Mastering IELTS Speaking: How to Effectively Describe Helping Someone with a Difficult Task

The IELTS Speaking test often includes questions about personal experiences, including times when you’ve helped others. One common topic is describing a situation where you assisted someone with a challenging task. This theme allows examiners to assess your ability to narrate events, express emotions, and use appropriate vocabulary. Let’s explore how to effectively answer such questions and maximize your score.

Describe a person who is very resourceful in emergencies can be a related topic that may come up in your IELTS Speaking test. Being able to discuss both helping others and resourcefulness will greatly enhance your performance.

Part 1: Introduction and Interview

In Part 1, the examiner may ask general questions about helping others. Here’s a sample question with a suggested answer:

Examiner: Do you often help other people?

Band 6-7 Answer:
Yes, I try to help people when I can. It’s important to be kind to others. I usually help my friends with their studies or my family with household chores. It makes me feel good to be useful.

Band 8-9 Answer:
Absolutely. I’m a firm believer in the power of lending a helping hand. I make it a point to volunteer regularly at local charities and I’m always on the lookout for opportunities to assist colleagues or friends. It’s not just about the act of helping itself, but also about fostering a sense of community and mutual support.

Part 2: Long Turn

Here’s a sample cue card related to the topic:

Describe A Time When You Helped Someone With A Difficult Task
You should say:

• Who you helped
• What the task was
• Why it was difficult
• How you felt about helping

Band 6-7 Answer:
I remember helping my younger sister with her science project last year. She had to create a model of the solar system, which was quite challenging for her. It was difficult because it required a lot of patience and attention to detail. We had to research the planets, their sizes, and positions, and then create accurate representations using various materials.

I felt happy to help her because I could see how stressed she was about the project. We worked together for several days, painting styrofoam balls to represent the planets and figuring out how to hang them in the correct order. It was time-consuming, but we managed to finish it on time.

In the end, I felt proud of what we had accomplished together. It was great to see my sister’s confidence grow as we worked on the project, and she even got a good grade for it. This experience taught me the importance of helping family members and how rewarding it can be.

Band 8-9 Answer:
I’d like to recount an instance where I assisted my elderly neighbor, Mrs. Thompson, with the daunting task of setting up her new smartphone. This endeavor was particularly challenging due to her limited experience with modern technology and her slightly impaired vision.

The task at hand was to not only physically set up the device but also to familiarize her with its basic functions, such as making calls, sending text messages, and accessing the internet. The difficulty lay in bridging the generational gap in technological understanding and adapting my explanations to suit her learning pace.

I approached this task with a mix of patience and enthusiasm. We started with the basics, using analogies she could relate to, like comparing the home screen to the contents page of a book. I made sure to break down complex processes into smaller, manageable steps, and we practiced each function repeatedly until she felt comfortable.

The experience was incredibly rewarding. Witnessing Mrs. Thompson’s growing confidence as she mastered each new skill was truly heartening. It reinforced my belief in the importance of intergenerational connections and the value of sharing knowledge. Moreover, it was a humbling reminder of the patience required when teaching, which has since enhanced my approach to explaining complex topics in various situations.

Helping elderly neighbor with smartphone

Follow-up questions:

1. How did you overcome the challenges in helping with this task?
2. What did you learn from this experience?

Band 6-7 Answers:

1. I overcame the challenges by being patient and explaining things slowly. I also used simple language and repeated important points to make sure my neighbor understood.

2. I learned that helping others can be very rewarding. It also taught me the importance of clear communication and patience when explaining new things to people.

Band 8-9 Answers:

1. To surmount the obstacles, I employed a multi-faceted approach. Firstly, I tailored my communication style to suit Mrs. Thompson’s learning preferences, using visual aids and hands-on demonstrations. Additionally, I broke down complex processes into smaller, more manageable steps, allowing for frequent breaks to prevent information overload. This methodical approach, combined with unwavering patience, proved instrumental in overcoming the challenges we faced.

2. This experience was immensely enlightening. It heightened my awareness of the digital divide that exists between generations and the importance of bridging this gap. Moreover, it honed my skills in effective communication and adaptability, teaching me to gauge and adjust to different learning paces and styles. Perhaps most significantly, it underscored the profound impact that small acts of kindness and knowledge-sharing can have on someone’s quality of life.

Part 3: Two-way Discussion

Examiner: Do you think people nowadays are less willing to help others compared to the past?

Band 6-7 Answer:
I don’t think people are less willing to help others now. In fact, with social media, it’s easier to find out about people who need help. Many young people volunteer and participate in charity events. However, people might be busier now, so they have less time to help others in their daily lives.

Band 8-9 Answer:
That’s an intriguing question that warrants careful consideration. While it might be tempting to assume that our fast-paced, individualistic society has made people less inclined to help others, I believe the reality is more nuanced.

On one hand, the pressures of modern life – long working hours, financial stress, and information overload – could potentially make people more self-focused. There’s also an argument that the anonymity of urban living might reduce the sense of community that once spurred people to help their neighbors.

However, I’d contend that we’re seeing new forms of altruism emerge. Social media and technology have facilitated global awareness of issues and enabled people to contribute to causes worldwide. Crowdfunding platforms, for instance, have revolutionized how we can help strangers in need. Moreover, volunteerism among young people is on the rise, suggesting a heightened social consciousness.

Ultimately, while the nature of helping others may have evolved, I don’t believe the fundamental human instinct to assist those in need has diminished. Rather, it’s manifesting in different, often more far-reaching ways than in the past.

Social media facilitating global altruism

Key Vocabulary and Phrases for High Scores

To elevate your speaking performance, incorporate these sophisticated terms and expressions:

1. Lend a helping hand /lend ə ˈhelpɪŋ hænd/ (idiom): To give assistance or support.
   Example: “I always try to lend a helping hand to new colleagues who are adjusting to the workplace.”

2. Go above and beyond /ɡəʊ əˈbʌv ænd bɪˈjɒnd/ (idiom): To do more than is expected or required.
   Example: “In helping my neighbor, I went above and beyond by not only setting up her smartphone but also teaching her how to use various apps.”

3. Make a difference /meɪk ə ˈdɪfrəns/ (phrase): To have a significant effect on a person or situation.
   Example: “Volunteering at the local shelter has allowed me to make a difference in my community.”

4. Altruism /ˈæltruːɪzəm/ (noun): The belief in or practice of selfless concern for the well-being of others.
   Example: “Her act of altruism in donating her kidney to a stranger was truly inspiring.”

5. Empathy /ˈempəθi/ (noun): The ability to understand and share the feelings of another.
   Example: “Developing empathy is crucial when helping others with difficult tasks.”

Describe a person who has taught you how to be patient is another topic that can help you practice using these vocabulary items in context.

Examiner’s Advice

To excel in the IELTS Speaking test when discussing helping others:

1. Use personal anecdotes: Real-life examples make your answers more engaging and authentic.

2. Vary your vocabulary: Incorporate a range of words and phrases related to helping, emotions, and problem-solving.

3. Show reflection: Discuss what you learned from the experience and how it affected you.

4. Maintain fluency: Practice speaking about helpful experiences to improve your confidence and reduce hesitations.

5. Demonstrate range: In Part 3, try to discuss the topic from various perspectives, showing your ability to think critically about social issues.

Remember, the key to a high score is not just in what you say, but how you say it. Practice regularly, record yourself, and listen back to identify areas for improvement. With dedication and the right approach, you can significantly enhance your performance in the IELTS Speaking test.

Describe a situation where you had to deal with a rude person can provide another opportunity to practice these skills in a different context.