Speaking about someone with a humorous personality is a common topic in IELTS speaking tests. This topic frequently appears in Part 2 and can extend into Part 3 discussions about humor and personality traits. Similar to describe a friend who has a great sense of humor, mastering this topic requires a good understanding of descriptive language and personality vocabulary.
Person sharing funny moment with friends
Part 1: Introduction and Interview Questions
Common questions you might encounter:
- Do you like making people laugh?
- What kind of humor do you enjoy?
- Do you think having a sense of humor is important?
Sample answer (Band 8-9):
“I believe humor is essential in life. I particularly gravitate towards witty wordplay and clever observations about daily life. In my culture, we value subtle humor that makes people think while laughing.”
Part 2: Cue Card
Task
Describe a person you admire for their sense of humor
You should say:
- Who this person is
- How you know them
- What kind of humor they have
- Why you admire their sense of humor
Professional comedian engaging audience during performance
Sample Answer (Band 6-7):
“I’d like to talk about my colleague Mike, who I’ve known for about three years. He works in my department and has a natural talent for making people laugh. His humor is mainly based on clever observations about office life and he often lightens the mood during stressful situations. What I really appreciate about his humor is that it’s never mean-spirited and always appropriate for the situation.”
Sample Answer (Band 8-9):
“I’d like to describe my university professor, Dr. Thompson, whom I’ve had the privilege of knowing for the past four years. She possesses an extraordinary ability to blend intellectual wit with everyday humor, making even the most complex topics accessible and enjoyable. Her humor is characteristically sophisticated, often incorporating cultural references and wordplay that demonstrates remarkable intelligence while remaining thoroughly entertaining. What particularly stands out is her impeccable timing – she knows precisely when to inject humor to maintain student engagement or diffuse tension during challenging academic discussions.”
As mentioned in describe a person who likes to talk a lot, personality descriptions require detailed observation and specific examples.
Part 3: Discussion Questions
Q: How has humor in society changed over the generations?
Sample Answer (Band 8-9):
“Humor has undergone a significant transformation over the generations. While traditional humor often relied on physical comedy and straightforward jokes, modern humor tends to be more nuanced and layered. Social media has revolutionized how humor is shared and consumed, leading to the rise of meme culture and viral content. Additionally, humor has become more culturally sensitive and inclusive compared to previous generations.”
Similar to describe a film character you admire, discussing humor requires understanding cultural context and personal impact.
Key Vocabulary and Expressions
- Witty repartee /ˈwɪti ˌrepɑːˈteɪ/ (n): clever and amusing conversation
- Self-deprecating /ˌself ˈdeprəkeɪtɪŋ/ (adj): able to laugh at oneself
- Quick-witted /kwɪk ˈwɪtɪd/ (adj): able to think and respond quickly and cleverly
- To crack someone up (idiom): to make someone laugh hard
- To have a dry sense of humor (phrase): to have subtle, understated humor
Examiner’s Tips
- Use specific examples to illustrate the person’s humor
- Incorporate advanced vocabulary naturally
- Maintain coherent structure in your description
- Show genuine enthusiasm when discussing the topic
- Practice different types of humor-related vocabulary
Students practicing IELTS speaking in classroom
Remember, just as in describe an old person you recently met, providing detailed, personal observations makes your answer more authentic and engaging.
