IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe a person who has done a lot of work to help people: 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.
  • 260 words
  • A person
  • 1 minute to prepare
  • 2 minutes to speak

The cue card

Describe a person who has done a lot of work to help people.

You should say:

  • →Who this person is/was?
  • →Where does this person live?
  • →What he/she has done to help people?
  • →And explain how you know about this person.

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

    Choose someone you know personally to ensure your description remains natural and detailed.

  2. 2

    Draft a quick timeline: introduction, their main activity, and your personal connection to them.

  3. 3

    Use descriptive adjectives to paint a clear mental picture of their personality and actions.

Model answer

Band 8 sample answer

Band 8260 words, about two minutes at a natural pace. Details are invented; use your own.

I’d like to talk about a retired schoolteacher named Mrs. Halloway, who lives in a quiet, leafy suburb just a stone’s throw from my own neighbourhood. She is quite a remarkable woman, well into her seventies, yet she possesses an energy that puts many younger people to shame. Her primary contribution to the community is the establishment of an after-school literacy programme. She converted her own living room into a makeshift library, filled with second-hand books she tirelessly sourced from local charity shops. Every weekday afternoon, she opens her doors to children from underprivileged backgrounds who struggle with reading or homework. It is not just about academics; she provides a safe, nurturing environment where these kids can simply be themselves, away from the stresses of their home lives. She offers them snacks, patience, and unwavering encouragement, which has effectively boosted the confidence of dozens of students over the years. I first became aware of her incredible work through the local community notice board. I was looking for a volunteer opportunity and stumbled upon a flyer she had handwritten. Curious, I decided to drop by and ended up staying for an hour just observing her teaching style. I was genuinely moved by the way she managed to make complex grammar rules feel like an engaging game. I know about her now because I’ve since become a regular volunteer myself, helping her organise the book collection. Seeing the transformation in the children—how they go from being shy and hesitant to confident readers—is what truly inspires me about her dedication to helping others.

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8 words

Useful vocabulary for this cue card

  • stone’s throw

    a very short distance from a specific place

  • makeshift

    a temporary substitute used in an emergency situation

  • underprivileged

    having less money and fewer opportunities than others

  • nurturing

    caring for and encouraging growth or development

  • unwavering

    steady, resolute, and not changing in one's support

  • stumbled upon

    to find something by chance or accidentally

  • hesitant

    slow to act or speak due to uncertainty

  • dedication

    the quality of being committed to a task

6 questions

Part 3 follow-up questions

  1. 1What are some of the ways people can help others in the community?
  2. 2Why do you think some people like to help other people?
  3. 3Some people say that people help others in the community more now than they did in the past.
  4. 4What types of services, such as libraries or health centres, are available to the people who live in your area? Do you think there are enough of them?
  5. 5Which groups of people generally need most support in a community?Why?
  6. 6Who do you think should pay for the services that are available to the people in a community? Should it be the government or individual people?

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 who has done a lot of work to help people."?+

Choose someone you know personally to ensure your description remains natural and detailed.

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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