In the IELTS Speaking test, candidates are often assessed on their ability to articulate their thoughts, present coherent ideas, and use a diverse range of vocabulary and grammar structures. An IELTS Speaking Examiner evaluates fluency and coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and accuracy, and pronunciation. Among the varied topics, describing a person who is very practical is common in Part 2 of the Speaking test. This guide aims to help IELTS candidates effectively answer such prompts, providing structured responses and useful tips to achieve higher band scores.
Part 1: Introduction and Interview
Common Questions in Part 1
- “Can you tell me about a practical person you know?”
- “Do you consider yourself a practical person?”
- “What are some traits of practical people?”
Sample Answer for Part 1
Examiner: Can you tell me about a practical person you know?
Candidate: Certainly! I would like to talk about my uncle Robert. He is incredibly practical in every aspect of his life. For instance, he always plans his day meticulously, ensuring he completes his tasks efficiently. Moreover, he is very thoughtful when it comes to solving everyday problems, like fixing household items or managing finances. His practicality makes him very reliable and resourceful.
Part 2: Long Turn
Cue Card
Describe A Person Who Is Very Practical. You should say:
- Who this person is
- How you know this person
- What this person does
- And explain why you think this person is very practical
Sample Answer for Part 2
I would like to talk about my cousin Sarah, who I believe is exceptionally practical. Sarah is a civil engineer, and her job requires a lot of logical thinking and problem-solving skills. I’ve known Sarah since we were children, and she has always displayed a level-headed and sensible approach to life.
Sarah is incredibly efficient in her work. She manages large-scale projects and always ensures that everything is done timely and within budget. For example, when her team faced a sudden shortage of materials, she quickly devised an alternative plan using locally available resources, which saved both time and money.
In her personal life, Sarah is just as practical. She maintains a well-organized home, budgets her expenses meticulously, and even grows some of her own food to save on grocery bills. Her practicality is evident in her ability to stay calm in stressful situations and find effective solutions to problems.
The reason I consider Sarah to be very practical is her ability to marry logic with creativity. Her practicality not only makes her successful in her career but also enhances her personal life, making everything run smoothly.
Follow-up Questions and Answers
Examiner’s Potential Questions:
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“What kind of challenges does this person face at work?”
Candidate: Sarah encounters challenges regularly, especially in project management and scheduling. However, her practical nature enables her to assess situations logically and implement feasible solutions quickly.
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“Do you think being practical is beneficial for personal relationships?”
Candidate: Absolutely. A practical approach helps in avoiding unnecessary conflicts and ensures that any issues are dealt with calmly and effectively. For instance, Sarah’s practicality allows her to communicate clearly and make decisions that benefit her relationships.
Part 3: Two-way Discussion
Discussion Questions and Answers
Examiner’s Questions:
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“In your opinion, is practicality more important in personal or professional life?”
Candidate: In my opinion, practicality is crucial in both realms, but it perhaps holds more weight in professional life. For example, in a workplace, practical decision-making can lead to better efficiency and project success. In personal life, it can help in managing everyday tasks and maintaining harmony, but the impact on career growth is often more significant.
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“How can education systems cultivate practicality in students?”
Candidate: Education systems can cultivate practicality by offering more hands-on learning experiences and real-world problem-solving activities. For instance, incorporating projects that require students to apply theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios can enhance their ability to think pragmatically.
Essential Vocabulary and Phrases for High Scores
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Meticulously (/mɪˈtɪkjʊləsli/): In a way that shows great attention to detail.
- “She plans her day meticulously, ensuring no detail is overlooked.”
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Resourceful (/rɪˈsɔːsfəl/): Having the ability to find quick and clever ways to overcome difficulties.
- “His practicality makes him very resourceful in challenging situations.”
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Feasible (/ˈfiːzɪbəl/): Possible and practical to do easily or conveniently.
- “She devised a feasible plan using locally available resources.”
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Level-headed (/ˌlɛvəlˈhɛdɪd/): Calm and sensible.
- “Her level-headed approach helps resolve conflicts efficiently.”
Examiner’s Advice for Practice
- Practice Speaking Regularly: Engage in regular speaking practice to enhance fluency and coherence. Record yourself to identify areas of improvement.
- Expand Vocabulary: Learn new words related to common IELTS topics and practice using them in sentences.
- Stay Calm and Organized: During the test, stay calm and think through your answers logically. Organize your thoughts before speaking to ensure clarity.
Practicing these tips and using the provided examples can significantly improve your performance in the IELTS Speaking test, particularly when describing someone practical.