IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe your favorite teacher

Describe your favorite teacher.

You should say:

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

How to plan it in one minute

  1. Jot down the name, subject, and duration first to ensure you cover the mandatory bullet points.
  2. Brainstorm three specific adjectives describing their personality to help build your narrative during the speech.
  3. Focus on one specific memory or interaction to make the 'why' section more personal and vivid.

Band 8 model answer

I’d like to talk about Mr. Harrison, who was my English literature teacher during my final two years of secondary school. He was an elderly man with a penchant for tweed jackets and a rather dry, infectious sense of humour that could lighten even the most tedious grammar lessons. He taught us British classics, focusing heavily on Victorian novels and poetry. I was under his tutelage for two years, and those classes were easily the highlight of my academic week. What struck me most about him was his pedagogical approach; he never simply lectured at us. Instead, he treated us like budding intellectuals, encouraging us to debate themes of morality and ambition in books like 'Great Expectations'. I liked him so much because he possessed an incredible ability to make archaic texts feel startlingly relevant to our own lives. He had this unique knack for spotting potential in students who were otherwise disengaged. If I was struggling with an essay, he wouldn’t just correct my errors; he would sit with me after school, offer a cup of tea, and guide me through my own logic until I reached the conclusion independently. His patience was boundless, and he fostered a genuine appreciation for language that I’ve carried with me into adulthood. He wasn’t just an educator; he was a mentor who taught me how to think critically and express myself with clarity. Even now, whenever I pick up a classic novel, I find myself hearing his voice, encouraging me to dig deeper beneath the surface of the prose.

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

Vocabulary from the answer

penchant
a strong or habitual liking for something
tutelage
the act of teaching or guiding someone
pedagogical
relating to the methods and practice of teaching
budding
beginning to develop or show great promise
archaic
very old or old-fashioned and outmoded
knack
an acquired or natural skill at performing tasks
disengaged
emotionally detached or lacking interest in tasks
boundless
having no limits or ends; vast and infinite

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 your favorite teacher."?

Jot down the name, subject, and duration first to ensure you cover the mandatory bullet points.

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: a person