Describe a person who has inspired 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 person who has inspired you.
You should say:
- who this person is
- how you know them
- what they have done
and explain why this person has inspired you.
Ready
1 minute to prepare, then 2 minutes to speak. It switches on its own.
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Band 8 sample answer
285 words · about 2 minutes at a natural pace · Phrases from the vocabulary list are highlighted.
I'd like to talk about my aunt, Dilnoza, who is the main reason I decided to study medicine. She is my mother's younger sister, so I've known her all my life, and she lived in the flat above ours when I was growing up.
What I admire most is what she has achieved. She came from a family with very little money, and she was the first person in our family to go to university. She trained as a paediatric nurse, then studied at night for years to become a doctor, while also raising two children. Today she runs a small children's clinic and, on Fridays, treats families who can't afford to pay, completely free of charge.
She has inspired me for a few reasons. Firstly, she never complains about being tired or about how hard things were. When I was fifteen and thinking of giving up on chemistry because I kept failing the tests, she sat with me every evening for a month and explained things patiently until they finally made sense. That taught me that ability grows if you don't quit.
Secondly, she shows that success and kindness can go together. Many people assume you have to be tough or selfish to get ahead, but she is proof that you don't. Patients actually travel from other towns just to see her, because she listens to them properly.
I think what really stays with me is the way she treats everyone equally, from the cleaner at the clinic to the director of the hospital. Whenever I have doubts about my own future, I ask myself what she would do, and the answer is usually to keep going and to help someone along the way.
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 |
|---|---|
| look up to someone | admire and respect them |
| set an example | behave in a way others can copy |
| against all odds | despite great difficulty |
| drive and determination | strong will to succeed |
| leave a lasting impression | be remembered for a long time |
| push yourself out of your comfort zone | try things that feel difficult |
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 parent or grandparent who worked hard to give you opportunities
- A teacher or coach who believed in you before you did
- A public figure whose story you read about and followed
How to spend the two minutes
- 25 swho this person is
- 25 show you know them
- 25 swhat they have done
- 45 sand explain why this person has inspired you.
Part 3 questions
In the exam these come straight after your talk, on the wider subject: Role models. Answer each in 3–4 sentences, with your view, a reason and an example.
- Who are the most common role models for young people in your country?
- Do you think famous people have a responsibility to set a good example?
- Is it better to be inspired by someone you know personally or by someone famous?
- How have the role models people choose changed over the last few decades?
- Can a person's behaviour in private life affect how we judge their work?
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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