The IELTS Speaking section is designed to evaluate a candidate’s speaking abilities in English through a three-part interview. As an IELTS Speaking Examiner, I assess candidates based on their fluency, coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range, and accuracy. Among a wide range of topics, describing a person who is good at making decisions is a common task that effectively tests these skills.
In this article, we’ll provide a comprehensive guide to answer the question, “Describe a person who is good at making decisions,” including sample questions and answers, vocabulary, and tips for achieving a high band score.
II. Main Content
Part 1: Introduction and Interview
In Part 1, the examiner asks general questions about yourself and a range of familiar topics, such as home, family, work, studies, and interests.
Sample Question:
Examiner: “Can you tell me about a person in your life who you think is good at making decisions?”
Candidate: “Certainly! I would like to talk about my manager at work, Ms. Linh. She has an exceptional ability to make sound decisions quickly and effectively. Whether under pressure or with limited information, she always finds the best solutions.”
Part 2: Long Turn
Cue Card:
Describe a person who is good at making decisions. You should say:
- Who this person is
- How you know this person
- What kinds of decisions they make
- And explain why you think they are good at making decisions
Candidate Response:
“I’d like to describe my older sister, Emily, as she is remarkably adept at making decisions. I have known Emily all my life, as she is my sibling and closest confidante. In her professional life as a project manager, she is responsible for making numerous critical decisions daily, ranging from resource allocation to client communications. What sets her apart is her calm demeanor and analytical mindset. She meticulously weighs the pros and cons before finalizing any decision. For instance, when her team faced a tight deadline, Emily reassigned tasks based on each member’s strengths, ensuring that the project was completed efficiently. Her decisions are typically well-reasoned and deliberated, which contributes to her success and the admiration she commands in her workplace.”
Follow-up Questions:
- “How does this person handle difficult decisions?”
- “Can you give an example of a decision they made that had a significant impact?”
Gist of Response:
When addressing difficult decisions, Emily maintains her composure and seeks advice from team members, considering their expertise. A notable example was when she decided to pivot a project strategy to align better with market demands, which resulted in increased client satisfaction and profitability.
Part 3: Two-way Discussion
In Part 3, the examiner and candidate engage in a discussion about issues related to the topic in Part 2 but at a more abstract or analytical level.
Sample Questions and Responses:
Examiner: “Do you think the ability to make decisions is more important in professional life or personal life?”
Candidate: “I believe the ability to make decisions is crucial in both professional and personal lives. In a professional setting, good decision-making can lead to career progression and organizational success. Personally, it helps in managing life’s complexities and ensures a balanced lifestyle. However, professional decisions often have broader implications, impacting not just the individual but colleagues and the business as a whole.”
Examiner: “What qualities do you think a good decision-maker should have?”
Candidate: “A good decision-maker should possess analytical skills, the ability to stay calm under pressure, and an open-minded attitude. Besides, empathy plays a significant role because understanding the impact of decisions on others can lead to more considerate and holistic choices.”
III. Useful Vocabulary and Structures
Here are some key terms and phrases that can enhance your response:
- Sound decisions (adjective + noun): Sensible and well-judged decisions.
- Analytical mindset (adjective + noun): The ability to deconstruct information to draw insights.
- Weigh the pros and cons (verb phrase): Consider the advantages and disadvantages.
- Resource allocation (noun phrase): The process of assigning available resources.
- Calm demeanor (adjective + noun): A state of being calm and composed.
- Empathy (noun): The ability to understand and share the feelings of others.
- Reassign tasks (verb phrase): Allocate tasks again to different people.
Example:
“During a crisis, her calm demeanor and analytical mindset enable her to weigh the pros and cons, ensuring that she makes sound decisions efficiently.”
IV. Tips for High Scores in the Speaking Test
- Practice regularly: Familiarize yourself with the speaking format and practice with a partner or mentor.
- Enhance your vocabulary: Use varied and sophisticated vocabulary naturally.
- Structure your responses: Organize your thoughts logically and present them coherently.
- Stay calm: Maintain composure to speak clearly and confidently.
- Seek feedback: Regularly get feedback from experienced instructors to identify and work on weaknesses.
By following these tips and using the sample responses as a guide, you’ll be better equipped to achieve a high band score in the IELTS Speaking section. Good luck with your preparations!
For more related sample responses, check out these links: