Describing a person who has taught you how to be patient is a common topic in IELTS Speaking tests. This theme allows candidates to demonstrate their ability to discuss personal experiences, relationships, and character traits. Given its relevance to everyday life, it’s likely to appear in future IELTS exams. Let’s explore how to tackle this topic effectively across all parts of the IELTS Speaking test.
Part 1: Introduction and Interview
In this section, the examiner may ask general questions about patience and learning. Here’s a sample question with a suggested answer:
Question: “Do you consider yourself a patient person?”
Sample answer (Band 7-8):
“I’d say I’m fairly patient in most situations, but it certainly depends on the context. For instance, I tend to be quite patient when helping others or working on complex tasks. However, I must admit that I can get a bit impatient when stuck in traffic or waiting in long queues. It’s something I’m constantly working on improving.”
Part 2: Long Turn (Cue Card)
Here’s a sample cue card related to the topic:
Describe a person who has taught you how to be patient.
You should say:
- Who this person is
- How you know this person
- What this person did to teach you patience
- And explain how you felt about learning patience from this person
Sample answer (Band 8-9):
“I’d like to talk about my grandmother, who has been an invaluable source of wisdom throughout my life, particularly when it comes to patience. I’ve known her since I was born, of course, but our relationship truly blossomed during my teenage years when I started spending more time at her house.
My grandmother epitomizes patience in every aspect of her life. She taught me this virtue not through explicit lessons, but through her actions and approach to life. One striking example that comes to mind is her gardening. She would spend hours tending to her plants, nurturing them with unwavering care and attention. When I’d express frustration at the slow growth of a particular plant, she’d gently remind me that nature has its own timeline and that our job is to provide the right conditions and wait.
Another way she imparted patience was through her culinary skills. She would often prepare complex dishes that required hours of preparation and cooking. I remember being amazed at her ability to stay focused and calm throughout the process, never rushing or becoming agitated. She’d always say, “Good things come to those who wait,” and the delicious results of her patience were a testament to this philosophy.
Learning patience from my grandmother has been a transformative experience. Initially, I found it challenging to adopt her mindset, as I was used to the fast-paced, instant-gratification culture of my generation. However, as I practiced patience in various aspects of my life, I began to notice significant improvements in my stress levels and overall satisfaction.
I feel immensely grateful for this life lesson from my grandmother. Her teachings have not only made me more patient but have also helped me appreciate the journey rather than just focusing on the destination. It’s a skill that has proven invaluable in both my personal and professional life, allowing me to handle challenges with greater composure and resilience.”
Describe a person who has influenced you to be more ambitious can be another interesting topic to explore in your IELTS preparation.
Follow-up questions:
- How has learning patience affected your daily life?
Sample answer (Band 7-8):
“Learning patience has significantly impacted my daily life. I find myself less stressed in challenging situations and more able to maintain a calm demeanor when facing obstacles. For example, I’m now much better at handling delays or setbacks at work without getting frustrated. It’s also improved my relationships, as I’m more understanding and less likely to jump to conclusions or react impulsively.”
- Do you think patience is an important quality for success?
Sample answer (Band 8-9):
“Absolutely, I believe patience is crucial for long-term success in almost any field. It allows individuals to persevere through challenges, make well-thought-out decisions, and build strong relationships. In my experience, those who exhibit patience tend to achieve more sustainable success as they’re able to see beyond immediate gratification and work towards larger goals. Moreover, in our fast-paced world, the ability to remain patient and focused is becoming increasingly valuable and sets successful individuals apart.”
Part 3: Two-way Discussion
Question: “How do you think the concept of patience differs across generations?”
Sample answer (Band 8-9):
“The concept of patience undoubtedly varies across generations, largely due to the different environments and technologies each generation has grown up with. Older generations, who experienced a world with less instant gratification, often exhibit a more ingrained sense of patience. They’re generally more accustomed to waiting for results and working steadily towards long-term goals.
In contrast, younger generations, particularly millennials and Gen Z, have grown up in an era of rapid technological advancement and instant access to information. This has led to a different relationship with patience. While they might be less patient in certain aspects, such as waiting for web pages to load or expecting quick responses in communication, they often show patience in other areas, like adapting to new technologies or navigating complex digital landscapes.
However, it’s important to note that these are generalizations, and individual experiences can vary greatly. Many young people are recognizing the value of patience in a fast-paced world and are actively cultivating this skill. Similarly, some older individuals have embraced the speed of modern life.
Interestingly, the COVID-19 pandemic has somewhat leveled the playing field in terms of patience across generations. Everyone, regardless of age, has had to exercise patience in dealing with lockdowns, uncertainty, and disrupted routines. This shared experience might lead to a more unified understanding of patience across generational lines in the future.”
Describe a situation where you had to deal with a rude person is another topic that can help you practice discussing challenging interpersonal situations.
Question: “In what ways do you think technology has affected people’s patience?”
Sample answer (Band 7-8):
“Technology has had a profound impact on people’s patience, often in contradictory ways. On one hand, it has decreased patience in many aspects of life. With instant messaging, high-speed internet, and on-demand services, people have become accustomed to immediate results and quick solutions. This has led to lower tolerance for delays or waiting times in various situations.
However, technology has also fostered patience in other areas. For instance, people often spend hours patiently scrolling through social media feeds or binge-watching TV series. Additionally, complex video games require players to patiently learn intricate systems and strategies.
Moreover, technology has created new avenues for practicing patience. Online learning platforms, for example, allow people to patiently work towards mastering new skills over extended periods. Similarly, meditation and mindfulness apps encourage users to cultivate patience and presence in their daily lives.
In the professional sphere, while technology has sped up many processes, it has also introduced new challenges that require patience, such as troubleshooting technical issues or managing remote team collaborations across different time zones.
Overall, I believe technology has reshaped our relationship with patience rather than simply diminishing it. It has created a more nuanced landscape where patience is highly context-dependent, varying greatly depending on the specific technological interaction or situation at hand.”
Key Vocabulary and Phrases for High Scores
-
Epitomize (verb) /ɪˈpɪtəmaɪz/ – to be a perfect example of something
Example: “My grandmother epitomizes patience in every aspect of her life.” -
Nurture (verb) /ˈnɜːrtʃər/ – to take care of, feed, and protect someone or something
Example: “She would spend hours nurturing her plants with unwavering care.” -
Transformative (adjective) /trænsˈfɔːrmətɪv/ – causing a major change to something or someone
Example: “Learning patience has been a transformative experience for me.” -
Persevere (verb) /ˌpɜːrsəˈvɪr/ – to continue trying to do something despite difficulties
Example: “Patience allows individuals to persevere through challenges.” -
Ingrained (adjective) /ɪnˈɡreɪnd/ – firmly fixed or established; difficult to change
Example: “Older generations often have a more ingrained sense of patience.”
Describe a family member who inspires you can be an excellent opportunity to practice using these vocabulary items in context.
Examiner’s Advice
To achieve a high score in the IELTS Speaking test when discussing patience:
- Use a variety of vocabulary and phrases related to patience and personal growth.
- Provide specific examples to illustrate your points about learning patience.
- Discuss the topic from different perspectives, considering both personal experiences and broader societal trends.
- Use complex sentence structures and idiomatic expressions where appropriate.
- Show your ability to analyze the concept of patience in relation to different contexts, such as technology, generational differences, or cultural variations.
Remember to practice regularly, record yourself speaking, and listen back to identify areas for improvement. Consider discussing a time when you felt homesick to further develop your ability to express emotions and personal experiences fluently.
By incorporating these strategies and continuously refining your speaking skills, you’ll be well-prepared to discuss patience and related topics in your IELTS Speaking test. Good luck with your preparation!