IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe someone passionate about animals

A Band 8 model answer with the one-minute plan behind it, the vocabulary that lifts it, and the Part 3 questions that follow.
  • 265 words
  • A person
  • 1 minute to prepare
  • 2 minutes to speak

The cue card

Describe someone passionate about animals

You should say:

  • →who this person is
  • →what kinds of pets they look after
  • →how they manage their daily care
  • →and explain why they are so devoted to these animals

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

A person

How to plan it in one minute

  1. 1

    Note down the person's identity and list 2-3 specific pets they keep.

  2. 2

    Jot down active verbs for daily tasks like walking, feeding, and grooming.

  3. 3

    Brainstorm a clear underlying motivation, such as shelter volunteering.

Model answer

Band 8 model answer

Band 8265 words, about two minutes at a natural pace. Details are invented; use your own.

I would like to talk about my aunt, Clara, who has been a passionate animal lover for as long as I can remember. She lives in a detached cottage just on the outskirts of Bristol, which is the perfect setting because she actually shares her home with quite a menagerie, currently three rescue dogs, two ginger cats, and a couple of tortoises that roam around her back garden.

Taking care of that many creatures is practically a full-time commitment, but she handles it with incredible patience and structure. Her day usually starts around six in the morning when she takes the dogs for a long walk across the nearby meadows. After that, there is a strict feeding routine, especially because one of the older dogs has specific dietary requirements and needs daily medication mixed into his food. She has also set up a dedicated space in her utility room for grooming and cleaning, so her cottage never feels chaotic, even with so many paws running around.

I think the main reason she is so devoted to them stems from her background in volunteering. She spent years helping out at a local rescue shelter, where she witnessed firsthand how many animals end up abandoned or neglected. That experience really left a lasting impression on her. To be honest, she views these animals not simply as pets, but as genuine companions who depend on her entirely. She often says that providing a safe haven for vulnerable creatures gives her a profound sense of purpose, and you can truly see that mutual affection whenever she is around them.

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8 words

Vocabulary from the answer

  • menagerie

    a diverse collection of animals kept in one place

  • outskirts

    the outer areas or edges of a town or city

  • commitment

    a responsibility or duty that demands time and effort

  • dietary requirements

    specific nutritional needs for health or medical reasons

  • chaotic

    completely disordered, messy, or confused

  • stems from

    originates, develops, or arises from a particular source

  • safe haven

    a secure place offering refuge and protection

  • profound

    very great, intense, or deeply felt

5 questions

Part 3 questions that follow this card

  1. 1Why do many people in modern society choose to keep domestic pets?
  2. 2How has the way people treat pets changed compared to past generations?
  3. 3What factors contribute to the problem of abandoned animals in cities?
  4. 4Do you think animal welfare standards will improve in the future?
  5. 5What are the drawbacks of keeping exotic or unusual animals as pets?

Answer each in three to five sentences: position, reason, example, limit. Read Band 8 answers to these Part 3 questions: human relationships with animals and pets.

Frequently asked questions

How should I start the cue card "Describe someone passionate about animals"?+

Note down the person's identity and list 2-3 specific pets they keep.

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

More cue cards: a person

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