Describe A Person Who Motivates You: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

Who is this person?
What does this person motivate you to do?
How did this person help?
And explain why this motivation helps you to achieve the goal?

20 unique answers with expert feedback

How has Gandhi's philosophy influenced your daily life?

Gandhi's philosophy of Ahimsa has taught me to approach conflicts with calmness and understanding. I try to apply non-violence in my interactions, whether in personal disputes or professional challenges, believing that peaceful resolutions are more effective.

Can you share an example of a situation where you applied Gandhi's teachings?

Once, during a heated argument with a friend, I remembered Gandhi's teachings. Instead of retaliating, I chose to listen and understand their perspective. This approach not only resolved our conflict but also strengthened our friendship.

What qualities do you think make a good role model?

A good role model should possess integrity, resilience, and the ability to inspire others. They should lead by example, demonstrating values like compassion and commitment, just as Gandhi did during his life, which encourages others to follow a similar path.

Band 6-7

00:00

A person who motivates me is my mother. She is a teacher in a private institution as well as she was a teacher for me from my 6th to 10th standard. So, more than being a child, she also knows me as a student. So, which means that she knows how I behave inside home and how I behave outside home also. So, whenever I face any difficult situation or challenge, without any hesitation, I just call my mother and say the whole thing that happened, why I am feeling down, what happened, explain each part of the event to her. She gives me some advices, what should be done and what not should be done. At the same time, she motivates me like anything. She is the best motivator for me. By the end of the call, I used to get a lot of motivation from her and I used to get a feeling like now I can do anything in this world. So, she is the best motivator for me.

Follow up questions

How does your mother motivate you in specific situations?

My mother motivates me by providing practical advice tailored to my challenges. For instance, when I struggled with exams, she shared her own experiences and strategies, which helped me feel more confident and prepared. Her encouragement makes me believe in my abilities.

Can you share a specific instance when your mother motivated you?

Once, I was feeling overwhelmed before a big presentation. I called her, explained my fears, and she reminded me of my past successes. She helped me focus on my strengths and reassured me that I was well-prepared. That conversation boosted my confidence significantly.

What qualities do you admire most in your mother?

I admire her patience and understanding. She listens without judgment and always provides constructive feedback. Her ability to empathize with my feelings while guiding me towards solutions is something I deeply respect and aspire to emulate in my own life.

Band 6-7

00:00

Okay, there are quite many people who motivates me while I am in my low period as well as my high periods. But there is one significant person from whom I got more admire is S.J. Shankar who is the foreign minister of India as well as foreign secretary also. I like about him is that the speech he gives on a foreign meetings and the reply to the reporters while at press conference and mainly I like him because of his geopolitics, tricks and tactics he used while considering and using them to make a plan against any other countries for the betterment of our nation which is very effective for India as well as people of India for the trade practices and other practices happening in India right now. As you know there is a trade gap between USA and India but how S.J. Shankar handled this situation critical situation easily by saying that we can negotiate this deal and take a 90 days pause from Trump by halting the tariffs on Indian goods which is very beneficial for Indian marketers that's why I am always getting motivated from this person as I also want to be like this person.

Follow up questions

What qualities do you admire most in S.J. Shankar?

I admire his intelligence, strategic thinking, and ability to communicate effectively. His calm demeanor during press conferences and his skill in navigating complex geopolitical issues inspire me to develop similar qualities in my own life.

How do you think motivation from others can impact personal growth?

Motivation from others can provide guidance and inspiration, helping us to set goals and overcome challenges. It encourages us to strive for excellence and can significantly influence our mindset and determination to succeed.

Can you share a time when you felt particularly motivated by S.J. Shankar's actions?

I felt particularly motivated during his handling of the trade negotiations with the USA. His ability to pause tariffs showed strategic thinking and diplomacy, which made me realize the importance of patience and negotiation in achieving long-term goals.

Practice other cue cards

Describe an interesting person that you have not met in person and would like to know more about

View answers

Describe A Person Who Is Good At Making People Feel Welcome In His Her Home

View answers

Describe a person who likes to make things by hand (e.g. toys, furniture)

View answers

Describe a polite person you have met.

View answers

Describe a person you met at a party and enjoyed a conversation with.

View answers

Describe a person who you are happy to know.

View answers

Describe a person who shows his/her feelings very openly

View answers

Describe a person who inspired you to do something interesting.

View answers

Describe a famous person you're interested in.

View answers

Describe a friend of yours who is good at music or singing

View answers

Describe A Successful Person Who You Once Studied Or Worked With

View answers

Describe A Friend You Like To Talk With

View answers

Describe a person who shows his or her feelings very openly

View answers

Describe An Interesting Neighbour

View answers

Describe a TV or radio presenter you like.

View answers

Describe an old person you know who has had an interesting life

View answers

Describe a person you know who likes to talk a lot.

View answers

Describe An Old Person You Know And Respect

View answers

Describe a person who has strong opinions

View answers

Describe a person you only met once and want to know more about.

View answers

Describe someone older than you whom you admire.

View answers

Describe a family member you spend a lot of time with.

View answers

Describe A Person Who Has Done A Lot Of Work To Help People

View answers

Describe A Person Who Impressed You In Primary School

View answers

Describe Your Childhood Friend

View answers

Describe A Person Who Likes To Make Things By Hand (E.G., Toys, Furniture)

View answers

Describe a person from a different cultural background with whom you enjoy spending time

View answers

Describe a famous person you would like to meet

View answers

Describe a successful sportsperson you admire

View answers

Describe Your Best Friend

View answers

Describe someone else’s room you enjoy spending time in

View answers

Describe a famous person you're interested in.

View answers

Band 6-7

00:00

Being an extrovert, I love to interact with different personalities, and due to this, I know many people through a different nature. Here I am going to talk about a person I like to talk to. He is none other than Mr. Jone. He is not only my best friend, but also a good listener. He has a charming personality, kind personal. I love to talk with him about future plans, movies, books. I know him since my childhood. As we used to play together, I like to talk with him because he is a man of his words. He is a man of his words. When I meet him, always, I feel full of pain. He is person, he is educator. When I am pursuing my education, sometimes I feel confused in any work, but he always helps me in doing work. He always encourages me to do study-related experiments and some other experiments. He always boosts my confidence. I face many problems, he always motivates me to deal with the situation and learn something. He is like a family member to me. I can share everything with him. He always boosts my confidence. He is known for his helping nature. He is down to earth by nature, being a health conscious, he never misses his yoga classes. Due to this, he is fit as fiddle. He organized a free medical camp. His team has helped thousands of people. He also donated money to NGOs. He is known for his humble nature and we like to talk with him. He has a great sense of humor. I am lucky to have him in my life. I am really so happy because of him.

Follow up questions

How has Mr. Jone influenced your personal goals?

Mr. Jone has greatly influenced my personal goals by encouraging me to pursue my education and explore new experiences. His belief in my potential motivates me to set higher standards for myself and strive for excellence in everything I do.

Can you share a specific instance where Mr. Jone helped you?

One specific instance was when I was struggling with a difficult project in school. Mr. Jone took the time to help me understand the concepts and guided me through the process. His support made a significant difference, and I ended up achieving great results.

What qualities do you think make someone a good motivator?

I believe that a good motivator should possess qualities like empathy, patience, and the ability to inspire others. They should also be good listeners and provide constructive feedback, just like Mr. Jone does, which helps individuals feel valued and encouraged.

Band 5-6

00:00

My motivation is my mother. She motivates me to do something in my life. Because whenever I see her, I feel like I have to do something in my life. I don't know why, but she doesn't do anything, but whenever I see her, I feel like I have to do it. I feel like this. Thank you for watching my video.

Follow up questions

What specific qualities of your mother inspire you the most?

My mother is incredibly resilient and has a positive outlook on life. Her ability to stay calm in difficult situations and her unwavering support for our family inspire me to strive for my goals and face challenges head-on.

Can you share a specific instance when your mother motivated you?

There was a time when I was struggling with my studies. My mother encouraged me to keep trying and reminded me of my potential. Her belief in me helped me to push through and ultimately succeed in my exams.

How do you think motivation from family differs from motivation from friends?

Motivation from family, like my mother's, often comes from a deep emotional connection and unconditional support. Friends can provide motivation too, but it may be more about shared experiences and peer encouragement, which can be different in nature.

Show all 20 answers

Cue 1:Who is this person?

Introduce the person clearly, mentioning their relationship to you and their significance in your life.
Provide a brief background about this person, highlighting their achievements or qualities that inspire you.

Example

The person who motivates me the most is my father. He is a retired school teacher who dedicated his life to educating children in our village. His passion for teaching and his commitment to helping others have always inspired me.

Cue 2:What does this person motivate you to do?

Explain the specific goals or values this person encourages you to pursue.
Share how their motivation aligns with your personal aspirations or dreams.

Example

My father motivates me to pursue my education diligently and to always strive for excellence. He often tells me that knowledge is the key to success, and he encourages me to never stop learning.

Cue 3:How did this person help?

Describe specific instances where this person has supported or guided you.
Mention any advice or lessons they have shared that have impacted your life.

Example

Whenever I faced challenges in my studies, my father was always there to help me. He would spend hours explaining difficult concepts and would encourage me to believe in myself. His support during my exams was invaluable.

Cue 4:And explain why this motivation helps you to achieve the goal?

Discuss how this motivation has positively influenced your actions and mindset.
Reflect on the outcomes of their support and how it has shaped your journey towards your goals.

Example

This motivation helps me stay focused and determined. Knowing that my father believes in me pushes me to work harder and not give up, even when things get tough. His encouragement has led me to achieve good grades and aspire for higher education.

Conclusion

Example

In conclusion, my father is a constant source of motivation in my life. His dedication to education and his unwavering support inspire me to pursue my dreams and work towards achieving my goals. I am grateful for his influence and hope to make him proud.

Following this structure will ensure you cover all the essential points while providing a clear and engaging response to the cue card topic.

Tips to answer this Cue Card

1: Lack of Specificity

Being vague about who the person is or what they motivate you to do can weaken your response. Specific examples make your answer more engaging and relatable.

Tip

Clearly identify the person and provide specific examples of their influence on your life to enhance your answer.

2: Ignoring Personal Impact

Failing to explain how this person's motivation has personally affected you can make your answer less compelling. It's important to connect their influence to your own experiences.

Tip

Share personal anecdotes that illustrate how their motivation has helped you achieve specific goals.

Overly General Statements

Using generic statements without depth can make your response sound unoriginal. Avoid clichés and focus on unique aspects of your relationship with the person.

Tip

Use detailed descriptions and unique insights about the person and their impact on your life to create a more memorable response.

IELTS Cue Cards asked last week

Reported by Leap students who gave IELTS

Describe your favourite food at a traditional festival or a special event in your country

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

Pitampura Test Centre, New Delhi

Answer

I like to taste different types of cuisine. Here I would like to talk about my favorite dish at my traditional festival of Onam which is Sadya. Sadya is popular in my city. We are experimenting these cuisines on Onam festival day. Onam is a famous festival in my city. All family members get together in my home and we make a delicious Sadya. There are many ingredients includes that Sadya. Moreover, we make a big feast that day as well as we create a lot of memories together and we wear that day the traditional dress called Sari and men wear the Dhotis. That festival is really important to us because the whole day we are conducting different kinds of games at our homes and all the family members came together. It's a memorable day in my life. This is the festival. We are making the Sambar and Aviyal. These all the kinds of foods are making with the vegetables.

Talk about a toy you liked in your childhood

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 8

Sector 34 Test Centre, Chandigarh

Answer

The toy which I liked in my childhood was a panda doll, which makes me pleasant and makes me more blush. The pandas are the most beautiful creatures of the world, which looks gigantic and has pooshy cheeks and they are like stars in the clouds and they dream in me. Furthermore, these have been given by my father. My father is a very very beautiful artistic person, who makes me think of that. Every day you will face every difficulties and make you suffer and move forward. Pandas are always seen in Japanese countries. It is my lifelong dream to visit a Japanese country and click a photo with the original pandas, which makes sounds better.

Describe a time you were in a place where you didn't know the local language

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 6.5

Whitefield Test Center, Bengaluru

Answer

As India is a very large country full of diversity, so there are many places which have their own language and speak their native language. The place which I visited and I didn't know about their language was Leladakh, which is about 300 km away from my hometown and it is a very good place as it consists of different kind of trees, animals and have many scenic views and I visited over there last year in summers as it was the best time to visit because it has many, it was cold over there and we had summers in our area so it was the best time to visit over there and I went over there with my whole family.

Describe a time when your friend damaged something you owned

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7

Begumpet Test Centre, Hyderabad

Answer

When I was a kid, I had a little pencil box which had these four buttons which gave the pencil box an operative use. When you press the button, the box would open up. When you press the second button, a little part of it would slide out. Basically it was just a little electronical and a fun thing to have and I owned it when I was in 6th. One day after break, I was standing and talking there with one of my friends and another friend of mine was running through the hallway and accidentally she pushed my shoulder and my pencil box hit the ground and it broke into multiple pieces to the point that it was not functional anymore.

Describe a book you recently read

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

CBD Belapur Test Centre, Navi Mumbai

Answer

It Ends With Us is a book I read recently. It's by the author Colleen Hoare. It's mainly a story about two teenagers, Atlas and Lily, and how they just handle their life going through high school, adolescence, and just domestic violence at home. Both of them come from very, very different families. However, they have one common determining factor between them, which is domestic violence. The abuse that they've seen their moms go through is just insane, and they connect through that on a different level. They're actually in the same high school, but they never speak to each other until Atlas actually crashes into an empty house next to Lily's villa. When Atlas is homeless and he doesn't have anywhere to go, he just comes and breaks into the house next to Lily's, and Lily helps him with all the daily necessities like clothes and food, medicines and stuff. Furthermore, their friendship blossoms into love, but it doesn't really fructify as Atlas has to leave. This book really gave me a lot of knowledge about domestic abuse and how to deal with it.