Describing Someone Older You Admire - IELTS Cue Card Sample Answers

The IELTS speaking test often probes into your personal experiences and the people who inspire you. It's a chance to convey respect and admiration, particularly for someone older who has had a significant impact on your life. Admiration transcends age and time, and when it comes to discussing a person who has molded your worldview, the IELTS cue card "Describe someone older than you whom you admire" offers an excellent opportunity to articulate this respect. The key to excelling is to present a narrative that is both personal and universal.

Sample Answer: The Guiding Beacon - My Grandmother

Early Morning Wisdom

My days would often begin with the soft, wise words of my grandmother. Despite her age, she exuded an aura of youthfulness, her eyes still reflecting the vigor and zest of her younger years. Every wrinkle on her face told a story of resilience and every smile was a testament to her undying optimism.

Life Lessons in the Garden

The garden was her realm, a place where she imparted life lessons amid the roses she tenderly cared for. She often said, "Life, like a garden, requires patience and care." Her philosophy was that nurturing relationships and dreams would eventually bloom into beautiful realities, much like her carefully tended flowers.

A Pillar of Strength

Her journey wasn't without its storms. Having lived through war, loss, and times of scarcity, my grandmother became a pillar of strength for our family. Her stories of perseverance during adversity not only inspired me but also gave me a blueprint for facing my own challenges.

Follow-up Questions & Answers

Q1: What is the most important lesson you've learned from this person?

A1: The most significant lesson my grandmother taught me was the power of resilience. She believed that life's trials are not meant to paralyze us but to help us discover our inner strength.

Q2: How has this person influenced your life choices?

A2: Her unwavering support and sage advice have been my compass. Choosing my career path, she encouraged me to follow my passion just as she did with her gardening, leading me to pursue a profession where I can cultivate growth and positive change.

Q3: Do you think younger generations can learn from the elderly?

A3: Absolutely. The elderly are repositories of history and wisdom. Their experiences offer invaluable insights that can guide younger generations through contemporary challenges.

Tips for Cracking the IELTS Speaking Test

Tip 1: Engage with the topic deeply and personally. Connect your answer to your own experiences for authenticity.

Tip 2: Use a wide range of vocabulary to express yourself clearly and to demonstrate language proficiency.

Tip 3: Focus on fluency and coherence. Practice speaking at a natural pace and use connectors to make your speech flow logically.

Tip 4: Work on your pronunciation. Clear speech will help the examiner understand you without difficulty.

Tip 5: Be prepared to discuss abstract concepts like wisdom, resilience, and influence, which are often part of such cue card topics.

Tip 6: Use varied sentence structures to showcase your grammatical range.

Tip 7: Practice with a timer to ensure your answer fits within the two-minute frame typical for Part 2 responses.

Tip 8: Remember to relax and maintain a conversational tone. The speaking test is an informal interview, not a formal presentation.

Describing someone you admire, especially someone older, is an exercise in reflection and articulation. It's about honoring the past while presenting it in a way that resonates with the present. In the IELTS speaking test, such a cue card allows you to weave a narrative that showcases not just your language skills but also your capacity for introspection and appreciation. By following the tips provided and engaging deeply with the topic, you'll be able to deliver a response that is both genuine and compelling.