Describe a person you know who is very busy
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 busy.
You should say:
- who this person is
- what this person does
- how this person manages to fit everything in
and explain how you feel about their busy lifestyle.
Ready
1 minute to prepare, then 2 minutes to speak. It switches on its own.
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Band 8 sample answer
259 words · about 2 minutes at a natural pace · Phrases from the vocabulary list are highlighted.
The busiest person I know is my father's friend, Dr Akmal, who is a surgeon at the city hospital. I've known him since I was a child because he often visits our house, although recently he has had less and less time to do so.
His days are extremely full. He usually starts operations at about eight in the morning, and he can spend four or five hours in the operating theatre. In the afternoon he sees patients, and then he writes reports and sometimes lectures to medical students in the evening. On top of this, he is on call one weekend each month, which means he can be called back to the hospital at any time. He also has three children, and he still tries to attend their school events.
As for how he manages, I think it comes down to discipline. He plans every week on Sunday evening, using a simple paper diary, and he divides tasks into urgent and non-urgent ones. He also delegates a lot to his colleagues and is very strict about sleeping at least six hours.
I have mixed feelings about his lifestyle. On the one hand, I deeply respect his dedication, because he saves lives. On the other hand, I worry that he doesn't have enough time to relax. When I asked him once about taking a holiday, he laughed and said he would think about it next year.
Watching him has taught me that I need to find a balance. A rewarding career is important, but so are rest and family.
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 lot on one's plate | have many tasks to deal with |
| juggle commitments | manage several duties at once |
| work-life balance | balance between job and personal life |
| run out of hours in the day | not have enough time |
| burn the candle at both ends | exhaust yourself through overwork |
| prioritise tasks | decide which things matter most |
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 who works full time and manages the household
- A student who studies and works part-time
- A doctor, entrepreneur or manager with a heavy schedule
How to spend the two minutes
- 25 swho this person is
- 25 swhat this person does
- 25 show this person manages to fit everything in
- 45 sand explain how you feel about their busy lifestyle.
Part 3 questions
In the exam these come straight after your talk, on the wider subject: Busy lifestyles. Answer each in 3–4 sentences, with your view, a reason and an example.
- Why are so many people busy these days?
- Do you think people today have less free time than in the past?
- What are the effects of being too busy on health?
- How can people manage their time better?
- Is it a good idea for employers to limit overtime by law?
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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