IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe someone who is always punctual

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

The cue card

Describe someone who is always punctual

You should say:

  • →who this person is
  • →what kind of social occasions you meet them for
  • →how they manage to always arrive on time
  • →and explain how you feel about their punctuality.

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

A person

How to plan it in one minute

  1. 1

    Identify a specific friend or relative and mention where you usually meet them.

  2. 2

    Detail their practical habits, like planning routes or anticipating travel delays.

  3. 3

    Share both positive impressions and any slight pressure you feel to match their timeliness.

Model answer

Band 8 model answer

Band 8263 words, about two minutes at a natural pace. Details are invented; use your own.

I would like to talk about my close friend, Marcus, who is without a doubt the most punctual person I know. We actually met at university about six years ago, and ever since, whether it is a casual catch-up at a local coffee shop, a birthday dinner, or a day trip to the coast, he is unfailingly on time. In fact, more often than not, he turns up five or ten minutes before the agreed time.

To be honest, that sort of reliability is quite rare these days, as most of our mutual friends tend to operate on a far more relaxed schedule. Marcus manages this simply because he is exceptionally well organised. He treats social commitments with the exact same level of respect as an important business appointment. Before leaving his flat, he always factors in potential public transport delays or heavy traffic, and he maps out his journey well in advance. If a journey usually takes half an hour, he will easily allow forty-five minutes just in case.

As for how I feel about it, I find his consistency really admirable, though I must admit it occasionally puts a bit of pressure on the rest of us to be on time as well! In a world where people frequently send last-minute texts to say they are running late, his habit is incredibly refreshing. It demonstrates that he genuinely values other people's time and does not take social plans for granted. Whenever we arrange to meet, I know for certain that I will not be left waiting around awkwardly on my own.

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8 words

Vocabulary from the answer

  • unfailingly

    in a reliable and consistent manner

  • mutual friends

    friends shared by two or more people

  • factors in

    includes particular details when making calculations or plans

  • maps out

    plans a route or arrangement in detail

  • admirable

    deserving respect and high approval

  • running late

    arriving or progressing behind the planned schedule

  • take for granted

    underestimate the value of something due to overfamiliarity

  • waiting around

    spending time idly while expecting someone to arrive

5 questions

Part 3 questions that follow this card

  1. 1Why do some people struggle to be on time for social arrangements?
  2. 2How do attitudes towards punctuality differ between work and personal life?
  3. 3Do you think cultural background influences how people perceive time?
  4. 4How has modern technology changed the way we manage our schedules?
  5. 5Is strict punctuality likely to become more or less important in the future?

Answer each in three to five sentences: position, reason, example, limit. Read Band 8 answers to these Part 3 questions: punctuality and time management in society.

Frequently asked questions

How should I start the cue card "Describe someone who is always punctual"?+

Identify a specific friend or relative and mention where you usually meet them.

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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