IELTS Speaking examiners frequently ask candidates to describe situations where they assisted others, particularly with significant tasks. This topic allows candidates to showcase their communication skills, empathy, and ability to articulate personal experiences. Let’s explore how to effectively answer questions related to helping someone with an important task, aiming for the highest possible score.

Part 1: Introduction and Interview

In this section, the examiner may ask general questions about helping others. Here’s an example question with a suggested answer:

Examiner: Do you often help other people?

Sample answer (Band 8-9):
“Absolutely, I make it a point to help others whenever I can. I firmly believe in the importance of community and mutual support. Whether it’s assisting a colleague with a challenging project or lending a hand to a neighbor in need, I find that helping others not only benefits them but also gives me a sense of fulfillment. It’s a win-win situation that strengthens social bonds and creates a more positive environment for everyone involved.”

Part 2: Long Turn (Cue Card)

Here’s a sample cue card related to the topic:

Describe A Time When You Helped Someone With An Important Task
You should say:

• Who you helped
• What the task was
• How you helped them
• And explain why you think it was important to help

Sample answer (Band 8-9):

“I’d like to share an experience about helping my younger sister with her college application, which was undoubtedly a crucial task for her future.

My sister, who’s four years younger than me, was in her final year of high school and feeling overwhelmed by the college application process. The task at hand was to compile a compelling application for her dream university, including writing a personal statement, gathering recommendation letters, and preparing for interviews.

Given my recent experience with the same process, I was in a unique position to offer valuable insights. I took a systematic approach to helping her. First, we brainstormed ideas for her personal statement, focusing on highlighting her unique qualities and experiences. I encouraged her to be authentic and helped her refine her writing to make it more impactful.

Next, we strategized about which teachers to approach for recommendation letters, considering those who could speak to her strengths most effectively. I also conducted mock interviews with her, posing challenging questions and providing feedback on her responses and body language.

Throughout the process, I made a conscious effort to guide rather than dictate, ensuring that the application remained true to her voice and aspirations. My role was to be a supportive mentor, offering advice and encouragement when needed.

I believe this assistance was crucial for several reasons. Firstly, the college application process can be daunting and stressful, especially for first-time applicants. By sharing my experience, I could help alleviate some of that stress and boost her confidence. Secondly, this task had significant implications for her future, potentially shaping her academic and career path. Lastly, it was an opportunity to strengthen our bond as siblings and demonstrate that she could count on my support during important life moments.

In the end, seeing her excitement when she was accepted into her top-choice university was incredibly rewarding. It reinforced my belief in the power of mentorship and the importance of supporting others in achieving their goals.”

Helping sister with college application

Follow-up questions:

Examiner: How did helping your sister make you feel?

Sample answer (Band 8-9):
“Assisting my sister with her college application was an incredibly fulfilling experience. It gave me a profound sense of satisfaction to know that I could contribute positively to such a pivotal moment in her life. The process strengthened our bond and allowed me to exercise my mentoring skills, which was both challenging and rewarding. Seeing her confidence grow throughout the process and her ultimate success filled me with pride and reinforced the value of sibling support.”

Examiner: Do you think it’s important for family members to help each other?

Sample answer (Band 8-9):
“Absolutely. I firmly believe that mutual support within families is crucial for individual growth and overall family well-being. Family members often have unique insights into each other’s strengths, weaknesses, and aspirations, making their support particularly valuable. This kind of help fosters stronger emotional connections, builds trust, and creates a supportive environment where individuals feel empowered to take on challenges. Moreover, it sets a positive example for younger generations about the importance of cooperation and empathy.”

Part 3: Two-way Discussion

Examiner: In what ways do you think society benefits when people help each other?

Sample answer (Band 8-9):
“Society reaps numerous benefits when individuals actively engage in helping one another. Firstly, it fosters a sense of community and social cohesion, creating stronger bonds between people and reducing feelings of isolation. This interconnectedness can lead to improved mental health and overall well-being for community members.

Secondly, mutual assistance often results in more efficient problem-solving. When people pool their resources, knowledge, and skills, they can tackle complex issues more effectively than they could individually. This collaborative approach can lead to innovative solutions and accelerated progress in various fields.

Moreover, a culture of helping others promotes empathy and understanding, which are crucial for reducing conflict and promoting social harmony. When people regularly assist those from different backgrounds or with different perspectives, it broadens their worldview and increases tolerance.

Additionally, acts of helping often have a ripple effect, inspiring others to pay it forward. This can create a positive cycle of generosity and support throughout society, leading to a more compassionate and caring community overall.

Lastly, from an economic perspective, mutual aid can serve as a safety net, reducing the burden on formal support systems and allowing resources to be allocated more efficiently. This can result in a more resilient society that’s better equipped to handle challenges and crises.”

Diverse group helping in community

Examiner: Do you think people help others less now than in the past?

Sample answer (Band 8-9):
“This is a complex issue that defies a simple yes or no answer. On one hand, our increasingly individualistic societies and busy lifestyles might suggest that people have less time or inclination to help others compared to the past. The erosion of traditional community structures in many places could also contribute to this perception.

However, I’d argue that helping behaviors have evolved rather than diminished. Technology and social media have created new avenues for assistance, allowing people to contribute to causes globally and mobilize support quickly for those in need. We’ve seen numerous examples of online fundraising campaigns and virtual volunteering that have made significant impacts.

Moreover, there’s a growing awareness of social and environmental issues, which has led to an increase in formal volunteering and corporate social responsibility initiatives. Many young people today are highly engaged in social causes and actively seek ways to make a difference.

It’s also worth noting that perceptions can be misleading. While high-profile acts of altruism might have been more noticeable in smaller, close-knit communities of the past, countless small acts of kindness occur daily in our modern world, often unrecognized.

In conclusion, while the nature and visibility of helping might have changed, I believe the fundamental human instinct to assist others remains strong. The key is to recognize and nurture these helping behaviors in the context of our contemporary society.”

Key Vocabulary and Phrases for High Scores

1. Make it a point – /meɪk ɪt ə pɔɪnt/ (phrasal verb): To do something intentionally or with special effort.
   Example: “I make it a point to volunteer at the local shelter every month.”

2. Lend a hand – /lend ə hænd/ (idiom): To help or assist someone.
   Example: “When my neighbor was moving, I offered to lend a hand with the heavy furniture.”

3. Win-win situation – /wɪn wɪn ˌsɪtʃuˈeɪʃən/ (noun phrase): A situation in which all parties benefit.
   Example: “Collaborating on this project is a win-win situation for both companies.”

4. Take a systematic approach – /teɪk ə ˌsɪstəˈmætɪk əˈproʊtʃ/ (phrase): To address a task or problem in an organized, methodical manner.
   Example: “To improve our efficiency, we need to take a systematic approach to analyzing our workflows.”

5. Make a conscious effort – /meɪk ə ˈkɒnʃəs ˈefət/ (phrase): To do something with deliberate intention and awareness.
   Example: “I’m making a conscious effort to reduce my plastic usage.”

6. Have significant implications – /hæv sɪɡˈnɪfɪkənt ˌɪmplɪˈkeɪʃənz/ (phrase): To have important or far-reaching consequences.
   Example: “The new policy will have significant implications for how we conduct business internationally.”

Examiner’s Advice

To achieve a high score in the IELTS Speaking test, particularly when describing helping someone with an important task:

1. Use a variety of vocabulary: Incorporate idioms, phrasal verbs, and advanced vocabulary related to assistance and cooperation.

2. Provide specific details: When describing the situation, include concrete examples and vivid descriptions to make your answer more engaging and memorable.

3. Demonstrate critical thinking: Especially in Part 3, analyze the topic from multiple perspectives and consider broader implications.

4. Use advanced grammatical structures: Incorporate complex sentences, conditionals, and a mix of tenses to showcase your language proficiency.

5. Practice fluency: Work on speaking smoothly and confidently, with natural pauses and intonation.

6. Show enthusiasm: Convey genuine interest in the topic through your tone and facial expressions.

7. Develop your ideas: Expand on your initial responses with explanations, examples, and personal insights.

8. Stay relevant: Always keep your answers focused on the question asked, using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) where appropriate.

Remember, consistent practice and exposure to a wide range of topics will help you improve your performance in the IELTS Speaking test. Consider recording yourself and analyzing your responses to identify areas for improvement.

For more IELTS speaking practice, you might find it helpful to explore other common topics such as describing a time when you learned something new quickly or discussing how to take care of someone who was sick. These resources can provide additional context and vocabulary to enhance your speaking skills.