Describe a project to help other people that you would like to organise
Try the card on the exam timer first, then read the band-8 sample answer and the Part 3 questions that follow it.
Practice it like the exam
Describe a project to help other people that you would like to organise.
You should say:
- what the project would be
- who it would help
- who you would ask to help you
and explain why you think the project is worthwhile.
Ready
1 minute to prepare, then 2 minutes to speak. It switches on its own.
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Band 8 sample answer
274 words · about 2 minutes at a natural pace · Phrases from the vocabulary list are highlighted.
A project I'd like to organise is a book donation programme for schools in rural areas. I got the idea when I visited a village school with my uncle, who is a teacher, and saw that the library consisted of just one small cupboard with a few worn-out books. It really made an impression on me.
The plan would be to collect books that people no longer need, such as children's stories, textbooks and dictionaries, and deliver them to schools that have too few resources. I'd start in my own neighbourhood, putting boxes in cafés, shops and my university's front hall, with a note explaining what kinds of books we need. I'd also create a page on social media to spread the word, and invite people to donate or help to sort the books. I'm sure my classmates would join me, and I'd also approach my uncle's school and a local bookshop to ask for support. If we collected enough money, we could even buy some new books and shelves.
I think this project is worthwhile for a number of reasons. First of all, reading is the foundation of education, and children without access to books are at a disadvantage from the very beginning. Second, it costs very little to make a positive impact, because most families have books lying around unused. Third, it brings people together, since everybody in the community can take part. Lastly, I believe if children enjoy reading when they are young, they will do better in all their subjects later. I'm hoping to launch the first collection this autumn, and I've already written a list of schools to contact.
What to notice
- It takes the points on the card in order, so the examiner can follow it.
- Each point gets a specific detail or a short story, which is what keeps a talk going for two minutes.
- The "explain" line at the end gets the most time, because that is where you give an opinion and show your range of language.
We wrote this answer for practice; it does not come from IELTS. Take its structure and phrases and tell your own story, because examiners notice memorised answers.
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Useful vocabulary
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| raise funds | collect money for a cause |
| a non-profit organisation | a group that does not aim to make money |
| make a positive impact | have a good effect |
| underprivileged children | children from poor backgrounds |
| spread the word | tell many people about something |
| donate | give money or goods to help |
Plan it in one minute
Choose what to talk about in the first ten seconds, then write two or three key words for each point. Full sentences take too long to write and to read back.
Who or what you could talk about
- A book collection for village schools
- Free tutoring for children
- Food or clothing drive for families in need
How to spend the two minutes
- 25 swhat the project would be
- 25 swho it would help
- 25 swho you would ask to help you
- 45 sand explain why you think the project is worthwhile.
Part 3 questions
In the exam these come straight after your talk, on the wider subject: Charity and community support. Answer each in 3–4 sentences, with your view, a reason and an example.
- Why do some people donate money to charities while others do not?
- Is it better to give money or time?
- What kinds of charities are most popular in your country?
- Should wealthy people be required to help the less fortunate?
- How can schools teach children to care about others?
Keep practicing
More cue cards: Plans and wishes
- Describe a change that you would like to make in your life
- Describe a course or training programme that you would like to take in the future
- Describe a foreign country where you would like to work or live for a while
- Describe an ambition that you had when you were a child and that you still have
- Describe a family celebration that you are looking forward to or would like to organise
- Describe a goal that you would like to achieve in the next five years
Part 1 topics on the same subject
Frequently asked questions
How do I talk about future plans in an IELTS cue card?
Say what you would like to do, why, and how you would go about it. Mix future forms: "I'm planning to", "I'd love to", "if I had the chance, I would". A plan you really have gives you more to say than an invented one.
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