Describe a person you know who always dresses well
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 person you know who always dresses well.
You should say:
- who this person is
- how you know them
- what kind of clothes they wear
and explain what you think about the way they dress.
Ready
1 minute to prepare, then 2 minutes to speak. It switches on its own.
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Band 8 sample answer
257 words · about 2 minutes at a natural pace · Phrases from the vocabulary list are highlighted.
The person I'd like to describe is my colleague Nigora, who works in the same office as me. She is in her early thirties and is responsible for client relations, so she meets customers every day, and she always looks very elegant.
Her style is quite classic. She usually wears tailored trousers or a knee-length skirt with a simple blouse, and in cold weather she adds a long wool coat. She tends to choose neutral colours like beige, navy and grey, and then adds one bright detail, perhaps a red scarf or a pair of interesting earrings. She never looks overdressed, but you can see that she has thought about every item.
I've known her for about two years, and I've seen her in many settings, from formal meetings to company picnics. Even on casual Fridays, she manages to look polished in jeans and a nice jacket.
I think she has an excellent sense of style, for a few reasons. Firstly, she understands what suits her. Instead of following every trend, she chooses clothes that fit well and flatter her. Secondly, she looks after her clothes, ironing them and keeping her shoes clean. And thirdly, she dresses appropriately for each occasion.
I find her approach inspiring, partly because it shows that you don't need to spend a fortune to look good. She once told me that most of her clothes come from sales and second-hand shops. Since talking with her, I've started thinking more carefully about what I buy, and I've gained more confidence as a result.
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 good dress sense | be good at choosing clothes |
| well-turned-out | neatly and smartly dressed |
| follow the latest trends | wear currently fashionable clothes |
| dress to impress | wear smart clothes to make a good impression |
| timeless style | fashion that never goes out of date |
| matching accessories | scarves, belts, etc. that suit the outfit |
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 friend with an individual, vintage-inspired look
- A colleague who always looks smart for work
- A relative who tailors or designs their own clothes
How to spend the two minutes
- 25 swho this person is
- 25 show you know them
- 25 swhat kind of clothes they wear
- 45 sand explain what you think about the way they dress.
Part 3 questions
In the exam these come straight after your talk, on the wider subject: Clothes and fashion. Answer each in 3–4 sentences, with your view, a reason and an example.
- Do you think the clothes people wear are important?
- How has fashion changed in your country over the years?
- Why do some people follow fashion trends closely?
- Should schools or workplaces have dress codes?
- Do you think first impressions are mostly based on clothing?
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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