In the IELTS Speaking test, candidates often encounter questions about people who have influenced their lives positively. One such topic is describing a person who inspires you to be kind. This article will guide you through answering this question effectively, providing sample answers and valuable tips to help you achieve a high band score.
Kindness Inspiration
Understanding the Topic
The topic “Describe A Person Who Inspires You To Be Kind” is a common theme in IELTS Speaking tests. It allows examiners to assess your ability to express personal experiences, describe character traits, and articulate the impact of kindness on your life. This topic has appeared frequently in past tests and is likely to remain relevant in future examinations.
Part 1: Introduction and Interview
In Part 1, the examiner may ask general questions about kindness and people who inspire you. Here are some possible questions and sample answers:
Q: Do you think kindness is important in today’s society?
Band 6-7 Answer:
Yes, I believe kindness is very important in our society today. It helps people feel good and makes the world a better place. When people are kind to each other, it creates a positive atmosphere and can reduce stress and conflict.
Band 8-9 Answer:
Absolutely. I firmly believe that kindness is crucial in today’s fast-paced and often impersonal society. It serves as a fundamental building block for creating harmonious relationships and fostering a sense of community. In an era where digital interactions often replace face-to-face communication, acts of kindness can bridge gaps and remind us of our shared humanity. Moreover, kindness has a ripple effect, inspiring others to pay it forward and potentially transforming entire communities.
Q: Can you recall a time when someone was particularly kind to you?
Band 6-7 Answer:
Yes, I remember when I was new at my job, and a colleague helped me understand the company’s systems. She spent extra time explaining things to me, which was really kind and made me feel welcome.
Band 8-9 Answer:
Certainly. I vividly recall an instance during my university days when I was grappling with a challenging assignment. A classmate, noticing my struggle, went out of her way to offer assistance. She not only helped me understand the complex concepts but also shared her study techniques and resources. This act of kindness was particularly impactful as it not only aided me academically but also fostered a sense of camaraderie and support within our student community. Her selflessness left an indelible mark on me and inspired me to be more attentive to others’ needs.
Part 2: Long Turn
Cue Card
Describe a person who inspires you to be kind.
You should say:
- Who this person is
- How you know them
- What they do
- And explain how they inspire you to be kind
Sample Answer (Band 6-7)
The person who inspires me to be kind is my grandmother. I’ve known her all my life, of course, as she’s my mother’s mother. She’s retired now, but she used to be a teacher.
My grandmother is always helping people in our neighborhood. She volunteers at the local community center, where she teaches elderly people how to use computers. She also often cooks meals for sick neighbors or families who are going through tough times.
What really inspires me about her kindness is how she does these things without expecting anything in return. She simply wants to make people’s lives better. Seeing how happy it makes her to help others has taught me that being kind not only benefits others but also brings joy to ourselves.
Her actions have shown me that small acts of kindness can make a big difference in someone’s day. Because of her, I try to be more considerate and helpful to people around me, whether it’s helping a classmate with homework or offering to carry groceries for an elderly neighbor.
Sample Answer (Band 8-9)
The individual who profoundly inspires me to be kind is my former high school teacher, Ms. Thompson. I had the privilege of being in her English literature class during my final two years of secondary education, and our relationship has evolved into a mentorship that continues to this day.
Ms. Thompson’s dedication to her profession goes far beyond the classroom. While she excels in teaching literature, her true gift lies in her ability to nurture the emotional and personal growth of her students. She consistently goes above and beyond to support students facing challenges, whether academic or personal.
What sets her apart is her unwavering commitment to fostering a culture of kindness and empathy. She initiated a peer support program at our school, where older students mentor younger ones, creating a ripple effect of kindness throughout the school community. Additionally, she spearheads various charitable initiatives, encouraging students to engage in community service and develop a sense of social responsibility.
Ms. Thompson’s approach to kindness profoundly inspires me in several ways. Firstly, her consistency in practicing kindness, even in challenging situations, demonstrates that kindness is a choice we can make daily. Secondly, she has shown me that kindness can be a powerful tool for positive change, capable of transforming individuals and communities. Lastly, her ability to balance kindness with maintaining high standards has taught me that being kind doesn’t mean compromising on excellence.
Inspired by her example, I’ve learned to approach situations with more empathy and understanding. I now actively seek opportunities to help others, whether through volunteering or simply being more attentive to the needs of those around me. Ms. Thompson’s influence has instilled in me a deep-seated belief that kindness is not just a virtue, but a necessary component for creating a more compassionate and harmonious society.
Follow-up Questions
- How has this person’s kindness affected your community?
Band 6-7 Answer:
My grandmother’s kindness has made our community closer. People know they can count on her for help, and this has encouraged others to be kinder too. It’s created a friendly atmosphere in our neighborhood.
Band 8-9 Answer:
Ms. Thompson’s influence has had a transformative effect on our community. Her initiatives have fostered a culture of mutual support and empathy that extends beyond the school walls. The peer mentoring program she established has created a ripple effect, with many former students implementing similar programs in their universities or workplaces. Moreover, her emphasis on community service has significantly increased youth engagement in local charitable organizations, leading to tangible improvements in various areas of community life. This collective shift towards kindness and social responsibility has noticeably enhanced the overall well-being and cohesion of our community.
- Do you think kindness can be taught, or is it an innate quality?
Band 6-7 Answer:
I believe kindness can be both taught and innate. Some people naturally seem kinder, but everyone can learn to be kinder through education and good examples. Schools and families play a big role in teaching children to be kind.
Band 8-9 Answer:
While I acknowledge that some individuals may have a natural predisposition towards kindness, I firmly believe that kindness is predominantly a learned behavior that can be cultivated and refined over time. The capacity for empathy, which underlies most acts of kindness, is indeed an innate human trait. However, the expression of this empathy through kind actions is largely shaped by our experiences, education, and social environment.
Educational institutions and families play a pivotal role in nurturing kindness by modeling compassionate behavior and providing opportunities for children to practice empathy. Moreover, recent research in neuroscience suggests that engaging in acts of kindness can actually rewire our brains, making us more inclined towards altruistic behavior in the future. This evidence underscores the potential for kindness to be developed through consistent practice and positive reinforcement.
That being said, it’s important to recognize that cultivating kindness often requires conscious effort and can be challenging, especially in adverse circumstances. Therefore, while kindness can certainly be taught and learned, it requires ongoing commitment and practice to become a habitual part of one’s character.
Part 3: Two-way Discussion
Examiner: How do you think social media has affected people’s kindness towards others?
Band 6-7 Answer:
I think social media has both positive and negative effects on kindness. On the positive side, it allows people to share kind acts and inspire others. It’s also easier to organize charity events or fundraisers online. However, the anonymity of the internet can sometimes make people less kind in their comments or actions. Overall, I believe it depends on how people choose to use social media.
Band 8-9 Answer:
The impact of social media on kindness is multifaceted and complex. On one hand, social media platforms have undeniably amplified the reach and visibility of kind acts, facilitating widespread charitable campaigns and allowing individuals to rally support for various causes with unprecedented ease. These platforms have also created communities where people can offer emotional support and encouragement to strangers facing similar challenges.
However, the flip side presents some concerning trends. The anonymity and distance provided by social media can sometimes erode empathy and embolden individuals to engage in unkind behavior they might not exhibit in face-to-face interactions. The pressure to present a curated image of one’s life can also foster a culture of comparison and envy, potentially diminishing genuine kindness and authenticity in relationships.
Moreover, the algorithmic nature of social media can create echo chambers that reinforce biases and limit exposure to diverse perspectives, potentially reducing overall empathy towards those with different views. The constant influx of information, including news of global tragedies, can also lead to compassion fatigue, where individuals become desensitized to others’ suffering.
Ultimately, I believe that social media acts as a magnifier of human tendencies, both kind and unkind. Its net effect on kindness largely depends on how individuals and societies choose to utilize these platforms, underscoring the importance of digital literacy and conscious, empathetic online behavior.
Examiner: In your opinion, what role does kindness play in leadership?
Band 6-7 Answer:
I believe kindness is very important in leadership. Kind leaders can create a positive work environment where people feel valued and motivated. They are often better at understanding their team’s needs and solving conflicts. Kindness in leadership can lead to more loyalty and better performance from employees.
Band 8-9 Answer:
Kindness plays a pivotal and often underestimated role in effective leadership. A kind leader can foster an environment of psychological safety, which is crucial for innovation, creativity, and open communication within a team or organization. This approach encourages employees to voice their ideas without fear of ridicule or reprisal, leading to more diverse perspectives and potentially better decision-making.
Moreover, kindness in leadership cultivates loyalty and can significantly boost employee engagement and retention. When leaders demonstrate empathy and compassion, it often translates into higher job satisfaction and a stronger sense of belonging among team members. This, in turn, can lead to increased productivity and a more positive organizational culture.
However, it’s important to note that kindness in leadership should not be misconstrued as weakness or an absence of high standards. Effective kind leaders balance empathy with accountability, setting clear expectations while providing support and understanding. They practice “tough empathy” – making difficult decisions when necessary, but doing so with consideration for their impact on individuals.
In today’s rapidly changing business landscape, where emotional intelligence is increasingly recognized as a key leadership trait, kindness can be a powerful differentiator. It can enhance a leader’s ability to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics, manage diverse teams, and build strong, resilient organizations capable of adapting to challenges.
Ultimately, kind leadership contributes to a more sustainable and ethically sound approach to business, one that considers the well-being of employees, stakeholders, and the broader community. This holistic perspective is becoming increasingly crucial as organizations face growing pressure to demonstrate social responsibility and ethical practices.
Key Vocabulary and Phrases
To achieve a high band score in your IELTS Speaking test, it’s essential to use a range of advanced vocabulary and phrases. Here are some key terms related to kindness and inspiration:
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Altruism (noun) /ˈæltruːɪzəm/ – The belief in or practice of selfless concern for the well-being of others.
Example: “Her altruism was evident in her numerous volunteer activities.” -
Empathy (noun) /ˈempəθi/ – The ability to understand and share the feelings of another.
Example: “A good leader must have empathy to understand their team’s needs.” -
Compassionate (adjective) /kəmˈpæʃənət/ – Feeling or showing sympathy and concern for others.
Example: “His compassionate nature made him an excellent counselor.” -
Benevolent (adjective) /bəˈnevələnt/ – Kind, generous, and caring about others.
Example: “The benevolent donor provided funds for the new community center.” -
To go above and beyond (phrasal verb) – To do more than is required or expected.
Example: “She always goes above and beyond to help her students succeed.” -
To pay it forward (idiom) – To respond to a person’s kindness by being kind to someone else.
Example: “Inspired by his mentor’s support, he decided to pay it forward by mentoring younger colleagues.” -
To make a difference (phrase) – To have a significant effect on a person or situation.
Example: “Even small acts of kindness can make a difference in someone’s life.” -
To lead by example (phrase) – To inspire others to act in a similar way by behaving in a certain manner yourself.
Example: “The teacher led by example, always treating her students with respect and kindness.”
Tips from an IELTS Speaking Examiner
As an experienced IELTS Speaking Examiner, I recommend the following strategies to enhance your performance:
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Practice regularly: Engage in conversations about kindness and inspiration in English frequently. This will help you become more comfortable with the topic and improve your fluency.
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Develop personal anecdotes: Prepare stories about kind people or acts of kindness you’ve experienced. Personal examples make your answers more engaging and authentic.
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Use a variety of structures: Incorporate different grammatical structures in your responses. This demonstrates language proficiency and can boost your grammar score.
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Expand your vocabulary: Learn and use topic-specific vocabulary related to kindness and inspiration. This can improve your lexical resource score.
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Work on pronunciation: Pay attention to word stress and intonation, especially for new vocabulary. Clear pronunciation contributes to your fluency and coherence score.
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Elaborate on your answers: Provide detailed explanations and examples to support your points. This shows your ability to communicate ideas effectively.
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Stay calm and confident: Remember that the examiner is interested in your language skills, not judging your personal views. Stay relaxed and speak naturally.
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Listen carefully: Make sure you understand the questions fully before answering. It’s okay to ask for clarification if needed.
By following these tips and practicing regularly, you can improve your performance in the IELTS Speaking test and increase your chances of achieving a high band score when discussing topics like kindness and inspiration.
For more insights on how to excel in your IELTS Speaking test, you might find it helpful to read about how to describe a person who inspires you to stay positive or how to describe a person who motivates you to stay active. These resources can provide additional perspectives and strategies to enhance your speaking skills.
