In the IELTS Speaking test part 2, you are asked to speak for 2 minutes about a topic given on a cue card. This topic often asks you to share your own experiences. This section of the IELTS test checks how well you can speak English, understand the topic, think deeply, and share your stories in a conversation. In this blog, we will explain to you how to talk about one of such topics: "Describe a time when you helped someone."
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IELTS Speaking test format
The Speaking test takes between 11 and 14 minutes and consists of 3 parts.
Part 1: The first part of the test where the examiner will ask you some general questions about familiar topics like work, family, studies, and hobbies.
Part 2: You will be given a cue card with a topic. You will be given one minute to take notes on the topic and will be given a pencil and paper to prepare your response. You will then speak on the topic for two minutes.
Part 3: In the interview, you will have a two-way discussion with the examiner where they will ask questions related to the topic discussed in Part 2.
Explore more: Prepare for IELTS Speaking test
Describe a time when you helped someone – IELTS cue card topic (Speaking part 2)
In this task you will be given a cue card, for example: With the topic “Describe a time when you helped someone”.
You can form your answer based on real-time when you helped someone, It could be about any day that you came across when someone needed help and you were there to volunteer.
Note: This topic requires you to share a story that illustrates your ability to make a conversation with others to build a connection.
Describe a time when you helped someone – IELTS cue card (Sample question)
Describe a time when you helped someone
You should say:
Who have you helped?
How did you help them?
Explain how this person reacted to your help.
Explain how you feel after helping this person.
Describe a time when you helped someone – IELTS cue card (Sample answers)
Crafting responses at different band levels for an IELTS Speaking test involves varying the language, depth of analysis, and fluency of the response. Here are sample answers for your reference for bands 6, 7, and 8. Here's how you can approach answering the IELTS cue card topic about describing a time when you helped someone.
Sample response for band 6
Who have you helped?
Once I helped my classmates who were struggling with math homework. They had missed several classes due to being sick and were finding it hard to catch up.
How did you help them?
I sat with them during our lunch breaks for a whole week, explaining how to solve different types of math problems. We started with the basics they missed and gradually moved on to the more complex problems they were facing.
Explain how this person reacted to your help.
They were incredibly thankful and relieved. At first, they were quite stressed, thinking they would never catch up. But after our sessions, they said that they finally understood how to approach and solve the math problems, which was a big win for them.
Explain how you feel after helping this person.
I felt genuinely happy and a bit proud of myself for being able to make a difference. It was great to see my classmate’s confidence grow. Their improvement also made me feel that I had good problem-solving skills and patience. It was a rewarding experience to use my knowledge to help someone in need.
Sample response for band 7
Who have you helped?
I assisted a new student at our school who was from another country. He was having trouble finding his way around the huge campus and making friends, which made his transition challenging.
How did you help them?
I took it upon myself to show him around the school, pointing out important locations like the library, cafeteria, and sports facilities. I also introduced him to other students in our class and helped him join a few clubs that matched his interests, such as the science club and the soccer team. This helped him to start forming his social circles.
Explain how this person reacted to your help.
The new student was initially shy but gradually opened up. He was very relieved and grateful for the help. Seeing him smile more and become an active member of our school community was truly heartwarming. He even started to participate in class discussions and school events, which was a big step forward.
Explain how you feel after helping this person.
Helping him made me feel incredibly fulfilled. It’s rewarding to know that my actions had such a positive impact on someone else’s life. It reminded me of the importance of kindness and how small acts can significantly influence someone's experience, especially in a new and unfamiliar environment.
Sample response for band 8
Who have you helped?
During the challenging times of the lockdown, I helped an elderly neighbour who was unable to go out to buy groceries. They live alone and are at a higher risk if exposed to the virus, making it unsafe for them to go outside.
How did you help them?
After knowing about their difficult situation, I offered to buy groceries for them every week. We made a system where they would list what they needed, and I would go shopping for them. I ensured to followed all safety protocols, wearing a mask and gloves, and I left the groceries at their doorstep to ensure there was no direct contact.
Explain how this person reacted to your help.
My neighbour was extremely touched by the gesture. They were deeply thankful each time I delivered their groceries. Beyond the help with shopping, they seemed to appreciate having someone to talk to, even if it was just a brief conversation from a distance. They shared many interesting stories from their life, which added a unique bond between us.
Explain how you feel after helping this person.
The whole experience was incredibly heartwarming for me. It gave me a profound sense of community and the importance of looking out for each other, especially during tough times. Knowing that I could significantly impact someone's life with such a simple act of kindness was very fulfilling. It increased my belief in the power of community support and the difference we can make in each other's lives through small acts of kindness.
Note: Remember, these are just examples. You can make your answers more personal based on your own experiences. Also, in the IELTS Speaking test, a human examiner listens to you and understands your feelings as you speak, unlike an AI which other tests involve. So, it's important to practice speaking and improve your language skills for a better life in your dream destination where IELTS can help you achieve that dream. Therefore, it is recommended to choose the right test that suits your needs for a smooth journey abroad.
With the help of these answers, you can understand the progression in language complexity, coherence, and the ability to engage with the topic, reflecting the characteristics expected at different bands.
Additionally, if you are looking for more answers related to the IELTS test then you can get in touch with your nearest IDP IELTS test centre. Our team of IELTS experts will surely clear all your queries.
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