Describe a generous person you know
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 generous person you know.
You should say:
- who this person is
- how you know them
- what they do that shows they are generous
and explain how you feel about this person.
Ready
1 minute to prepare, then 2 minutes to speak. It switches on its own.
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Band 8 sample answer
251 words · about 2 minutes at a natural pace · Phrases from the vocabulary list are highlighted.
The generous person I'd like to talk about is my aunt Mavluda, my father's sister. She has a small shop that sells fabrics and clothing in our town, and she is, without exaggeration, the most giving person I know.
The way she shows her generosity is by looking after people around her. Every holiday, she prepares food parcels for several elderly neighbours who live alone, and she delivers them herself. When one of her employees had a serious problem with paying hospital bills, she quietly covered a large part of it and told nobody. She also donates school clothes to children from families that struggle, and during the winter she brings blankets to a local shelter.
What I find striking is that she does it without any fuss. She doesn't mention it to others or expect to be praised, and sometimes we only find out about her kind acts from third parties. When I asked her once why she does it, she shrugged and said, 'I have enough, so why not share?'
I feel enormous admiration for her. Many people say they'd help others if they were richer, but she has shown that generosity doesn't depend on wealth. She's not a rich woman; she just chooses to prioritise others.
Her example has influenced me, too. Recently I started giving some of my old books and clothes to a charity, and I volunteer at a children's reading club on Saturdays. I'd like to be as warm-hearted as she is when I'm older.
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 |
|---|---|
| have a heart of gold | be very kind and generous |
| give without expecting anything in return | help without wanting a reward |
| go out of their way | make an extra effort |
| donate to charity | give money to good causes |
| selfless | caring more about others than yourself |
| share what you have | give part of your belongings to others |
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 relative who always brings gifts or hosts guests
- A friend who shares their time and help
- A business owner who supports the community
How to spend the two minutes
- 25 swho this person is
- 25 show you know them
- 25 swhat they do that shows they are generous
- 45 sand explain how you feel about this person.
Part 3 questions
In the exam these come straight after your talk, on the wider subject: Generosity and charity. Answer each in 3–4 sentences, with your view, a reason and an example.
- Are people more generous when they have less money? Why?
- Why do people give money to charity?
- Do you think rich people have a duty to help others?
- Is it better to give money or time to help others?
- How can children learn to be generous?
- Should governments or individuals be mainly responsible for helping the poor?
Keep practicing
More cue cards: People
- Describe a person who supported you during a difficult time
- Describe a person you know who is very busy
- Describe a brave person you know
- Describe a person you know who lives in a different country from you
- Describe a person you know who has started their own business
- Describe a person who influenced your choice of career or study
Part 1 topics on the same subject
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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