Describe a person who inspired you to do something interesting.: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

  • Who is this person?
  • What they inspired you to do?
  • How they inspired you?
  • How you feel?

Band 7

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My elder son inspired me to do such an interesting activity. The activity is to work on my communication skill. He inspired me to work on my communication skill by the example of his own self. He is a very good communicator. After seeing his ability to communicate that well, I got the instinct to do something to polish my communication and know the importance of the skill that is called communication. Now I am working on it and I feel elated and joyful. My communication is now meaningful.

Follow up questions


What specific steps are you taking to improve your communication skills?
I am taking several steps to improve my communication skills. I have enrolled in a public speaking course, practice speaking in front of a mirror, and engage in conversations with friends and family to gain confidence. Additionally, I read books on effective communication to learn new techniques.

How has improving your communication skills impacted your daily life?
Improving my communication skills has significantly impacted my daily life. I feel more confident in expressing my thoughts and ideas, which has enhanced my relationships with others. I can now convey my messages clearly, leading to better understanding and collaboration in both personal and professional settings.

Do you think communication skills are important in today's world? Why?
Yes, I believe communication skills are crucial in today's world. With the rise of digital communication and global interactions, being able to express oneself clearly and effectively is essential. Good communication fosters better relationships, reduces misunderstandings, and is key to success in various fields.

Band 7

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/

00:00

Someone who recently inspired me to do something interesting would be my senior named Diya. I had approached her asking for ideas for an event conducted by her club in college. So every year we conduct a run focused on water conservation and I approached her asking for ideas or tips on how we could improve this run. She suggested conducting a Plog run which is a walk or a run where people clean the streets and pick up garbage as they are running. The person who picks up the most litter could be nominated as the winner and that was something that really inspired me and our team is working on it as of now. I feel she is an awesome person. She is very creative and I always look up to her in every aspect. I feel she is an awesome person. She is very creative and I always look up to her in every aspect.

Follow up questions


What qualities do you admire most in Diya?
I admire Diya's creativity and her ability to think outside the box. She has a unique perspective on events and always finds ways to make them more impactful. Her passion for environmental issues also inspires me to be more conscious about my actions.

How do you think the Plog run will impact your community?
I believe the Plog run will raise awareness about littering and encourage people to take responsibility for their environment. It will not only promote fitness but also foster a sense of community as participants come together for a common cause.

Have you ever inspired someone else? How?
Yes, I once organized a small workshop on sustainable living, where I shared tips on reducing waste. A few attendees later told me they started implementing those ideas in their lives, which made me feel proud and motivated to continue sharing knowledge.

Band 7

00:00

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00:00

One person I truly admire is my mother. She has been my greatest inspiration throughout my life. She is a teacher by profession and I have looked up to her for her patience, kindness and determination. She manages both work and home responsibilities effortlessly, which I find really admirable. What I love most about her is her positive attitude no matter how stressful the situation is. She always handles it calmly and sensibly. I admire her not only because she is my mother but also because she is a strong and independent woman who has taught me the value of hard work, honesty and compassion. I honestly hope to develop the same strength and grace that she has. For more information visit www.FEMA.gov

Follow up questions


How has your mother's influence shaped your career choices?
My mother's dedication to teaching has inspired me to pursue a career in education as well. I admire her ability to impact students' lives positively, and I hope to emulate her teaching style and values in my own career.

Can you share a specific lesson your mother taught you?
One important lesson my mother taught me is the value of perseverance. She always encouraged me to keep trying, even when things get tough. This lesson has helped me overcome challenges in my studies and personal life.

What qualities do you think are essential for someone to inspire others?
I believe qualities like empathy, resilience, and a positive outlook are essential for inspiring others. My mother embodies these traits, and I think they help her connect with people and motivate them to strive for their best.

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Band 7

00:00

/

00:00

My father is the person who inspires me to do many interesting things. One of the things that he inspired me to do was to learn English. Learning English was a very interesting experience for me and I gained a lot by gaining a mastery over the subject. Furthermore, it is also very important for good academic study and for doing something big in the world. Since English is a global language, one must learn this subject very well. My father used to teach me English since my childhood. He also focused on all the key areas of the subject like reading, writing, listening and speaking. He made me study it in a proper manner and in a structured way. He always focused on the key areas rather than the irrelevant topics which were being taught at his school. He wanted to make me a master of the subject which he did and the current position that I am in I owe to him. Moreover, he used to teach me online via mobile phone calls and Skype video chatting. Whenever we were not able to have a class, we used to study more the next day. Overall, learning English was a very remarkable experience and I feel that it is something worthwhile and interesting that I did. Thank you.

Follow up questions


How has learning English impacted your life?
Learning English has opened many doors for me, allowing me to communicate with people globally, access better educational resources, and enhance my career opportunities. It has also boosted my confidence in expressing myself in different situations.

What other subjects do you find interesting to learn?
Apart from English, I find subjects like history and science very interesting. History helps me understand different cultures and events, while science fascinates me with its discoveries and innovations that shape our world.

How do you plan to continue improving your English skills?
I plan to continue improving my English by engaging in conversations with native speakers, reading more books, and watching English movies and documentaries. Additionally, I will take advanced courses to refine my skills further.

Band 7

00:00

/

00:00

Today I'm going to talk about a person who has always inspired me to do something interesting and this is somebody I met due to pure chance. This is a friend I met online due to a shared interest called Eurovision and she is from Poland. She is 29 years old so quite a bit older than me. What happened was that during a particularly difficult period of my life when I was stressed about exams I was feeling very low and depressed. I had a lack of productivity and although I had left no stone unturned for the preparation of these university exams there was a fear and anxiety that was very hard to shake off. As I was sharing this to my friend called Mono what they said was make maybe the thing that you need to do is to put yourself out of your everyday thinking and what they meant by that is try to think like somebody else. Try to think like me. Try to do things I would do. Try to imitate somebody else's life and that resonated with me quite deeply because if I had put myself in somebody else's shoes maybe I would gain a new perspective. So that's what I did. I pretended to be my brother for the day. I did what he would usually do. I watched the movies he would watch. I did eight things that he would do and that reset my entire mindset because I completely changed the way I looked at things and that one day of giving myself freedom to do whatever I wanted was what changed the game for me.

Follow up questions


How did your friend Mono influence your perspective on challenges?
Mono encouraged me to step outside my usual mindset and adopt a different perspective. By suggesting I imitate someone else's life, I was able to break free from my anxiety and see my situation in a new light, which ultimately helped me cope better with my stress.

What activities did you do while pretending to be your brother?
I engaged in activities that my brother enjoys, like watching his favorite movies and doing things he would typically do. This not only provided a distraction but also allowed me to experience life from his viewpoint, which was refreshing and enlightening.

Do you think this method of perspective-taking can help others as well?
Absolutely! I believe that stepping into someone else's shoes can provide valuable insights and help alleviate stress. It encourages creativity and can lead to new solutions for personal challenges, making it a beneficial practice for anyone facing difficulties.
Show all 76 answers

Cue 1:Who is this person?

  • Start by introducing the person, mentioning their relationship to you, such as a family member, teacher, or friend.
  • Provide a brief background about them, highlighting what makes them special or noteworthy.

Example

The person who inspired me is my uncle, Rajesh. He is a successful entrepreneur who started his own tech company. Growing up, I always admired his determination and innovative spirit.


Cue 2:What they inspired you to do?

  • Clearly state what specific action or interest you were inspired to pursue because of this person.
  • Mention how this inspiration has impacted your life or goals.

Example

My uncle inspired me to pursue a career in technology and entrepreneurship. After seeing his success, I decided to study computer science and develop my own startup ideas.


Cue 3:How they inspired you?

  • Describe specific instances or qualities of this person that motivated you.
  • Share any advice or lessons they imparted that were particularly influential.

Example

He inspired me through his hard work and resilience. He often shared stories of his struggles and how he overcame them. His advice to never give up and to always learn from failures resonated deeply with me.


Cue 4:How you feel?

  • Express your feelings about the inspiration you received from this person.
  • Reflect on how this inspiration has shaped your current mindset or aspirations.

Example

I feel incredibly grateful for my uncle's influence. His encouragement has given me the confidence to chase my dreams, and I now approach challenges with a positive mindset.


Conclusion

  • Summarize the key points about the person and their impact on you.
  • End with a statement about the importance of having role models in life.

Example

In conclusion, my uncle Rajesh has been a significant source of inspiration in my life. His journey has taught me the value of perseverance and innovation, and I believe having role models like him is crucial for personal growth.


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 makes it hard for the examiner to understand your answer. Specific details help paint a clearer picture of the person and their impact on you.

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Tip

Include specific examples and anecdotes about the person to make your answer more engaging and relatable.


2: Don't Rush Your Response

Speaking too quickly can lead to unclear pronunciation and missed details. It may also make your answer seem less thoughtful.

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Tip

Take your time to think before you speak, and pace your words to ensure clarity and coherence.


Neglecting Personal Feelings

Failing to express your feelings about the inspiration can make your answer sound flat. Personal emotions add depth to your response.

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Tip

Share how the person's influence made you feel and how it changed your perspective or actions.


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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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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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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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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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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 7

Someone who recently inspired me to do something interesting would be my senior named Diya. I had approached her asking for ideas for an event conducted by her club in college. So every year we conduct a run focused on water conservation and I approached her asking for ideas or tips on how we could improve this run. She suggested conducting a Plog run which is a walk or a run where people clean the streets and pick up garbage as they are running. The person who picks up the most litter could be nominated as the winner and that was something that really inspired me and our team is working on it as of now. I feel she is an awesome person. She is very creative and I always look up to her in every aspect. I feel she is an awesome person. She is very creative and I always look up to her in every aspect.

Band 7

Today I'm going to talk about a person who has always inspired me to do something interesting and this is somebody I met due to pure chance. This is a friend I met online due to a shared interest called Eurovision and she is from Poland. She is 29 years old so quite a bit older than me. What happened was that during a particularly difficult period of my life when I was stressed about exams I was feeling very low and depressed. I had a lack of productivity and although I had left no stone unturned for the preparation of these university exams there was a fear and anxiety that was very hard to shake off. As I was sharing this to my friend called Mono what they said was make maybe the thing that you need to do is to put yourself out of your everyday thinking and what they meant by that is try to think like somebody else. Try to think like me. Try to do things I would do. Try to imitate somebody else's life and that resonated with me quite deeply because if I had put myself in somebody else's shoes maybe I would gain a new perspective. So that's what I did. I pretended to be my brother for the day. I did what he would usually do. I watched the movies he would watch. I did eight things that he would do and that reset my entire mindset because I completely changed the way I looked at things and that one day of giving myself freedom to do whatever I wanted was what changed the game for me.

Band 7

My father is the person who inspires me to do many interesting things. One of the things that he inspired me to do was to learn English. Learning English was a very interesting experience for me and I gained a lot by gaining a mastery over the subject. Furthermore, it is also very important for good academic study and for doing something big in the world. Since English is a global language, one must learn this subject very well. My father used to teach me English since my childhood. He also focused on all the key areas of the subject like reading, writing, listening and speaking. He made me study it in a proper manner and in a structured way. He always focused on the key areas rather than the irrelevant topics which were being taught at his school. He wanted to make me a master of the subject which he did and the current position that I am in I owe to him. Moreover, he used to teach me online via mobile phone calls and Skype video chatting. Whenever we were not able to have a class, we used to study more the next day. Overall, learning English was a very remarkable experience and I feel that it is something worthwhile and interesting that I did. Thank you.

Band 7

The person who inspired me the most would be Sandhya aunty, one of my aunt, I know from my society. We have nicknamed her as Radio Aunty. So she was a person who gave me the turning point of my life at the age of 10. One day when I came back home from mall, it was Sunday evening and I got a call from her to give audition for a radio program and I did. And I got selected and I have been working with that radio station ever since. It was a turning point and she inspired me the most to get into this radio program because she always saw that spark in me for speaking, that spark in me for reciting something or narrating stories. She always saw me as a strong person who could go out and do all the activities she has always keen to do on but couldn't in her life. She gave me many opportunities which I grabbed and she is a lady of 60 years, she is a 60 year old lady who has helped me a lot and she does so many things. She cooks, she goes to radio station and she records and she has taught me how to read fluently in Hindi, how to narrate, how to write scripts, how to edit your voice, how to edit programs and how to deal with people and how to interact with people when you don't know.

Band 7

One person I truly admire is my mother. She has been my greatest inspiration throughout my life. She is a teacher by profession and I have looked up to her for her patience, kindness and determination. She manages both work and home responsibilities effortlessly, which I find really admirable. What I love most about her is her positive attitude no matter how stressful the situation is. She always handles it calmly and sensibly. I admire her not only because she is my mother but also because she is a strong and independent woman who has taught me the value of hard work, honesty and compassion. I honestly hope to develop the same strength and grace that she has. For more information visit www.FEMA.gov

Band 7

My elder son inspired me to do such an interesting activity. The activity is to work on my communication skill. He inspired me to work on my communication skill by the example of his own self. He is a very good communicator. After seeing his ability to communicate that well, I got the instinct to do something to polish my communication and know the importance of the skill that is called communication. Now I am working on it and I feel elated and joyful. My communication is now meaningful.

Band 7

The person who inspired me to do something interesting is actually myself. A few years ago, I reached a point where I felt stuck in a routine and realized that I needed to do something different to grow as a person. That's when I decided to start traveling and exploring new places. At first I was hesitant and a bit afraid to step out of my comfort zone. But I pushed myself to take the first trip and that completely changed the outlook of my life. Traveling made me realize how vast and beautiful the world is and how much we can learn from people, cultures, and experiences beyond our own surroundings. I visited places like Bangkok, UK, US, and also Australia and each journey helped me become more independent, confident, and open-minded. I genuinely admired their culture and was astonished to see how lively they all were. Looking back, I feel proud that I didn't wait for someone else to motivate me and I became my own source of inspiration. This experience taught me that sometimes the best motivation comes from within when you decide to take charge of your own growth and happiness.

Band 7

There are many people who have influenced me in different ways, but one person who stands out is my friend. I have known him for a long time and he has always been an inspiration to me. He is known for his intelligence, humility and dedication to science and education, which makes him truly special. Rahul is known for his wisdom and hardworking nature. What I find most impressive about Rahul is his ability to stay calm and focused in different situations. He always has a positive attitude and is full of energy. One of the reasons I enjoy talking to him is that he always has interesting ideas. People respect Rahul because he is knowledgeable and helpful. He has made a significant contribution to society by giving guiding and mentoring young people in our community, helping them achieve their goals. Whenever I need advice, I always turn to him because he gives the best suggestions. One of the things I admire about him is his dedication and hard work. I had the opportunity to meet Rahul at school and it was a memorable experience. He is always willing to help others and share his knowledge. Many people appreciate him for his wisdom and experience. If I get a chance, I would love to work with him in the future. Overall, Rahul has left a lasting impression on me and I feel lucky to know him.

Band 6-7

My dad is one of the person who inspires me a lot. Moreover, he is very strong and also very humble person. There are a lot of things that I want to learn from him. He is the one for me who always bring a lot of joys in my life. He is the reason that I stand here like a queen. I'm always all... My father is one of my inspiration. In addition, he is the one who motivated me all the time. When I was 13, I got some health issues. That time, he always stand for me, always take care of me. He never give up on something that he really likes. And also, he always put all the things before him. He is the root of our family. The one thing that always motivated us is hard work. He always said to us like a hard work is the key for your success. Wherever you go, you always maintain your confidence. In addition, you are the one who definitely take care of our family. His words are inspiring for us. And how I feel, I'm very grateful to have a father like him because not everyone get a father, a supporter like mine. So...

Band 6-7

Thank you for the cue card. Today, I'm going to talk about a person who inspired me to do something interesting. That's my mother, Tenzi. She's a very well cook. Most of days, she's making breakfast and all food items for my family. I learned something, lots of things from her, especially cooking. She has great capability and interest in cooking, especially in the meat items. She's very good in cooking, especially meat like chicken, beef, pork, eggs and so on. When I was a child, she's making some soup and as well as baking. I really like her dishes, especially chili chicken. That's very sweet and spicy. I really like that thing. She knows lots of tips and knowledge about cooking. Now, she's trying to make up new dishes from online because she's learning new things from YouTube. She's adapting new skills on cooking. I really like and I really enjoy the taste of food of her cooking.
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