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.
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
Note down the person's name and why they appeared in the media immediately.
- 2
Jot down two personality traits to make your description feel more authentic and vivid.
- 3
Spend ten seconds planning a personal reason for wanting to meet them.
Model answer
Band 8 sample answer
Say it out loud and get a band
Record this card with the AI examiner: one minute of prep, two minutes to speak, then a band for fluency, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation with the words that cost you.
Say it and get a band free →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
- 1What type of people can be seen on TV? What are the kind of people do the news usually report about?
- 2Are news reports on TV in India divided into domestic and international ones?
- 3What is usually in the news in India?
- 4Are the stories about celebrities in the news always true? Is the news on celebrities mostly positive?
- 5Could superstars have a positive influence on the public?
- 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
- Describe a child who loves drawing/painting
- Describe a confident public speaker you know
- Describe a family member you admire
- Describe a famous business person that you know about
- Describe a film/movie actor from your country who is very popular
- Describe a friend from your childhood
- All 705 IELTS cue cards 2026
- IELTS speaking practice with AI scoring
- IELTS Speaking Part 3 questions and answers
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- IELTS pronunciation practice
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