In the IELTS Speaking test, candidates are often asked to describe people who play significant roles in their lives. One such topic that frequently appears is describing a person you trust deeply. This task not only tests your language skills but also your ability to express personal experiences and emotions effectively.

Describe a historical figure you admire may seem like a different topic, but the skills required to articulate your thoughts about admiration and trust are quite similar. Let’s explore how to tackle this speaking task and achieve a high band score.

Part 1: Introduction and Interview

In this section, the examiner may ask general questions about trust and relationships. Here are some potential questions:

1. Do you find it easy to trust people?
2. How do you know if someone is trustworthy?
3. Has your ability to trust people changed over time?

Let’s look at a sample answer for the first question:

Sample Answer (Band 8-9):

“Well, to be honest, I wouldn’t say it’s easy for me to trust people right off the bat. I tend to be cautious and take my time to get to know someone before fully trusting them. I believe trust is something that’s earned gradually through consistent actions and behavior. That said, I’m not overly skeptical either – I try to strike a balance between being open to new relationships and protecting myself from potential disappointment.”

Part 2: Long Turn (Cue Card)

Here’s a sample cue card for this topic:

Describe A Person Who You Trust Deeply
You should say:

• Who this person is
• How you know this person
• Why you trust this person
• And explain how this trust has affected your relationship

Sample Answer (Band 8-9):

“I’d like to talk about my best friend, Sarah, whom I trust implicitly. We’ve known each other for over a decade now, having first met in high school when we were assigned as lab partners in chemistry class.

From the very beginning, Sarah demonstrated remarkable integrity and reliability. She was always there to lend a helping hand, whether it was with schoolwork or personal issues. What really cemented my trust in her was an incident during our final year. I was going through a tough time with my family, and Sarah not only provided emotional support but also kept my confidence when I shared some very personal information with her.

I trust Sarah because she has consistently proven herself to be dependable and honest. She’s never betrayed my trust, even in situations where it might have been easier or more beneficial for her to do so. Her actions always align with her words, which is a quality I deeply admire.

This trust has had a profound impact on our relationship. It’s allowed us to form an incredibly strong bond where we can be completely open and vulnerable with each other. We know that we have each other’s backs, no matter what. This level of trust has enabled us to support each other through various life challenges and celebrate each other’s successes wholeheartedly.

In essence, the trust between Sarah and me has created a friendship that I cherish deeply. It’s a relationship built on mutual respect, understanding, and unwavering support, which I believe is truly invaluable.”

Sarah and the speaker as chemistry lab partners

Examiner’s Follow-up Questions:

1. How has your trust in Sarah evolved over the years?
2. Can you describe a situation where Sarah’s trustworthiness was particularly evident?

Sample Answers (Band 8-9):

1. “Our trust has definitely deepened and solidified over time. Initially, it was based on small acts of reliability, like keeping promises or being punctual. As we faced more significant life events together – such as career challenges, relationship issues, and family crises – our trust evolved into something more profound. Now, it’s an unshakeable confidence in each other’s support and loyalty, regardless of the circumstances.”

2. “Certainly. A few years ago, I was considering a major career change but was hesitant to discuss it with my family, fearing their disapproval. Sarah not only provided a non-judgmental ear but also offered valuable insights without trying to influence my decision. She respected my need for confidentiality and never shared this information with our mutual friends, even when they noticed I seemed preoccupied. Her discretion and support during this period were truly remarkable and reinforced my trust in her completely.”

Part 3: Two-way Discussion

In this section, the examiner will ask more abstract questions related to trust and relationships. Here are some potential questions and sample answers:

Question 1: Do you think it’s becoming harder for people to trust each other in modern society?

Sample Answer (Band 8-9):
“That’s an intriguing question. I believe that in many ways, modern society has indeed made it more challenging for people to trust each other. The rise of social media and online interactions has created a paradoxical situation where we’re more connected than ever, yet these connections often lack depth and authenticity.

Moreover, the constant bombardment of information, including fake news and manipulated content, has made many people more skeptical and wary. This heightened sense of caution can sometimes translate into a general reluctance to trust others easily.

However, I don’t think it’s all doom and gloom. While trust might be harder to establish initially, I believe that when people do form genuine connections, the trust can be just as strong, if not stronger, than in the past. The very challenges of modern society have made many people value authentic relationships more highly, leading to deeper, more meaningful bonds when trust is established.”

Question 2: How important is trust in professional relationships compared to personal ones?

Sample Answer (Band 8-9):
“Trust plays a crucial role in both professional and personal relationships, but I believe its nature and implications differ somewhat between the two contexts.

In professional relationships, trust is often more focused on competence, reliability, and integrity. It’s about having confidence that your colleagues or business partners will fulfill their responsibilities, meet deadlines, and act ethically. This kind of trust is essential for effective collaboration and the smooth functioning of any organization.

On the other hand, trust in personal relationships tends to be more emotionally charged and all-encompassing. It involves vulnerability, intimacy, and a deeper level of mutual understanding. The stakes can feel higher because personal trust often involves sharing our deepest fears, hopes, and secrets.

While a breach of trust in a professional setting can have serious consequences, such as project failures or damage to one’s career, a betrayal in a personal relationship can be emotionally devastating and have long-lasting effects on one’s ability to form close bonds in the future.

Ultimately, I’d argue that trust is indispensable in both spheres, but its foundations and implications are somewhat different. A healthy life typically requires a balance of trustworthy professional and personal relationships, each contributing to our overall well-being and success in their own unique ways.”

Describe a conversation that influenced your decision is another topic that might come up in your IELTS Speaking test. The ability to describe influential conversations can be just as important as discussing trusted individuals in your life.

Key Vocabulary and Phrases for High Scores

To boost your speaking score, incorporate these sophisticated vocabulary items and phrases:

1. Implicit trust (noun phrase) – Complete and absolute trust
   Phonetic: /ɪmˈplɪsɪt trʌst/
   Example: “I have implicit trust in my doctor’s judgment.”

2. To demonstrate integrity (verb phrase) – To show honesty and strong moral principles
   Phonetic: /tuː ˈdemənstreɪt ɪnˈteɡrəti/
   Example: “She consistently demonstrates integrity in her business dealings.”

3. To keep one’s confidence (idiom) – To maintain secrecy about private information shared
   Phonetic: /tuː kiːp wʌnz ˈkɒnfɪdəns/
   Example: “A good friend knows how to keep your confidence, even in difficult situations.”

4. Unwavering support (noun phrase) – Consistent, steady support that doesn’t falter
   Phonetic: /ʌnˈweɪvərɪŋ səˈpɔːt/
   Example: “His unwavering support helped me through the toughest times of my life.”

5. To solidify trust (verb phrase) – To strengthen or reinforce trust
   Phonetic: /tuː səˈlɪdɪfaɪ trʌst/
   Example: “Shared experiences over time can help to solidify trust between friends.”

Building blocks of trust in relationships

Examiner’s Advice

To excel in your IELTS Speaking test when describing a person you trust deeply:

1. Be specific and personal: Use real-life examples and anecdotes to illustrate your points.

2. Show emotional depth: Don’t just state facts; express how trust affects your feelings and relationships.

3. Use a range of vocabulary: Incorporate synonyms and idiomatic expressions related to trust and relationships.

4. Maintain fluency: Practice speaking on this topic to ensure smooth delivery without long pauses.

5. Demonstrate critical thinking: In Part 3, analyze the concept of trust from different angles, showing depth of thought.

6. Use appropriate tenses: Switch between past and present tenses correctly when describing how your trust developed and its current state.

Remember, the key to a high score is not just in what you say, but how you say it. Confidence, clarity, and the ability to express complex ideas fluently are all crucial factors in impressing the examiner.

Describe a time you had to apologize is another topic that could help you practice expressing emotions and describing interpersonal situations, which are valuable skills for discussing trust as well.