The topic of helping a stranger in need is a common one in IELTS Speaking tests, particularly in Part 2. It allows examiners to assess your ability to narrate a personal experience while demonstrating your language skills and cultural awareness. This topic has appeared frequently in past exams and is likely to remain relevant in future tests due to its universal nature and potential for rich discussion.
Describe a person who taught you the value of kindness can be a related topic that you might encounter in your IELTS Speaking test. Being prepared for such topics can help you perform better in the exam.
Part 1: Introduction and Interview
In Part 1, the examiner may ask you general questions about helping others. Here’s an example question with a suggested answer:
Q: Do you often help strangers?
A: (Band 7-8) Well, I wouldn’t say I go out of my way to help strangers every day, but I do try to lend a hand when the opportunity arises. For instance, just last week, I helped an elderly woman carry her groceries to her car. I believe small acts of kindness can make a big difference in someone’s day.
Part 2: Long Turn
Here’s a sample cue card for this topic:
Describe a time when you helped a stranger in need.
You should say:
- Who the stranger was
- Where and when it happened
- What kind of help you provided
- How you felt about helping the stranger
Sample Answer (Band 6-7):
I’d like to talk about a time when I helped a stranger who was lost in my city. It happened about two years ago when I was walking home from work one evening. I noticed a foreign tourist looking confused and studying a map near the central square.
The stranger was a middle-aged man, probably in his fifties, and he seemed quite distressed. I approached him and asked if he needed any assistance. It turned out he was trying to find his hotel but couldn’t locate it on the map.
I offered to help him find his way. First, I asked for the name and address of his hotel. Then, I used my smartphone to look up the location and figured out the best route to get there. Since it was quite far and he looked tired, I decided to walk with him for part of the way to ensure he was heading in the right direction.
During our walk, I gave him some tips about navigating the city and recommended a few local attractions he might enjoy. When we reached a point where he could easily find his hotel, I made sure he knew how to continue from there.
Helping this stranger made me feel really good. It was satisfying to know that I had made someone’s day a little easier, especially in a foreign country. This experience reminded me of the importance of being kind to others and how a small gesture can make a big difference.
Sample Answer (Band 8-9):
I’d like to recount an incident from about 18 months ago when I had the opportunity to assist a stranger in distress. It was a sweltering summer afternoon, and I was driving along a quiet country road when I spotted a car pulled over on the shoulder with its hazard lights flashing.
As I approached, I noticed an elderly woman standing beside the vehicle, looking visibly distraught. Without hesitation, I decided to pull over and offer my assistance. The stranger, a gracious lady in her late seventies, explained that her car had suddenly broken down, and she was at a loss as to what to do next.
Given the remote location and the intense heat, I felt compelled to do more than just make a phone call. First, I helped her into my air-conditioned car to escape the oppressive heat. Then, I used my limited mechanical knowledge to inspect her vehicle, discovering that it had overheated. While waiting for the engine to cool, I engaged in conversation with the lady, learning that she was en route to visit her grandchildren.
Once the engine had cooled sufficiently, I topped up the radiator with water from my emergency kit and advised her on how to safely continue her journey. To ensure her safety, I followed her car for several miles until we reached a service station where she could seek professional assistance.
This experience left me with a profound sense of fulfillment. It reinforced my belief in the importance of community spirit and looking out for one another. Moreover, it served as a poignant reminder that we’re all potentially just one mishap away from needing a stranger’s kindness. The gratitude in the lady’s eyes was truly heartwarming, and it reaffirmed my faith in the power of simple acts of kindness to make a significant impact on someone’s life.
Follow-up Questions:
Q: How did this experience change your perspective on helping others?
A: (Band 7-8) This experience definitely broadened my outlook on helping others. It made me realize that even small acts of kindness can have a significant impact on someone’s day or even their entire trip. Since then, I’ve become more attentive to people around me who might need assistance, whether they’re tourists, elderly individuals, or anyone who seems lost or confused. I’ve learned that taking a few minutes out of my day to help someone can create a ripple effect of positivity.
A: (Band 8-9) This encounter profoundly altered my perspective on assisting others. It illuminated the fact that we’re all interconnected in this vast tapestry of life, and our actions, however small, can have far-reaching consequences. The experience served as a catalyst, prompting me to actively seek out opportunities to help others, not just when it’s convenient, but as a fundamental aspect of my daily life. It’s cultivated a deeper sense of empathy within me, enabling me to more readily recognize and respond to the unspoken needs of those around me. Moreover, it’s reinforced the idea that in helping others, we often find unexpected personal growth and a renewed sense of purpose.
Part 3: Two-way Discussion
Q: Do you think people are less willing to help strangers nowadays? Why or why not?
A: (Band 6-7) I think it’s a complex issue. On one hand, our busy lives and increased reliance on technology might make us less aware of people around us who need help. Also, concerns about personal safety can make some people hesitant to approach strangers. However, I’ve also seen many examples of people coming together to help others, especially during crises or natural disasters. Social media has also made it easier for people to organize and offer assistance to strangers in need. So while the way we help might have changed, I don’t think people are necessarily less willing to help overall.
A: (Band 8-9) This is indeed a multifaceted question that requires careful consideration. While it might appear that people are less inclined to assist strangers in today’s fast-paced, digitally-driven world, I believe the reality is more nuanced.
Undoubtedly, factors such as urbanization, increased individualism, and safety concerns have erected barriers to spontaneous acts of kindness towards strangers. The anonymity of city life and the erosion of community ties in some areas may contribute to a perceived reluctance to engage with unfamiliar individuals.
However, I would argue that the willingness to help has not diminished but rather transformed. We’re witnessing an unprecedented level of global interconnectedness, facilitated by technology and social media. This has given rise to new forms of altruism, such as crowdfunding for strangers in need, virtual volunteering, and online support communities. These platforms have expanded our capacity to assist others beyond geographical constraints.
Moreover, global crises and natural disasters often bring out the best in humanity, with countless examples of strangers coming together to offer support. This suggests that the fundamental human instinct to help others remains strong.
In essence, while the methods and contexts of helping strangers may have evolved, I believe the underlying willingness to assist others in need persists. The challenge lies in fostering environments and systems that encourage and facilitate these acts of kindness in our modern world.
Key Vocabulary and Phrases for High Scores
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To lend a hand (phrasal verb) – /lend ə hænd/ – to help someone
Example: I always try to lend a hand to my neighbors when they’re moving heavy furniture. -
Distressed (adjective) – /dɪˈstrest/ – extremely upset or anxious
Example: The lost child looked distressed until a kind stranger helped him find his parents. -
To figure out (phrasal verb) – /ˈfɪɡər aʊt/ – to understand or solve something
Example: It took me a while, but I finally figured out how to use the new software. -
Satisfying (adjective) – /ˈsætɪsfaɪɪŋ/ – giving fulfillment or pleasure
Example: Helping others can be a very satisfying experience. -
Sweltering (adjective) – /ˈsweltərɪŋ/ – uncomfortably hot
Example: The sweltering heat made working outdoors nearly impossible. -
Visibly distraught (phrase) – /ˈvɪzəbli dɪˈstrɔːt/ – clearly very upset or worried
Example: The accident victim was visibly distraught, so I stayed with her until help arrived. -
At a loss (idiom) – /æt ə lɒs/ – confused or uncertain about what to do
Example: When my computer crashed, I was at a loss about how to recover my files. -
To reinforce (verb) – /ˌriːɪnˈfɔːs/ – to strengthen or support
Example: This experience reinforced my belief in the importance of community service. -
To reaffirm (verb) – /ˌriːəˈfɜːm/ – to state again strongly
Example: Helping the stranger reaffirmed my faith in human kindness. -
To broaden one’s outlook (phrase) – /ˈbrɔːdn wʌnz ˈaʊtlʊk/ – to expand one’s perspective or point of view
Example: Traveling to different countries has really broadened my outlook on life.
Describe a time when you felt grateful for someone’s help is another topic that allows you to showcase your ability to describe personal experiences and emotions in English.
Examiner’s Advice
To score high in the Speaking test, particularly when describing a time you helped a stranger:
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Use a variety of vocabulary: Incorporate advanced words and phrases relevant to the topic. This demonstrates your language proficiency.
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Provide specific details: Instead of giving general statements, offer concrete examples and vivid descriptions. This makes your account more engaging and authentic.
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Show reflection: Discuss how the experience affected you or changed your perspective. This demonstrates critical thinking skills.
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Use appropriate tenses: Since you’re describing a past event, ensure you use past tenses correctly, switching to present or future when discussing the impact or related general ideas.
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Practice fluency: While accuracy is important, aim to speak smoothly without too many pauses or hesitations. Regular practice can help improve this.
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Develop your ideas: Don’t just answer the questions briefly. Expand on your thoughts and provide explanations or examples to support your points.
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Use connectives: Employ linking words and phrases to make your speech more cohesive and easier to follow.
Remember, the key to success in IELTS Speaking is not just about language accuracy, but also about communicating your ideas effectively and engagingly. Regular practice with a variety of topics will help you improve your skills and confidence.
Describe a time when you helped someone with a difficult task is a similar topic that can help you practice describing personal experiences and demonstrating your English language skills.