In the IELTS Speaking test, examiners look for a range of elements including fluency, coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and accuracy, and pronunciation. The test is divided into three parts:
- Part 1: Introduction and Interview – Short questions about yourself.
- Part 2: Long Turn – A cue card is provided, and you must speak for about 2 minutes.
- Part 3: Two-way Discussion – More abstract questions related to the topic in Part 2.
Questions related to describing an ambitious person often come up because they test your ability to use descriptive language and discuss abstract ideas. Let’s delve into some examples and strategies for handling this topic.
Part 1: Common Interview Questions
Examiners in Part 1 typically ask general questions about yourself to warm you up. Here are some sample questions:
- Can you describe your best friend?
- Do you think ambition is important?
- Tell me about a time when you set a high goal for yourself.
Sample Question and Response
Question: Do you think ambition is important?
Sample Answer: Yes, I definitely think ambition is important. It drives people to strive for success and achieve their goals. For example, my cousin, who is incredibly ambitious, set a goal to become a doctor. Despite many challenges, their determination and ambition led them to achieve their dream.
This response demonstrates your opinion, provides an example, and keeps the conversation flowing naturally.
Part 2: Long Turn
In Part 2, you’ll receive a cue card with a specific topic and points to cover.
Cue Card
Describe a person who is very ambitious. You should say:
- Who this person is
- How you know this person
- What this person does
- And explain why you think this person is ambitious
Sample Answer
Answer: One person who comes to mind when I think about ambition is my older brother, James. I’ve known him all my life, as we grew up together in a small town. James works as a software engineer at a leading tech company. What makes James particularly ambitious is his relentless drive to excel in his field. From a young age, he was always fascinated by technology and would spend hours learning how to code. Despite many setbacks, he never gave up and always persevered through challenges. James’s ambition was clearly evident when he decided to pursue a Master’s degree while working full-time. He managed to balance both, graduating with honors. This determination to continually improve himself and strive for excellence is why I believe he exemplifies ambition.
Further prompts:
- How does ambition affect one’s career?
- Is there a downside to being too ambitious?
Part 3: Two-way Discussion
In Part 3, the examiner will ask more abstract and complex questions related to the topic to gauge your ability to discuss and elaborate on ideas.
Sample Questions and Responses
Question: How does ambition affect one’s career?
Answer: Ambition greatly affects one’s career as it motivates individuals to set high goals and work diligently towards achieving them. Ambitious individuals often push themselves beyond their comfort zones, which can lead to substantial professional growth and opportunities. For instance, ambitious people are more likely to seek out leadership roles or start their own businesses, thus advancing their careers faster than their less ambitious counterparts.
Question: Is there a downside to being too ambitious?
Answer: While ambition can be a positive trait, being overly ambitious might have some downsides. For example, it can lead to burnout and stress if one is constantly striving for the next big achievement without taking time to relax and enjoy their successes. Additionally, extreme ambition might cause individuals to neglect other important areas of their life, such as relationships and personal health.
Ambitious Person
Essential Vocabulary and Phrases for a High Score
Here are some important words and phrases that can help you score higher:
- Ambitious /æmˈbɪʃəs/ (adj.): Having a strong desire to succeed.
- Example: “She is an ambitious young woman who aims to become a CEO.”
- Persevere /ˌpɜːrsəˈvɪər/ (verb): Continue in a course of action even in the face of difficulty.
- Example: “Despite many obstacles, he persevered and achieved his dreams.”
- Motivation /ˌmoʊtəˈveɪʃən/ (noun): The reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way.
- Example: “Her primary motivation for studying hard is her ambition to become a doctor.”
- Aspire /əˈspaɪər/ (verb): Direct one’s hopes or ambitions toward achieving something.
- Example: “He aspires to become a leading authority in his field.”
Examiner’s Advice for High Scores
To achieve a high score in the Speaking test:
- Practice, practice, practice. Regularly speak with native speakers or practice with a study partner.
- Expand your vocabulary and try to use synonyms and varied expressions.
- Focus on fluency and coherence. Speak naturally, without pausing too much.
- Don’t neglect pronunciation. Clear and accurate pronunciation can significantly improve your score.
- Provide elaborated answers with examples to demonstrate your lexical resource and grammatical complexity.
By focusing on these aspects, you can improve your ability to describe an ambitious person effectively and perform well on the IELTS Speaking test.