Describe a person who has strong opinions: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

Who this person is
How you know him/her
Why you think he/she is a person who has strong opinions
What kinds of strong opinions this person has
And explain how you feel about his/her opinions

28 unique answers with expert feedback

What are some other topics your uncle feels strongly about?

In addition to technology, my uncle has strong opinions on education and politics. He believes in traditional teaching methods and often criticizes modern educational approaches. He also has firm views on political issues, advocating for policies that he thinks will benefit society based on his experiences.

How do you feel about people having strong opinions?

I think having strong opinions can be beneficial as it shows passion and conviction. However, it's important to balance that with openness to other viewpoints. Strong opinions can lead to healthy debates, but they can also create conflict if people are unwilling to listen to differing perspectives.

Can strong opinions ever be harmful?

Yes, strong opinions can sometimes be harmful, especially if they lead to intolerance or close-mindedness. When someone is too rigid in their beliefs, it can prevent constructive dialogue and understanding. It's essential to express opinions while also being respectful and willing to consider other viewpoints.

Band 6-7

00:00

The person name was Mohana Priya, we call her Mouni. She is my childhood friend, we both went to the same school from the childhood. She always makes the strong opinion because she always points out and gives the right statement and also her opinion is always right. So it is good to listen to her opinion because she is always right. One time, once upon a day, when I was struggling after my 12th standard graduation, I was struggling which field I have to choose. So I asked her opinion about which field I have to choose. She told me that I am good at Mathematics, because I too know that I am good at Mathematics. I used to teach her and I used to teach her before the exam last minute and she gets smart because of that. So she said me, you are good at teaching field and you are also good at Mathematics other than other subjects, so you should follow that. So I followed her opinion, now I am a Mathematics teacher, I have 3 degrees in Mathematics. So from this I have learned that we should be determined in what we are doing, we should get good respect from others.

Follow up questions

How do you think strong opinions can influence others?

Strong opinions can significantly influence others by providing clarity and direction. When someone expresses a well-thought-out opinion, it can help others see different perspectives and make informed decisions. Mouni's opinion on my career path guided me towards becoming a Mathematics teacher.

Can you share an example of a time when a strong opinion led to a disagreement?

Yes, there was a time when Mouni and I disagreed on a political issue. She had a strong opinion about a particular policy, while I had a different view. We discussed our perspectives, and although we didn't change each other's minds, it helped us understand each other's values better.

Do you think it's important to have strong opinions? Why or why not?

Yes, having strong opinions is important as it reflects one's beliefs and values. It encourages critical thinking and healthy discussions. However, it's also essential to remain open-minded and consider other viewpoints, as this can lead to personal growth and better decision-making.

Band 6-7

00:00

My father is the person whom I know is having a real strong opinion regarding education, society and women in particular. I know that because I have been watching him making strong opinions about women every now and then. He would often prefer that women should be behaving more delicate and more women-like as per the social norms. And he would not accept that women should be more vocal or more participating in other events which did not consider homely events, kitchen or anything surrounding that.

Follow up questions

How do you feel about your father's opinions on women?

I often find myself conflicted about my father's views. While I respect his perspective, I believe in gender equality and the importance of women having a voice in all areas of life. His opinions sometimes make me want to challenge traditional norms and advocate for more progressive views.

Have you ever discussed your views with your father?

Yes, I have tried to engage him in conversations about gender roles and equality. Sometimes he listens, but other times he remains firm in his beliefs. It's challenging, but I think it's important to have these discussions to help him see different perspectives.

Do you think strong opinions are beneficial or harmful?

Strong opinions can be both beneficial and harmful. They can lead to passionate discussions and drive change, but they can also create division and hinder understanding. It's essential to balance strong beliefs with openness to other viewpoints to foster healthy dialogue.

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Band 6-7

00:00

So a person I would describe is my friend Jabirul from my childhood with whom I have been friends for nearly 15 years. So he has very strong opinions because he is a very expressive person in contrast to me who is very shy. Because of the reason I think he is so expressive and his opinions are so strong because definitely due to the things he speaks about like these things are not really talked about enough in a wider scale and sometimes I do feel he does say some things that I don't agree with but most of it makes pretty much sense to me and I also agree with him.

Follow up questions

How do you feel about having friends with strong opinions?

Having friends like Jabirul with strong opinions can be both enlightening and challenging. It encourages me to think critically and consider different perspectives, but it can also lead to disagreements. Overall, I appreciate the diversity of thought he brings to our conversations.

Can you give an example of a topic you disagree on?

One topic we often disagree on is politics. Jabirul has very firm views on certain political issues, while I tend to be more moderate. This difference sometimes leads to heated discussions, but it also helps me understand various viewpoints and strengthens our friendship.

Do you think strong opinions are important in discussions?

Yes, I believe strong opinions can be important in discussions as they can stimulate debate and encourage deeper thinking. However, it's also essential to balance strong opinions with open-mindedness to foster constructive dialogue and understanding among differing viewpoints.

Band 6-7

00:00

A person who has strong opinion is my friend Aditya. We met 3 years ago through our mutual friends at a party. I believe he has a strong opinion because he is educated well and he is a very experienced person. He has 8 years of experience in working in corporate. I think that has helped him to develop strong opinions. He is a very strong headed person. He knows what is right and what is wrong. Although he listens to advices and opinions from others but he follows his gut feeling and trust his intuition. He is very decisive in nature. I feel proud of him. Also, as a friend, I get to learn a lot of things from him. He motivates me to be a strong opinion person like him.

Follow up questions

How do you think strong opinions can influence a person's career?

Strong opinions can significantly influence a person's career by helping them make decisive choices, stand out in their field, and lead teams effectively. A person with strong opinions is often seen as a leader, which can open up more opportunities for advancement and collaboration.

Can having strong opinions lead to conflicts in relationships?

Yes, having strong opinions can sometimes lead to conflicts in relationships, especially if others disagree. However, it can also foster healthy discussions and debates, allowing individuals to understand different perspectives and strengthen their bonds through respectful dialogue.

What qualities do you think are important for someone with strong opinions?

Important qualities include open-mindedness, the ability to listen, confidence, and critical thinking. A person with strong opinions should also be respectful of others' views and willing to adapt their opinions when presented with new evidence or perspectives.

Show all 28 answers

Cue 1:Who this person is

Introduce the person by name and relationship to you.
Mention a few key characteristics that define this person.

Example

The person I want to talk about is my uncle, Rajesh. He is a retired professor and has always been known for his strong views on various subjects.

Cue 2:How you know him/her

Explain your relationship with the person and how long you have known them.
Share a brief anecdote that highlights your interactions.

Example

I have known my uncle Rajesh since I was a child. Growing up, I spent many weekends at his house, where we would discuss everything from politics to philosophy over cups of tea.

Cue 3:Why you think he/she is a person who has strong opinions

Discuss specific instances where he/she expressed their opinions passionately.
Mention how these opinions have influenced others around them.

Example

My uncle is a person with strong opinions because he never hesitates to voice his thoughts, especially during family gatherings. He often encourages debates and is not afraid to challenge others' views, which has made him a respected figure in our family.

Cue 4:What kinds of strong opinions this person has

Identify the main topics he/she is passionate about.
Provide examples of specific opinions he/she holds.

Example

He has strong opinions on education reform and environmental issues. For instance, he believes that the education system in India needs a complete overhaul to focus more on critical thinking rather than rote learning.

Cue 5:And explain how you feel about his/her opinions

Share your personal feelings about his/her opinions.
Discuss whether you agree or disagree and why.

Example

I admire my uncle's opinions because they are well-researched and thought-provoking. While I don’t always agree with him, his perspectives challenge me to think critically about important issues.

Conclusion

Summarize the key points about the person and their opinions.
Reflect on the impact this person has had on your own views.

Example

In conclusion, my uncle Rajesh is a person with strong opinions who has significantly influenced my thinking. His passion for education and the environment inspires me to be more aware and engaged in these issues.

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 response unclear. It's important to provide specific details about the person and their opinions to engage the listener.

Tip

Use clear examples and specific traits to describe the person, such as their profession or a memorable conversation you had.

2: Don't Overgeneralize Opinions

Making broad statements about the person's opinions can weaken your response. It's essential to provide concrete examples of their strong opinions.

Tip

Mention specific topics they feel strongly about, such as politics or social issues, and explain why these opinions matter to them.

Avoid Personal Bias

Expressing personal bias can make your response seem unbalanced. It's important to present the person's opinions objectively.

Tip

Share your feelings about their opinions while also acknowledging the validity of their perspective, even if you disagree.

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