Describe a person you would like to study or work with: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

  • Who is that person?
  • Why would you like to study with him/her?
  • What will you study?

Band 7

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One person I would really like to work with is Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX. He is one of the most innovative and visionary entrepreneurs of our time, and I believe working with him would be an eye-opening and inspiring experience. Elon Musk is known for his groundbreaking work in electric vehicles, space exploration, and artificial intelligence. He's constantly pushing the boundaries of what's possible, and his project often aims to solve global issues like climate change and sustainable energy. I first came to know about him through a documentary on Netflix about SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket launch. It was fascinating by how determined he was to succeed, even after facing multiple failures. The main reason I want to work with him is that I admire the ability to think big, never give up, no matter how difficult the challenge. I believe that by working with someone like him, I could learn how to approach problems creatively and stay focused under pressure. Also, being part of the team that's building the future, whether it's self-driving cars or reusable rockets, were incredibly exciting and meaningful. In short, Elon Musk is not just a successful businessman, but a visionary leader. Working with him would be a chance to grow both personally and professionally, and contribute to projects that could truly change the world.

Follow up questions


What qualities do you think are essential for a successful leader?
I believe essential qualities for a successful leader include vision, resilience, and the ability to inspire others. A good leader should also be adaptable and open to new ideas, as well as possess strong communication skills to effectively convey their vision and motivate their team.

How do you think working with someone like Elon Musk could impact your career?
Working with someone like Elon Musk could significantly impact my career by providing me with unique insights into innovation and entrepreneurship. It would also help me develop skills in problem-solving and creative thinking, which are crucial in any field, especially in technology and business.

What projects would you like to collaborate on with Elon Musk?
I would love to collaborate on projects related to sustainable energy and space exploration. Specifically, working on advancements in electric vehicles or contributing to missions that aim to colonize Mars would be incredibly exciting and fulfilling, as they align with my interests in technology and environmental issues.

Band 7

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Basically I am a mechanical engineer and I have worked on board a ship and the person I remember the most was one of my second engineer and he has influenced me in a lot of ways and that's the kind of person who I would like to work with. There are several qualities that he showcased such as his patience as well as calm nature. Moreover he used to teach me all the technical stuff and how things should be carried out. There were situations where I used to panic a lot but with his guidance I was able to overcome all those difficulties. He helped me to be a professional in the field of my work which was marine engineering. He constantly used to motivate me to be more knowledgeable. He used to ask me several questions regarding the machinery we were working on. According to him if we have the needed skill then no one could actually replace us. That is the reason why I enjoyed working with him.

Follow up questions


What specific skills did you learn from your second engineer?
I learned various technical skills related to marine engineering, including machinery operation and maintenance. He taught me how to troubleshoot issues effectively and understand the mechanics behind different systems. This knowledge has been invaluable in my career.

How do you think mentorship impacts professional growth?
Mentorship plays a crucial role in professional growth as it provides guidance, support, and knowledge transfer. A good mentor can help you navigate challenges, build confidence, and develop essential skills that are often not taught in formal education.

Can you share a challenging situation you faced while working with him?
One challenging situation was during a machinery failure at sea. I panicked initially, but he calmly guided me through the troubleshooting process. His composed demeanor helped me focus, and together we resolved the issue, which taught me the importance of staying calm under pressure.

Band 7

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Friend is more The person I would really like to Study and work with is my best friend who has been my constant source of motivation and support for past six years We first met in school and since then our bond has only grown stronger What makes my best friend so special is the incredible level of discipline and focus she maintains in everything she do Whether it's academics, sports or personal goals, she always give her 100% I totally admire her ability to manage time efficiently and stay calm Even under pressure, which is something I often struggle with If I ever get the chance I would love to study or work with my best friend on a project related to economics since both of us are interested in that I believe that our personalities complement each other I am more creative and come up with new ideas while my friend is more analytical and detail oriented Working together would definitely make us a strong and productive team The main reason I want to study or work with them is because of their positive mindset and teamwork skills She never compete in a negative way instead She always try to lift me up and celebrate my achievements This attitude makes the environment very comfortable and motivated To sum up, I feel extremely lucky to have such a friend in my life if I ever get an opportunity To study or collaborate professionally with her. I'm sure it would be both Enjoyable and highly successful for me because she maintains such an Environment for me that it's very easy to work without any Obstacles

Follow up questions


How has your friend's support impacted your academic performance?
My friend's support has significantly boosted my academic performance. Her discipline and focus inspire me to stay on track and work harder. Whenever I feel overwhelmed, she helps me prioritize my tasks and reminds me of my goals, which keeps me motivated to achieve better results.

What qualities do you think are essential for a good study partner?
I believe essential qualities for a good study partner include discipline, effective communication, and a positive attitude. A partner should be able to motivate you, provide constructive feedback, and create a supportive environment where both can thrive and learn from each other.

Can you share a specific project you would like to work on together?
One specific project I would love to work on with my friend is a research paper on economic trends in our local community. We could analyze data, conduct surveys, and present our findings. This project would allow us to combine our strengths and deepen our understanding of economics together.

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Band 7

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00:00

I am a nurse by profession, I presently I am working in a quality department, District Hospital Palakkad. There my PRO Ashuti, I like her very much. She is soft spoken and very caring and I really enjoy working with her. She is very knowledgeable and in my job quality work she helps me in every way, especially during our inspection time, she helps me to prepare all the charts, assignments and helps me in training programs and she is very enthusiastic in her work. She is sharing her knowledge with me. First of all, I didn't have knowledge about computer, especially using PowerPoint, but she helped me to learn more about computer applications. Now really I appreciate her to make me a very good expert in computer. Then about her talents, she is a very good dancer and she is a very good singer. So during our leisure time she used to sing and I enjoyed her music. Really I love to work. Furthermore, she is an asset to our institution and I really encourage people like Ashuti to all work spaces. She is a good team leader and I really enjoy her.

Follow up questions


What qualities do you think are important in a good team leader?
A good team leader should possess qualities like effective communication, empathy, and the ability to motivate others. They should also be knowledgeable in their field and be able to share their expertise with the team, fostering a collaborative environment.

How has working with Ashuti influenced your career?
Working with Ashuti has greatly influenced my career by enhancing my skills, especially in computer applications. Her guidance has made me more confident in my abilities and has encouraged me to pursue further learning and development in my profession.

Do you think it's important to have fun at work? Why?
Yes, having fun at work is important as it boosts morale and fosters a positive work environment. It helps in building relationships among colleagues and can enhance productivity, making the workplace more enjoyable and less stressful.

Band 7

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The person I would like to study with is my classmate, his name is Alex. I prefer studying with him because the way he studies, the way he absorbs knowledge is something which I would want to learn and he always has different perspectives of a thing which will genuinely help me in my studies. We would want to study chemistry together since we major in that and it's quite necessary for us to study that. Thank you.

Follow up questions


What specific qualities do you admire in Alex's study habits?
I admire Alex's ability to break down complex concepts into simpler terms. He also has a unique way of relating chemistry to real-world applications, which makes learning more interesting and practical.

How do you think studying with Alex will benefit your understanding of chemistry?
Studying with Alex will provide me with different viewpoints and methods of problem-solving. His insights can help me grasp difficult topics more easily, and we can motivate each other to stay focused and engaged.

Have you worked on any projects or assignments together before?
Yes, we collaborated on a group project last semester. It was a great experience because we combined our strengths, and I learned a lot from his approach to research and presentation. It made me realize how effective teamwork can be.
Show all 98 answers

Cue 1:Who is that person?

  • Begin by introducing the person with their name and a brief background.
  • Mention how you know this person or how you became aware of them.

Example

The person I would like to study with is Dr. Anjali Sharma, a renowned environmental scientist. I first learned about her work during a seminar at my university, where she spoke passionately about climate change and sustainable practices.


Cue 2:Why would you like to study with him/her?

  • Discuss the qualities or expertise of the person that attract you.
  • Explain how their mentorship could benefit your personal or professional growth.

Example

I admire Dr. Sharma for her deep knowledge and innovative approach to environmental issues. Studying with her would provide me with invaluable insights and practical skills that are essential for my career in environmental science.


Cue 3:What will you study?

  • Specify the subjects or areas of study you wish to pursue with this person.
  • Explain why these subjects are important to you and how they relate to your goals.

Example

I would like to study topics such as renewable energy technologies and conservation strategies. These areas are crucial for addressing the pressing environmental challenges we face today, and I believe they align perfectly with my aspiration to contribute to sustainable development.


Conclusion

  • Summarize your thoughts on the importance of studying with this person.
  • Reiterate how this experience would shape your future.

Example

In conclusion, working with Dr. Anjali Sharma would not only enhance my knowledge but also inspire me to make a meaningful impact in the field of environmental science. I am eager to learn from her expertise and contribute to a sustainable future.


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: Vague Descriptions

Using vague language can make your answer unclear. It's important to provide specific details about the person to make your response more engaging and informative.

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Tip

Use specific examples and adjectives to describe the person's qualities and achievements. This will help paint a clearer picture for the examiner.


2: Lack of Personal Connection

Failing to explain why you want to study with this person can weaken your response. Personal connections make your answer more relatable and interesting.

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Tip

Share personal experiences or aspirations that connect you to the person. Explain how their qualities inspire you or align with your goals.


Ignoring the Study Focus

Not clearly stating what you will study can leave your answer incomplete. It's essential to specify the subject or skills you wish to learn.

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Tip

Clearly outline the topics or skills you want to study with this person. This shows your intent and helps structure your response effectively.


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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
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Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

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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
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Reported by

Anonymous student Band 8

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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
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Reported by

Anonymous student Band 6.5

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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
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Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7

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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
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Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

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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.

All Answers

Here are all the answers by real-users practicing speaking for IELTS Cue Cards on our IELTS Prep App.

Band 8

As a PhD aspirant in sociology, one person I would genuinely like to work with is Professor Amita Bhaviskar, who is one of India's most respected sociologists known for her work on environmental politics and social inequality. I first came across her research while reading her book In the Belly of the River, which explores the intersection of ecology, development and displacement, themes that resonate deeply with my proposed doctoral research. If I had the opportunity, I would love to work under her supervision on a project examining gendered experiences of environmental displacement in rural India. Her critical yet grounded approach to field work, along with her commitment to amplifying marginalized voices, aligns perfectly with my own research ethos. The main reason I wish to work with her is her academic rigor and intellectual generosity. She encourages interdisciplinary thinking and has an extraordinary ability to transform theoretical frameworks into meaningful social insights. I believe that working with her would not only refine my methodological skills but also help me evolve as an independent and socially engaged researcher.

Band 8

A person I would really like to work with is my former professor, Dr. Shinde. He taught me during my post-graduate studies and to this day, I consider him one of the most inspiring teachers I have ever met in my life. His passion for science and his dedication to research are truly contagious. I got to know him well during my master's project, where he guided me in conducting experiments on thin film materials. What amazed me the most was his patience and his ability to simplify even the most complex concepts. He always encourages his students to think outside the box. Rather than just memorizing theories, I really admired the quality because it pushes the students to develop a scientific temperament and genuine curiosity. If I ever get the chance, I would love to work with him on an advanced research project related to nanomaterials. He has a knack for bringing out the best in his students and work under his supervision would not only polish my technical skills but also help me become a more disciplined and independent researcher. Another reason I would like to collaborate with him is his down-to-earth nature. Despite his achievement, the way he treats everyone equally and maintains a warm, approachable personality is really commendable. In a nutshell, Dr. Shinde is someone who embodies both knowledge and humility and working with him would be a golden opportunity to learn, grow and contribute meaningfully to science.

Band 7

Basically I am a mechanical engineer and I have worked on board a ship and the person I remember the most was one of my second engineer and he has influenced me in a lot of ways and that's the kind of person who I would like to work with. There are several qualities that he showcased such as his patience as well as calm nature. Moreover he used to teach me all the technical stuff and how things should be carried out. There were situations where I used to panic a lot but with his guidance I was able to overcome all those difficulties. He helped me to be a professional in the field of my work which was marine engineering. He constantly used to motivate me to be more knowledgeable. He used to ask me several questions regarding the machinery we were working on. According to him if we have the needed skill then no one could actually replace us. That is the reason why I enjoyed working with him.

Band 7

A person that I would like to study with is a very reputed tutor Mr. MD Mujahid Alam. I would like to study with him because he has got more than 30 years of experience in the teaching field and I would like to study accountancy and English with him. He has been teaching accountancy in the capital of India for the past three decades and he is considered to be the best tutor for that subject hence I would like to study that subject with him. I also want to know about his definition of business trade and commerce. According to him business is a subset that deals in goods and services and buys or sells them. Trade is buying and selling of goods and commerce is all the study and everything related to a business and its functioning. It would be very nice to study from him and in my opinion I consider him to be the best English and accountancy teacher. Moreover he is known for his punctuality and the expertise that he has. People know him for his quality of teaching in a very fine manner and he explains everything in such a way that the person is guaranteed to understand it. His slogan is that you understand is guaranteed. Thank you.

Band 7

The person I'd absolutely love to work with one day is the Indian fashion designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee. He's not just a designer, he's practically an institution in the Indian fashion world. I first came across his work about seven years ago when I saw his famous Heritage Revival bridal collection. Those heavy lehengas dripping with antique zari, gota work and old world craftsmanship. What blew me away was how he takes centuries old Indian techniques that were almost dying and turns out them into something breathtakingly modern and luxurious at the same time. If I ever got the chance to work with him even as an intern or as junior assistant, I think it would be life changing for me. I'm really passionate about sustainable and slow fashion and Sabyasachi is one of the few big names who still works extensively with Indian artisans and handloom weavers. He's revived so many traditional crafts like Banarasi brocade, palamkari and bandhani and actually pays the caregirds fairly which is unfortunately rare in the industry. I'd love to learn how he balances commercial success with preserving culture, how he sources those vintage textiles and most importantly how he creates that magical Sabyasachi bride feeling that makes women feel loyal, royal. His studio in Kolkata is supposed to be like a treasure trove of fabrics, antiques and mood boards. I can already picture myself.

Band 7

The person which I like to study or work with is my best friend, Sabreen Kaur, because she is so hardworking like me and whenever we worked as a team, we excelled the work and topped our colleges and schools. Like in class 10th, we worked as a team and we studied the whole syllabus alone in team and we topped our colleges. That's why I would like to work or study with my best friend, Sabreen Kaur. We studied the whole syllabus which is very difficult to study alone for the students but we did that and not only topped our schools, in fact, topped our districts and states, definitely.

Band 7

Friend is more The person I would really like to Study and work with is my best friend who has been my constant source of motivation and support for past six years We first met in school and since then our bond has only grown stronger What makes my best friend so special is the incredible level of discipline and focus she maintains in everything she do Whether it's academics, sports or personal goals, she always give her 100% I totally admire her ability to manage time efficiently and stay calm Even under pressure, which is something I often struggle with If I ever get the chance I would love to study or work with my best friend on a project related to economics since both of us are interested in that I believe that our personalities complement each other I am more creative and come up with new ideas while my friend is more analytical and detail oriented Working together would definitely make us a strong and productive team The main reason I want to study or work with them is because of their positive mindset and teamwork skills She never compete in a negative way instead She always try to lift me up and celebrate my achievements This attitude makes the environment very comfortable and motivated To sum up, I feel extremely lucky to have such a friend in my life if I ever get an opportunity To study or collaborate professionally with her. I'm sure it would be both Enjoyable and highly successful for me because she maintains such an Environment for me that it's very easy to work without any Obstacles

Band 7

One person I would really like to work with is Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX. He is one of the most innovative and visionary entrepreneurs of our time, and I believe working with him would be an eye-opening and inspiring experience. Elon Musk is known for his groundbreaking work in electric vehicles, space exploration, and artificial intelligence. He's constantly pushing the boundaries of what's possible, and his project often aims to solve global issues like climate change and sustainable energy. I first came to know about him through a documentary on Netflix about SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket launch. It was fascinating by how determined he was to succeed, even after facing multiple failures. The main reason I want to work with him is that I admire the ability to think big, never give up, no matter how difficult the challenge. I believe that by working with someone like him, I could learn how to approach problems creatively and stay focused under pressure. Also, being part of the team that's building the future, whether it's self-driving cars or reusable rockets, were incredibly exciting and meaningful. In short, Elon Musk is not just a successful businessman, but a visionary leader. Working with him would be a chance to grow both personally and professionally, and contribute to projects that could truly change the world.

Band 7

The person I would like to study with is my classmate, his name is Alex. I prefer studying with him because the way he studies, the way he absorbs knowledge is something which I would want to learn and he always has different perspectives of a thing which will genuinely help me in my studies. We would want to study chemistry together since we major in that and it's quite necessary for us to study that. Thank you.

Band 7

A person that I would like to work with is my head of department. Her name is Archana and she has been leading our public relations department for the past three years. I have been so inspired by the way she works because it has always been top-notch and whenever we are in any situation that requires quick decision-making she's the first one to step in and gives the most appropriate solutions for the given problems. Also I have learned a lot from her and I definitely imply everything that she tells me or guides me with. I have always looked up to her and her spirit makes it even more fascinating for me because she really works hard and is really determined towards everything that she wants to achieve. All the clients we used to get she handled them with so much of ease. So she's someone that I would love to work with again and I want to learn so many things from her. She has been a really good leader to us and I want to make sure that I am being that next leader for my interns so it has to be her.
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