Describe someone older than you whom you admire.: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

Who is it?
How do you know this person?
Why do you admire this person?

13 unique answers with expert feedback

What qualities do you think make someone a good role model?

A good role model should possess qualities like confidence, integrity, and resilience. They inspire others through their actions and words, showing how to overcome challenges and achieve success while maintaining a strong moral compass.

How has Priyanka Chopra influenced your personal goals?

Priyanka Chopra has influenced my personal goals by showing me the importance of being confident and independent. Her journey from Bollywood to Hollywood inspires me to pursue my dreams fearlessly and to embrace my uniqueness while striving for excellence.

Do you think it's important to have role models? Why or why not?

Yes, having role models is important as they provide guidance and inspiration. They can motivate us to strive for our goals, help us learn from their experiences, and encourage us to develop qualities we admire in them, ultimately shaping our character and aspirations.

Band 7

00:00

as well as the office. The person I admire the most is my mother. She is a banker. She works there from 10 to 5. Not only she does that but she's excellent in cooking. She is a great homemaker and she has all the qualities that make her a wonder woman. She has beautiful features and she's very cute. She is a loving woman and she makes sure that everything we do has to be perfect. Furthermore, not only she is a perfect woman but she has also made sure that we, her children, also become like her and she has given me every skill that I might need in future. This is something that I am always grateful for. During my childhood I did not get much time to enjoy with her because she was in a working profession. Therefore, I always regret not spending much time with her. But as now both of us are growing up, we do enjoy a cup of tea when I come back from university and she comes back from her office and we do have some chat. She talks about her day. I keep telling her about my friends and like this we have started improving our bond. While I am growing up more and more, I am realizing that the things she has done are not normal at all. She has done extraordinary things. She has sacrificed her happiness for ours.

Follow up questions

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

I admire her dedication and resilience. She balances her demanding job as a banker while being an excellent homemaker. Her ability to manage both work and family life is truly inspiring. Additionally, her cooking skills and the love she puts into everything she does make her stand out.

How has your relationship with your mother changed over the years?

As I've grown older, I've come to appreciate her more. We now share moments over tea, discussing our days, which has strengthened our bond. I realize the sacrifices she made for our family, and this understanding has deepened my respect and love for her.

Can you share a specific memory that highlights your mother's influence on you?

One memory that stands out is when she taught me how to cook my favorite dish. It was a simple moment, but it showed me her patience and the importance of family traditions. That experience not only improved my cooking skills but also brought us closer together.

Is this page helpful?

Band 6-7

00:00

I would like to introduce you someone whom I admire the most is my oldest sister. My mother is blessed with five kids and among which my favorite is my older sister. The reason I admire her most is she has always been a problem solver and a spontaneous person to take in her decisions which are very best for all of us.

Follow up questions

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

I admire her resilience and ability to stay calm under pressure. She has a unique way of looking at problems and finding solutions that others might overlook. Her spontaneous nature also inspires me to be more decisive in my own life.

Can you share a specific instance where your sister helped you solve a problem?

There was a time when I was struggling with my studies and felt overwhelmed. My sister sat down with me, helped me organize my study schedule, and provided guidance on how to tackle difficult subjects. Her support made a significant difference in my academic performance.

How has your sister influenced your own decision-making?

Her approach to decision-making has taught me to trust my instincts and think critically. I’ve learned to weigh my options carefully and not be afraid to make choices that might seem risky, as long as I believe they are right for me.

Practice other cue cards

Describe an interesting person that you have not met in person and would like to know more about

View answers

Describe A Person Who Is Good At Making People Feel Welcome In His Her Home

View answers

Describe a person who likes to make things by hand (e.g. toys, furniture)

View answers

Describe a polite person you have met.

View answers

Describe a person you met at a party and enjoyed a conversation with.

View answers

Describe a person who you are happy to know.

View answers

Describe someone else’s room you enjoy spending time in

View answers

Describe a famous person you're interested in.

View answers

Band 6-7

00:00

So, today I would like to talk about one person which I admire a lot is none other than but my mother because she always inspires me and I am very pleased to have her in my life. I also like to spend time with her and like to rejuvenate with her. For couple of weeks, she is very frustrated due to her job. So because of that, she gives up on her. So I understand her situation and explain to her and also encourage her to do more things. So moreover, after hearing all these things, she is very motivated and then after, she always encourages me whenever I feel very low and I am very happy to have a person in my life which I admire the most and it is very proud to say that having a mother which is indispensable and which is wonderful and I do not have enough words for her. So yes, it is a great thing that I have an inspiration person in my life and I feel as happy as Larry.

Follow up questions

What qualities do you admire most in your mother?

I admire her resilience and ability to stay positive even in tough situations. Her dedication to her work and family inspires me to be better and to face challenges head-on.

How has your mother's influence shaped your goals?

My mother's encouragement has motivated me to pursue my dreams and work hard. She always reminds me to stay focused and believe in myself, which has helped me set and achieve my personal and academic goals.

Can you share a specific instance when your mother inspired you?

Once, when I was feeling overwhelmed with my studies, my mother shared her own experiences of overcoming challenges at work. Her story gave me the strength to push through and reminded me that perseverance pays off.

Band 6-7

00:00

Someone older than me whom I admire the most is my father. The relationship between me and my father is very strange for the people looking from afar. But the people who know us knows how much we adore each other. We are not expressive at all. We don't say each other I love you every day. But we know that when we need each other, we are always there for each other. He is the most selfless and grounded man I have ever seen. I am a person who is so strong, straight headed only because of the man who stood behind me when no one was there. He has taught me that no matter how many times I fall, I need to stand back up and walk on my toes. He has given me the liberty, the freedom to build an empire of my own. We fight a lot. We scream at each other. We don't talk to each other for days. But at the end of the day, one thing is for sure that we love each other. Our relationship has seen the strangest ups and downs. We were very close when I was a child and then we drifted apart when I was in school. But right now when I stay far away from him, all I want to do is hug him before I sleep at night. Being an outstation student and then walking away from home, it's very hard.

Follow up questions

What qualities do you admire most in your father?

I admire his selflessness and grounded nature. He always puts others before himself and remains humble despite challenges. His ability to support me without being overly expressive shows his strength and love, which I deeply respect.

How has your relationship with your father changed over the years?

Our relationship has evolved significantly. We were very close during my childhood, but as I grew older, we faced some distance. Now, living away from home, I appreciate him more and realize the importance of our bond, despite our occasional conflicts.

What life lessons have you learned from your father?

My father has taught me resilience and the importance of standing up after failures. He emphasizes that life will have its ups and downs, but what matters is the determination to keep moving forward. His guidance has shaped my character and ambitions.

Show all 13 answers

Cue 1:Who is it?

Begin by introducing the person you admire, including their name and relationship to you.
Mention their age and a brief background to give context about who they are.

Example

The person I admire is my grandmother, who is 75 years old. She has always been a significant presence in my life, teaching me valuable lessons and sharing her experiences.

Cue 2:How do you know this person?

Explain your relationship with this person and how long you have known them.
Share a few memorable experiences that highlight your connection.

Example

I have known my grandmother my entire life, as she has lived with us since I was born. I cherish the countless afternoons we spent together, where she would tell me stories about her childhood and the challenges she faced.

Cue 3:Why do you admire this person?

Discuss specific qualities or achievements that you admire in this person.
Relate these qualities to your own life and how they inspire you.

Example

I admire my grandmother for her resilience and kindness. Despite facing many hardships, she always maintained a positive outlook and helped others in our community. Her ability to stay strong and compassionate inspires me to approach my own challenges with a similar mindset.

Conclusion

Summarize your admiration for this person in a few sentences.
Reflect on how this person has influenced your life and values.

Example

In conclusion, my grandmother is not just a family member but a role model for me. Her life lessons and unwavering spirit have profoundly shaped my values and aspirations, and I strive to embody the qualities I admire in her.

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 examiner.

Tip

Include specific examples of their qualities or achievements to illustrate why you admire them.

2: Don't Rush Your Answer

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

Tip

Practice speaking slowly and pausing between points to ensure clarity and coherence in your response.

Neglecting Personal Connection

Failing to explain your personal connection to the person can make your answer feel impersonal. This connection is key to showing why they are significant to you.

Tip

Share a personal story or experience that highlights your relationship with the person you admire.

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.