Describe a doctor or nurse who helped you
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 doctor or nurse who helped you.
You should say:
- who this person is
- when and where you met them
- what they did to help you
and explain how you felt about the care you received.
Ready
1 minute to prepare, then 2 minutes to speak. It switches on its own.
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Band 8 sample answer
260 words · about 2 minutes at a natural pace · Phrases from the vocabulary list are highlighted.
I'd like to talk about a nurse called Sevara, who looked after me when I was in hospital with appendicitis at the age of sixteen. It happened quite suddenly. I woke up in the middle of the night with terrible stomach pain, and my parents took me to the emergency department.
I met Sevara on the ward after my operation. She was in her late twenties, with a gentle voice and a lovely smile. Over the three days that I stayed there, she checked on me regularly, gave me my medicine, and made sure I was comfortable. What I remember most is that she explained everything in plain language, from what the machines were for to how long I'd need to rest. I was extremely nervous, and since I had never been to hospital before, her explanations were a great comfort.
One evening, I felt very homesick and a bit afraid, and she sat with me for almost twenty minutes, chatting about music and school, until I felt calmer. This was completely beyond her duty, as the ward was busy, and I'm sure she had many other patients to see.
I felt very grateful and reassured. I realised that medical care involves more than treatment; it also involves kindness and attention. Since then, I've had enormous respect for nurses. Before I left, I wrote her a thank-you card, and she told me she kept it in her locker. I think her care played a big part in my quick recovery, and it even made me consider a career in medicine.
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 |
|---|---|
| bedside manner | the way a doctor behaves with patients |
| put someone at ease | make someone feel relaxed |
| make a full recovery | become completely healthy again |
| reassuring | making you feel less worried |
| look after a patient | care for a sick person |
| be in good hands | be well cared for |
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 doctor who diagnosed a problem others had missed
- A nurse who was kind during a hospital stay
- A family doctor you have trusted for years
How to spend the two minutes
- 25 swho this person is
- 25 swhen and where you met them
- 25 swhat they did to help you
- 45 sand explain how you felt about the care you received.
Part 3 questions
In the exam these come straight after your talk, on the wider subject: Healthcare workers. Answer each in 3–4 sentences, with your view, a reason and an example.
- Why do you think doctors and nurses are respected in your country?
- What qualities does a good doctor need?
- Do you think healthcare workers are paid enough?
- Why do some people avoid going to the doctor?
- Should medical care be free for everyone?
Frequently asked questions
How should I describe a person in an IELTS cue card?
Pick someone you know well enough to tell a story about: that is easier to stretch to two minutes than a famous name. Say who they are and how you know them in a few sentences, spend most of your time on one or two specific moments, and finish with why they matter to you.
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