As an IELTS Speaking examiner, I’ve seen countless candidates tackle various topics in their speaking tests. One common theme that often comes up is describing a time when you helped someone with a task. This topic not only allows candidates to showcase their language skills but also demonstrates their ability to narrate personal experiences and reflect on their actions. Let’s dive into how you can excel in this task and boost your IELTS Speaking score.
Understanding the Task
The topic “Describe a time when you helped someone with a task” is a popular choice in IELTS Speaking Part 2, also known as the Long Turn. It’s a versatile topic that allows candidates to draw from personal experiences and demonstrate their ability to structure a coherent narrative. This topic has appeared in various forms in past IELTS exams and is likely to continue being relevant in future tests.
Part 1: Introduction and Interview
Before diving into the main task, the examiner will warm you up with some general questions. Here are a few examples of questions you might encounter related to helping others:
- Do you enjoy helping others?
- When was the last time you helped someone?
- How do you feel when you help others?
Let’s look at a sample answer for the first question:
Examiner: Do you enjoy helping others?
Sample Answer (Band 7-8):
“Absolutely! I find great satisfaction in lending a hand to those in need. It’s not just about the act of helping itself, but also the sense of connection it creates between people. Whether it’s assisting a colleague with a challenging project or supporting a friend through a tough time, I believe that helping others fosters a sense of community and makes the world a little bit better.”
Key points:
- Uses advanced vocabulary: “satisfaction,” “lending a hand”
- Expresses personal opinion clearly
- Provides examples to support the answer
- Uses idiomatic expression: “makes the world a little bit better”
Part 2: Long Turn
Now, let’s focus on the main task. Here’s a sample cue card you might receive:
Describe a time when you helped someone with a task
You should say:
- Who you helped
- What the task was
- How you helped them
- And explain how you felt about helping them
Sample Answer (Band 6-7):
“I’d like to talk about a time when I helped my younger sister with her science project. She’s in high school and was struggling with an experiment about plant growth.
The task was to grow different plants under various conditions and record their growth over a month. My sister was having trouble setting up the experiment and understanding how to collect data properly.
I helped her by first explaining the scientific method and how to set up a controlled experiment. We worked together to create a plan, including which plants to use and what variables to change. I showed her how to measure the plants accurately and record the data in a organized way.
Throughout the month, I checked in with her regularly to make sure she was staying on track and helped her analyze the results at the end. It was rewarding to see her confidence grow as she began to understand the project better.
I felt really good about helping her. It was a great opportunity to bond with my sister and share my knowledge. Seeing her succeed and get a good grade on the project made me feel proud and satisfied. It reminded me how important it is to support family members and how teaching others can also reinforce your own understanding of a subject.”
Sample Answer (Band 8-9):
“I’d be delighted to share an experience where I assisted a colleague with a challenging task at work. Sarah, a new team member, was tasked with creating a comprehensive report on our company’s market position, which was crucial for an upcoming board meeting.
The assignment involved analyzing vast amounts of data, identifying key trends, and presenting the findings in a clear, concise manner. Sarah was overwhelmed by the scope of the project and the tight deadline.
Recognizing her distress, I took the initiative to offer my support. First, I helped her break down the task into manageable segments, creating a timeline for each component. We then collaborated on developing a framework for data analysis, leveraging my experience with similar reports.
I introduced her to some advanced data visualization tools that could effectively convey complex information. Throughout the process, I acted as a sounding board for her ideas, providing constructive feedback and encouragement.
The experience was immensely gratifying on multiple levels. Professionally, it was rewarding to see how our collective efforts resulted in a report that exceeded expectations and garnered praise from senior management. On a personal level, it was tremendously fulfilling to witness Sarah’s growth in confidence and skills.
This experience reinforced my belief in the power of mentorship and collaboration in the workplace. It highlighted how sharing knowledge not only benefits the recipient but also enhances one’s own understanding and leadership skills. Moreover, it fostered a stronger bond with my colleague, contributing to a more positive and supportive work environment.”
helping-colleague-with-work|helping colleague|A person helping his colleague to finish a report with a laptop on the table.
Follow-up Questions:
- Do you think it’s important to help others even when you’re busy?
- How has technology changed the way people help each other?
Sample Answer for Question 1 (Band 8-9):
“Absolutely, I believe it’s crucial to lend a helping hand even when our schedules are packed. It’s during these busy times that the act of helping others takes on even greater significance. By prioritizing others’ needs alongside our own responsibilities, we demonstrate true empathy and social responsibility.
However, it’s equally important to strike a balance and not overextend ourselves. Effective time management and setting clear boundaries are key. Sometimes, helping might mean offering guidance or resources rather than taking on the task ourselves. This approach ensures we can maintain our commitments while still providing valuable support to others.
Moreover, assisting others during busy periods can lead to unexpected benefits. It can foster stronger relationships, enhance our problem-solving skills, and even provide a refreshing break from our own tasks. Ultimately, creating a culture of mutual support, especially during challenging times, contributes to a more resilient and harmonious community or workplace.”
Part 3: Two-way Discussion
In this section, the examiner will ask more abstract questions related to the topic. Here’s an example:
Examiner: How do you think volunteering benefits society?
Sample Answer (Band 7-8):
“Volunteering plays a crucial role in strengthening communities and addressing social issues. Firstly, it provides essential services to those in need, filling gaps that government or private sector initiatives might miss. For example, volunteers often support the elderly, help in disaster relief, or tutor underprivileged children.
Moreover, volunteering fosters a sense of social responsibility among citizens. When people actively participate in community service, they become more aware of societal challenges and are more likely to engage in civic duties.
Additionally, volunteering can boost the economy by providing unpaid labor for important causes. This allows non-profit organizations to allocate their resources more efficiently and expand their reach.
Lastly, volunteering promotes social cohesion by bringing together people from diverse backgrounds who share common goals. This interaction can break down social barriers and create a more inclusive society.”
Sample Answer (Band 8-9):
“Volunteering is an invaluable cornerstone of a thriving society, offering multifaceted benefits that ripple through communities and nations alike. At its core, volunteering addresses critical societal needs that might otherwise fall through the cracks of governmental or corporate initiatives. It serves as a vital safety net, providing essential services to vulnerable populations, from mentoring at-risk youth to supporting the elderly or assisting in disaster relief efforts.
Beyond its immediate impact, volunteering cultivates a robust sense of civic engagement and social responsibility. It empowers individuals to take an active role in shaping their communities, fostering a deeper understanding of social issues and encouraging long-term civic participation. This grassroots involvement often leads to more informed and engaged citizens, which is crucial for the health of any democracy.
From an economic perspective, the value of volunteer work is often underestimated. By providing unpaid labor for worthy causes, volunteers enable non-profit organizations to maximize their impact with limited resources. This efficiency not only stretches charitable donations further but also allows these organizations to tackle more significant challenges and reach a broader audience.
Perhaps one of the most profound impacts of volunteering is its ability to bridge social divides. By bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds, volunteering creates a unique platform for cross-cultural understanding and cooperation. These interactions can break down stereotypes, foster empathy, and contribute to a more inclusive and cohesive society.
Moreover, volunteering often serves as a catalyst for innovation in social problem-solving. Volunteers, coming from various professional backgrounds, bring fresh perspectives and diverse skill sets to challenges, often leading to creative solutions that professional staff might not have considered.
In essence, volunteering acts as a powerful force for positive social change, strengthening the fabric of society, promoting economic efficiency, and fostering a culture of compassion and mutual support. Its impact extends far beyond the immediate tasks performed, contributing to the creation of more resilient, connected, and harmonious communities.”
Key Vocabulary and Phrases for High Scores
To elevate your speaking performance, incorporate these sophisticated words and phrases:
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Altruism /ˈæl.tru.ɪ.zəm/ (noun): The belief in or practice of selfless concern for the well-being of others.
Example: “Her altruism was evident in her frequent volunteer work at the local shelter.” -
To go above and beyond (idiom): To do more than is required or expected.
Example: “When helping his colleague, John went above and beyond by staying late to ensure the project was perfect.” -
Empathy /ˈem.pə.θi/ (noun): The ability to understand and share the feelings of another.
Example: “Showing empathy when helping others can make the experience more meaningful for both parties.” -
To make a difference (phrase): To have a significant effect on a person or situation.
Example: “By tutoring underprivileged children, Sarah felt she was really making a difference in their lives.” -
Philanthropic /ˌfɪl.ənˈθrɒp.ɪk/ (adjective): Seeking to promote the welfare of others; generous and benevolent.
Example: “His philanthropic efforts have helped fund numerous educational programs in developing countries.”
Examiner’s Advice
To achieve a high score in the IELTS Speaking test, particularly when describing a time you helped someone:
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Be specific: Provide concrete details about the situation, the person you helped, and the outcome.
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Use a range of vocabulary: Incorporate advanced words and phrases related to helping and emotions.
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Showcase your grammar: Use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, and demonstrate your ability to use different tenses accurately.
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Maintain fluency: Practice speaking on this topic to ensure you can talk smoothly without long pauses.
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Express emotions: Describe how you felt about helping and try to convey genuine emotion in your voice.
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Reflect on the experience: Go beyond just narrating events; explain what you learned or how it impacted you.
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Stay relevant: Ensure all your points relate directly to the question and task at hand.
Remember, the key to success in the IELTS Speaking test is practice. Regularly engaging with English through conversations, podcasts, and mock tests will help you build confidence and improve your performance.
For more tips on enhancing your IELTS Speaking skills, you might find it helpful to read about describing a friend who influenced your way of thinking or describing a person who always offers a helping hand. These topics can provide additional context and vocabulary related to personal relationships and assistance, which can be valuable for this task.