Acts of kindness often leave lasting impressions and make excellent topics for IELTS Speaking responses. This cue card topic has appeared frequently in recent IELTS examinations and requires candidates to demonstrate both narrative and descriptive abilities.
Similar to describe a memory that makes you smile, this topic allows candidates to showcase their ability to convey emotions and personal experiences effectively.
Part 1 Questions and Sample Answers
Common questions examiners ask about kindness:
- Do you think people are less kind nowadays?
- What acts of kindness have you witnessed recently?
- How do you show kindness to others?
Sample answer (Band 8-9):
“I believe people still show tremendous kindness, though it may be less visible in our fast-paced world. Just last week, I witnessed a young student helping an elderly woman carry her groceries home, which perfectly exemplifies how compassion transcends generations.”
Student showing kindness to elderly woman with groceries
Part 2: Cue Card
Task
Describe a time when you were surprised by someone’s kindness
You should say:
- Who this person was
- What they did
- Where and when it happened
- And explain why their kindness surprised you
Sample Answer (Band 8-9)
“I’d like to share an experience that profoundly impacted my perspective on human kindness. This incident occurred during my first week at university when I was completely lost trying to find my classroom. A senior student named Sarah noticed my confused expression and not only guided me to the right building but also went out of her way to introduce me to other students from my department.
What particularly touched me was that she sacrificed her lunch break to ensure I felt comfortable in my new environment. She exhibited exceptional empathy, remembering her own challenging first days at university. This unexpected encounter blossomed into a meaningful friendship that continues to this day.
The kindness surprised me because in today’s fast-paced academic environment, it’s rare to find someone willing to invest their time in helping a complete stranger. Her actions demonstrated remarkable compassion and restored my faith in human connection.”
Just as describe a time when you stood up for someone else, this experience shows how simple actions can create meaningful impacts.
Senior student helping lost freshman find way
Follow-up Questions
- What motivated this person to help you?
- How did this experience change your perspective?
Sample Answer (Band 8-9):
“I believe Sarah was motivated by her own past experiences and genuine desire to foster a supportive community. This encounter fundamentally shifted my understanding of kindness, teaching me that small gestures can have ripple effects throughout someone’s life.”
Part 3: Discussion Questions
Similar to How to talk about a special gift you received in IELTS Speaking, these questions explore deeper aspects of human interaction.
Q: How has social media influenced acts of kindness in society?
Sample Answer (Band 8-9):
“Social media has paradoxically both amplified and diminished genuine acts of kindness. While it provides platforms to showcase and inspire kindness, it has also led to the commercialization of compassion, where good deeds are sometimes performed merely for online validation. However, when used thoughtfully, social media can catalyze positive change and encourage others to embrace kindness in their daily lives.”
Social media influence on acts of kindness
Key Vocabulary and Expressions
- Profound impact (adj + n): deep, significant effect
- Go out of one’s way (idiom): make extra effort
- Exhibit exceptional (v + adj): show remarkable
- Foster a supportive community (phrase): create and encourage a helpful environment
- Ripple effects (n): continuing and spreading results
For those interested in Describe a situation when you felt very grateful for something, these vocabulary items can be equally useful.
Examiner’s Tips
- Use personal experiences to make your answer authentic
- Include specific details about time, place, and emotions
- Demonstrate range in vocabulary by using synonyms
- Structure your response with clear introduction, body, and conclusion
- Practice speaking for exactly 2 minutes for Part 2
Remember, like Describe a time when you felt very grateful, authenticity in your response is key to achieving a high score.
