowning him in jargon
Using too many technical words that confuse someone
exposure triangle
The three fundamental elements of photography lighting settings
massive step up
A significant improvement compared to previous attempts
aha moment
A sudden realization or moment of clear understanding
bite-sized
Divided into small, easy-to-manage and digest pieces
mentor
To advise or train someone in a skill
overwhelmed
Feeling that a task is too difficult or complex

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 time when you taught a friend/relative something"?

Note down the person's name and the specific skill to ensure you have a focus.

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: an experience