The IELTS Speaking test often includes questions about people who have influenced our lives positively. One common topic is describing someone who gives good advice during difficult situations. This theme allows candidates to showcase their ability to discuss personal relationships, decision-making processes, and life experiences. Let’s explore how to effectively answer questions related to this topic and achieve a high band score.

Describe a tradition in your family that involves seeking advice from trusted individuals can be an excellent way to connect this topic with cultural aspects, demonstrating depth in your response.

Part 1: Introduction and Interview

In this section, the examiner may ask general questions about seeking advice. Here are some potential questions and sample answers:

Q1: Do you often ask for advice when you have problems?

Band 6-7 Answer:
Yes, I do. When I face difficulties, I usually turn to my friends or family for their opinions. It helps me see things from different perspectives.

Band 8-9 Answer:
Absolutely. I’m a firm believer in the power of collective wisdom. Whenever I encounter complex challenges, I make it a point to seek counsel from various sources, including friends, family, and sometimes even professionals in relevant fields. This approach not only provides me with diverse perspectives but also helps me make more informed decisions.

Part 2: Long Turn (Cue Card)

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

Describe A Person Who Gives You Good Advice In Tough Situations
You should say:

• Who this person is
• What kind of relationship you have with them
• What kind of advice they give you
• And explain why their advice is helpful to you

Sample Answer (Band 8-9)

I’d like to talk about my mentor, Dr. Sarah Chen, who has been an invaluable source of guidance throughout my academic and professional journey. Dr. Chen is a professor of psychology at my university, and I’ve had the privilege of knowing her for the past five years.

Our relationship began when I took her advanced cognitive psychology course during my second year. Her insightful lectures and approachable demeanor immediately stood out to me. After the course ended, I approached her for advice on my research project, and since then, our mentor-mentee relationship has flourished.

Dr. Chen’s advice is multifaceted and always tailored to the specific situation I’m facing. When I’m dealing with academic challenges, she offers strategic insights on how to approach complex topics or manage my workload effectively. In professional matters, she provides valuable perspectives on career development, networking, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

What makes her advice particularly helpful is her ability to combine theoretical knowledge with practical wisdom. She doesn’t just tell me what to do; instead, she guides me through a process of critical thinking, helping me to analyze situations from multiple angles and arrive at my own conclusions. This approach has not only helped me solve immediate problems but has also enhanced my decision-making skills in the long run.

Moreover, Dr. Chen’s advice is always delivered with empathy and understanding. She has an uncanny ability to put herself in my shoes, which makes her suggestions feel relevant and actionable. Her guidance has been instrumental in helping me navigate through some of the most challenging periods of my academic and early professional life.

In conclusion, Dr. Chen’s mentorship has been a cornerstone of my personal growth. Her advice has not only helped me overcome specific challenges but has also equipped me with the tools to tackle future obstacles with confidence and clarity.

IELTS Speaking: Mentor giving advice

Follow-up Questions

Q: How often do you seek advice from this person?
A: I reach out to Dr. Chen approximately once a month for scheduled mentoring sessions. However, during particularly challenging periods, such as exam times or when facing major career decisions, I might consult her more frequently, perhaps every couple of weeks.

Q: Has their advice ever led to unexpected outcomes?
A: Absolutely. One instance that stands out is when Dr. Chen advised me to pursue an internship in a field slightly different from my major. Initially, I was hesitant, but following her advice led to a transformative experience that broadened my career perspectives and ultimately helped me secure my current job.

Part 3: Two-way Discussion

Q1: In what situations do people usually seek advice from others?

Band 6-7 Answer:
People often seek advice when they face important decisions or difficult problems. This could be related to their career, relationships, or personal life. They might ask for help when they’re unsure about what to do or when they need a different perspective.

Band 8-9 Answer:
People typically seek counsel in a myriad of situations, particularly when faced with complex decisions or unfamiliar challenges. In the professional sphere, individuals might solicit advice when contemplating career changes, navigating workplace conflicts, or strategizing for promotions. In personal matters, people often turn to others for guidance on relationship issues, financial planning, or major life transitions such as marriage or relocation. Additionally, during times of crisis or uncertainty, such as health concerns or global events like the recent pandemic, many find themselves seeking expert opinions to make informed decisions. The common thread in all these scenarios is the recognition that external perspectives can provide valuable insights and help mitigate the risks associated with decision-making in challenging circumstances.

Q2: Do you think the advice from professionals is always better than that from friends or family?

Band 6-7 Answer:
Not always. While professionals have expert knowledge, friends and family know us personally. Sometimes, emotional support from loved ones can be more helpful than technical advice. It really depends on the situation and what kind of help we need.

Band 8-9 Answer:
The efficacy of advice is highly context-dependent and cannot be universally attributed to either professionals or personal acquaintances. Professional advice undoubtedly carries weight due to its foundation in specialized knowledge and empirical evidence. Experts in fields such as medicine, law, or finance can offer insights grounded in extensive training and experience, which is particularly crucial for technical or complex issues.

However, the value of advice from friends and family should not be underestimated. These individuals often possess intimate knowledge of our personal history, values, and circumstances, allowing them to provide guidance that is uniquely tailored to our individual needs. Moreover, their emotional investment in our well-being can lead to advice that considers our holistic happiness, not just objective outcomes.

The ideal approach often involves a combination of both sources. For instance, when facing a medical decision, consulting a doctor for clinical advice while also discussing the implications with family can lead to a more comprehensive understanding of the situation. Ultimately, the best advice comes from synthesizing various perspectives and applying them judiciously to one’s unique circumstances.

IELTS Speaking: Professional vs Personal Advice

Key Vocabulary and Phrases for High Scores

1. Invaluable source of guidance /ɪnˈvæljuəbl sɔːs əv ˈgaɪdəns/ (adj. + noun phrase): Extremely useful or indispensable help or advice.
   Example: My mentor has been an invaluable source of guidance throughout my career.

2. To flourish /ˈflʌrɪʃ/ (verb): To grow or develop in a healthy or vigorous way.
   Example: Under her mentorship, my skills have really flourished.

3. Multifaceted /ˌmʌltiˈfæsɪtɪd/ (adj.): Having many different aspects or features.
   Example: She offers multifaceted advice that covers both personal and professional growth.

4. To tailor /ˈteɪlə(r)/ (verb): To adapt or customize for a specific need or person.
   Example: Her advice is always tailored to my specific situation.

5. Critical thinking /ˈkrɪtɪkl ˈθɪŋkɪŋ/ (noun phrase): The objective analysis and evaluation of an issue to form a judgment.
   Example: She encourages critical thinking rather than simply providing answers.

6. Instrumental /ˌɪnstrəˈmentl/ (adj.): Serving as a crucial means, agent, or tool.
   Example: Her guidance has been instrumental in my success.

7. To synthesize /ˈsɪnθəsaɪz/ (verb): To combine different ideas, influences, or objects into a new whole.
   Example: The best decisions often come from synthesizing advice from various sources.

8. To solicit advice /səˈlɪsɪt ədˈvaɪs/ (verb phrase): To ask for or try to obtain advice.
   Example: I often solicit advice from experienced colleagues when facing new challenges.

Examiner’s Advice

To achieve a high band score in the IELTS Speaking test when discussing advice and mentorship:

1. Use a variety of sophisticated vocabulary and phrases related to advice-giving and decision-making.
2. Provide detailed examples to illustrate your points, demonstrating your ability to elaborate on ideas.
3. Use complex sentence structures and connective phrases to link your ideas coherently.
4. Show your ability to discuss abstract concepts by relating personal experiences to broader themes.
5. Practice speaking on this topic to improve fluency and reduce hesitations.

Remember, the key to success lies in regular practice and expanding your vocabulary. Try to incorporate these advanced words and phrases into your daily conversations to make them feel more natural during the test.

Describe a food you disliked as a child but like now could be an interesting way to demonstrate how advice and guidance can change our perspectives over time, even in matters of personal taste.