The IELTS Speaking test often includes questions about personal experiences and relationships. One common topic is describing a time when you helped a friend through a challenge. This theme allows candidates to demonstrate their ability to narrate events, express emotions, and use a range of vocabulary related to problem-solving and support. Let’s explore how to effectively answer questions on this topic and maximize your IELTS Speaking score.
Describe a conversation you found interesting can be a related topic that may come up in your IELTS Speaking test. Being prepared for various scenarios will help you perform better overall.
Part 1: Introduction and Interview
In Part 1, the examiner may ask general questions about friendship and helping others. Here are some potential questions and sample answers:
Q: Do you often help your friends?
Band 6-7 Answer:
Yes, I try to help my friends whenever I can. I believe it’s important to support each other in life.
Band 8-9 Answer:
Absolutely. I’m a firm believer in the power of mutual support. Whenever a friend is in need, I make it a priority to offer my assistance, whether it’s providing emotional support or practical help. I find that being there for others not only strengthens our friendship but also contributes to my personal growth.
Part 2: Long Turn
Here’s a sample cue card for this topic:
Describe a time you helped a friend through a challenge
You should say:
- Who the friend was
- What the challenge was
- How you helped them
- And explain how you felt about the experience
Band 6-7 Answer:
I’d like to talk about a time I helped my friend Sarah when she was struggling with a difficult situation at work. Sarah was facing a lot of pressure from her boss and was considering quitting her job.
To help her, I listened to her problems and gave her some advice. I suggested she talk to her boss about her concerns and try to find a solution. I also helped her update her resume in case she decided to look for a new job.
Helping Sarah made me feel good because I could see that my support made a difference. It was nice to know that I could be there for my friend when she needed me.
Band 8-9 Answer:
I’d like to recount an instance where I assisted my close friend, Alex, through a particularly challenging period in his life. Alex, who I’ve known since university, was grappling with severe anxiety and depression following the loss of his father.
The challenge Alex faced was multifaceted. Not only was he dealing with the emotional turmoil of grief, but he was also struggling to manage his father’s estate and maintain his performance at work. It was evident that he was overwhelmed and in need of support.
My approach to helping Alex was comprehensive. Firstly, I made myself available as a confidant, providing a non-judgmental ear whenever he needed to talk. I also took a more proactive role by researching grief counseling services and gently encouraging him to seek professional help. On a practical level, I assisted him in organizing his father’s paperwork and even accompanied him to meetings with lawyers to settle the estate.
Looking back on the experience, I feel a profound sense of gratitude for being able to support Alex during such a critical time. It was emotionally taxing at times, but incredibly rewarding to see him gradually regain his footing. This experience reinforced my belief in the importance of emotional intelligence and the power of friendship to help overcome life’s challenges.
Follow-up questions:
- Q: How did this experience change your friendship?
Band 6-7 Answer:
This experience made our friendship stronger. We became closer and now trust each other more.
Band 8-9 Answer:
This shared experience profoundly deepened our bond. It fostered a new level of trust and understanding between us, as we both witnessed the strength that can emerge from vulnerability. Our friendship has since evolved into a more resilient and empathetic relationship, where we feel comfortable relying on each other during both triumphs and tribulations.
- Q: What did you learn from helping your friend?
Band 6-7 Answer:
I learned that listening is very important when helping someone. Sometimes people just need someone to hear them out.
Band 8-9 Answer:
This experience was immensely enlightening. It underscored the significance of active listening and empathy in supporting others. I realized that effective assistance often involves more than just problem-solving; it requires patience, understanding, and sometimes simply being present. Moreover, it taught me the importance of maintaining boundaries and taking care of my own mental health while supporting others through their challenges.
Part 3: Two-way Discussion
In Part 3, the examiner might ask more abstract questions related to helping others and friendship. Here are some potential questions and sample answers:
Q: Do you think people are less willing to help others nowadays compared to in the past?
Band 6-7 Answer:
I don’t think so. Many people still want to help others. Social media makes it easier for people to ask for help and for others to offer support.
Band 8-9 Answer:
I believe this is a nuanced issue. While there’s a perception that modern society is more individualistic, I’d argue that the willingness to help hasn’t diminished, but rather transformed. Social media and technology have created new avenues for assistance, enabling people to offer support on a larger scale, often to strangers. However, this might come at the expense of more personal, face-to-face interactions. The key difference lies in the nature and visibility of help rather than the willingness to provide it.
Q: How can societies encourage more people to volunteer and help others?
Band 6-7 Answer:
Schools can teach children about the importance of helping others. Companies can give employees time off to volunteer. The government can give rewards to people who volunteer a lot.
Band 8-9 Answer:
Encouraging volunteerism requires a multi-faceted approach. Education plays a pivotal role – integrating community service into school curricula can instill a sense of social responsibility from a young age. Corporations can incentivize volunteering by offering paid time off for such activities, effectively aligning corporate values with social good.
Governments can implement policies that recognize and reward volunteering, perhaps through tax incentives or national awards. Additionally, leveraging technology to create user-friendly platforms that match volunteers with opportunities can lower barriers to entry.
Ultimately, fostering a culture that celebrates and normalizes helping others is crucial. This could involve media campaigns highlighting the personal and societal benefits of volunteerism, thereby shifting societal norms towards greater community engagement.
Describe an event where you felt out of place is another topic that might come up in your IELTS Speaking test. Being prepared for a variety of subjects will help you feel more confident on test day.
Key Vocabulary and Phrases for High Scores
To boost your IELTS Speaking score when discussing helping a friend through a challenge, incorporate these advanced vocabulary items and phrases:
-
To grapple with (phrasal verb) – to struggle with or work hard to deal with a difficult problem
Pronunciation: /ˈɡræp.əl wɪð/
Example: “My friend was grappling with the loss of her job.” -
Empathetic (adjective) – showing an ability to understand and share the feelings of another
Pronunciation: /ˌem.pəˈθet.ɪk/
Example: “I tried to be empathetic to my friend’s situation.” -
To lend an ear (idiom) – to listen sympathetically to someone
Example: “Sometimes, all you need to do is lend an ear to a friend in need.” -
To go above and beyond (phrase) – to do more than is expected or required
Example: “My friend went above and beyond to help me through my difficult time.” -
Moral support (noun phrase) – encouragement and help given to someone, rather than financial or practical help
Pronunciation: /ˈmɒr.əl səˈpɔːt/
Example: “I provided moral support to my friend during her divorce.”
Describe a recent shopping experience that disappointed you could be another topic you might encounter. Being versatile in your speaking abilities will serve you well in the IELTS test.
Examiner’s Advice
To excel in the IELTS Speaking test when describing how you helped a friend through a challenge:
- Use a range of tenses accurately to narrate the event.
- Incorporate idiomatic expressions naturally to demonstrate language fluency.
- Provide specific details to make your account vivid and engaging.
- Express emotions and reflections to add depth to your response.
- Practice structuring your answer to fit within the given time while covering all points.
Remember, the key to a high score is not just what you say, but how you say it. Aim for fluency, coherence, and a natural conversational style while showcasing your vocabulary and grammatical range.
Describe an activity you enjoy doing outdoors is another potential topic for your IELTS Speaking test. Practicing a wide range of subjects will enhance your overall performance.
By following these guidelines and incorporating the suggested vocabulary and structures, you’ll be well-prepared to tackle this topic in your IELTS Speaking test. Remember to practice regularly and seek feedback to continually improve your speaking skills.
Describe a valuable lesson you learned from someone is a topic that could also appear in your test. Being ready for various themes will boost your confidence and performance in the IELTS Speaking section.