The topic “describe a person who taught you an important life skill” is a common theme in IELTS Speaking tests. It allows candidates to showcase their ability to discuss personal experiences, describe individuals, and reflect on significant life lessons. This topic has appeared frequently in past IELTS exams and is likely to remain relevant in future tests due to its universal appeal and potential for rich discussion.
Part 1: Introduction and Interview
In this section, the examiner may ask you some general questions about life skills and learning. Here’s an example question with a suggested answer:
Question: What do you think are the most important life skills?
Suggested answer (Band 7-8):
I believe that some of the most crucial life skills include effective communication, critical thinking, and adaptability. These skills are essential in both personal and professional contexts. For instance, being able to communicate clearly can help build stronger relationships and avoid misunderstandings. Critical thinking allows us to make better decisions by analyzing information objectively. Lastly, adaptability is increasingly important in our rapidly changing world, as it helps us navigate new challenges and opportunities with ease.
Part 2: Long Turn
Cue Card
Describe a person who taught you an important life skill.
You should say:
- Who this person is
- What skill they taught you
- How they taught you
- And explain why this skill is important to you
Sample Answer (Band 6-7)
The person I’d like to talk about is my grandfather, who taught me the valuable life skill of gardening. He’s always been passionate about plants and has maintained a beautiful garden for as long as I can remember.
My grandfather started teaching me about gardening when I was around 10 years old. He would invite me to join him in the garden every weekend, showing me how to prepare the soil, plant seeds, and care for the growing plants. He was very patient, explaining each step carefully and allowing me to practice under his guidance.
The way he taught me was very hands-on. We would spend hours together in the garden, and he would demonstrate various techniques, such as pruning, watering, and pest control. He also encouraged me to ask questions and experiment with different plants.
This skill is important to me for several reasons. Firstly, it’s a practical skill that allows me to grow my own food and beautify my living space. Secondly, gardening has become a relaxing hobby that helps me reduce stress. Lastly, it has taught me valuable lessons about patience, responsibility, and the importance of nurturing living things.
Sample Answer (Band 8-9)
I’d like to elaborate on a pivotal figure in my life, my grandfather, who imparted the invaluable life skill of gardening to me. He’s always been an avid horticulturist, maintaining an awe-inspiring garden that has been the envy of our neighborhood for decades.
My grandfather initiated my gardening education when I was approximately 10 years old. He would enthusiastically invite me to join him in his horticultural pursuits every weekend. With meticulous attention to detail, he demonstrated the intricacies of soil preparation, seed planting, and plant care. His patience was unwavering as he elucidated each step, allowing me ample opportunity to hone my skills under his watchful eye.
His teaching methodology was predominantly hands-on. We would dedicate hours to working in the garden together, where he would showcase various techniques such as precision pruning, optimal watering practices, and effective pest management. He actively encouraged my curiosity, prompting me to pose questions and experiment with different plant varieties, fostering a spirit of inquiry and innovation.
This skill holds immense significance for me for several compelling reasons. Primarily, it’s a practical competency that enables me to cultivate my own produce and enhance my living environment aesthetically. Furthermore, gardening has evolved into a therapeutic hobby that serves as an effective stress-relief mechanism. Lastly, it has instilled in me crucial life lessons about patience, responsibility, and the paramount importance of nurturing living organisms, which I believe are transferable to many aspects of life.
Follow-up Questions
- How has learning this skill changed your life?
Suggested answer (Band 8-9):
Learning the skill of gardening has profoundly impacted my life in numerous ways. It has instilled in me a deep appreciation for nature and the intricate ecosystems that surround us. This newfound awareness has led me to adopt more environmentally conscious practices in my daily life. Moreover, gardening has become a form of meditation for me, providing a much-needed respite from the fast-paced digital world we live in. It has taught me the value of patience and perseverance, as nurturing plants from seeds to maturity requires consistent effort and care over extended periods. These lessons have spilled over into other areas of my life, enhancing my ability to tackle long-term projects with dedication and resilience.
- Do you think it’s important for young people to learn life skills?
Suggested answer (Band 7-8):
Absolutely, I believe it’s crucial for young people to learn life skills. In today’s rapidly changing world, having a diverse set of practical abilities can make a significant difference in one’s personal and professional life. Life skills such as financial management, effective communication, and problem-solving are not typically taught in traditional academic settings, yet they’re essential for navigating adult life successfully. Moreover, learning these skills at a young age can boost confidence and promote independence, allowing young people to adapt more easily to new challenges and opportunities as they arise.
IELTS Speaking: Grandfather teaching gardening skills
Part 3: Two-way Discussion
Examiner: Let’s discuss life skills in a broader context. How do you think the importance of various life skills has changed over the generations?
Suggested answer (Band 7-8):
I believe the importance of life skills has evolved significantly over the generations, primarily due to technological advancements and societal changes. For instance, digital literacy has become an essential skill in recent years, whereas it was virtually non-existent for previous generations. Similarly, the ability to navigate social media and maintain online privacy has gained importance.
On the other hand, some traditional skills like handwriting or mental arithmetic may have become less critical due to the prevalence of digital tools. However, I think core life skills such as communication, critical thinking, and adaptability remain crucial and have perhaps become even more important in our rapidly changing world.
Suggested answer (Band 8-9):
The shifting landscape of life skills across generations is a fascinating phenomenon that reflects the dynamic nature of our society. The advent of the digital age has fundamentally altered the skill set required for success in both personal and professional spheres.
In contemporary times, digital literacy has emerged as a paramount skill, encompassing abilities such as coding, data analysis, and proficient use of various software applications. These skills were virtually nonexistent for previous generations but are now indispensable in many fields. Additionally, the ability to navigate the complex world of social media, maintain online privacy, and discern credible information amidst the vast sea of online content has become increasingly crucial.
Conversely, some traditional skills have diminished in prominence. For instance, the art of cursive writing or the ability to perform complex mental calculations has become less critical due to the ubiquity of digital tools. However, it’s important to note that while the specific applications may have changed, the underlying cognitive processes these skills develop remain valuable.
Despite these shifts, I firmly believe that certain core life skills have retained their importance and perhaps even gained renewed significance. Skills such as effective communication, both verbal and written, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and adaptability are now more crucial than ever. In our rapidly evolving world, the ability to assimilate new information, think creatively, and adapt to changing circumstances is paramount for success and personal fulfillment.
Furthermore, the increasingly interconnected nature of our global society has heightened the importance of cross-cultural competence and language skills. The ability to collaborate effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and communicate across cultural boundaries has become a valuable asset in both personal and professional contexts.
In essence, while the specific set of life skills valued by society has undoubtedly evolved, the fundamental principles of continuous learning, adaptability, and effective interaction with others remain as relevant as ever, if not more so, in our complex, fast-paced world.
IELTS Speaking: Evolution of life skills across generations
Key Vocabulary and Phrases for High Scores
Impart (verb) /ɪmˈpɑːrt/ – to pass on or communicate (knowledge, skills, etc.)
Example: My mentor imparted valuable lessons about leadership.Invaluable (adjective) /ɪnˈvæljuəbl/ – extremely useful; indispensable
Example: The experience I gained during my internship was invaluable for my career.Pivotal (adjective) /ˈpɪvətl/ – of crucial importance in relation to the development or success of something else
Example: Learning to code was a pivotal moment in my professional development.Profoundly (adverb) /prəˈfaʊndli/ – in a deep or intense manner; extremely
Example: The workshop profoundly impacted my understanding of sustainable living.Intricate (adjective) /ˈɪntrɪkət/ – very complicated or detailed
Example: The intricate process of watchmaking requires years of practice to master.Therapeutic (adjective) /ˌθerəˈpjuːtɪk/ – having a good effect on the body or mind; contributing to a sense of well-being
Example: Many people find gardening to be a therapeutic activity that helps reduce stress.Paramount (adjective) /ˈpærəmaʊnt/ – more important than anything else; supreme
Example: In emergency situations, staying calm is of paramount importance.Evolve (verb) /ɪˈvɒlv/ – to develop gradually, especially from a simple to a more complex form
Example: Our understanding of nutrition has evolved significantly over the past century.
Examiner’s Advice
To achieve a high score in the IELTS Speaking test, particularly when describing a person who taught you an important life skill:
Use a variety of vocabulary: Incorporate advanced words and phrases relevant to the topic. This demonstrates a wide-ranging lexical resource.
Provide specific examples: When describing the skill and how it was taught, offer concrete details to make your answer more vivid and engaging.
Show reflection: Explain why the skill is important to you and how it has impacted your life. This demonstrates critical thinking and the ability to analyze experiences.
Maintain fluency: Practice speaking on various topics to improve your ability to speak at length without unnecessary pauses or hesitations.
Use appropriate tenses: Ensure you use the correct tenses when describing past events and current impacts.
Employ a range of grammatical structures: Incorporate complex sentences and a variety of grammatical forms to showcase your language proficiency.
Pronunciation and intonation: Work on clear pronunciation and natural intonation to enhance the overall delivery of your response.
Stay on topic: While it’s good to elaborate, make sure your answers remain relevant to the question asked.
Remember, consistent practice is key to improving your speaking skills. Consider recording yourself and listening back to identify areas for improvement.
Describe a family member you admire can be another interesting topic to practice, as it shares similarities with discussing a person who taught you a life skill. Both topics require you to describe an individual and their impact on your life, allowing you to demonstrate your ability to articulate personal experiences and relationships.
IELTS Speaking: Effective practice techniques
By focusing on these aspects and regularly practicing your speaking skills, you can significantly improve your performance in the IELTS Speaking test. Remember, the key is not just to memorize answers, but to develop the ability to communicate effectively on a wide range of topics. As you prepare, you might also want to explore topics like describe a person who has made a positive change in your life to broaden your repertoire of personal narratives and descriptive language skills.