In the IELTS Speaking test, candidates are often required to describe people, events, or activities. One common topic is to “Describe a person who is very good at planning and organizing.” Understanding how to approach this topic can help you demonstrate a range of language skills to impress the examiner. IELTS Speaking Examiners evaluate your speaking ability based on four key criteria: Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and Pronunciation.
Part 1: Introduction and Interview
In Part 1 of the IELTS Speaking test, the examiner asks general questions to make you feel comfortable and assess your ability to communicate on familiar topics. Here, you might encounter questions to ease into the larger discussion.
Example Question and Suggested Answer
Examiner: “Do you think planning is important?”
Answer: “Absolutely, I believe planning is crucial as it helps manage time efficiently. It allows us to set clear objectives and work methodically towards achieving them. Without a plan, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and miss important details.”
Part 2: Long Turn
In Part 2, you are given a cue card and must speak on the topic for 1-2 minutes. You have 1 minute to prepare. Here is a cue card related to our topic:
Cue Card Example
Describe a person who is very good at planning and organizing. You should say:
- Who this person is
- How you know this person
- What this person plans and organizes
- And how you feel about this person’s ability to plan and organize
Suggested Answer
“One person who stands out in my mind for their exceptional planning and organizing skills is my older brother, John. John is a project manager at a leading firm, and his job requires a lot of meticulous planning and seamless organization.
I have known John all my life, obviously, but his organizational skills became particularly evident during a family trip we took last year. He meticulously planned every detail, from booking flights and accommodations to organizing daily itineraries. Everything ran like clockwork, and we didn’t face a single hiccup throughout the trip.
John plans and organizes not just professional projects but also personal events like family gatherings and community service activities. His ability to anticipate problems and find solutions in advance is truly remarkable.
I feel immense admiration for his ability to plan and organize. It’s not just his attention to detail but also his strategic thinking that makes him so effective. His skills save time, reduce stress, and ensure everything runs smoothly.”
Follow-up Questions and Answers
Examiner: “Why do you think planning is essential in today’s fast-paced world?”
Answer: “Planning is essential as it allows us to manage our time efficiently and achieve our goals systematically. In today’s fast-paced world, where there is so much to juggle, good planning helps us stay organized and prevents us from getting overwhelmed.”
Examiner: “Can you give an example of a situation that went wrong due to poor planning?”
Answer: “Certainly. Last year, our company launched a new product without thorough planning. The marketing campaign was rushed, leading to confusion both internally and externally. As a result, the product didn’t perform well initially, highlighting the importance of careful planning.”
Part 3: Two-way Discussion
In Part 3, the examiner asks more abstract and analytical questions related to the topic in Part 2. This is to assess your ability to discuss, provide examples, and express opinions clearly.
Example Questions and Suggested Answers
Examiner: “How important is it to plan for the future?”
Answer: “Planning for the future is incredibly important as it sets a clear roadmap for achieving long-term goals. It allows us to anticipate potential challenges and prepare accordingly, ensuring we remain resilient and adaptable.”
Examiner: “Do you think people can learn to be good at planning and organizing? Why or why not?”
Answer: “Yes, I believe planning and organizing are skills that can be learned and improved over time. With practice, people can become better at setting priorities, managing time, and handling unforeseen circumstances effectively.”
Person Planning on a Board
Useful Vocabulary and Structures
Key Vocabulary
- Meticulous (/məˈtɪkjʊləs/) – Paying great attention to detail.
- Example: “He is meticulous about every detail in his project.”
- Strategic (/strəˈtiːdʒɪk/) – Carefully designed or planned to achieve a particular goal.
- Example: “Her strategic thinking helped the team overcome significant challenges.”
Key Structures
- Expressing admiration: “I feel immense admiration for his ability to plan and organize.”
- Present perfect for experience: “I have known John all my life.”
- Comparative structures: “He is more organized than anyone I know.”
Tips for High Scores
- Practice fluency by speaking regularly about various topics.
- Expand your vocabulary and use a range of words and expressions.
- Enhance coherence by structuring your answers logically.
- Improve pronunciation by listening to and imitating native speakers.
- Seek feedback from teachers or peers and work on the areas for improvement.
By following these strategies and practicing regularly, you can significantly improve your performance in the IELTS Speaking test. Good luck!
Natural connections to related content:
- If you want to read more about similar topics, check out “Describe a Situation When You Had to Work in a Team” or “Describe a Person Who is Good at Organizing Events.”
Remember: Practice and preparation are the keys to success in the IELTS speaking test.