IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe a person in the news that you want to meet: IELTS cue card with sample answer

An IELTS cue card for Speaking Part 2 with a Band 8 sample answer, the one-minute plan behind it, the vocabulary that lifts it and the Part 3 follow-up questions the examiner can ask next.
  • 261 words
  • A person
  • 1 minute to prepare
  • 2 minutes to speak

The cue card

Describe a person in the news that you want to meet.

You should say:

  • →Who he or she is?
  • →What did this person show up on TV for?
  • →How do you know what this person is?
  • →Why do you want to meet him?

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

A person

How to answer this cue card: a one-minute plan

  1. 1

    Note down the person's name and why they appeared in the media immediately.

  2. 2

    Jot down two personality traits to make your description feel more authentic and vivid.

  3. 3

    Spend ten seconds planning a personal reason for wanting to meet them.

Model answer

Band 8 sample answer

Band 8261 words, about two minutes at a natural pace. Details are invented; use your own.

If I had the chance to meet anyone currently making waves in the news, it would undoubtedly be Dr. Elena Vance, the lead astrophysicist behind the recent breakthrough in deep-space signal detection. She became a household name overnight after appearing on several major news networks, including the BBC and CNN, to explain how her team had intercepted a peculiar, rhythmic radio frequency from a distant galaxy. I first became aware of her through a compelling documentary-style news segment that delved into her background, highlighting how she spent over a decade working in relative obscurity before this monumental discovery. What struck me about her television appearances wasn't just the complexity of her work, but the palpable enthusiasm she exuded; she managed to make quantum physics sound as gripping as a thriller novel. I am particularly drawn to the idea of meeting her because I am fascinated by the intersection of rigorous science and human intuition. During her interviews, she often spoke about the isolation of working in remote observatories in the Chilean Andes, and I would love to hear her firsthand account of that experience. Beyond the technical achievements, I find her resilience truly inspiring. She faced significant skepticism from the scientific community for years, yet she persisted with an unwavering focus. I want to meet her to understand what keeps someone motivated when the world is telling them their theories are misguided. A conversation with her would surely be a masterclass in intellectual curiosity and the grit required to push the boundaries of what we know about our vast, mysterious universe.

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8 words

Useful vocabulary for this cue card

  • making waves

    causing a significant impact or attracting much attention

  • household name

    a person or thing that is very well-known

  • palpable

    a feeling so intense it seems almost physical

  • obscurity

    the state of being unknown or not famous

  • monumental

    great in importance, extent, or size

  • skepticism

    a doubting or questioning attitude towards something

  • unwavering

    steady, resolute, and not shaking or hesitating

  • grit

    courage and strength of character in adversity

6 questions

Part 3 follow-up questions

  1. 1What type of people can be seen on TV? What are the kind of people do the news usually report about?
  2. 2Are news reports on TV in India divided into domestic and international ones?
  3. 3What is usually in the news in India?
  4. 4Are the stories about celebrities in the news always true? Is the news on celebrities mostly positive?
  5. 5Could superstars have a positive influence on the public?
  6. 6What are the differences between Indian media and western media?

Answer each in three to five sentences: position, reason, example, limit. See how to answer IELTS Speaking Part 3.

Frequently asked questions

How should I start the cue card "Describe a person in the news that you want to meet."?+

Note down the person's name and why they appeared in the media immediately.

How long should I speak on an IELTS cue card?+

You get one minute to prepare, then 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.

How is the cue card scored?+

Part 2 is not scored on its own. Your whole Speaking test gets one band from four criteria: fluency and coherence, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation. The cue card is where the examiner hears whether you can keep going for two minutes.

Can I use this sample 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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