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Describe a young person who has achieved something impressive

Try the card on the exam timer first, then read the band-8 sample answer and the Part 3 questions that follow it.

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Part 2 · Candidate task card

Describe a young person who has achieved something impressive.

You should say:

  • who this person is
  • what they have achieved
  • how they achieved it

and explain how you feel about their achievement.

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

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Band 8 sample answer

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

I'd like to talk about a young woman from my country called Zarina, who is only nineteen but has already achieved something remarkable. I haven't met her personally, but I've followed her story on the news and social media for about a year.

She studies computer science, and she became famous after winning a silver medal at an international programming competition in Europe. There were more than five hundred participants from over sixty countries, and she was one of the youngest in the final. Since then, she has also launched a free online course teaching coding to girls in rural areas.

From what I've read, she achieved this through huge effort. She began learning to code at the age of twelve using free tutorials, and for several years she practised for about three hours every evening after school. She also joined an online community where she could ask questions and learn from experienced programmers. Her family didn't have much money, so she used the old computer in her school's library.

I feel proud and inspired. It's wonderful to see someone of my own generation succeed on a world stage, particularly because her background shows that you do not need privilege to reach your goals. It also makes me reflect on my own habits. I sometimes waste hours on my phone, whereas she used her time to build skills.

I think the most impressive thing is that she isn't focused on herself only. By teaching others, she is trying to open doors for them, too. Stories like hers remind me that age is no barrier to making a difference.

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
a prodigya young person with exceptional talent
beyond one's yearsmore mature than expected for the age
work tirelesslywork without getting tired of it
win an awardreceive a prize for achievement
make a name for oneselfbecome well known
reach a milestoneachieve an important stage

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 teenager who won an international competition
  • A young entrepreneur or app developer
  • A student in your school who achieved something unusual

How to spend the two minutes

  1. 25 swho this person is
  2. 25 swhat they have achieved
  3. 25 show they achieved it
  4. 45 sand explain how you feel about their achievement.

Part 3 questions

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

  1. Why do young people achieve success earlier than before in some fields?
  2. Should young achievers be given special attention by the media?
  3. What pressure might young successful people face?
  4. Do you think age matters when it comes to success?
  5. How can society support talented young people?

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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