IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe a TV news presenter you admire

A Band 8 model answer with the one-minute plan behind it, the vocabulary that lifts it, and the Part 3 questions that follow.
  • 249 words
  • A film, book, song or programme
  • 1 minute to prepare
  • 2 minutes to speak

The cue card

Describe a TV news presenter you admire

You should say:

  • →who this person is
  • →what kind of news programme they present
  • →how they deliver the news
  • →and explain why you find their style so reassuring and credible.

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

A film, book, song or programme

How to plan it in one minute

  1. 1

    Identify a specific evening news bulletin and state how long the presenter has been anchoring it.

  2. 2

    Describe concrete aspects of delivery, such as vocal cadence, neutral body language, and interviewing style.

  3. 3

    Contrast their calm, fact-based reporting with the sensationalism often found in digital media.

Model answer

Band 8 model answer

Band 8249 words, about two minutes at a natural pace. Details are invented; use your own.

I would like to talk about a veteran news presenter who anchors the flagship evening bulletin on our main national public broadcaster. She has been in the role for well over a decade, usually appearing at ten o'clock to guide viewers through the major national and international events of the day.

What sets her apart is her remarkably composed demeanour. Unlike many contemporary broadcasters who tend to sensationalise breaking stories with breathless commentary, she maintains an unhurried, steady cadence. Her facial expressions remain neutral yet engaged, and when interviewing politicians or experts, she asks incisive, direct questions without ever resorting to aggressive interruptions or dramatic theatrics. Even when dealing with technical glitches or rapidly unfolding crises live on air, she never seems flustered.

I find her delivery exceptionally credible mainly because she acts as an anchor of stability in an increasingly noisy media landscape. Nowadays, so much of the news we encounter on our mobile phones or 24-hour channels is designed to trigger emotional outrage or anxiety. In contrast, watching her present feels like a breath of fresh air. She delivers unvarnished facts and is always careful to distinguish between confirmed information and early speculation, openly telling the audience when certain details cannot yet be verified.

In my view, that level of honesty is rare and refreshing. In moments of genuine national upheaval, having a level-headed journalist who prioritises accuracy over speed gives viewers a real sense of perspective, which is why I hold her in such high regard.

Say it out loud and get a band

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8 words

Vocabulary from the answer

  • flagship bulletin

    the main, most prominent news broadcast of a network

  • composed demeanour

    a calm, controlled, and collected outward appearance

  • sensationalise

    to exaggerate events to provoke excitement or shock

  • steady cadence

    a regular, calm, and measured rhythm of speech

  • incisive

    intelligent, sharp, and directly getting to the point

  • anchor of stability

    a reliable and steady presence during turbulent times

  • unvarnished

    plain, direct, and free from exaggeration or bias

  • level-headed

    calm, sensible, and rational under pressure

5 questions

Part 3 questions that follow this card

  1. 1How has the way people consume news changed over the past few decades?
  2. 2Why do you think some news channels sensationalise stories rather than reporting them neutrally?
  3. 3What role should public-service broadcasters play in a democratic society?
  4. 4To what extent will citizen journalism replace traditional television news in the future?
  5. 5What are the advantages and drawbacks of round-the-clock, 24-hour news cycles?

Answer each in three to five sentences: position, reason, example, limit. Read Band 8 answers to these Part 3 questions: trust and integrity in modern journalism.

Frequently asked questions

How should I start the cue card "Describe a TV news presenter you admire"?+

Identify a specific evening news bulletin and state how long the presenter has been anchoring it.

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.

Keep practising

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