The IELTS Speaking test often includes topics that allow candidates to share personal experiences. One such topic is “Describe a time when you received unexpected support from someone.” This theme is not only common in IELTS but also reflects real-life situations, making it a valuable subject to prepare for. Let’s explore how to approach this topic effectively to achieve a high band score in your IELTS Speaking test.
Part 1: Introduction and Interview
In this section, the examiner may ask general questions about support and help. Here are some possible questions and sample answers:
Q: Do you often help others?
Band 6-7 Answer:
Yes, I try to help people when I can. I believe it’s important to be kind and supportive to others.
Band 8-9 Answer:
Absolutely. I make a conscious effort to extend a helping hand whenever possible. I firmly believe that fostering a supportive community is crucial for societal well-being, and I strive to contribute to that in my daily life.
Q: What kind of support do people often need?
Band 6-7 Answer:
People often need emotional support, like someone to talk to when they’re feeling down. They might also need practical help with tasks or financial assistance.
Band 8-9 Answer:
The support people require can be multifaceted. It often ranges from emotional reassurance during challenging times to practical assistance with daily tasks. Additionally, many individuals seek financial aid, professional guidance, or even just a sympathetic ear to share their concerns. The nature of support needed often varies depending on individual circumstances and the specific challenges they face.
Part 2: Long Turn
Here’s a sample cue card for this topic:
Describe a time when you received unexpected support from someone.
You should say:
- Who this person was
- What kind of support they offered
- Why the support was unexpected
- How you felt about receiving this support
Sample Answer (Band 8-9)
I’d like to share an experience from my university days when I received unexpected support from a classmate named Sarah. This incident occurred during my final year when I was grappling with a particularly challenging research project.
Sarah and I were acquaintances but not close friends. We had occasionally worked together on group assignments, but our interactions were generally limited to academic matters. The support she offered was both practical and emotional.
It was just two weeks before the project deadline, and I was feeling overwhelmed by the workload. I had been struggling to gather sufficient data for my analysis and was considering changing my research topic, which would have been disastrous at that late stage.
Unexpectedly, Sarah approached me after class one day. She had noticed my distress and offered to help. What made her support so unexpected was not just the timing, but also the extent of her commitment. She volunteered her time to assist me in data collection, spending long hours in the library and even reaching out to her network to find relevant sources.
Moreover, Sarah provided invaluable emotional support. She listened patiently to my concerns, offered words of encouragement, and helped me regain confidence in my abilities. Her belief in my project and her unwavering support gave me the motivation to persevere.
This support was entirely unexpected because we weren’t close friends, and Sarah had her own project to work on. Her selflessness and genuine desire to help took me by surprise and left a lasting impression.
Receiving this support made me feel incredibly grateful and deeply moved. It was a poignant reminder of the impact that unexpected kindness can have. Sarah’s actions not only helped me complete my project successfully but also taught me the importance of reaching out to others in need, even if they’re not close friends.
This experience profoundly affected my perspective on community and support. It inspired me to be more attentive to others’ needs and to offer help more readily, paying forward the kindness I received.
Examiner’s Follow-up Questions
- Why do you think people sometimes offer unexpected support?
- How has this experience changed your approach to helping others?
Band 8-9 Answers:
I believe people offer unexpected support for various reasons. Sometimes, it stems from genuine empathy – they recognize someone in distress and feel compelled to help. Other times, it might be because they’ve been in a similar situation and understand the value of support. Additionally, some individuals have a natural inclination towards altruism, finding personal fulfillment in assisting others. This unexpected support often transcends social barriers and can forge stronger community bonds.
This experience has significantly altered my approach to helping others. It’s made me more proactive in identifying when someone might need assistance, even if they haven’t explicitly asked for it. I’ve become more attuned to subtle signs of distress in others. Moreover, it’s reinforced the idea that even small acts of kindness can have a profound impact. I now make a conscious effort to offer support, whether it’s lending an ear, sharing resources, or providing practical help, recognizing that my actions could be the unexpected support someone desperately needs.
Unexpected support in IELTS speaking
Part 3: Two-way Discussion
In this section, the examiner will ask more abstract questions related to the topic. Here are some possible questions and sample answers:
Q: How has the concept of support changed in modern society?
Band 6-7 Answer:
I think support has changed a lot in modern society. With technology, we can now offer support online to people far away. Social media has made it easier to ask for help too. But some people say we’re less connected in real life now.
Band 8-9 Answer:
The concept of support has undergone a significant transformation in modern society, largely due to technological advancements and shifting social dynamics. On one hand, technology has expanded the scope of support, enabling us to offer assistance across geographical boundaries through online platforms and social media. This has created global support networks that were previously unimaginable.
However, this shift has also led to a dichotomy in how support is perceived and delivered. While we have more avenues for support, there’s an argument that the quality of support has been diluted. Face-to-face interactions, which often provide deeper emotional connections, have somewhat diminished. This has led to a paradoxical situation where people might have hundreds of online friends but feel isolated in their day-to-day lives.
Moreover, the nature of support has diversified. Beyond traditional forms of emotional and practical support, we now see emerging forms like crowdfunding for financial assistance or online communities for specialized support. This evolution reflects our society’s increasing interconnectedness, but also highlights the need to balance digital and physical forms of support to ensure holistic well-being.
Q: Do you think society places too much emphasis on self-reliance?
Band 6-7 Answer:
Yes, I think society does emphasize self-reliance a lot. It’s good to be independent, but sometimes people feel bad about asking for help when they need it. We should encourage both independence and seeking support when necessary.
Band 8-9 Answer:
The emphasis on self-reliance in modern society is indeed a double-edged sword. On one hand, promoting independence and self-sufficiency can foster resilience and personal growth, which are undoubtedly valuable traits. This ethos has driven innovation and individual achievement in many fields.
However, I believe there’s a risk of this ideology being taken to an extreme. The relentless pursuit of self-reliance can lead to a stigmatization of seeking help, creating a culture where individuals feel inadequate or weak if they need support. This can have detrimental effects on mental health and social cohesion.
Moreover, it’s crucial to recognize that no person is an island. Even the most self-reliant individuals rely on societal infrastructure and support systems. The COVID-19 pandemic has starkly illustrated our interconnectedness and the importance of community support.
Ideally, society should strike a balance between encouraging self-reliance and fostering a culture of mutual support. We should reframe seeking help not as a weakness, but as a strength – recognizing when to rely on others and how to reciprocate that support. This approach would create a more resilient and compassionate society, where individual achievement is celebrated alongside our capacity for collective care and support.
Key Vocabulary and Phrases for High Scores
Grappling with /ˈɡræp.əl.ɪŋ wɪð/ (phrasal verb): struggling with or trying to deal with a difficult problem
Example: “I was grappling with the complexities of my research project.”Unwavering /ʌnˈweɪ.vər.ɪŋ/ (adjective): steady and determined; not changing
Example: “Her unwavering support gave me the strength to continue.”Poignant /ˈpɔɪ.njənt/ (adjective): evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret
Example: “It was a poignant reminder of the power of kindness.”Transcend /trænˈsend/ (verb): to go beyond the usual limits of something
Example: “Her act of kindness transcended our usual acquaintanceship.”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 willingness to help despite her own busy schedule.”Dichotomy /daɪˈkɒt.ə.mi/ (noun): a division or contrast between two things that are represented as being opposed or entirely different
Example: “There’s a dichotomy between the increased connectivity offered by technology and the feelings of isolation many people experience.”
Examiner’s Advice
To achieve a high score in the IELTS Speaking test, particularly when discussing unexpected support:
- Use a range of vocabulary and complex sentence structures to express your ideas clearly and precisely.
- Provide specific examples to illustrate your points, drawing from personal experiences or observations.
- Demonstrate critical thinking by discussing both sides of an issue and providing nuanced perspectives.
- Use appropriate tenses and maintain grammatical accuracy throughout your responses.
- Practice speaking on various topics to improve fluency and confidence.
- Listen carefully to the examiner’s questions and address all parts of the question in your response.
Remember, the key to success in the IELTS Speaking test is not just about the content of your answers, but also how you express yourself. Aim for clarity, coherence, and depth in your responses.
For more practice on IELTS Speaking topics, you might find it helpful to review other common themes such as describing a time when you received a gift or discussing a situation where you had to work with someone difficult. These topics can help you develop a broader range of vocabulary and ideas for your IELTS Speaking test.