Describe A Successful Person Who You Once Studied Or Worked With: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

Who this person is?
When did you study/work with this person?
What did you do together?
What did you do to become successful?
Explain how you felt about studying or working with this person.

21 unique answers with expert feedback

What qualities do you think make a person successful?

I believe successful people possess qualities like determination, resilience, and strong leadership skills. They are also good communicators and have a clear vision of their goals. These traits help them navigate challenges and inspire others.

How can someone develop the skills needed to be successful?

Developing skills for success often involves continuous learning, seeking mentorship, and gaining practical experience. Networking with successful individuals and being open to feedback can also help in honing these skills over time.

Do you think success is measured differently by different people?

Absolutely, success is subjective. For some, it might mean financial stability, while for others, it could be personal fulfillment or making a positive impact. Each person's values and life experiences shape their definition of success.

Band 6-7

00:00

The successful person who I have worked with or studied with is Dr. Vishwanath Sir. He is one of the most famous renowned neurosurgeon in Karnataka. He is really calm and sometimes funny. When I was in second year, my dad told me about him. He asked me to meet him sometime. So I visited him. He said he will teach me pharmacology. So I agreed with him and he taught me pharmacology for a week. He even taught me the tricks and tips to remember all the drugs in the pharmacology. It was really a good experience for me. He even asked me to accompany him in the OT. I assisted him in the OT for a case which was a broken skull. He was really calm and well organized when he was doing the surgery. Even the actor Darshan consulted him for the back pain. He is one of the brilliant doctor I have ever seen. Thank you for watching it.

Follow up questions

What qualities do you think make Dr. Vishwanath a successful neurosurgeon?

I believe Dr. Vishwanath's success comes from his calm demeanor, extensive knowledge, and ability to teach complex topics effectively. His organizational skills during surgeries and his approachable nature also contribute to his reputation as a brilliant doctor.

How did your experience with Dr. Vishwanath influence your career aspirations?

Working with Dr. Vishwanath inspired me to pursue a career in medicine, particularly in neurology. His passion for teaching and his dedication to patient care motivated me to strive for excellence in my studies and to help others in the future.

Can you share a memorable moment from your time with Dr. Vishwanath?

One memorable moment was when I assisted him in the operating theater. I was nervous, but he calmly guided me through the process. His confidence and skill made a lasting impression on me, and it was an invaluable learning experience.

Band 6-7

00:00

That successful person is not anyone but my own eldest brother. So when I used to study with him in my childhood, he used to sit with me and help me in my math subject. Especially in solving equations or algorithms or algebra. And he was so nice and good in his approach that I used to get the formulas or the equation behind it very quickly and easily. To be very honest, I was very very poor at my maths but only the continuous practice and sitting with my brother for at least an hour a day has really improved my maths. And he suggested me always that maths is a subject which needs practice, continuous practice. You need not to be afraid of it, you need to face it, you need to crack the equation. And I did that, I used to practice math each and every day for at least an hour. So yes, it improved my maths, it just gave me phenomenal results. And that's how I scored 86 marks out of 100 in my 10th board exams. That was the only strategy I opted and till now I just follow the steps of my brother. Whatever suggestion he gives me, whatever ideas he gives me, I just follow them.

Follow up questions

How did your brother's teaching style influence your learning?

My brother's teaching style was very patient and encouraging. He made complex topics seem simple and always motivated me to keep trying. His positive reinforcement helped build my confidence in math, which was crucial for my improvement.

What other subjects did you struggle with, and how did you overcome them?

Apart from math, I struggled with science subjects. I sought help from friends and teachers, and I formed study groups. Just like with math, I dedicated time to practice and clarify my doubts, which significantly improved my understanding and grades.

Do you think having a mentor is important for success? Why?

Absolutely! Having a mentor like my brother provides guidance, support, and motivation. A mentor can share valuable experiences and strategies that can help you navigate challenges more effectively, making a significant difference in achieving success.

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Band 6-7

00:00

The one successful person that I remember working with is Ricky. He is the founder of one of the top SaaS businesses ever, which is called Beautify. I have been working with him since last two years on an on and off basis. I used to do marketing for the brand Beautify and we collaborated on a lot of things to make it successful. We came up with a lot of strategies like creating marketing calendar or different marketing perspectives and campaigns that we can run to enhance the customer acquisition. After working with him, I always felt positive vibes from him. I felt elated and most importantly, I felt really confident about my skills in marketing since he made me feel like that I am an important asset to the organization and it was a fun experience working with him.

Follow up questions

What specific marketing strategies did you find most effective while working with Ricky?

One of the most effective strategies was creating a detailed marketing calendar. This helped us plan campaigns in advance and align our efforts. Additionally, we focused on targeted social media campaigns that resonated with our audience, which significantly boosted customer engagement and acquisition.

How did Ricky's leadership style influence your work experience?

Ricky's leadership style was very empowering. He encouraged open communication and valued everyone's input. This made me feel comfortable sharing my ideas, which fostered a collaborative environment. His positive reinforcement also boosted my confidence and motivated me to take on more responsibilities.

Can you share a memorable project you worked on with Ricky?

One memorable project was the launch of a new marketing campaign for Beautify's latest product. We brainstormed creative ideas and executed a multi-channel approach. The campaign was a huge success, leading to a significant increase in sales and customer engagement, which made the whole team proud.

Band 6-7

00:00

A successful person who I recently worked with is my professor Mr. Kuldeep and it was a really nerve-wracking experience as we are currently working on a research project together and he is extremely talented and he has a lot of fresh ideas that he brings to the table and I am not sure I am as equipped with the knowledge as he is but it's a really amazing experience as I am getting to learn a lot from him and he is my professor at college and we get assigned with research guides. He is currently working with me on a research project regarding patients who have cancer and how they have an impaired posture so the idea was something that we came up with together and I hope this research has some groundbreaking results.

Follow up questions

What qualities make Mr. Kuldeep a successful professor?

Mr. Kuldeep is successful because of his extensive knowledge, innovative ideas, and ability to inspire students. He encourages us to think critically and creatively, which enhances our learning experience. His passion for research and dedication to his students truly sets him apart.

How has working with him influenced your career aspirations?

Working with Mr. Kuldeep has significantly influenced my career aspirations. His mentorship has sparked my interest in research, particularly in the medical field. I now see myself pursuing a career in healthcare research, aiming to contribute to advancements that can help patients.

What challenges have you faced while working on the research project?

One of the main challenges has been balancing my coursework with the demands of the research project. Additionally, I sometimes feel overwhelmed by the complexity of the subject matter. However, Mr. Kuldeep's guidance helps me navigate these challenges and grow academically.

Show all 21 answers

Cue 1:Who this person is?

Begin by introducing the person, including their name and profession.
Mention any notable achievements or qualities that make them successful.

Example

The person I want to talk about is Mr. Rajesh Sharma, who was my mentor during my internship at a leading IT company. He is a software engineer with over 15 years of experience and has successfully led multiple projects that have significantly improved the company's efficiency.

Cue 2:When did you study/work with this person?

Specify the time frame of your association with this person.
Mention the context in which you worked or studied together.

Example

I worked with Mr. Sharma during my summer internship in 2022. It was a two-month program where I was part of a team developing a new software application.

Cue 3:What did you do together?

Describe the specific tasks or projects you collaborated on.
Highlight any skills or knowledge you gained from this experience.

Example

Together, we worked on designing the user interface for the application. I learned a lot about coding and project management, as Mr. Sharma guided me through the entire process, ensuring I understood each step.

Cue 4:What did you do to become successful?

Discuss the qualities or actions that contributed to Mr. Sharma's success.
Relate these qualities to your own learning and growth.

Example

Mr. Sharma's success can be attributed to his dedication and continuous learning. He often encouraged me to ask questions and seek feedback, which helped me improve my skills and confidence in my work.

Cue 5:Explain how you felt about studying or working with this person.

Share your personal feelings and thoughts about the experience.
Mention how this relationship impacted your career or personal development.

Example

Working with Mr. Sharma was an inspiring experience. I felt motivated and supported throughout my internship. His mentorship not only enhanced my technical skills but also instilled a sense of professionalism in me.

Conclusion

Example

In conclusion, Mr. Rajesh Sharma is a successful person who has greatly influenced my career path. His guidance and expertise have inspired me to strive for excellence in my own professional journey.

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

Avoid being too general when describing the successful person. Specific details make your answer more engaging and credible.

Tip

Include specific examples of the person's achievements and qualities to create a vivid picture for the examiner.

2: Neglecting Personal Impact

Don't forget to explain how this person influenced you personally. This is key to showing your connection to the topic.

Tip

Share a personal story or lesson learned from working or studying with this person to highlight your emotional response.

Ignoring the Cues

Avoid straying from the provided cues. Each cue is designed to help structure your response effectively.

Tip

Make sure to address each cue in your answer to ensure a comprehensive and organized response.

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Anonymous student Band 7.5

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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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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

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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

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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

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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.