Describe A Time When You Helped A Child: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

When it was?
How you helped him/her?
Why you helped him/her?

10 unique answers with expert feedback

What motivated you to help the lost child?

I felt a strong sense of empathy for the child. Seeing him cry and being lost reminded me of how vulnerable kids can be in such situations. I wanted to ensure he felt safe and secure until we could reunite him with his mother.

How did you feel after helping the child?

I felt a sense of fulfillment and happiness. It was rewarding to see the child smile again and to know that I played a part in reuniting him with his mother. It reinforced my belief in the importance of helping others.

Have you had any other experiences helping children?

Yes, I have volunteered at local schools and community events where I helped children with their studies and organized games. Each experience has been unique and fulfilling, and I always enjoy interacting with kids.

Band 6-7

00:00

Thank you for giving me this opportunity to speak. There have been a lot of times I have helped various kinds of people. Whether it be my parents, friends, neighbors, etc. Today I would like to talk about the time I helped my cousin who was struggling with his studies. My cousin's name is Ansley and he has always been excellent in his studies. But he used to struggle to study the subject of English. He wouldn't understand the grammar, how and where to use the pronouns, verbs, etc. He had additionally taken classes to improve his English. That costed around Rs. 300 per day. As a middle class family, it was costly for his parents. That's when I decided to step in and help him. He has always been an excellent student. So, with a little bit of help and motivation, he tried his very best. And relevantly tried to increase his score.

Follow up questions

What motivated you to help your cousin with his studies?

I was motivated by my desire to see my cousin succeed. I knew he was capable of doing well in English, and I wanted to support him in overcoming his struggles. Additionally, I felt a sense of responsibility to help family members when they face challenges.

How did you approach teaching him English?

I approached teaching him by breaking down the grammar rules into simpler concepts. We worked on practical examples and exercises together. I also encouraged him to practice speaking and writing in English, which helped him gain confidence and improve his skills.

What impact did your help have on your cousin's performance?

My help had a positive impact on his performance. He became more confident in his abilities and started to understand the subject better. Over time, his grades improved, and he felt more motivated to continue learning, which was rewarding for both of us.

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

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.

Band 6-7

00:00

When it was? How you helped him? Or why you helped him? So, there was a time I helped a stranger with his child. So, when I was studying, when I was pursuing my MBA degree, I was waiting for my bus at the bus stand. So, at the time, a child walks towards me and asks for help. That child asked me that could you please give some money for buying food. So, at the time, I think that so where is this child came from and where is the parents are doing. Why that child asked money only to me. So, there are other people surrounding around them. So, it is the child is simply just walk towards me and ask for the help. So, I have asked some questions to the child like why you are here, where is your parents. So, this kind of question I have asked to the child. So, that child replied me to that. So, I don't have any parents. So, I am starving for a past two days. So, now I need some money to buy food. So, it's really you know, I am a person who have very felt sorry for the people who have been in kind of situation like that. So, I suddenly give the child a food not I am not the person who giving appreciating giving the money. So, I just take the child into the shop nearby shop and I am just buying the food and giving to the child. So, after I did that, so I feel like I made someone's life more easier in a day. So, and I also feel that so my I am not in this situation. So, I am very blessed, but I also feel sorry for the people who have not having the parents and just laundering here and there. So, and I also pray to the God. So, please take care of these kind of childs. So, giving the food shelter for them to take care of their needs.

Follow up questions

How did you feel after helping the child?

I felt a deep sense of satisfaction and relief. It was heartwarming to know that I could make a small difference in that child's life. It reminded me of the importance of compassion and how even a simple act of kindness can have a significant impact on someone in need.

Have you ever encountered a similar situation again?

Yes, I have encountered similar situations where children or even adults needed help. Each time, I try to assist in whatever way I can, whether it's providing food, clothing, or just lending an ear. These experiences have made me more aware of the struggles that some people face.

What do you think is the best way to help children in need?

I believe the best way to help children in need is to provide them with immediate support, like food and shelter, but also to advocate for long-term solutions. This includes supporting organizations that work to provide education and care for underprivileged children, ensuring they have a better future.

Band 5-6

00:00

During my school time, me and my friend was going on school, that time roadside one child standing, we talk about what are you doing this roadside, the child talk about my book mixing, just help with me, ok, we are checking for the ore area inside, and we got the book, and give the book, that time very happy to child and me and my friend, the child is nearby my home, his name is Rahul, it's a good personality and a good person, and it's only 4 years old, and that time me and my friend return to school, and talk about the class leader, and the teachers, very appreciative in our, you are a very gentle person, and good personality man, I appreciate you, talk about, and that's day very memorable in my day, and every years, after years ago, we are talk about that day, and that person is now is a very indigent police officer, I am very happy to that moment, and he is loving for me and my friend.

Follow up questions

How did you feel after helping the child?

I felt really happy and fulfilled after helping the child. It was a rewarding experience to see his smile when we found his book. It made me realize how small acts of kindness can have a big impact on someone's day.

Why do you think it's important to help children?

Helping children is important because it fosters their development and builds their confidence. It also teaches them the value of kindness and community. When we support children, we contribute to their growth and well-being.

Have you had any other experiences helping children?

Yes, I have volunteered at local schools and community centers, helping children with their studies and organizing activities. Each experience has been unique and has reinforced my belief in the importance of supporting the younger generation.

Band 5-6

00:00

Today is holiday. Many people are helping a child but the demand of the question I describe a time when I helped a child. When I describe one time I helping a child. One time my neighbor's children I helped. He is very small. He is just five years old and one time he is suffering from a fever and he taken a one week's holiday from a school. So his home his study was a very drink and I helping in a study and I just to describe the all things to to child and I helping in their homework complete their homework and complete the lesson study and I feel very happy to help there and I am very thankful to God I can I can help the child. I was help the child is a one opportunity for me this time is a very difficult for him but I can describe the all things and I help in all the homework and study materials.

Follow up questions

What motivated you to help your neighbor's child?

I felt a sense of responsibility as a neighbor and wanted to ensure the child didn't fall behind in his studies. Helping him during his illness was a way to support him and his family during a tough time.

How do you think helping children impacts their development?

Helping children can significantly boost their confidence and understanding of subjects. It also fosters a sense of community and support, which is crucial for their emotional and social development.

Have you helped other children in the past?

Yes, I have helped other children in my neighborhood with their studies and various activities. Each experience has been rewarding, and I believe it's important to contribute positively to a child's growth.

Show all 10 answers

Cue 1:When it was?

Begin by mentioning the specific time and place when this event occurred.
Provide some context about the situation, such as the child's age or the setting.

Example

It was during the summer holidays last year, in my neighborhood park. I often go there to relax, and on that day, I noticed a little girl, around six years old, sitting alone on a swing, looking upset.

Cue 2:How you helped him/her?

Describe the actions you took to help the child, focusing on your approach and interaction.
Mention any specific activities or conversations that took place.

Example

I approached her gently and asked what was wrong. She told me she had lost her favorite toy. I offered to help her look for it. We searched around the park together, and I encouraged her to think about where she last played with it. After a while, we found the toy under a bench, and her face lit up with joy.

Cue 3:Why you helped him/her?

Explain your motivation for helping the child, emphasizing empathy and kindness.
Share any personal experiences or values that influenced your decision.

Example

I helped her because I remembered how I felt when I lost something important as a child. I believe it’s essential to support others, especially children, when they are upset. Seeing her smile again made me feel happy and fulfilled.

Conclusion

Example

In conclusion, helping that little girl was a rewarding experience. It reminded me of the importance of kindness and community. Small acts of support can make a big difference in someone’s day, especially for children who may feel vulnerable.

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 event to engage the listener and demonstrate your speaking ability.

Tip

Include specific dates, locations, and actions to create a vivid picture of the experience.

2: Lack of Emotion

Failing to express your feelings can make your story less impactful. Sharing emotions helps to connect with the examiner and makes your response more memorable.

Tip

Describe how you felt during the experience and why it was meaningful to you.