As an IELTS instructor with over 20 years of experience, I often get asked by my students how to tackle the “describing a person” topic in the IELTS Speaking test. A popular variation of this is “describing your favourite film star”. This question can seem simple at first, but many struggle to provide rich and interesting answers that showcase their language skills.

This article will equip you with the strategies and vocabulary to confidently discuss your favourite film star in your IELTS Speaking test.

Why this Topic is Important in IELTS Speaking

The IELTS Speaking test assesses your fluency, vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. Describing a person, particularly a famous film star, allows you to demonstrate these skills effectively. It enables you to:

• Use a wide range of vocabulary: You can use descriptive adjectives to talk about the actor’s appearance, personality, and acting style.
• Demonstrate complex grammatical structures: You can use relative clauses to provide additional information, conditional sentences to express your opinions, and past tenses to describe their career highlights.
• Express your opinions and justify them: You can share why you admire this particular actor, providing reasons and examples.

How to Talk About Your Favourite Film Star

Here’s a breakdown of how to effectively approach this topic:

1. Choose the Right Film Star

• Pick someone you genuinely admire: This makes your answer more engaging and natural.
• Have enough to say about them: Ensure you know their key films, acting style, and perhaps some interesting facts about their career.

2. Structure Your Answer

Use a clear and logical structure to guide your listener. Here’s a possible outline:

• Introduction: Briefly introduce the actor and mention why you’re a fan.
• Background: Provide some information about their career, notable films, and acting style.
• Specific Details: Highlight what you admire most about them – their talent, personality, humanitarian work, etc.
• Conclusion: Briefly reiterate why they are your favourite and how they’ve influenced you.

3. Use Vivid Vocabulary and Grammar

• Descriptive adjectives: Use words like “charismatic,” “versatile,” “talented,” “dedicated,” “inspiring,” etc.
• Relative clauses: “He’s an actor who completely embodies his characters.”
• Conditional sentences: “If I had to choose my favourite film of his, it would be…”
• Present perfect to describe their career: “She has starred in numerous blockbuster films…”

meryl streep

Example Answer:

“My favourite film star is undoubtedly Meryl Streep. I’ve been a fan of hers since I first saw her in ‘Out of Africa’. She’s an incredibly versatile actress who has portrayed a wide range of characters throughout her career, from historical figures to fictional heroines. What I admire most about her is her dedication to her craft and her ability to completely transform herself into each role. She’s won numerous awards for her performances, and rightfully so. I find her incredibly inspiring, not just as an actress but also as a strong, independent woman.”

Tips for Success:

• Practice makes perfect: Practice describing your favourite film star using the strategies and vocabulary discussed.
• Record yourself: This helps identify areas for improvement in fluency and pronunciation.
• Be enthusiastic: Your passion for the topic will make your answer more engaging.

Remember, the IELTS Speaking test is about demonstrating your communication skills. Choose a film star you are passionate about and let your personality shine through!