Speaking about talented individuals is a common topic in IELTS Speaking tests. This theme has appeared frequently in past exams and is likely to remain relevant in future tests. Being able to articulate your thoughts on talented people effectively can significantly boost your IELTS Speaking score. Let’s explore how to excel in this topic across all parts of the IELTS Speaking test.

Part 1: Introduction and Interview

In Part 1, you may encounter questions about talented people you know or admire. Here are some potential questions:

1. Do you know anyone who is particularly talented?
2. What kind of talents do you admire in people?
3. How do you think people can develop their talents?

Let’s look at a sample answer for the first question:

Answer: “Absolutely! I have a close friend who’s incredibly gifted in music. She can play multiple instruments, including the piano and violin, and has a stunning singing voice. What’s truly remarkable about her talent is how effortlessly she seems to pick up new musical skills. It’s as if music just flows through her naturally.”

This answer demonstrates a good use of vocabulary related to talent (gifted, stunning, remarkable) and provides specific examples, which is crucial for a high-scoring response.

Part 2: Long Turn

Here’s a sample cue card related to describing a talented person:

Describe a person you know who is very talented
You should say:

• Who this person is
• What their talent is
• How you know about their talent
• And explain why you think they are talented

Talented musician performing

Sample answer:

“I’d like to talk about my cousin, Sarah, who is an exceptionally talented musician. Sarah has been playing the violin since she was five years old, and over the years, she has honed her skills to an impressive level.

Her talent lies not just in her technical proficiency, but in her ability to evoke deep emotions through her music. When Sarah plays, it’s as if the violin becomes an extension of herself. Her fingers dance across the strings with incredible dexterity, producing sounds that can be hauntingly beautiful one moment and vibrantly energetic the next.

I first became aware of Sarah’s talent when I attended one of her school recitals about ten years ago. Even then, as a young teenager, she stood out among her peers. Since that time, I’ve had the pleasure of watching her perform numerous times, and each performance leaves me in awe.

What makes Sarah truly talented, in my opinion, is her passion and dedication to her craft. She practices for hours every day, constantly pushing herself to improve. Moreover, she has this innate ability to connect with her audience. When she plays, you can see people in the audience being moved to tears or breaking into spontaneous applause. It’s this combination of technical skill, emotional depth, and the ability to touch people’s hearts that makes Sarah an extraordinarily talented musician.”

Examiner’s follow-up questions:

1. How do you think Sarah developed her talent?
2. Do you think talent is mostly innate or can be developed through hard work?

Sample answers:

1. “I believe Sarah developed her talent through a combination of factors. Firstly, she showed an early aptitude for music, which her parents nurtured by providing her with lessons and opportunities to perform. Secondly, Sarah has always been incredibly disciplined in her practice routine. She’s known to practice for several hours daily, fine-tuning her technique and expanding her repertoire. Lastly, I think her passion for music has been a driving force. She genuinely loves what she does, which motivates her to continually push her boundaries and strive for excellence.”

2. “In my opinion, while innate ability certainly plays a role, I believe that hard work and dedication are equally, if not more, important in developing talent. Natural aptitude might give someone a head start, but it’s the consistent effort, hours of practice, and willingness to learn and improve that truly hone a skill to the level we’d call talent. Even for those with natural gifts, reaching a high level of proficiency requires perseverance and commitment. Moreover, I think passion is a crucial element. When someone is passionate about what they do, they’re more likely to put in the necessary work to excel, regardless of their initial level of natural ability.”

Part 3: Two-way Discussion

In Part 3, the examiner might ask more abstract questions related to talent. Here are some potential questions and sample answers:

Examiner: How do you think society benefits from talented individuals?

Candidate: “Talented individuals can contribute significantly to society in various ways. Firstly, they often push the boundaries of what’s possible in their respective fields, leading to innovations and advancements that can benefit everyone. For instance, talented scientists might develop new technologies or medical treatments, while gifted artists can enrich our cultural landscape.

Moreover, talented people often serve as inspiration for others. They demonstrate the heights of human potential, which can motivate others to strive for excellence in their own pursuits. This can create a ripple effect, raising the overall standard in various fields.

Additionally, in today’s globalized world, exceptionally talented individuals can enhance a country’s reputation on the international stage. Whether it’s in sports, arts, or academics, these individuals often become cultural ambassadors, fostering international understanding and cooperation.

However, it’s important to note that for society to fully benefit from talented individuals, there need to be systems in place to nurture and support these talents. This includes educational opportunities, funding for research and development, and platforms for showcasing talents. When society invests in its talented members, the returns can be exponential.”

Examiner: Do you think the education system does enough to identify and nurture talent in young people?

Candidate: “That’s a complex question, and I believe the answer varies depending on the specific education system and the type of talent we’re discussing. In my view, while many education systems strive to identify and nurture talent, there’s often room for improvement.

On the positive side, many schools offer diverse extracurricular activities, which can help uncover talents in areas like sports, music, or drama. Some systems also implement gifted and talented programs to provide additional challenges and opportunities for high-achieving students.

However, I think there are several areas where many education systems could improve. Firstly, there’s often an overemphasis on academic performance, particularly in standardized tests, which may overlook talents in other areas. Students who are gifted in arts, practical skills, or interpersonal abilities might not receive the same level of recognition or support.

Secondly, the rigid structure of many education systems can be limiting for exceptionally talented students. These students might benefit from more flexible learning paths that allow them to progress at their own pace or delve deeper into their areas of interest.

Lastly, I believe there’s a need for more individualized approaches to education. Each student has unique strengths and weaknesses, and a one-size-fits-all approach may not effectively nurture diverse talents. Implementing more personalized learning strategies and providing mentorship opportunities could help in better identifying and fostering talent.

In conclusion, while education systems do make efforts to support talented students, I believe there’s potential for more comprehensive and inclusive approaches to identifying and nurturing a wide range of talents in young people.”

Key Vocabulary and Phrases for High Scores

1. Exceptionally talented (adjective phrase) /ɪkˈsepʃənəli ˈtæləntɪd/ – Possessing an extraordinary level of skill or ability
   Example: “She is an exceptionally talented violinist, captivating audiences worldwide.”

2. To hone one’s skills (verb phrase) /həʊn wʌnz skɪlz/ – To refine or perfect an ability through practice
   Example: “He spent years honing his culinary skills before opening his own restaurant.”

3. Innate ability (noun phrase) /ɪˈneɪt əˈbɪləti/ – A natural talent or skill that one is born with
   Example: “Her innate ability for mathematics was evident from an early age.”

4. To push the boundaries (idiom) /pʊʃ ðə ˈbaʊndəriz/ – To extend the limits of what is possible or acceptable
   Example: “The artist is known for pushing the boundaries of conventional painting techniques.”

5. To nurture talent (verb phrase) /ˈnɜːtʃə ˈtælənt/ – To encourage and support the development of someone’s abilities
   Example: “Good teachers strive to nurture talent in all their students, regardless of their initial skill level.”

Examiner’s Advice

To achieve a high score in the IELTS Speaking test when discussing talented individuals:

1. Use a wide range of vocabulary related to talent and abilities. Don’t just say “very good” – use words like gifted, exceptional, or remarkable.

2. Provide specific examples to support your points. This demonstrates your ability to communicate ideas clearly and effectively.

3. Develop your answers fully, especially in Parts 2 and 3. Aim to speak for the full 2 minutes in Part 2, and give extended responses in Part 3.

4. Practice expressing opinions on abstract topics related to talent, such as its role in society or how it should be nurtured.

5. Work on your fluency by regularly discussing this topic. The more comfortable you are with the subject, the more naturally you’ll be able to speak about it.

6. Pay attention to your pronunciation, particularly of key terms related to talent and ability.

7. Use a variety of grammatical structures, including complex sentences, to demonstrate your language proficiency.

Remember, the key to success in IELTS Speaking is practice. The more you familiarize yourself with this topic and others, the more confident and articulate you’ll be during the actual test.