The topic of describing someone who helped shape your resilience frequently appears in IELTS Speaking tests, particularly in Part 2. This guide will help you craft compelling responses that showcase your English proficiency while discussing personal growth and mentorship.
Similar to describe a friend who has influenced your life, this topic requires careful consideration of vocabulary and structure to effectively convey your experience.
Part 1: Introduction and Interview
Common questions in this section include:
- Do you find it easy to overcome difficulties?
- How do you usually handle challenges?
- Who do you turn to when facing problems?
Sample Answer (Band 8-9):
“I believe I’ve developed strong coping mechanisms over the years. When facing challenges, I typically approach them systematically and break them down into manageable steps. I also maintain a support network of family and close friends who provide guidance when needed.”
Part 2: Cue Card
Describe a person who helped you become more resilient
You should say:
- Who this person is
- How you know them
- What they did to help you
- And explain how this experience made you more resilient
Sample Answer (Band 8-9):
“I’d like to talk about my high school basketball coach, Mr. Thompson, who played a pivotal role in developing my resilience. I met him during my sophomore year when I was struggling with both academic and athletic performance.
What sets him apart was his unique approach to mentoring. He didn’t simply offer solutions but rather guided me to discover my own strength. When I failed to make the starting lineup, instead of consoling me, he challenged me to analyze my weaknesses and create an improvement plan.
describe a situation where you felt very confident was actually inspired by his mentorship. He instilled in me the belief that setbacks are opportunities for growth. Through his guidance, I learned to embrace challenges rather than avoid them.
The most significant lesson he taught me was about maintaining perspective during difficult times. He would often say, ‘Today’s failure is tomorrow’s foundation.’ This mindset shift has been invaluable in my personal development.”
Part 3: Discussion Questions
Q1: How can society help young people develop resilience?
Band 8-9 Response:
“Society can foster resilience by creating supportive environments that allow young people to face and overcome challenges safely. This includes implementing mentorship programs, providing access to mental health resources, and encouraging healthy risk-taking. Educational institutions should also incorporate resilience-building activities into their curricula.”
Q2: Do you think modern life makes people less resilient?
Band 8-9 Response:
“While modern conveniences might cushion us from certain hardships, I believe contemporary life presents its own unique challenges that require different forms of resilience. The rapid pace of technological change and increased social complexity demand adaptability and emotional intelligence that previous generations may not have needed.”
Just as describe a book that has impacted you positively, personal growth stories should demonstrate clear progression and impact.
Key Vocabulary and Phrases
- Adversity /ədˈvɜːsəti/ (n): difficult situations or misfortune
- Perseverance /ˌpɜːsɪˈvɪərəns/ (n): persistence despite difficulties
- Fortitude /ˈfɔːtɪtjuːd/ (n): courage in pain or adversity
- Bounce back (phrasal verb): to recover quickly
- Weather the storm (idiom): to survive difficult times
- Turn the corner (idiom): to start to improve after difficulty
Remember to use these terms naturally and provide specific examples to support your points. Your responses should demonstrate both linguistic sophistication and genuine reflection on personal growth experiences.