Describe A Person You Admire: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

Who is he or she?
What does he or she do for a living?
What characteristics does this person have?
Explain why you admire this person.

13 unique answers with expert feedback

What qualities do you think are most important in a role model?

I believe qualities like dedication, resilience, and integrity are crucial in a role model. They inspire others to strive for excellence and to overcome challenges. A role model should also exhibit compassion and a willingness to help others, which makes them relatable and admirable.

How has Cristiano Ronaldo influenced your life or goals?

Cristiano Ronaldo has influenced me by showing that hard work and determination can lead to success, regardless of natural talent. His commitment to fitness and discipline motivates me to pursue my own goals with the same level of dedication, whether in sports or academics.

Do you think it's important for public figures to give back to the community?

Absolutely. Public figures have a platform and influence that can inspire positive change. When they give back, it sets an example for others and can significantly impact communities. It shows that success is not just about personal achievement but also about helping those in need.

Band 6-7

00:00

The person that I admire most is my maternal aunt. Her name is Cynthia Mark. She is currently residing in Abu Dhabi. She is a nurse by profession. The main reason for my admiration towards her is the dedication and the amount of care that she gives to her patients. Being a nurse, she has to be extremely careful and she should have a great amount of patience. And she is one person that keeps up the spirit. The other reason for me admiring her is her hard work and determination. She is also someone whom I look forward to from a very young age. She is kind of like my second mother, the one who has literally grown, has been growing up with me. Her growth is something that I look forward to. She is very inspiring and whenever I am in trouble, she would be the first person that I would call and she would give me the perfect guidance. There are times when she had faced difficulties but this is one quality of hers that is greatly admirable that she will overcome the difficulty. Along with that, she will motivate others also when required. As a professional nurse, she is doing a wonderful job. All her patients would definitely love her. She is a mother of a child and she is a really great mother, even to her son and to me. Whenever I am facing any difficulties, she will be the first person that I would approach. I am 100% sure that she will be the one who will give me all my guidances and I love her a lot. Even though she stays far away from me, I am still connected with her through phone calls and video calls.

Follow up questions

What qualities do you think are essential for a good nurse?

I believe essential qualities for a good nurse include empathy, patience, strong communication skills, and resilience. Nurses often face challenging situations, so being able to connect with patients and provide emotional support is crucial. Additionally, attention to detail and teamwork are also important.

How has your aunt influenced your career choices?

My aunt has greatly influenced my career choices by demonstrating the importance of hard work and dedication. Her passion for nursing and her ability to make a difference in people's lives inspire me to pursue a career where I can also help others. I admire her commitment and want to emulate that.

Do you think admiration for someone can change over time?

Yes, I believe admiration can change over time as we grow and experience life. People evolve, and our perspectives can shift based on new experiences or insights. However, the core values that initially drew us to admire someone often remain, even if our views evolve.

Band 6-7

00:00

The person I admire the most is Colonel Harland Sanders. He is none other than but the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken KFC and it is one of the largest food chain of the world. And I love the qualities of his sheer will, commitment and hard working. He was born in 1890 and his father expired at a very young age. So Harland Sanders needed to work more and his mother was a single parent and she also worked very hard. Additionally he had three siblings and he had to take care of them and he used to cook food for them. Later at the age of 40 he opened a restaurant and then he made his spices very great and he wanted to sell it everywhere but none had experienced the taste and also finally he got an opportunity to open a restaurant and then he made it world famous and I admire him the most because of his great qualities like hard work, commitment and he proved us that he won't stop until he wins and also age is just a number.

Follow up questions

What specific qualities of Colonel Sanders do you find most inspiring?

I find his sheer will, commitment, and hard work to be the most inspiring qualities. Despite facing many challenges, he never gave up on his dreams and worked tirelessly to achieve success, which motivates me to pursue my own goals with the same determination.

How do you think Colonel Sanders' early life influenced his later success?

Colonel Sanders' early life, marked by hardship and responsibility, taught him resilience and the importance of hard work. Growing up in a challenging environment likely instilled in him the values of perseverance and dedication, which were crucial in building his successful business.

In what ways do you think age can be an advantage in achieving success?

Age can bring wisdom, experience, and a better understanding of one's strengths and weaknesses. As demonstrated by Colonel Sanders, starting a venture later in life can also mean having a clearer vision and the ability to learn from past failures, making success more attainable.

Practice other cue cards

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Describe An Introvert Person Whom You Know

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Describe A Person Who You Think Is Very Open

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Describe a person who has made you feel uncomfortable.

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Describe a person who you are happy to know.

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Band 6-7

00:00

The person I'm going to talk about is my father, Mr. Mohan Chandra Pandey. He's an engineer by profession, by the way. I have learned from him whatever I've learned in life. He's an amazing person, a kind-hearted human, and has a lot of passion towards learning what's coming next, what's going on in the current affairs, what's going on in the society. He's always keen to learn. He's a sucker for learning new things and the work he's doing, he's always promoted positive things for us to learn from him. I'm not saying it because he's my father, but I've seen him while I was growing. He's not just an engineer in the office, he's been an electrician at our home, a cook at our home. He's been everything but just a father. He's been a teacher, he's been a guide, he's been a counselor. You say it, he is that person. I admire him because whatever he learns, he does not just keep it to himself. He enlightens us with all the knowledge he has and motivates us to look for a good future, to work hard and thrive and achieve what you wish to.

Follow up questions

What specific qualities of your father do you admire the most?

I admire his kindness and his passion for learning. He always encourages us to be curious and to seek knowledge. His ability to balance his professional life with being a supportive father and teacher is something I truly respect.

How has your father's influence shaped your own career choices?

My father's dedication to learning and his diverse skills have inspired me to pursue a career that involves continuous growth. I want to be adaptable and knowledgeable like him, which has led me to consider fields that require both technical and interpersonal skills.

Can you share a specific lesson you learned from your father?

One important lesson I learned from my father is the value of hard work and perseverance. He always says that success comes from dedication and effort, and I've seen him exemplify this in his own life, whether at work or at home.

Band 6-7

00:00

Well, the person I admire most is my mother. I really love her so much and I can't think of a day I exist without her. For people, my mother is an IT employee, but for me, she is my everything. Right from my hairstylist, my chef, my lifestyle expert, my designer, to the only person I look up to when I am in a big mess. She is the one who always clears my messes. And more importantly, she is the person I look up to when I need to get inspired with or when I need suggestions. I admire her not just for her beauty, but also for her great personality because she chooses her family every single day, despite all the other things she has to face. She manages work and the house like it's a cakewalk. And I think, however hard it would be, she never made it look on her face. She has been through many things as far as I know, but I've never seen her vexed up with what her life has given her or everything life gives her, she accepts it with a smile. And the most important characteristic about my mother is patience. However, I irritate her or trouble her, she always answers with patience and clarifies all my doubts. She gives me boost and encouragement to go forward in my life. Whatever I do, even if the whole world is against me, I am sure the only person standing right with me is my mother. She will do everything for me and I know she loves me so much. So I really admire her for everything she is and not just because she

Follow up questions

What qualities do you think are most important in a role model?

I believe qualities like patience, resilience, and kindness are crucial in a role model. They inspire others to be better and face challenges with a positive attitude. A role model should also be supportive and encouraging, helping others to grow and achieve their goals.

How has your mother's influence shaped your life choices?

My mother's influence has been significant in my life choices. Her patience and encouragement have taught me to pursue my dreams fearlessly. I often seek her advice when making important decisions, and her ability to manage challenges inspires me to stay strong and focused on my goals.

Do you think it's important to have a mentor in life?

Yes, having a mentor is very important. A mentor can provide guidance, support, and wisdom based on their experiences. They can help you navigate challenges and encourage you to reach your full potential, just like my mother does for me.

Show all 13 answers

Cue 1:Who is he or she?

Begin by introducing the person you admire, including their name and relationship to you.
Provide a brief background about them to give context.

Example

The person I admire the most is my mother, Sunita Sharma. She is a homemaker who has dedicated her life to raising my siblings and me. Growing up, I always saw her as a pillar of strength in our family.

Cue 2:What does he or she do for a living?

Mention their profession or role in society, even if they are not formally employed.
Explain any significant contributions they make through their work.

Example

Although my mother is not employed in a traditional sense, she manages our household and takes care of all our needs. She also volunteers at a local charity, helping underprivileged children with their education.

Cue 3:What characteristics does this person have?

Describe the key traits that make this person admirable.
Use specific examples to illustrate these characteristics.

Example

My mother is incredibly compassionate, hardworking, and resilient. For instance, during tough times, she always finds a way to keep our spirits high and ensures that we never lose hope.

Cue 4:Explain why you admire this person.

Share personal feelings about why this person inspires you.
Connect their qualities to your own values or aspirations.

Example

I admire my mother because she has taught me the importance of perseverance and kindness. Her ability to face challenges with a smile inspires me to be strong and compassionate in my own life.

Conclusion

Example

In conclusion, my mother is not just a role model for me but also for many others. Her unwavering dedication and love have shaped who I am today, and I aspire to embody the same qualities in my life.

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 and informative. It's important to provide specific details about the person you admire to create a clearer picture for the listener.

Tip

Use specific examples and anecdotes to illustrate the person's qualities and achievements, making your response more vivid and memorable.

2: Don't Rush Your Answer

Speaking too quickly can lead to unclear communication and missed points. It's essential to take your time to articulate your thoughts clearly.

Tip

Practice pacing your speech by pausing between points. This will help you organize your thoughts and convey your admiration more effectively.

Neglecting Personal Connection

Failing to explain why you admire the person can make your response feel incomplete. Personal connections add depth to your answer.

Tip

Reflect on how this person has influenced your life or values, and share a personal story that highlights your admiration.

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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.