Describe a quality you admire in other people
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 quality you admire in other people.
You should say:
- what the quality is
- when you notice it in people
- how you try to develop it yourself
and explain why you think this quality is important.
Ready
1 minute to prepare, then 2 minutes to speak. It switches on its own.
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Band 8 sample answer
266 words · about 2 minutes at a natural pace · Phrases from the vocabulary list are highlighted.
The quality I admire most in other people is humility. By that I mean being modest about your achievements and treating everyone with respect, regardless of their position or status.
I notice it in people in many different situations. For example, I have a professor at my university who is a well-known researcher, with dozens of published papers, and yet he introduces himself to students simply by his first name and listens carefully to our questions, even if they are basic. I've also noticed it in a classmate who always got the highest marks but never mentioned them; when others asked, she simply shrugged and said she'd been lucky. Humility is also visible in how people behave towards those who can do nothing for them, like waiters, cleaners or drivers.
I think this quality is important for several reasons. First, humble people continue to learn, because they accept that they don't know everything. Second, they make others feel comfortable, which creates better relationships and teamwork. Third, it reflects real confidence. People who feel secure don't need to prove themselves constantly.
I try to develop it in myself, although it's not always easy. When I do well in an exam, I resist the urge to compare my marks with others, and I try to credit those who helped me. I also try to ask questions in class without worrying that I'll appear ignorant. It takes practice, but I notice that people respond more warmly when I'm modest. In the end, I believe that being humble does not mean thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.
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 |
|---|---|
| an admirable trait | a positive aspect of character |
| humble and down-to-earth | modest and unpretentious |
| show empathy | understand other people's feelings |
| strength of character | moral and emotional strength |
| leave a positive impression | make people think well of you |
| lead by example | show others how to behave by doing it yourself |
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
- Humility in successful people
- Kindness or empathy toward strangers
- Perseverance when things go wrong
How to spend the two minutes
- 25 swhat the quality is
- 25 swhen you notice it in people
- 25 show you try to develop it yourself
- 45 sand explain why you think this quality is important.
Part 3 questions
In the exam these come straight after your talk, on the wider subject: Personal qualities. Answer each in 3–4 sentences, with your view, a reason and an example.
- Which qualities are most important in a friend?
- Are the qualities people value different in different cultures?
- Can personal qualities change over time?
- Which qualities do employers look for in employees?
- Do you think children learn qualities mainly from their parents?
Keep practicing
More cue cards: Ideas and decisions
- Describe a good idea that you had
- Describe a decision that you made together with other people
- Describe a positive change you have made to your lifestyle
- Describe an idea or belief you have about what makes a person successful
- Describe a study method or strategy that works well for you
- Describe some advice that you gave to someone
Part 1 topics on the same subject
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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