The topic of describing a time when you helped someone in need is a common theme in IELTS Speaking exams. It allows examiners to assess your ability to narrate personal experiences, express empathy, and use appropriate vocabulary. This topic has appeared frequently in past IELTS exams and is likely to remain relevant in future tests.
Part 1: Introduction and Interview
In this section, the examiner may ask general questions about helping others. Here’s a sample question with a suggested answer:
Question: Do you often help other people?
Answer (Band 7-8): Yes, I’d say I’m quite a helpful person. Whenever I see someone in need, I try my best to lend a hand. It could be something as simple as assisting an elderly neighbor with their groceries or offering emotional support to a friend going through a tough time. I believe that small acts of kindness can make a big difference in someone’s day.
Part 2: Long Turn (Cue Card)
Here’s a sample cue card related to the topic:
Describe A Time When You Had To Help Someone In Need
You should say:
- Who the person was
- What kind of help they needed
- How you helped them
- And explain how you felt about helping this person
Sample Answer (Band 6-7):
I’d like to talk about a time when I helped a classmate who was struggling with a difficult math assignment. This happened during my final year of high school.
The person I helped was Sarah, a girl in my math class. She was having trouble understanding some complex calculus concepts that were crucial for our upcoming exam. Sarah was feeling quite overwhelmed and stressed about it.
I noticed her frustration during one of our study sessions and offered to help. We spent several evenings after school going through the problems together. I explained the concepts step by step and showed her different ways to approach the questions. We also practiced solving similar problems to build her confidence.
Helping Sarah made me feel really good. It was rewarding to see her gradually improve and become more confident in her abilities. I felt a sense of accomplishment knowing that I had made a positive impact on someone else’s academic journey. This experience also helped me reinforce my own understanding of the subject.
Sample Answer (Band 8-9):
I’d like to recount an instance when I extended a helping hand to a fellow student who was grappling with a challenging mathematics assignment. This transpired during my final year of secondary education.
The individual in question was Sarah, a classmate in my advanced mathematics course. She was encountering significant difficulties comprehending intricate calculus concepts that were pivotal for our impending examination. Sarah was visibly distressed and overwhelmed by the complexity of the subject matter.
Upon noticing her evident frustration during one of our group study sessions, I took the initiative to offer my assistance. We dedicated several evenings after school hours to meticulously work through the problematic areas. I employed various pedagogical techniques to elucidate the concepts, breaking them down into more digestible components. Additionally, we engaged in extensive practice, solving a myriad of similar problems to bolster her confidence and reinforce her understanding.
The experience of aiding Sarah was immensely gratifying. Observing her gradual improvement and the subsequent boost in her self-assurance was particularly rewarding. I felt a profound sense of accomplishment, knowing that I had made a tangible, positive impact on a peer’s academic journey. Moreover, this experience served as an excellent opportunity for me to consolidate my own comprehension of the subject matter, as teaching often requires a deeper level of understanding.
Follow-up Questions:
- How did helping Sarah affect your own studies?
- Do you think it’s important for students to help each other?
Answer to Question 1 (Band 7-8): Helping Sarah actually had a positive impact on my own studies. By explaining the concepts to her, I was able to reinforce my own understanding. It’s often said that teaching is one of the best ways to learn, and I found this to be true in my experience. Additionally, going through extra practice problems with Sarah gave me more opportunities to hone my problem-solving skills, which ultimately benefited me in the exam as well.
Answer to Question 2 (Band 8-9): Absolutely, I believe it’s crucial for students to support one another academically. This kind of peer-to-peer assistance can be immensely beneficial for several reasons. Firstly, it fosters a collaborative learning environment, which can enhance the overall educational experience. Secondly, explaining concepts to others helps solidify one’s own understanding, as it requires a deeper level of comprehension to teach effectively. Moreover, this practice of mutual aid cultivates important soft skills such as communication, patience, and empathy, which are invaluable in both academic and professional settings.
Students collaborating on a group project
Part 3: Two-way Discussion
In this section, the examiner will ask more abstract questions related to helping others. Here’s a sample question with suggested answers:
Question: What are some of the challenges people face when trying to help others?
Answer (Band 6-7): There can be several challenges when trying to help others. Sometimes, people might not want to accept help because they’re too proud or embarrassed. It can also be difficult to know exactly what kind of help someone needs. Another challenge could be finding the time to help others when you have your own responsibilities to deal with. Sometimes, helping others might also cost money, which can be a problem for some people.
Answer (Band 8-9): The act of assisting others, while noble, can indeed present a multitude of challenges. One significant obstacle is the potential reluctance of individuals to accept assistance, often stemming from a sense of pride or a fear of appearing vulnerable. This reticence can make it challenging to extend support, even when it’s clearly needed.
Another complex issue is accurately discerning the nature and extent of help required. Misinterpreting someone’s needs can lead to ineffective assistance or even unintentionally exacerbate the situation. This requires a delicate balance of empathy, observation, and communication.
Furthermore, the time and resource constraints faced by potential helpers can pose a significant barrier. In our fast-paced society, many individuals struggle to reconcile their desire to aid others with their own pressing responsibilities and commitments. This can lead to a sense of guilt or inadequacy when unable to provide as much help as one would like.
Financial considerations can also present a substantial challenge. Some forms of assistance may require monetary investment, which can be prohibitive for many well-intentioned individuals. This economic factor can limit the scope and impact of altruistic efforts.
Lastly, there’s the challenge of maintaining appropriate boundaries when helping others. It’s crucial to strike a balance between providing support and fostering independence, ensuring that assistance doesn’t inadvertently create dependency or undermine the recipient’s autonomy.
Key Vocabulary and Phrases for High Scores
-
Extend a helping hand /ɪkˈstend ə ˈhelpɪŋ hænd/ (idiom): to offer help or assistance
Example: When my neighbor was ill, I extended a helping hand by cooking meals for her family. -
Lend support /lend səˈpɔːrt/ (phrase): to give help or encouragement
Example: During difficult times, it’s important to lend support to those around us. -
Go out of one’s way /ɡəʊ aʊt əv wʌnz weɪ/ (idiom): to make a special effort to do something
Example: She always goes out of her way to help new employees feel welcome. -
Make a difference /meɪk ə ˈdɪfrəns/ (phrase): to have a significant effect on someone or something
Example: Volunteering at the local shelter made a real difference in the lives of homeless people. -
Altruistic /ˌæltruˈɪstɪk/ (adjective): showing a selfless concern for the well-being of others
Example: His altruistic nature led him to donate a significant portion of his income to charity.
Person performing altruistic act
Examiner’s Advice
To achieve a high score in the IELTS Speaking test when discussing helping others:
- Use a variety of vocabulary and idiomatic expressions to describe the act of helping and its effects.
- Provide detailed examples from personal experience, demonstrating your ability to narrate events coherently.
- Express your thoughts and feelings about helping others, showing depth of reflection.
- Wear out any nervousness by practicing speaking about this topic beforehand.
- Be prepared to discuss broader societal implications of helping others in Part 3.
- Use complex sentence structures and sophisticated vocabulary where appropriate, but ensure your speech remains natural and fluent.
- Show your ability to analyze situations by discussing both the positive aspects and potential challenges of helping others.
Remember, the key to success in IELTS Speaking is not just about what you say, but how you say it. Practice regularly to improve your fluency and confidence in expressing your ideas on this topic.
