IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe someone in your family who you like: 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.
  • 258 words
  • A person
  • 1 minute to prepare
  • 2 minutes to speak

The cue card

Describe someone in your family who you like.

You should say:

  • →How is this person related to you?
  • →What does this person look like?
  • →What kind of person he/she is?
  • →And explain why you like 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 a real person to make your descriptions and emotions sound more authentic.

  2. 2

    Use the first minute to jot down three adjectives to describe the person's personality.

  3. 3

    Ensure you link your final 'why' point to a specific shared experience or memory.

Model answer

Band 8 sample answer

Band 8258 words, about two minutes at a natural pace. Details are invented; use your own.

I would like to talk about my older cousin, Elena, who has been a constant source of inspiration for me since I was a child. She is the daughter of my mother’s sister, so we grew up spending every summer at our grandparents’ cottage in the Lake District, which forged a really deep bond between us. As for her appearance, Elena has a striking look. She is quite tall and carries herself with a natural elegance. She has wavy, auburn hair that she usually wears tied back, and bright, inquisitive hazel eyes that seem to light up whenever she is talking about something she is passionate about. Personality-wise, she is the definition of a free spirit. She is incredibly resilient and possesses a dry, infectious sense of humour that can diffuse even the most tense situations. She is also remarkably patient, always willing to listen without judgement, which makes her a brilliant confidante. I think the main reason I am so fond of her is her authenticity. In a world where many people feel pressured to conform, Elena has always stayed true to her own values, pursuing a career in landscape photography despite initial pressure to enter a more traditional corporate field. Her unwavering dedication to her craft and her ability to find beauty in the mundane details of nature have genuinely shaped how I view the world. Whenever I feel overwhelmed, a quick chat with her reminds me to slow down and appreciate the small things, and that level of emotional support is something I cherish deeply.

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8 words

Useful vocabulary for this cue card

  • forged

    created or shaped something with great effort

  • striking

    attracting attention by being unusual or very impressive

  • inquisitive

    having or showing an interest in learning things

  • free spirit

    someone who acts independently without worrying about rules

  • diffuse

    to reduce the danger or tension of situations

  • confidante

    a person you trust and share secrets with

  • conform

    to behave according to socially acceptable standards

  • mundane

    lacking interest or excitement; very ordinary things

6 questions

Part 3 follow-up questions

  1. 1In what ways can people in a family be similar to each other?
  2. 2Do you think that daughters are always more similar to mothers than to male relatives?
  3. 3What about sons and fathers?
  4. 4In terms of personality, are people more influenced by their family or by their friends?
  5. 5Where can people in your country get information about genetic research?
  6. 6How do people in your country feel about genetic research?

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 someone in your family who you like."?+

Choose a real person to make your descriptions and emotions sound more authentic.

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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