IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe a very patient person you know: 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.
  • 230 words
  • A person
  • 1 minute to prepare
  • 2 minutes to speak

The cue card

Describe a very patient person you know

You should say:

  • →who this person is
  • →how you know them
  • →in what situations they show patience
  • →and explain why you admire their patience so much.

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

    Jot down the person's identity and connection: Mr Henderson, biology teacher.

  2. 2

    Note two specific instances: repeating explanations calmly and after-school revision support.

  3. 3

    Note the core reason for admiration: handled unruly teens without frustration and built confidence.

Model answer

Band 8 sample answer

Band 8230 words, about two minutes at a natural pace. Details are invented; use your own.

I'd like to talk about my former secondary school biology teacher, Mr Henderson, who is without doubt one of the most patient individuals I've ever come across. I first met him when I was about fourteen, at a time when science definitely wasn't my strong suit, and many of us in the class were quite unruly and easily distracted.

What always stood out was how he handled challenging classroom situations. Whenever students struggled with complex biological concepts or asked the same question over and over again, he never lost his cool. Instead of getting flustered or raising his voice, he'd simply pause, take a deep breath, and break down the topic using a different analogy or a colourful sketch on the whiteboard. He also ran an after-school revision club where he'd sit for hours with anyone falling behind, guiding them step-by-step through past exam papers without ever showing a hint of frustration.

To be honest, I admire his patience immensely because teaching teenagers can be incredibly taxing, yet he managed to maintain a remarkably calm demeanour day in, day out. His ability to keep his temper in check created an environment where nobody felt foolish asking for help. In many ways, his composed nature not only helped me pass my GCSEs, but it also taught me the value of being tolerant and understanding when dealing with others in difficult circumstances.

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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.

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8 words

Useful vocabulary for this cue card

  • not my strong suit

    not an area in which one is particularly skilled

  • unruly

    disorderly and difficult to control or manage

  • lost his cool

    became angry or lost emotional composure

  • flustered

    agitated, confused, or nervous due to pressure

  • taxing

    physically or mentally demanding and exhausting

  • demeanour

    outward behaviour or bearing towards other people

  • keep his temper in check

    maintain self-control and avoid displaying anger

  • composed

    calm and having full control over one's feelings

5 questions

Part 3 follow-up questions

  1. 1Do you think people are becoming less patient nowadays compared to the past?
  2. 2In which professions is having patience most crucial?
  3. 3What factors cause people to lose their patience in public situations?
  4. 4How might modern technology affect the patience levels of future generations?
  5. 5Can being overly patient ever be a disadvantage for someone?

Answer each in three to five sentences: position, reason, example, limit. Read Band 8 answers to these Part 3 questions: patience and tolerance in modern society.

Frequently asked questions

How should I start the cue card "Describe a very patient person you know"?+

Jot down the person's identity and connection: Mr Henderson, biology teacher.

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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