The IELTS Speaking test often includes questions about personal experiences and relationships. One common topic that may arise is describing a good listener. This article will guide you through answering such questions effectively, providing sample responses and valuable tips to help you achieve a high band score in your IELTS Speaking exam.
Part 1: Introduction and Interview
In Part 1 of the IELTS Speaking test, you may encounter questions related to listening skills and communication. Here are some potential questions and sample answers:
- Do you consider yourself a good listener?
- How important do you think listening skills are in daily life?
- What qualities make someone a good listener?
Let’s focus on the third question:
Question: What qualities make someone a good listener?
Sample answer (Band 6-7):
I think there are several important qualities that make someone a good listener. First, they should be patient and not interrupt the speaker. Also, they need to show interest in what the other person is saying by nodding and maintaining eye contact. Good listeners also ask relevant questions to show they’re paying attention.
Sample answer (Band 8-9):
In my opinion, there are several crucial attributes that define an excellent listener. Foremost among these is the ability to give one’s undivided attention to the speaker, which involves maintaining eye contact and exhibiting appropriate non-verbal cues such as nodding. Additionally, a good listener practices active listening by asking pertinent questions and paraphrasing key points to ensure comprehension. They also possess the patience to refrain from interrupting and the empathy to understand the speaker’s perspective without judgment.
Part 2: Long Turn
In this section, you’ll be given a cue card with a topic to speak about for 1-2 minutes. Here’s a sample cue card related to describing a good listener:
Describe a person you think is a good listener
You should say:
- Who this person is
- How you know this person
- What makes this person a good listener
- And explain why you think being a good listener is important
Sample answer (Band 6-7):
I’d like to talk about my friend Sarah, who I believe is an excellent listener. I’ve known Sarah since we were in high school together, and we’ve remained close friends ever since.
What makes Sarah such a good listener is her ability to really focus on what I’m saying. When we talk, she gives me her full attention and doesn’t get distracted by her phone or other things around us. She also asks thoughtful questions that show she’s really interested in understanding my perspective.
Another thing I appreciate about Sarah is that she doesn’t rush to give advice or judge what I’m saying. Instead, she lets me express myself fully and often reflects back what she’s heard to make sure she’s understood correctly.
I think being a good listener is important because it helps build strong relationships. When someone listens well, it makes you feel valued and understood. This is essential in both personal and professional settings. Good listening skills can help prevent misunderstandings and create a more positive environment for communication.
Sample answer (Band 8-9):
I’d like to describe my colleague, David, whom I consider to be an exemplary listener. I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside David for the past three years in our marketing department, and his exceptional listening skills have consistently stood out.
What sets David apart as a listener is his remarkable ability to give his undivided attention to whoever is speaking. When engaged in conversation, he maintains unwavering eye contact and exhibits genuinely attentive body language. Moreover, David has a knack for asking insightful questions that not only demonstrate his active engagement but also encourage the speaker to delve deeper into their thoughts.
One of David’s most admirable traits as a listener is his patience and restraint. He never rushes to interject his own opinions or experiences, instead allowing the speaker to fully articulate their ideas. Additionally, David has a talent for paraphrasing key points, which serves the dual purpose of confirming his understanding and making the speaker feel truly heard.
I believe being a good listener is paramount in both personal and professional spheres. Effective listening fosters stronger relationships by creating an environment of trust and mutual respect. In a professional context, it facilitates clearer communication, leading to improved collaboration and more efficient problem-solving. Furthermore, good listeners often gain deeper insights and a more comprehensive understanding of situations, which can be invaluable in decision-making processes.
Follow-up questions:
- How has technology affected our ability to listen to others?
- Do you think listening skills can be improved? If so, how?
Sample answer for question 1 (Band 8-9):
Technology has had a profound impact on our listening abilities, and I would argue that it’s been a double-edged sword. On one hand, technology has provided us with numerous platforms for communication, such as video calls and voice messages, which can enhance our ability to listen across distances. However, on the other hand, the constant barrage of notifications and the culture of instant gratification fostered by smartphones and social media have significantly diminished our attention spans. This often results in superficial listening, where we may hear the words but fail to truly engage with or comprehend the underlying message. Moreover, the prevalence of multitasking encouraged by our devices means we’re often dividing our attention, which inevitably compromises the quality of our listening.
Part 3: Two-way Discussion
In this section, the examiner will ask you more abstract questions related to the topic. Here’s a sample question and response:
Examiner: How do you think schools can help develop students’ listening skills?
Sample answer (Band 6-7):
I think schools can do several things to help students become better listeners. They could include more group discussions in class where students have to listen to each other’s ideas. Teachers could also give exercises where students have to summarize what they’ve heard. Maybe they could even bring in guest speakers to practice listening to different accents and styles of speaking.
Sample answer (Band 8-9):
I believe schools can play a pivotal role in nurturing students’ listening skills through a multifaceted approach. Firstly, they could integrate active listening exercises into the curriculum across various subjects. This might involve structured debates or group discussions where students are required to paraphrase and respond thoughtfully to their peers’ arguments, thus honing their ability to process and retain information.
Additionally, schools could implement specific listening comprehension tasks, such as having students summarize lectures or extract key points from audio materials. This would not only enhance their listening skills but also develop their ability to discern critical information.
Furthermore, exposing students to diverse accents and speaking styles through guest speakers or multimedia resources could broaden their listening capacity. This approach would prepare them for real-world scenarios where they’ll encounter various communication styles.
Lastly, schools could incorporate mindfulness and concentration exercises into daily routines. These practices could help students cultivate the focus and patience necessary for effective listening, counteracting the diminishing attention spans often attributed to our technology-driven society.
Key Vocabulary and Phrases for High Scores
To achieve a high band score in your IELTS Speaking test, it’s crucial to use a range of sophisticated vocabulary and expressions. Here are some key terms and phrases related to describing a good listener:
-
Active listening /ˈæktɪv ˈlɪsnɪŋ/ (noun): The practice of fully concentrating, understanding, responding, and remembering what is being said.
Example: “My mentor’s active listening skills make me feel truly understood.” -
Empathetic /ˌempəˈθetɪk/ (adjective): Showing the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.
Example: “A good listener should be empathetic to the speaker’s emotions.” -
Non-verbal cues /nɒn ˈvɜːrbəl kjuːz/ (noun phrase): Communication through body language, facial expressions, and gestures.
Example: “Effective listeners pay attention to non-verbal cues to fully grasp the message.” -
To give undivided attention (phrase): To focus completely on someone or something without distraction.
Example: “When my friend speaks, I strive to give her my undivided attention.” -
Paraphrase /ˈpærəfreɪz/ (verb): To express the meaning of something using different words.
Example: “A skilled listener often paraphrases to confirm their understanding.”
Examiner’s Advice
To excel in the IELTS Speaking test when describing a good listener or discussing related topics:
-
Use a variety of sentence structures to demonstrate your language proficiency. Mix simple, compound, and complex sentences.
-
Incorporate idiomatic expressions naturally into your responses. For example, “He’s all ears” or “She hangs on every word.”
-
Provide specific examples to support your points. This adds depth to your answers and showcases your ability to elaborate.
-
Practice active listening during the test itself. This will help you respond more accurately to the examiner’s questions.
-
Develop your ideas fully, especially in Parts 2 and 3. Don’t just list points; explain and analyze them.
-
Use appropriate linking words to connect your ideas smoothly and logically.
Remember, the key to success in the IELTS Speaking test is not just about describing a good listener, but also demonstrating that you are one yourself. By describing a member of a team you admire for their listening skills, you can showcase your ability to articulate complex ideas and your understanding of effective communication. Practice regularly, perhaps by describing a new sport or activity you recently discovered that involves listening skills, to build your confidence and fluency.