IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe a person who shows feelings openly: 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.
  • 265 words
  • A person
  • 1 minute to prepare
  • 2 minutes to speak

The cue card

Describe a person who shows feelings openly

You should say:

  • →Who this person is
  • →How you know them
  • →How they show their feelings
  • →And explain how you feel about them showing their feelings openly

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 a real person to make your descriptions and reactions feel authentic and natural.

  2. 2

    Use the bullet points as a chronological roadmap to ensure you cover all requirements.

  3. 3

    Focus on one specific personality trait to keep your narrative coherent and easy to follow.

Model answer

Band 8 sample answer

Band 8265 words, about two minutes at a natural pace. Details are invented; use your own.

I’d like to tell you about my cousin, Sarah, who is perhaps the most emotionally transparent person I’ve ever met. We grew up together in a small coastal town in Cornwall, so I’ve known her since we were toddlers, and our families are incredibly close. Sarah has always been the kind of person who wears her heart on her sleeve; she simply doesn't possess the capacity to hide what she’s thinking or feeling. Whether she is overjoyed, frustrated, or deeply moved, it’s written all over her face within seconds. For instance, if you tell her good news, she’ll beam with such genuine radiance that it’s infectious, but if she’s upset, she’ll immediately tear up or speak her mind with startling honesty. It’s never malicious, just incredibly raw. I find this trait of hers immensely refreshing. In a world where so many people are preoccupied with maintaining a polished, guarded exterior, Sarah’s authenticity is a breath of fresh air. It creates an environment where you never have to guess where you stand with her, which eliminates so much unnecessary social anxiety. Honestly, sometimes I wish I could be as uninhibited as she is. While I often find myself overthinking how I should react in certain situations, Sarah just reacts. Watching her navigate life with such emotional honesty has taught me that vulnerability isn't a weakness, but rather a form of courage. I truly admire how she refuses to mask her true self to appease others, and I believe her sincerity draws people toward her because they recognise that what they see is exactly what they get.

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8 words

Useful vocabulary for this cue card

  • emotionally transparent

    someone who shows their feelings very clearly

  • wears her heart on her sleeve

    making your emotions very obvious to others

  • radiance

    a glow of happiness or positive energy

  • infectious

    a feeling that easily spreads to others

  • raw

    unfiltered and showing true, deep human emotion

  • guarded exterior

    a personality that hides true thoughts carefully

  • uninhibited

    behaving naturally without worrying about social judgment

  • appease

    to try to make someone else happy

5 questions

Part 3 follow-up questions

  1. 1What role does society play in shaping our attitudes towards this?
  2. 2Has the way people view this changed over the years?
  3. 3How do you think it will develop in the future?
  4. 4What are the benefits and drawbacks?
  5. 5Do you think the government should be involved in regulating this area?

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 shows feelings openly"?+

Choose a real person to make your descriptions and reactions feel authentic and natural.

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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