Describe a person you know who is very honest
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 is very honest.
You should say:
- who this person is
- how you know them
- what they do that shows they are honest
and explain why honesty is important to you.
Ready
1 minute to prepare, then 2 minutes to speak. It switches on its own.
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Band 8 sample answer
249 words · about 2 minutes at a natural pace · Phrases from the vocabulary list are highlighted.
The most honest person I know is my best friend, Sabina. I've known her since we were eleven, and she has always been someone who says what she thinks, politely but directly.
She shows her honesty in many everyday ways. If I ask for her opinion about an outfit, a presentation or a decision, she gives me her genuine view, even if it's not what I hoped to hear. When I was preparing for a speech competition, she told me that my introduction was boring and too long, and she was absolutely right. After I rewrote it, I came second.
Her honesty goes beyond words. Once at a supermarket, the cashier gave her too much change, and she walked back across the shop to return the extra money, even though no one would have noticed. At school, when she accidentally broke a laboratory instrument, she went straight to the teacher and explained, without trying to hide it.
Honesty matters to me because it forms the basis of trust. When I know that Sabina never lies, I can believe her praise as well as her criticism. I think that, in a world with so much exaggeration, especially on social media, truthful people are very valuable.
I'll admit that honesty can sometimes be uncomfortable. But I'd always prefer to hear a hard truth from a friend than to be told a comfortable lie. Her example has also encouraged me to be more straightforward, and I have found that people respect that.
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 |
|---|---|
| tell the truth | say what is real |
| have integrity | follow strong moral principles |
| a white lie | a harmless, small lie |
| straight talking | speaking directly and honestly |
| trustworthy | someone you can rely on |
| keep your word | do what you promised |
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 who always gives sincere opinions
- A shopkeeper or neighbour who returned lost money
- A colleague who admits mistakes openly
How to spend the two minutes
- 25 swho this person is
- 25 show you know them
- 25 swhat they do that shows they are honest
- 45 sand explain why honesty is important to you.
Part 3 questions
In the exam these come straight after your talk, on the wider subject: Honesty and trust. Answer each in 3–4 sentences, with your view, a reason and an example.
- Is it ever acceptable to tell a lie?
- Why do some people find it difficult to be honest?
- How can parents teach children to be honest?
- Is honesty more important in some jobs than others?
- Do you think people are as honest now as in the past?
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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