Describe a person you know who has chosen a career in the medical field (e.g. a doctor, a nurse): IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

Who he/she is
What he/she does
Why he/she chose this career
And explain how you feel about him/her

27 unique answers with expert feedback

What qualities do you think are essential for someone in the medical field?

I believe qualities like empathy, resilience, and strong communication skills are essential. Medical professionals often deal with patients in distress, so being able to understand their feelings and communicate effectively is crucial. Additionally, resilience helps them cope with the challenges they face.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic changed perceptions of medical careers?

The pandemic has highlighted the importance of healthcare workers and their dedication. Many people now see medical careers as not just jobs, but as vital roles in society. It has also increased interest among young people in pursuing careers in medicine, as they want to contribute to public health.

What challenges do medical students face during their studies?

Medical students face numerous challenges, including intense competition, long hours of study, and high stress. They must master a vast amount of information and often deal with emotional situations during clinical rotations. Balancing their personal life with their studies can also be quite difficult.

Band 6-7

00:00

I am going to tell about one of my friend. He is in medical field. He is a nurse. In childhood also, particularly he has interest to do help for anyone needed. In addition to that, he is joined JRC to service the people. Further, he is the best serviceman of our school and also he awarded for his service to plant the hundred trees. He always told that save trees, save water. Now he is working in a reputed hospital and well salary. He also helping his family. He is the breadwinner of his family.

Follow up questions

What qualities do you think are important for someone in the medical field?

I believe qualities like empathy, strong communication skills, and resilience are crucial. Medical professionals often deal with patients in distress, so being able to understand their feelings and communicate effectively is essential. Additionally, resilience helps them cope with the challenges of the job.

How do you think your friend's work as a nurse impacts his community?

My friend's work as a nurse greatly impacts the community by providing essential healthcare services. He not only treats patients but also educates them about health and wellness. His involvement in community service, like planting trees, also promotes environmental awareness, which benefits everyone.

What challenges do you think people in the medical field face?

People in the medical field face numerous challenges, including long working hours, emotional stress from dealing with sick patients, and the need to stay updated with medical advancements. Additionally, they often have to manage high-pressure situations, especially in emergency care.

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.

Band 6-7

00:00

Well, I have known many individuals in my life who have chosen careers in medical field. Among them, I would like to tell you about a person who is incredibly dedicated to the medical sector. She is my best friend, Hrishita Sonavani. We have known each other for donkey years. She is a medical laboratory technologist and work as a senior medical technologist for the urban primary health care. The reason she chose this career is that from childhood she was fascinated and dedicated to the helping others. And she specially chose this career as a medical technologist because in today's world numerous people face various health issues like fluctuating glucose level, blood pressure, creatinine level and certain heart attacks. As a laboratory technologist, she helps others by providing accurate reports. In 2020, medical technologists play an important role. They risk their lives to test all the people and send us reports to determine whether we have COVID-19. That is why she chose this career despite her success and achievements. She remains humble and dedicated to her work. Sometimes I feel like I can never match her level of hard work, especially at her age. She is a role model in my life. Moreover, I feel proud and lucky to have someone like her in my life who motivates me so much.

Follow up questions

What qualities do you think are essential for someone in the medical field?

I believe qualities like compassion, dedication, and strong communication skills are essential. Medical professionals must be able to empathize with patients and communicate effectively, especially when delivering difficult news or explaining complex medical information.

How do you think the role of medical technologists has changed during the pandemic?

The role of medical technologists has become even more crucial during the pandemic. They are on the front lines, conducting tests for COVID-19 and ensuring accurate results. Their work helps in tracking the virus and managing public health, making them vital in controlling the spread of the disease.

What impact do you think your friend's work has on the community?

My friend's work has a significant impact on the community by providing essential health services. Accurate lab results are critical for diagnosing and treating patients. Her dedication helps improve health outcomes and fosters trust in the healthcare system, especially during challenging times.

Band 6-7

00:00

He is a doctor whose name is Dr. Devil Livingstone. He is a multi-specialist, a surgeon who worked for African people and their welfare. He is full of good and spiritual values. He sacrificed all of his life in his medical field to help people who are in sick and needy. He is also known as Star of Africa. He is a doctor with full of sacrifices and where we could learn a great love, a helping nature and also lot of things like even I want to become a doctor like him so that I could serve people with all of my heart, with love and be such great as he is.

Follow up questions

What inspired Dr. Livingstone to pursue a career in medicine?

Dr. Livingstone was inspired by a deep desire to help those in need, especially in underserved communities. His commitment to the welfare of African people and his spiritual values motivated him to dedicate his life to medicine.

How do you think Dr. Livingstone's work has impacted his community?

Dr. Livingstone's work has significantly improved healthcare access for many in his community. His dedication has not only saved lives but also inspired others to pursue careers in medicine, fostering a culture of care and compassion.

What qualities do you think are essential for someone in the medical field?

Essential qualities for someone in the medical field include compassion, dedication, resilience, and strong communication skills. These traits help medical professionals connect with patients and provide the best care possible.

Band 6-7

00:00

There was this girl named Prachi Shah in my class when I was in school, so she was a smart person, she got good marks, good grades in all of her exams. She was actually a topper in every grade that I could ever remember. She had just completed her MBBS and is now practicing Surat itself in a hospital, Vibrant. The name of this hospital is Vibrant. So I knew her from childhood itself, from first or second grade. Both her parents are doctor. Her mother is actually a quite successful one. She is running a clinic in Vapi, my native place from where I actually belong. So I guess she has imagined this thing or she had already predicted that she'll be doctor from childhood itself because her mom was always there for her to just look to. But yeah, I have to be that person. From my point of view, yeah, she was a quite good person, but I wouldn't prefer to get in touch with her that much. I prefer to stay a little farther and will just wave a hi to her and move on. I don't actually like to interact with her. She's not that friendly and talkative and I'm totally opposite of her. We actually don't talk.

Follow up questions

What qualities do you think are important for someone in the medical field?

I believe qualities like empathy, strong communication skills, and resilience are crucial for medical professionals. They need to connect with patients, understand their needs, and handle stressful situations effectively. Prachi, for example, likely has these qualities given her academic success.

How do you think Prachi's upbringing influenced her career choice?

Prachi's upbringing in a family of doctors likely played a significant role in her career choice. Having a successful mother in the medical field probably inspired her from a young age. This environment may have instilled in her the values and aspirations needed to pursue medicine.

Do you think it's important for doctors to have a good bedside manner?

Yes, I think a good bedside manner is essential for doctors. It helps build trust with patients and makes them feel more comfortable. Even though I find Prachi less friendly, I hope she has developed this skill as it can greatly impact patient care and satisfaction.

Show all 27 answers

Cue 1:Who he/she is

Begin by introducing the person, including their name and relationship to you.
Mention any relevant background information that highlights their character or personality.

Example

The person I want to talk about is my cousin, Dr. Anjali Sharma. She is a dedicated and compassionate doctor who specializes in pediatrics. Growing up together, I always admired her determination and kindness.

Cue 2:What he/she does

Describe the specific role or position they hold in the medical field.
Include details about their daily responsibilities and the type of patients they work with.

Example

Dr. Anjali works at a local hospital in Delhi, where she treats children with various health issues. Her daily routine involves examining patients, diagnosing illnesses, and providing treatment plans. She also educates parents on how to maintain their children's health.

Cue 3:Why he/she chose this career

Share the motivations or experiences that led them to pursue a career in medicine.
Highlight any personal stories or influences that inspired their decision.

Example

Anjali chose to become a doctor because she has always had a passion for helping others. As a child, she often volunteered at health camps and witnessed the impact of medical care on people's lives. This experience solidified her desire to make a difference in children's health.

Cue 4:And explain how you feel about him/her

Express your admiration or respect for the person and their career choice.
Mention any specific qualities that you appreciate about them.

Example

I feel incredibly proud of Anjali for her commitment to her profession. Her empathy and dedication to her patients inspire me. I admire how she balances her demanding job with her personal life, always making time for family and friends.

Conclusion

Summarize the key points about the person and their impact on you.
End with a positive note about the importance of their career in society.

Example

In conclusion, Dr. Anjali Sharma is not just a skilled doctor but also a role model for many. Her work in the medical field is vital, and I believe that people like her are essential for the well-being of our community.

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: Avoid Vague Descriptions

Using vague language can make your answer less engaging. It’s important to provide specific details about the person and their career to create a clearer picture for the examiner.

Tip

Include specific examples of what the person does in their job and unique qualities that make them stand out.

2: Neglecting Personal Feelings

Failing to express your feelings about the person can make your response seem incomplete. Personal reflections add depth and show your connection to the topic.

Tip

Share a personal story or experience that illustrates your feelings about the person and their career choice.

Overly Technical Language

Using too much technical jargon can confuse the examiner and detract from your overall message. It’s essential to communicate clearly and understandably.

Tip

Use simple language to explain the medical field and focus on the person's impact rather than technical terms.