How to Answer “Describe a Time You Helped Someone” in IELTS Speaking

The IELTS Speaking test assesses your English speaking abilities and consists of three parts: the Introduction and Interview (Part 1), the Long Turn (Part 2), and the Two-way Discussion (Part 3). Each part has specific criteria that examiners evaluate, including fluency and coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and accuracy, and pronunciation. Questions like “Describe a time you helped someone” are common and designed to gauge your ability to narrate experiences and reflect on their significance.

Part 1: Introduction and Interview

In this part, the examiner will ask general questions to get to know you better. These questions are usually about yourself, your home, your work or studies, and similar everyday topics.

Sample Question and Suggested Answer

Question: “Have you ever helped a friend with their studies?”

Answer:
Yes, I have. Last semester, one of my friends was struggling with our statistical analysis course. I spent several evenings going over the material with him, explaining concepts step by step. Over time, he became more confident and ultimately did well in his exams. It was satisfying to see my help make a difference.

Analysis:
This response is clear and concise, demonstrating the ability to narrate a simple experience with appropriate use of tenses and vocabulary.

Part 2: Long Turn

Here, you will be given a cue card with a topic and some points to cover. You need to speak for 1-2 minutes on this topic without interruption.

Cue Card:

Describe a time you helped someone. You should say:

• Who you helped
• Why they needed help
• How you helped them
• And explain how this made you feel

Suggested Answer

I vividly recall a time last year when I helped my elderly neighbor. Mrs. Johnson, a lady in her eighties, had fallen ill and was unable to do her grocery shopping and basic chores. She lives alone and has no family nearby, so she reached out to me for assistance.

Realizing her predicament, I volunteered to help. Every evening after work, I would visit her household, clean the house, and do the grocery shopping. I also cooked meals for her, ensuring she had nutritious food while she was recovering.

<elderly care>

Helping Mrs. Johnson was a heartwarming experience. It not only strengthened our bond but also gave me a profound sense of fulfillment. Knowing that my small efforts brought her comfort and ease during her difficult time made me feel genuinely happy and content. This experience taught me the value of kindness and the impact it can have on someone’s life.

By engaging my neighbor consistently and going the extra mile, I demonstrated my reliability and commitment. These actions clearly illustrate the qualities of empathy and dedication that are integral to helping others.

Analysis:
This answer is well-structured, covering all the points on the cue card. Strong lexical resources such as “volunteered,” “nutritious,” and “fulfillment” are used effectively. The response also exhibits coherence, and appropriate tenses are maintained throughout.

Follow-up Questions:

1. How often do you help others?

   • I try to help others whenever I can. I believe in lending a hand to those in need, be it small acts like holding a door open or more significant help like tutoring.

2. What are some other ways people can help others?

   • People can help others in various ways. Donating to charitable organizations, offering emotional support to friends and family, or volunteering for community services are all significant forms of assistance.

In answering these follow-up questions, maintaining fluency and integrating complex sentence structures will contribute to a high band score.

Part 3: Two-way Discussion

This segment involves more abstract discussion topics related to the part 2 topic. It tests your ability to discuss and express opinions on broader themes.

Sample Questions and Answers

Examiner: “Do you think it’s important to help others? Why?”

Candidate:
Absolutely. Helping others fosters a sense of community and mutual support. It’s essential for creating a more compassionate society. Additionally, acts of kindness often inspire more kindness, creating a positive ripple effect.

Examiner: “In your opinion, who should be responsible for providing help to those in need?”

Candidate:
I believe that it’s a collective responsibility. Individuals, communities, and governments should all play a role. Governments can implement social welfare programs, communities can organize local support systems, and individuals can contribute in their own capacities. By working together, we can ensure that no one is left behind.

Analysis:
These responses reflect a clear stance and use advanced vocabulary like “fosters,” “mutual support,” “compassionate society,” and “collective responsibility.” Structurally, they contain complex sentences and are knitted together cohesively.

Key Vocabulary and Structures to Achieve a High Score

Vocabulary

1. Empathy

   • (noun) /ˈempəTHē/
   • Definition: The ability to understand and share the feelings of another.
   • Example: Her empathy for others made her a great counselor.

2. Volunteered

   • (verb) /ˌvälənˈtir/
   • Definition: To offer to do something without being asked or paid.
   • Example: I volunteered to help at the local shelter during weekends.

3. Fulfillment

   • (noun) /fʊlˈfɪlmənt/
   • Definition: Satisfaction or happiness as a result of fully developing one’s abilities or character.
   • Example: Helping the children there gave me a sense of profound fulfillment.

Useful Structures

1. Complex Sentences:

   • I volunteered to help because I realized she had no family nearby, and her predicament moved me deeply.

2. Conditionals:

   • If more people understood the value of helping others, the world would be a much better place.

3. Passive Voice:

   • Volunteering is often seen as a noble and impactful endeavor.

Tips for Achieving High Scores in IELTS Speaking

1. Practice Regularly:

   • Consistently practicing speaking English helps improve fluency and reduces hesitation.

2. Use Advanced Vocabulary:

   • Incorporating a rich vocabulary into your responses can significantly enhance your lexical resource score.

3. Speak Clearly and Naturally:

   • Clear pronunciation and a natural speaking pace contribute positively to your overall score.

4. Expand Your Answers:

   • Providing detailed and fully developed answers demonstrates your ability to communicate effectively.

5. Seek Feedback:

   • Work with a tutor or practice partner to get constructive feedback and identify areas for improvement.

By focusing on these strategies and practicing with real IELTS questions, you can increase your chances of achieving a high band score in the IELTS Speaking test.