The IELTS Speaking test often includes questions about personal experiences, and one common topic is describing a time when you helped someone. This article will guide you through answering questions related to “describing a time when you helped a friend in trouble” effectively, providing sample answers and valuable tips to boost your IELTS Speaking score.
Part 1: Introduction and Interview
In the first part of the IELTS Speaking test, the examiner may ask general questions about helping others. Here are some potential questions and a sample answer:
- Do you like helping other people?
- When was the last time you helped someone?
- How do you feel when you help others?
Sample answer (Band 7-8):
“I genuinely enjoy helping others whenever I can. It gives me a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction. The last time I helped someone was just last week when I assisted a colleague with a challenging project at work. Whenever I help others, I feel a warm glow of happiness, knowing that I’ve made a positive difference in someone’s life.”
Describe a time when you helped someone with a task can be a related topic that often comes up in IELTS Speaking tests. It’s essential to practice various scenarios to be well-prepared for any question the examiner might ask.
Part 2: Long Turn
In this section, you’ll be given a cue card related to the topic. Here’s a sample cue card:
Describe a time when you helped a friend in trouble
You should say:
- Who the friend was
- What trouble they were in
- How you helped them
- And explain how you felt about helping your friendSample answer (Band 6-7):
“I’d like to talk about a time when I helped my friend Sarah who was going through a difficult period in her life. Sarah had recently lost her job and was struggling financially and emotionally.
Sarah was having trouble paying her rent and was at risk of being evicted from her apartment. She was also feeling very depressed and isolated. I decided to help her by offering her a place to stay at my house for a few weeks while she looked for a new job. I also helped her update her resume and practiced mock interviews with her.
To assist her further, I introduced her to some contacts in my professional network who were hiring. Thanks to this networking, Sarah was able to secure a new job within a month.
Helping Sarah made me feel really good. It was rewarding to see her regain her confidence and get back on her feet. I felt that I had made a real difference in her life, and it strengthened our friendship.”
Sample answer (Band 8-9):
“I’d like to recount an instance when I came to the aid of my close friend, Alex, during a particularly challenging period in his life. Alex, a talented software developer, found himself in a precarious situation when his startup company unexpectedly collapsed, leaving him not only jobless but also saddled with substantial debt.
The predicament Alex faced was multifaceted. On a financial level, he was grappling with mounting bills and the looming threat of bankruptcy. On an emotional front, he was battling severe anxiety and a crisis of confidence, questioning his abilities and future prospects in the tech industry.
My approach to helping Alex was comprehensive and strategic. Firstly, I offered him a temporary place to stay, alleviating his immediate housing concerns. Secondly, I leveraged my network in the tech industry to set up informational interviews for Alex, helping him explore new career opportunities. Furthermore, I assisted him in restructuring his debt by connecting him with a financial advisor who specializes in helping entrepreneurs recover from business failures.
Perhaps most importantly, I provided unwavering emotional support. We had regular discussions about his future goals, and I consistently reminded him of his exceptional skills and past achievements. I also encouraged him to view this setback as a valuable learning experience rather than a definitive failure.
The process of helping Alex was profoundly fulfilling. It reinforced my belief in the power of friendship and community support during times of adversity. Witnessing Alex’s gradual recovery and eventual success in securing a high-level position at a reputable tech firm was immensely gratifying. This experience not only strengthened our bond but also taught me valuable lessons about resilience, empathy, and the transformative impact of well-timed support.”
Follow-up questions:
- Do you think it’s important to help friends in need? Why or why not?
- What are some challenges people might face when trying to help their friends?
Sample answer (Band 8-9):
“Absolutely, I believe it’s crucial to help friends in need. Strong friendships are built on mutual support and trust, and being there for friends during difficult times strengthens these bonds. Moreover, helping others fosters a sense of community and social responsibility, which is essential for a well-functioning society.
However, helping friends can come with its own set of challenges. One major obstacle is maintaining healthy boundaries. It’s important to offer support without becoming overly involved or enabling destructive behavior. Additionally, friends may sometimes be reluctant to accept help due to pride or fear of being a burden. In such cases, it requires tact and sensitivity to provide assistance without making the friend feel uncomfortable or indebted.”
Part 3: Two-way Discussion
In this part, the examiner will ask more abstract questions related to the topic. Here are some potential questions and sample answers:
- How has technology changed the way people help each other?
Sample answer (Band 7-8):
“Technology has revolutionized the way people offer and receive help. Social media platforms and online forums have made it easier for individuals to reach out to a wider network for support. Crowdfunding websites allow people to raise funds for various causes or personal emergencies. Additionally, apps and websites dedicated to volunteering have made it simpler for people to find opportunities to help in their communities.”
Describe a person who is very tech-savvy could be an interesting related topic to explore, as tech-savvy individuals often play crucial roles in helping others navigate the digital world.
- Do you think people are less willing to help others nowadays compared to in the past?
Sample answer (Band 8-9):
“I don’t necessarily believe that people are less willing to help others today. Rather, I think the nature of helping has evolved. In the past, helping was often more localized and community-based. Today, while we might know our neighbors less, we have the capacity to help people across the globe through various technological platforms.
That being said, the fast-paced nature of modern life and increased individualism in some societies might create the impression that people are less willing to help. However, we also see numerous examples of global solidarity during crises, which suggests that the human instinct to help others remains strong.
It’s also worth noting that newer generations seem particularly engaged in social causes and volunteer work, often facilitated by technology. This indicates a continued, if not increased, willingness to help, albeit in different forms than in the past.”
Key Vocabulary and Phrases for High Scores
To enhance your IELTS Speaking performance, incorporate these advanced vocabulary items and phrases:
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To come to someone’s aid (phrasal verb) – to help someone in difficulty
Example: When Sarah lost her job, I immediately came to her aid. -
To go above and beyond (idiom) – to do more than is expected
Example: My friend went above and beyond by not only offering me a place to stay but also helping me find a new job. -
Empathy (noun) – the ability to understand and share the feelings of another
Pronunciation: /ˈempəθi/
Example: Showing empathy towards your friends in trouble is crucial for maintaining strong relationships. -
Altruism (noun) – the belief in or practice of selfless concern for the well-being of others
Pronunciation: /ˈaltruˌizəm/
Example: His act of helping his friend without expecting anything in return was a true display of altruism. -
To lend a helping hand (idiom) – to give assistance
Example: Whenever my friends are in trouble, I always try to lend a helping hand.
Describe a time when you helped someone solve a difficult problem is another topic where you can effectively use these vocabulary items and phrases to showcase your language skills.
Tips from an IELTS Examiner
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Practice regularly: Dedicate time each day to speak English, even if it’s just talking to yourself.
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Use a variety of sentence structures: Mix simple, compound, and complex sentences to demonstrate your language proficiency.
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Develop your ideas: Don’t just give short answers. Expand on your thoughts and provide examples to support your points.
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Work on your pronunciation: Focus on stress, intonation, and individual sounds to improve your clarity and fluency.
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Build your vocabulary: Learn new words and phrases related to helping others and practice using them in context.
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Stay calm during the test: Remember, the examiner is there to assess your English, not to trick you. Stay relaxed and confident.
By following these guidelines and practicing regularly, you can significantly improve your performance in the IELTS Speaking test, particularly when discussing topics related to helping others.
Remember, the key to success in IELTS Speaking is not just about having perfect grammar or an extensive vocabulary. It’s about effectively communicating your ideas and experiences. By practicing these strategies and expanding your language skills, you’ll be well-prepared to tackle any question about helping friends or other related topics in your IELTS Speaking test.
Describe a time when you had to help someone in need is another excellent topic to practice, as it allows you to apply these strategies in a slightly different context. The more you practice, the more comfortable and confident you’ll become in expressing your thoughts and experiences in English.