Describe a person you would like to work with in the future
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 would like to work with in the future.
You should say:
- who this person is
- how you know this person
- what kind of work you would do together
and explain why you would like to work with this person.
Ready
1 minute to prepare, then 2 minutes to speak. It switches on its own.
Recordings stay in this tab and are never uploaded.
Band 8 sample answer
247 words · about 2 minutes at a natural pace · Phrases from the vocabulary list are highlighted.
The person I'd like to work with in the future is my friend Kamila, whom I've known since secondary school. She is studying computer science, while I'm studying business, and we've often talked about starting something together after graduation.
Our idea is to create a language-learning app aimed at students who are preparing for exams like IELTS. She would be in charge of the technical side, including designing the software, and I would handle the marketing, finances and communication with users. We have already built a rough prototype and tested it with about twenty classmates.
There are several reasons why I want to work with her. Firstly, we have complementary skills. She's very logical and enjoys solving technical problems, whereas I'm better at talking to people and organising. This means we don't compete with each other, and each of us can focus on what we do best.
Secondly, I trust her completely. In the past, we've been through disagreements and busy periods, and she has always been honest and responsible. In business, trust is essential, especially when money is involved.
Finally, she is ambitious and hard-working without being arrogant. She is always willing to learn, and she doesn't give up easily. When our prototype crashed during a demonstration, she stayed up all night to fix it.
I think that a good partnership needs shared goals and mutual respect, and we have both. I'm optimistic that, if we manage to launch the app, we'll make a strong team.
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.
Getting ready for IELTS?
Useful vocabulary
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| share a common goal | want to achieve the same thing |
| complementary skills | different abilities that support each other |
| collaborate on a project | work together on something |
| learn from someone's expertise | gain knowledge from an expert |
| set up a business | start a company |
| mutual respect | respect felt in both directions |
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 whom you dream of starting a business
- A former teacher or mentor in your field
- A colleague whose professionalism impressed you
How to spend the two minutes
- 25 swho this person is
- 25 show you know this person
- 25 swhat kind of work you would do together
- 45 sand explain why you would like to work with this person.
Part 3 questions
In the exam these come straight after your talk, on the wider subject: Work relationships. Answer each in 3–4 sentences, with your view, a reason and an example.
- Is it important to like the people you work with?
- What makes a good boss?
- Do you think working with friends or family is a good idea?
- How does teamwork benefit companies?
- Do you think working with people from different backgrounds is an advantage?
Keep practicing
More cue cards: People
- Describe a person you know who is very organised
- Describe a person who influenced your choice of career or study
- Describe a person you used to know but have lost touch with
- Describe a time when someone apologised to you
- Describe a person who supported you during a difficult time
- Describe a young person who has achieved something impressive
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.
Getting ready for IELTS?
More free IELTS tools
All free toolsWriting topic generator
Write to Task 1 and Task 2 prompts with a timer and a word counter.
IELTS band score calculator
Average your four skill bands, rounded the way IELTS rounds them.
IELTS score converter
Compare an IELTS band with TOEFL, Duolingo and PTE scores and CEFR levels.
University IELTS requirements
Look up the IELTS score a university asks for, with the source.