Talk about an interesting old person you met recently: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

Who is this person?
How you met him? How you know him
What you do with this person (optional)
Why you found him interesting?

19 unique answers with expert feedback

What life lessons have you learned from Mr. Sharma?

Mr. Sharma has taught me the importance of resilience and maintaining a positive attitude in the face of challenges. He often shares stories of his own struggles and how he overcame them, which inspires me to approach my own difficulties with a similar mindset.

How do you think older people can contribute to society?

Older people like Mr. Sharma can contribute significantly by sharing their wisdom and experiences. They can mentor younger generations, provide valuable insights into history and culture, and help foster a sense of community through storytelling and engagement.

What activities do you enjoy doing with Mr. Sharma?

I enjoy discussing various topics like literature and history with Mr. Sharma. We also sometimes go for walks together in the park, where he shares more of his life experiences. These conversations are not only enjoyable but also enriching for my personal growth.

Band 6-7

00:00

Well today I'd like to talk about a person who is intriguing, who I found intriguing. Her name is Vishala and I used to see her daily while she was walking. I don't know where she lives but I used to see her. She was used to walk near my home carrying a bag and a phone in her hand. I thought she used to go somewhere but then one day I had an off from my college and I don't have a much work to do, much work to do. So I went to temple then I have seen her there and I'm just, I just wanted to know about her and then I started a conversation with her in the temple. I found that she was an English teacher earlier. So when I am speaking to her, when I was speaking to her, she replied me to, she replied to me in English. So I found her English was so affluent. So I requested her to make me to learn new vocabulary daily and she agreed to that. So the thing I found interesting about her is her speaking skills. As she was an English teacher, her speaking skills are absolutely amazing. So that I can't resist to learn from her.

Follow up questions

What qualities do you think make someone interesting?

I believe qualities like wisdom, experience, and a unique perspective on life make someone interesting. An interesting person often has stories to tell and can engage in meaningful conversations, which is what I found in Vishala.

How do you think learning from older people can benefit younger generations?

Learning from older people can provide younger generations with valuable insights and life lessons. They have experienced many situations and can offer guidance on various topics, including language, culture, and personal growth.

Have you had similar experiences with other older individuals?

Yes, I have met other older individuals who have shared their life stories and experiences with me. Each encounter has taught me something new, whether it's about history, culture, or personal challenges, enriching my understanding of the world.

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.

Yes, I've learned the importance of patience and empathy from older people. Their ability to remain calm in stressful situations, like Arunmoli, teaches me to approach challenges with a clearer mind. Their life stories often provide insights that can help me navigate my own experiences.

Show all 19 answers

Cue 1:Who is this person?

Introduce the person with their name and a brief background.
Mention their age and any notable characteristics that make them stand out.

Example

The interesting old person I met recently is Mr. Rao, a 75-year-old retired school teacher. He has a warm smile and a twinkle in his eye that immediately draws people in.

Cue 2:How you met him? How you know him

Describe the context in which you met this person.
Explain how you came to know him better over time.

Example

I met Mr. Rao at a community event organized by our local library. I was volunteering there, and he approached me to discuss a book he had just read. We started talking, and I learned that he often visits the library to share his love for literature.

Cue 3:What you do with this person (optional)

Share any activities or conversations you have had with this person.
Highlight any special moments or experiences you’ve shared.

Example

Since our first meeting, I have often joined Mr. Rao for tea at a nearby café. We discuss various topics, from classic literature to current events, and I always leave our conversations feeling inspired.

Cue 4:Why you found him interesting?

Explain what makes this person unique or captivating.
Share any lessons or insights you have gained from him.

Example

I find Mr. Rao interesting because of his vast knowledge and passion for teaching. He has a way of making complex ideas simple and engaging. His stories from his teaching days are not only entertaining but also filled with valuable life lessons.

Conclusion

Example

In conclusion, meeting Mr. Rao has been a delightful experience. His wisdom and enthusiasm for life remind me of the importance of staying curious and engaged, no matter our age. I look forward to many more conversations with him.

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 to capture the examiner's interest.

Tip

Include specific anecdotes or characteristics about the person to make your description vivid and memorable.

2: Don't Rush Your Answer

Speaking too quickly can lead to unclear communication and missed details. It's essential to pace your speech to ensure clarity and coherence.

Tip

Take a moment to think before you speak, and practice pausing between points to maintain a steady pace.

Neglecting Personal Connection

Failing to explain your personal connection to the person can make your answer feel impersonal. Sharing your relationship adds depth to your response.