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Describe some advice that you gave to someone

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

Part 2 · Candidate task card

Describe some advice that you gave to someone.

You should say:

  • who you gave the advice to
  • what the advice was
  • why you gave this advice

and explain whether the person followed your advice and what happened.

Ready

1 minute to prepare, then 2 minutes to speak. It switches on its own.

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Band 8 sample answer

290 words · about 2 minutes at a natural pace · Phrases from the vocabulary list are highlighted.

I'd like to talk about some advice that I gave to my younger cousin, Sardor, last year. He was seventeen and in his final year of school, and he was feeling very confused about what to study at university. His parents wanted him to become a lawyer, but he was more interested in graphic design.

He called me one evening and sounded rather stressed. He said that he didn't want to disappoint his family, but he was afraid he would be unhappy doing something he didn't enjoy. I listened to him for quite a long time and then gave him my advice. I told him that he should first find out as much as he could about both careers, for example by talking to a lawyer and a designer and seeing what their working lives were really like. Then I suggested that he speak honestly with his parents, showing them examples of his work and explaining his reasoning calmly rather than arguing.

I gave this advice because I had a similar experience when I was choosing my course, and I remember how important it was to make a decision based on information and not on fear. I also believed that, if he explained himself well, his parents would understand.

He followed my advice. He spoke to a graphic designer who was a friend of mine and also attended a short workshop. Afterwards, he sat down with his parents and presented a small portfolio. They were surprised by his talent and eventually agreed to support him. He's now in his first year of a design course and seems really happy.

I was pleased that things turned out well, and it made me realise how valuable it is to listen before advising.

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

PhraseMeaning
offer guidancegive helpful direction
think it throughconsider something carefully
in their best interestsfor their benefit
take my advicefollow my suggestion
put things in perspectivehelp someone see a situation clearly
turn out wellhave a good outcome

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

  • Advice to a younger relative about studying or exams
  • Advice to a friend about a job or relationship
  • Advice to a classmate about managing stress

How to spend the two minutes

  1. 25 swho you gave the advice to
  2. 25 swhat the advice was
  3. 25 swhy you gave this advice
  4. 45 sand explain whether the person followed your advice and what happened.

Part 3 questions

In the exam these come straight after your talk, on the wider subject: Giving advice. Answer each in 3–4 sentences, with your view, a reason and an example.

  1. Why do some people give advice even when it is not asked for?
  2. What makes someone good at giving advice?
  3. Is it a good idea to ask strangers for advice online?
  4. Should parents always give advice to their grown-up children?
  5. Do people usually follow the advice they receive?

Frequently asked questions

How do I answer an abstract IELTS cue card, like a rule or a decision?

Make it concrete straight away: name the rule, the advice or the decision, then tell the situation where it mattered to you. An abstract card answered with a real example is easier to talk about and easier to follow.

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