Describe an old person you know who has had an interesting life: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

Who is this person?
Where he/she lives?
What he/she has done in his/her life?
And explain how you feel about him/her.

34 unique answers with expert feedback

What qualities do you admire most in your grandfather?

I admire his resilience and dedication. Despite facing numerous hardships, he never gave up and always focused on his responsibilities. His ability to forgive and help others, even when he struggled himself, is truly inspiring.

How do you think his experiences shaped your view on life?

His experiences taught me the importance of perseverance and compassion. I learned that life can be tough, but maintaining a positive attitude and helping others can lead to a fulfilling life. His story motivates me to face challenges head-on.

What lessons have you learned from your grandfather's life?

I've learned the value of hard work, forgiveness, and community support. His life shows that success isn't just about personal achievements but also about uplifting those around you. These lessons have greatly influenced my own values and actions.

Band 7

00:00

This person that I am going to talk about is my neighbor Mr. Hazarika. He lived right beside my house in Guwahati, Assam. In his heydays, he wore many hats. He was a pilot who visited a number of countries, and he used to speak very fondly about each of his travels experiences. Moreover, he was also an avid sportsperson, a gardener, as well as a painter. I feel inspired when I see people like him because they carried their interests well into their old age. Nothing could deter them from the fact that they wanted to live a colorful life, not of an age. And because of this fact, I was really inspired to create a life, similar life of my own. He lived a long life and died recently at the age of 97. Another reason that I feel so enthralled by his personality is because he lived alone. His family lived abroad. His wife had passed away by then. But this did not make him any less cheerful. He was always happy, greeting everyone who would pass him by. This kind of a personality, the demeanor, the grace which he carried on with his life is what I want to emulate as I grow old.

Follow up questions

What qualities do you think made Mr. Hazarika an interesting person?

Mr. Hazarika had a diverse range of interests and experiences. His adventurous spirit as a pilot, his dedication to sports, and his artistic talents as a painter made him a well-rounded individual. Additionally, his ability to remain cheerful and engaged with life despite challenges is truly inspiring.

How do you think his life experiences influenced your perspective on aging?

Mr. Hazarika's life taught me that aging doesn't mean giving up on passions. His active lifestyle and positive attitude showed me that one can continue to pursue interests and remain vibrant at any age. This has encouraged me to embrace life fully and maintain my hobbies as I grow older.

In what ways do you think society can better support elderly individuals like Mr. Hazarika?

Society can provide better support by creating more community engagement opportunities for the elderly, ensuring they have access to social activities and resources. Programs that encourage intergenerational interactions can also help combat loneliness and promote a sense of belonging among older adults.

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Band 7

00:00

I want to describe Mr. Lee, a 70-year-old volunteer at a local community center. I met Mr. Lee while participating in a weekend charity event. He was in charge of organizing donated cloths and food items for the homeless shelter. Despite being retired, he dedicates most of his free time to helping others. After the event, I continue to volunteer alongside him every Saturday. We shop through donation, prepare care packages and sometimes help in the soup kitchen. His unwavering commitment to charity work is extraordinary. He has been volunteering for over a decade and his energy and enthusiasm have never faded. He always shares stories about his younger days when he traveled across different countries. These experiences shaped his belief in compassion and empathy for all. He motivates volunteers by showing how a small act of kindness can create a big impact. His living proved that retirement can be fulfilling phases of life if spent in service of the community. What fascinates me most in his sense of purpose and how he finds joy in helping others. Spending time with Mr. Lee has influenced me to be more proactive in my community. And I'll always admire him compassionate spirit. Thank you.

Follow up questions

What qualities do you think make Mr. Lee an effective volunteer?

Mr. Lee's effectiveness as a volunteer stems from his unwavering commitment, enthusiasm, and ability to inspire others. His compassion and empathy allow him to connect with those he helps, while his organizational skills ensure that the charity events run smoothly.

How has volunteering with Mr. Lee changed your perspective on community service?

Volunteering with Mr. Lee has opened my eyes to the impact one person can have on a community. His dedication shows that even small efforts can lead to significant change, and it has inspired me to take a more active role in helping those in need.

What lessons have you learned from Mr. Lee's life experiences?

From Mr. Lee's life experiences, I've learned the importance of compassion, the value of giving back, and that age should not limit one's ability to contribute to society. His stories of travel and service remind me that life is about making meaningful connections and helping others.

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Band 7

00:00

The person that I'd like to describe is my grandfather, Devipadu Ganguly. He has been a very influential figure in my life, in shaping my morals and my values. He has been my constant guide while growing up, always showing me what to do and what not to do, teaching me things like riding a bicycle, teaching me how to draw. He used to go through my school homework to help me out. He was a very kind, intelligent and dedicated grandparent. Furthermore, he had a very tough life. My grandmother died very young and he was left all alone most of his life. When I came along, he just gravitated towards me and gave me all the attention that I needed to succeed in life. It is because of his teachings and his guidance that I was able to achieve my current standings.

Follow up questions

What specific values did your grandfather teach you?

My grandfather taught me the importance of honesty, hard work, and compassion. He always emphasized that being truthful and helping others are key to leading a fulfilling life. His own experiences shaped these values, and I strive to embody them in my daily life.

Can you share a memorable story about your grandfather?

One memorable story is when he taught me how to ride a bicycle. I was scared at first, but he patiently encouraged me, running alongside until I finally balanced on my own. His joy when I succeeded was infectious, and it taught me the value of perseverance.

How did your grandfather cope with the challenges in his life?

He coped with challenges by focusing on his family and finding joy in small things. Despite losing my grandmother, he remained positive and dedicated himself to raising me. His resilience and ability to find happiness in difficult times inspired me greatly.

Band 7

00:00

A person that I like the most, who was old, is my father. He's been living with me since the past 27 years or so and unfortunately he expired in the year 2021. My father has always been my role model. He is a very important aspect of my life. I got to learn a lot from him. He was a businessman and the business acumen that he had inspired me a great deal. It inspired me to be street smart and also achieve my goals. He always wanted me to study and that's the only reason why he sent me to a very good school. He wanted me to be a doctor someday and open my own hospital. All his friends studied and my father was forced into business by his grandfather. He had a desire to study himself as he couldn't achieve that dream for himself. He wanted me to pursue that dream for him. My father always wanted to be a doctor himself. It was because of him that I got inclined towards being a doctor in the society. My father was a very disciplined person. He used to get up every day at morning 7 and work relentlessly till night 10. He used to gather money for my studies. My father was my inspiration in everyday life.

Follow up questions

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

I admire his discipline and work ethic the most. He was always dedicated to his goals and worked tirelessly to provide for our family. His ability to stay focused and committed to his dreams, despite the challenges he faced, has inspired me to adopt a similar approach in my own life.

How did your father's experiences influence your career choice?

My father's unfulfilled dream of becoming a doctor greatly influenced my career choice. His desire for me to pursue medicine motivated me to work hard in my studies. I wanted to honor his aspirations and make him proud by achieving what he couldn't.

Can you share a memorable lesson your father taught you?

One memorable lesson my father taught me was the importance of perseverance. He often said that success comes to those who are willing to work hard and never give up, no matter how difficult the journey may be. This lesson has stayed with me and guides me in my pursuits.

Show all 34 answers

Cue 1:Who is this person?

Introduce the person by name and relationship to you.
Mention their age and a brief description of their personality.

Example

The person I want to talk about is my grandfather, Mr. Sharma. He is 85 years old and has a very warm and cheerful personality. He always has a smile on his face and loves to share stories from his past.

Cue 2:Where he/she lives?

Describe the location where this person lives.
Mention any interesting aspects of their living situation.

Example

He lives in a small village in Rajasthan, surrounded by beautiful fields and a close-knit community. His house is traditional, with a lovely garden where he grows vegetables and flowers.

Cue 3:What he/she has done in his/her life?

Highlight key achievements or experiences in their life.
Include any challenges they faced and how they overcame them.

Example

Throughout his life, my grandfather worked as a teacher and later became the headmaster of the local school. He faced many challenges, especially during tough economic times, but he always prioritized education and inspired many children to pursue their dreams.

Cue 4:And explain how you feel about him/her.

Share your personal feelings and admiration for this person.
Mention any lessons you have learned from them.

Example

I feel incredibly proud to have him as my grandfather. His resilience and dedication to education have taught me the importance of hard work and perseverance. I often seek his advice, and his stories motivate me to strive for my goals.

Conclusion

Example

In conclusion, my grandfather is not just an old person I know; he is a source of inspiration and wisdom in my life. His interesting life experiences and positive outlook have greatly influenced my values and aspirations.

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: Lack of Specific Details

Avoid vague descriptions that do not provide specific information about the person. This can make your answer less engaging and informative.

Tip

Include specific anecdotes or examples from the person's life to illustrate their interesting experiences.

2: Ignoring the Cues

Neglecting to address all the cues can lead to an incomplete answer. This may result in a lower score for coherence and relevance.

Tip

Make sure to systematically cover each cue in your response to create a well-rounded answer.

Overly Complex Language

Using complicated vocabulary or sentence structures can confuse the listener and detract from your message. Clarity is key.

Tip

Use simple and clear language to express your thoughts, ensuring that your ideas are easily understood.

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