The topic “describe a friend who has inspired you” is a common theme in IELTS Speaking tests. It has appeared frequently in past exams and is likely to continue being a popular subject in future tests. This topic allows examiners to assess candidates’ ability to express personal experiences, use descriptive language, and discuss abstract concepts such as inspiration and influence.
Describe a season you look forward to is another popular topic that requires similar descriptive skills. However, let’s focus on how to effectively answer questions about an inspiring friend in the IELTS Speaking test.
Part 1: Introduction and Interview
In Part 1, the examiner may ask some general questions about friendship and inspiration. Here are a few potential questions and a sample answer:
- Do you have many friends?
- What qualities do you value in a friend?
- Have you ever been inspired by someone?
Let’s look at a sample answer for the third question:
Sample Answer (Band 8-9):
“Absolutely! I’ve been fortunate to have several people in my life who’ve inspired me in different ways. One person who stands out is my college roommate, Sarah. Her unwavering dedication to environmental causes and her ability to balance her studies with volunteer work has been truly inspiring. It’s made me more conscious of my own impact on the environment and motivated me to get involved in community service.”
Part 2: Long Turn
Here’s a potential cue card for this topic:
Describe a friend who has inspired you
You should say:
- Who this person is
- How you met them
- What qualities they have that you find inspiring
- Explain how this person has inspired you
Sample Answer (Band 6-7):
“I’d like to talk about my friend Tom, who has been a great source of inspiration for me. I met Tom during my first year of university when we were assigned to work on a group project together.
Tom has several qualities that I find inspiring. Firstly, he’s incredibly hardworking and dedicated to his studies. He always puts in extra effort to understand difficult concepts and is never afraid to ask questions when he’s unsure about something. Secondly, he’s very kind and always willing to help others. I’ve seen him spend hours tutoring classmates who were struggling with their coursework.
Tom has inspired me in several ways. His work ethic has motivated me to be more diligent in my own studies. I’ve started setting higher goals for myself and putting in more effort to achieve them. Additionally, his kindness has encouraged me to be more helpful to others. I’ve started volunteering at a local community center, which has been a rewarding experience.
Overall, Tom’s positive attitude and determination have had a significant impact on me. He’s shown me the importance of perseverance and the value of helping others, which are lessons I’ll carry with me throughout my life.”
Sample Answer (Band 8-9):
“I’d be delighted to share with you about my friend Emma, who has been an extraordinary source of inspiration in my life. I had the pleasure of meeting Emma during a volunteer program at a local animal shelter three years ago.
What truly sets Emma apart are her remarkable qualities. First and foremost, her unwavering compassion for all living beings is awe-inspiring. She consistently goes above and beyond to ensure the well-being of not just the animals at the shelter, but also her fellow volunteers and anyone she encounters. Moreover, Emma possesses an indomitable spirit of resilience. Despite facing personal challenges, including a chronic health condition, she maintains an optimistic outlook and never allows her circumstances to deter her from her goals.
Emma’s influence on my life has been profound and multifaceted. Her selfless dedication to animal welfare has ignited a passion within me for advocacy and has prompted me to adopt a more ethical and sustainable lifestyle. I’ve transitioned to a plant-based diet and have become more conscious of my consumer choices to minimize harm to animals and the environment.
Furthermore, Emma’s resilience in the face of adversity has been a beacon of hope during my own challenging times. Her ability to find silver linings in the darkest clouds has taught me the power of positive thinking and has helped me develop a more robust mental fortitude.
Perhaps most significantly, Emma’s authenticity and courage to be true to herself have inspired me to embrace my own uniqueness. She’s shown me that our differences are not weaknesses, but rather strengths that can be harnessed to make a positive impact on the world.
In essence, Emma’s friendship has been transformative, pushing me to become not just a better friend, but a more compassionate, resilient, and authentic individual.”
Follow-up Questions
- How has this friend changed your perspective on life?
- What is the most important lesson you’ve learned from this friend?
Sample Answer (Band 8-9):
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“Emma has fundamentally altered my worldview. Through her example, I’ve come to understand that true fulfillment comes not from personal achievements alone, but from the positive impact we have on others and our environment. Her unwavering commitment to animal welfare and ethical living has opened my eyes to the interconnectedness of all living beings and our responsibility to protect them. This shift in perspective has led me to reevaluate my priorities and make more conscious choices in my daily life.”
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“The most crucial lesson I’ve gleaned from Emma is the power of authenticity and resilience. She’s taught me that embracing one’s true self, despite societal pressures or personal challenges, is the key to living a meaningful and impactful life. Her ability to maintain a positive outlook and continue pursuing her passions, even in the face of health issues, has shown me that our circumstances don’t define us – our response to them does. This lesson has been invaluable in helping me navigate my own obstacles with greater courage and determination.”
Part 3: Two-way Discussion
In this section, the examiner will ask more abstract questions related to the topic of inspiration and friendship. Here are some potential questions and sample answers:
- Why do you think some people are more inspiring than others?
Sample Answer (Band 6-7):
“I think some people are more inspiring because they have strong values and stick to them. They often have overcome difficulties in their lives, which makes others admire them. Also, inspiring people usually have a positive attitude and are passionate about what they do.”
Sample Answer (Band 8-9):
“I believe the inspirational quality of certain individuals stems from a combination of factors. Primarily, it’s their authenticity and unwavering commitment to their principles that sets them apart. These people often exhibit exceptional resilience in the face of adversity, transforming challenges into opportunities for growth and learning. Moreover, truly inspiring individuals tend to possess a unique vision that transcends personal gain, focusing instead on creating positive change in their communities or even on a global scale. Their ability to articulate this vision and galvanize others into action further enhances their inspirational impact. Additionally, the consistency between their words and actions lends credibility to their message, making it resonate more deeply with others.”
- Do you think social media influencers can be a source of inspiration? Why or why not?
Sample Answer (Band 8-9):
“Social media influencers certainly have the potential to be sources of inspiration, but I believe this comes with significant caveats. On the positive side, influencers can leverage their platforms to raise awareness about important issues, promote positive lifestyle changes, and showcase diverse perspectives that might otherwise remain unseen. Their ability to connect with large audiences, particularly younger demographics, gives them a unique opportunity to inspire change on a broad scale.
However, the inspirational value of influencers is often compromised by the commercialized nature of social media. Many influencers promote unrealistic standards of beauty, success, or lifestyle that can be more detrimental than inspirational to their followers. The curated nature of social media content can also create a distorted view of reality, potentially leading to feelings of inadequacy or disillusionment among followers.
Moreover, the transient nature of social media fame and the pressure to constantly produce engaging content can lead some influencers to prioritize virality over authenticity or meaningful impact. This can dilute the inspirational quality of their message.
That being said, there are certainly influencers who use their platforms responsibly and authentically to inspire positive change. These individuals often combine their online presence with real-world activism or expertise in specific fields, lending credibility to their message.
In conclusion, while social media influencers can be inspirational, I believe it’s crucial for followers to approach this inspiration critically, seeking out influencers who demonstrate consistency, authenticity, and a commitment to positive impact beyond their online presence.”
Key Vocabulary and Phrases
To score high in your IELTS Speaking test when describing an inspiring friend, consider using these advanced vocabulary items and phrases:
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Unwavering /ʌnˈweɪvərɪŋ/ (adj): Steady and persistent
Example: “Her unwavering commitment to her goals is truly inspiring.” -
Resilience /rɪˈzɪliəns/ (n): The ability to recover quickly from difficulties
Example: “His resilience in the face of adversity is admirable.” -
To go above and beyond (idiom): To do more than is required or expected
Example: “Emma always goes above and beyond to help those in need.” -
Indomitable /ɪnˈdɒmɪtəbl/ (adj): Impossible to subdue or defeat
Example: “Her indomitable spirit helped her overcome numerous challenges.” -
To ignite a passion (phrase): To spark a strong interest or enthusiasm
Example: “His dedication to environmental causes ignited a passion for conservation in me.” -
Beacon of hope (idiom): A source of inspiration or encouragement
Example: “In difficult times, her positive attitude was a beacon of hope for all of us.” -
Multifaceted /ˌmʌltɪˈfasɪtɪd/ (adj): Having many different aspects or features
Example: “Her influence on my life has been multifaceted, affecting both my personal and professional growth.”
Describe a prize you have received recently is another topic where you can utilize similar descriptive language and vocabulary to express your thoughts effectively.
Examiner’s Advice
To achieve a high score in the IELTS Speaking test when describing an inspiring friend, focus on the following:
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Coherence and Fluency: Organize your thoughts logically and speak smoothly without long pauses. Practice linking your ideas with appropriate transition words.
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Lexical Resource: Use a wide range of vocabulary, including idiomatic expressions and collocations. Don’t just use basic adjectives; employ more sophisticated language to describe your friend’s qualities and impact.
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Demonstrate your ability to use complex sentence structures correctly. Mix simple, compound, and complex sentences to show your grammatical range.
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Pronunciation: Pay attention to individual sounds, word stress, and sentence intonation. Clear pronunciation enhances the overall effectiveness of your speech.
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Develop Your Ideas: Don’t just list facts about your friend. Explain your points in detail, provide examples, and reflect on the impact your friend has had on you.
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Be Authentic: While it’s important to use advanced language, ensure that your responses sound natural and genuine. The examiner is looking for your ability to communicate effectively, not just recite memorized phrases.
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Practice Regularly: Familiarize yourself with a variety of topics and practice speaking about them. This will help you feel more confident and fluent during the actual test.
Remember, the key to success in the IELTS Speaking test is to communicate your ideas clearly and effectively while demonstrating your language skills. By following these tips and practicing regularly, you can improve your performance and achieve a higher band score.
Describe an unusual event, holiday, or trip you experienced is another topic where you can apply these speaking strategies to showcase your language abilities.