The IELTS Speaking Test is designed to assess a candidate’s ability to communicate effectively in English. It is divided into three parts: Part 1 (Introduction and Interview), Part 2 (Long Turn), and Part 3 (Two-way Discussion). Understanding what examiners are looking for—fluency and coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and accuracy, and pronunciation—is essential to scoring high in this test. Let’s focus on a common question: “Describe A Time When You Helped Someone Achieve Something.”
This guide will provide detailed sample answers, insights, and strategies to help you ace this part of the IELTS Speaking Test.
Part 1: Introduction and Interview
In this part, the examiner will ask general questions about yourself, your home, your work or studies, and other familiar topics. Here are some typical questions:
Sample Question:
“Do you enjoy helping others?”
Sample Answer:
Yes, I do. Helping others gives me a sense of fulfillment and purpose. For example, I often volunteer at local charities and find it incredibly rewarding to see the impact of my efforts on the community.
Part 2: Long Turn
In this section, you will receive a cue card with a task. You will have one minute to prepare and then speak for about two minutes.
Sample Cue Card:
Describe a time when you helped someone achieve something.
You should say:
- Who you helped
- What you did to help them
- Why you helped them
- And explain how this person benefited from your help.
Sample Answer:
One time, I helped my younger cousin, who was struggling with his mathematics homework. He was having a hard time understanding certain concepts, and his grades were suffering as a result. As someone who has always been good at math, I decided to offer my assistance.
I began by assessing what areas he found most challenging and created a structured study plan to address these issues. We spent several weeks working together, and I used various teaching materials to make learning more engaging and interactive. I even made sure to give him plenty of practice problems to reinforce his understanding.
I decided to help him because I knew how important it was for his overall academic success. Mathematics is a fundamental subject, and having a strong foundation can greatly benefit one’s educational journey.
As a result of our hard work, his performance improved significantly, and he gained much more confidence in his abilities. His grades went from mediocre to excellent, and he even started to enjoy mathematics, something he never thought possible before.
The experience was incredibly rewarding for me as well. Seeing him succeed and knowing that I played a part in his achievement was a wonderful feeling. It also strengthened our bond as family members.
helping-others-tutoring-mathematics|helping others tutoring mathematics|A photo of a tutor helping a student with their mathematics homework. They are smiling and working together at a desk.
Part 3: Two-way Discussion
In this part, the examiner will ask more abstract questions related to the topic in Part 2.
Sample Examiner Questions and Answers:
Examiner: “Do you think it is important to help others?”
Candidate: Absolutely. Helping others fosters a sense of community and leads to a more supportive and harmonious society. When people lend a hand to those in need, it also cultivates empathy and creates a ripple effect of kindness.
Examiner: “Can helping others make one more successful?”
Candidate: Yes, I believe that helping others can lead to personal success. It often helps build a strong network, enhances one’s reputation, and can lead to reciprocal acts of kindness. These factors are valuable in both professional and personal growth.
Vocabulary and Phrases for High Scores
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Fulfillment /fʊlˈfɪlmənt/ (n.): a feeling of satisfaction.
- “Helping others gives me a sense of fulfillment.”
-
Assess /əˈsɛs/ (v.): to evaluate or estimate the nature, ability, or quality of.
- “I began by assessing what areas he found most challenging.”
-
Engaging /ɪnˈɡeɪdʒɪŋ/ (adj.): charming and attractive.
- “I used various engaging teaching materials.”
-
Confidence /ˈkɒnfɪdəns/ (n.): a feeling of self-assurance.
- “His performance improved, and he gained much more confidence.”
-
Harmonious /hɑːˈməʊniəs/ (adj.): forming a pleasing or consistent whole.
- “Helping others leads to a more harmonious society.”
By incorporating these sophisticated expressions and maintaining clear articulation, candidates can potentially achieve higher band scores.
Examiner’s Tips
- Practice regularly: Speak English whenever possible to improve fluency.
- Use a variety of vocabulary: Ensure you use a good range of words and phrases.
- Stay coherent: Organize your thoughts logically to make your points clear.
- Be expressive: Incorporate emotions and appropriate intonation to engage the listener.
By following these strategies and practicing with the examples provided, you will be well-prepared to tackle this common IELTS Speaking topic with confidence.
