Describe a Person Who Has Been a Good Influence on You

In the IELTS Speaking test, you’ll be examined on various aspects including fluency, coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range, and accuracy. One frequent topic is describing a person who has greatly influenced you. Understanding how to present such a topic eloquently can significantly boost your IELTS Speaking score. This guide will overview the requirements, list potential questions, and offer sample answers to help you achieve a high band score.

Part 1: Introduction and Interview

Examiner Questions

1. Can you describe a friend or family member who has influenced you?
2. How do you think role models affect people?
3. Can you remember any advice you received from someone and followed?

Sample Answer

Question: Can you describe a friend or family member who has influenced you?

Answer: Certainly. A person who has had a significant impact on my life is my elder sister. She is an epitome of resilience and determination. Despite facing numerous challenges in her career, she never gave up and eventually became a successful entrepreneur. Her journey has taught me the importance of perseverance and hard work.

Part 2: Long Turn

Cue Card

Describe a person who has been a good influence on you. You should say:

• Who this person is
• How you know this person
• What this person has done to influence you
• And explain how you feel about this person

Sample Answer

Who this person is:
A person who has had a profound influence on me is my high school teacher, Mrs. Brown.

How you know this person:
I first met Mrs. Brown during my sophomore year in high school when she was assigned as our English teacher.

What this person has done to influence you:
Mrs. Brown had a unique way of teaching that went beyond textbooks. She encouraged us to think critically and express our ideas confidently. She also introduced us to various great literary works which broadened my perspective immensely. Her dedication and passion for teaching inspired me to pursue a career in English literature.

And explain how you feel about this person:
I hold Mrs. Brown in the highest respect. Her influence has been instrumental in my personal and academic development. To this day, I still try to emulate her enthusiasm and dedication in my own professional life.

Inspirational teacher

Bullet Point Questions

1. What qualities do you admire in this person?
2. How has your relationship with this person evolved over time?

Sample Answers:

Question: What qualities do you admire in this person?

Answer: The qualities I admire most in Mrs. Brown are her dedication, empathy, and creativity. She always made time for her students, understood our individual struggles and used innovative methods to make her lessons engaging.

Question: How has your relationship with this person evolved over time?

Answer: Over time, my relationship with Mrs. Brown has evolved from a teacher-student dynamic to a mentor-mentee relationship. Even after graduating, I often seek her advice on academic and career matters. She has become a life-long guide and friend.

Part 3: Two-way Discussion

Examiner Questions

1. Why do you think some people influence others more than the rest?
2. How important are role models for the younger generation today?
3. Can technology have an impact on the way we perceive influencers?

Sample Answers

Examiner: Why do you think some people influence others more than the rest?

Candidate: I believe that some people wield more influence due to their charisma, authenticity, and achievements. When individuals exhibit qualities that others aspire to, it makes them more compelling and influential.

Examiner: How important are role models for the younger generation today?

Candidate: Role models are incredibly important for the younger generation as they provide guidance, motivation, and a benchmark for success. They can help youths navigate through challenging periods by offering hope and inspiration.

Examiner: Can technology have an impact on the way we perceive influencers?

Candidate: Absolutely. Technology and social media have transformed the landscape of influence. Today, influencers can reach a broader audience and maintain constant interaction with their followers. This has both positive and negative implications, as it can create powerful role models or propagate detrimental trends.

Vocabulary and Phrases for High Scores

Here are some essential vocabulary and phrases to help you achieve a high band score:

1. Resilience /rɪˈzɪliəns/ (n) – the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties.

   • Example: “Her resilience in facing challenges is remarkable.”

2. Epitome /ɪˈpɪtəmi/ (n) – a person or thing that is a perfect example of a particular quality.

   • Example: “She is the epitome of hard work and dedication.”

3. Profound /prəˈfaʊnd/ (adj) – very great or intense.

   • Example: “His influence on my life has been profound.”

4. Charisma /kəˈrɪzmə/ (n) – compelling attractiveness or charm that can inspire devotion in others.

   • Example: “The leader’s charisma helped him gain popular support.”

5. Authenticity /ɔːˌθɛntɪˈsɪti/ (n) – the quality of being genuine or real.

   • Example: “Her authenticity makes her a highly relatable role model.”

6. Dedication /ˌdɛdɪˈkeɪʃən/ (n) – the quality of being committed to a task or purpose.

   • Example: “His dedication to his work is evident in his success.”

Tips for Practicing Speaking

1. Consistent Practice: Regularly practice speaking on various topics to build fluency and confidence.
2. Feedback: Record yourself and get feedback from proficient speakers or teachers.
3. Expand Vocabulary: Read widely and incorporate new words into your speech.
4. Engage in Discussions: Participate in discussions and debates to enhance your critical thinking and expression.
5. Mock Tests: Take mock IELTS Speaking tests to familiarize yourself with the format and time constraints.

By adhering to these guidelines and examples, you can effectively prepare to describe a person who has influenced you, ensuring a high performance in your IELTS Speaking test.