Describe a Person Who is Very Intelligent in Their Field – IELTS Speaking Sample

The IELTS Speaking test is a crucial part of the IELTS exam that assesses the ability to communicate in English effectively. This section consists of three parts: Part 1 (Introduction and Interview), Part 2 (Long Turn), and Part 3 (Two-way Discussion). For each part, examiners evaluate fluency and coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and accuracy, and pronunciation. In this article, we shall focus on the common IELTS cue card topic – “Describe a person who is very intelligent in their field”.

Understanding the questions and responding appropriately with rich vocabulary and structured responses is key to achieving a high band score. Let’s delve into the details and provide detailed examples and strategies for mastering this topic.

Part 1: Introduction and Interview

Common Questions and Sample Response

Part 1 comprises easy questions about yourself and your life. These are designed to help the candidate feel comfortable.

Common Questions:

• What is your favorite subject in school?
• What kind of job do you like?
• Describe a person you admire.

Sample Question: Describe a person you admire.

Sample Answer: One person I greatly admire is my older brother. He has always been an inspiration to me because of his intellect and dedication to his field of research. Currently, he is working as a software engineer at a renowned tech company, and his passion for technology and innovation is truly inspiring.

Notice the use of phrases like “an inspiration”, “intellect and dedication”, and “truly inspiring”, which highlight the qualities admired in the person.

Part 2: Long Turn

Cue Card and Sample Answer

Cue Card

Describe a person who is very intelligent in their field.
You should say:

• who this person is
• how you know this person
• what they have achieved
• and explain why you think they are very intelligent

Sample Answer:
One person who stands out as extremely intelligent in their field is Dr. Jane Goodall, the renowned primatologist. I first learned about Dr. Goodall through a documentary on wildlife conservation. Her groundbreaking work in chimpanzee behavior has reshaped our understanding of primates and their social structures. Dr. Goodall’s meticulous research and innovative methods have earned her numerous accolades and respect from the scientific community worldwide. What truly sets her apart is her ability to combine scientific rigor with a deep empathy for animals, making her work not only informative but also immensely impactful. Her contributions have not only furthered scientific knowledge but have also increased global awareness about conservation issues, highlighting her intelligence and unwavering commitment to her field.

Follow-Up Questions and Suggested Answers

Follow-Up Questions:

1. Do you know anyone else who is also intelligent in their field?
2. How important is intelligence in achieving success?
3. In your opinion, can hard work outweigh natural intelligence?

Suggested Answers:

1. Yes, another person I admire for their intelligence is Elon Musk. His visionary ideas in the fields of space exploration and renewable energy have led to remarkable advancements and innovations.
2. Intelligence is crucial for achieving success, as it allows individuals to understand complex problems and devise effective solutions. However, success also demands perseverance and dedication.
3. Certainly, hard work can often outweigh natural intelligence. Many successful individuals have demonstrated that consistent effort and determination can lead to significant achievements, even if they weren’t naturally gifted.

Notice the use of terms like “remarkable advancements”, “crucial”, “perseverance”, “consistent effort”, and “significant achievements”, which enrich the responses.

Part 3: Two-Way Discussion

Examiner’s Questions and Sample Answers

Examiner’s Questions:

1. How do educational systems impact creativity and intelligence?
2. To what extent does technology influence the intelligence of people today?
3. Do you think people’s IQ has increased or decreased over the generations?

Sample Responses:

1. Educational systems play a pivotal role in fostering creativity and intelligence. Systems that encourage critical thinking and problem-solving skills tend to nurture intelligent minds. However, rigid curricula may sometimes stifle creativity.
2. Technology has profoundly influenced the intelligence of people today. It provides easy access to a vast amount of information and learning resources. Yet, over-reliance on technology can potentially diminish problem-solving abilities and critical thinking.
3. It is debatable whether people’s IQ has increased or decreased over the generations. The Flynn effect suggests that IQ scores have steadily risen due to better nutrition, education, and living conditions. However, some argue that modern lifestyles may be negatively impacting cognitive development.

Highlighted terms such as “pivotal role”, “nurture intelligent minds”, “stifle creativity”, “profoundly influenced”, “easy access”, “diminish problem-solving abilities”, “steadily risen”, and “negatively impacting” add sophistication and depth to the responses.

Vocabulary and Structures for High Scores

Important Vocabulary and Phrases

1. Meticulous Research

   • Definition: Thorough and detailed research.
   • Example: Dr. Goodall’s meticulous research has significantly contributed to primatology.

2. Groundbreaking Work

   • Definition: Innovative and pioneering work.
   • Example: Her groundbreaking work on chimpanzee behavior is highly regarded.

3. Scientific Rigor

   • Definition: The strict application of scientific methods and principles.
   • Example: She is known for her scientific rigor and precise experiments.

4. Unwavering Commitment

   • Definition: Continuous and firm dedication.
   • Example: His unwavering commitment to his field deserves admiration.

Example Sentences

• His research is considered groundbreaking in the field of renewable energy.
• Through meticulous efforts, she developed a new approach to cancer treatment.
• We admired her scientific rigor in every experiment she conducted.

By using these sophisticated phrases and prioritizing well-structured responses, candidates can achieve higher band scores in the IELTS Speaking test.

Examiner’s Tips for High Scores

1. Practice Regularly: Frequent practice enables fluency and confidence. Practice speaking on various topics and get feedback from proficient speakers or tutors.
2. Expand Vocabulary: Consistently learn new words and phrases relevant to common IELTS topics.
3. Use Natural Expressions: Use idiomatic expressions and phrases naturally to enhance the quality of your responses.
4. Self-Recording and Review: Record your speaking practices and review them to identify areas for improvement.
5. Join Discussion Groups: Participate in English-speaking groups or forums to enhance your conversational skills.

Dr. Jane Goodall

By following these strategies and examples, candidates can significantly improve their IELTS Speaking performance and attain higher band scores.