IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe a person who often helps others: 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.
  • 254 words
  • A person
  • 1 minute to prepare
  • 2 minutes to speak

The cue card

Describe a person who often helps others

You should say:

  • →Who this person is
  • →How often he/she helps others
  • →How/why he/she helps others
  • →And how you feel 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 well to ensure you can provide specific, natural-sounding details.

  2. 2

    Use a clear narrative arc: introduce the person, describe their habits, then explain their impact.

  3. 3

    Focus on one or two specific examples of their help to keep your story coherent.

Model answer

Band 8 sample answer

Band 8254 words, about two minutes at a natural pace. Details are invented; use your own.

I would like to talk about my neighbour, Mr. Henderson, who is genuinely the most selfless individual I have ever encountered. He is a retired schoolteacher in his seventies who lives just a few doors down from me in a quiet suburb of Manchester. He seems to be in a constant state of offering assistance to anyone within a five-mile radius. Almost every single day, you will find him doing something for someone else, whether it is pruning the overgrown hedges for the elderly couple next door or helping local students with their maths homework in the community centre. His motivation is purely altruistic; he simply believes that a neighbourhood functions best when people look out for one another. He often tells me that he finds retirement boring and prefers to keep his mind sharp by tackling the various problems others face. He has this remarkable way of making people feel that their troubles are manageable, offering a calm, steady hand whenever someone is overwhelmed. Personally, I hold Mr. Henderson in very high regard. Seeing him act so consistently with such grace and good humour has genuinely shifted my own perspective on community living. I used to be quite insular, keeping to myself, but his influence has encouraged me to be more proactive in checking on my own neighbours. He makes me feel that kindness is not just a moral obligation but a rewarding way to live, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have such an inspiring role model living right on my doorstep.

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8 words

Useful vocabulary for this cue card

  • altruistic

    showing a selfless concern for other people's wellbeing

  • pruning

    trimming a tree or bush by cutting branches

  • insular

    ignorant of or uninterested in other people's cultures

  • proactive

    creating or controlling a situation rather than responding

  • in the same breath

    saying two very different things at once

  • doorstep

    a step outside an outer door of a house

  • manageable

    able to be controlled or dealt with easily

  • selfless

    concerned more with others' needs than one's own

6 questions

Part 3 follow-up questions

  1. 1Q1. Do you think schools should teach children to do household chores?
  2. 2Q2. Why are employees reluctant to ask their managers for help?
  3. 3Q3. What can children do to help their parents?
  4. 4Q4. Should children help their parents with household chores?
  5. 5Q5. What kind of help do people need when looking for a new job?
  6. 6Q6. Who should people ask for help, colleagues or family members?

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 often helps others"?+

Choose someone you know well to ensure you can provide specific, natural-sounding details.

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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