In the IELTS Speaking test, showcasing your ability to describe people effectively is crucial, especially when narrating experiences and events. One common question that often arises is, “Who watched this event with you?”. This seemingly simple question can throw many candidates off guard if they haven’t prepared for it. This article will delve into why this question is asked, provide you with strategies to answer it confidently, and equip you with the vocabulary and grammar to impress your examiner.

Understanding the Significance

The IELTS Speaking test evaluates your fluency, vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. When the examiner asks, “Who watched this event with you?”, they are assessing several skills simultaneously:

• Vocabulary: Your ability to use descriptive adjectives and vocabulary related to relationships, professions, and appearances.
• Grammar: Correct usage of past tenses, relative clauses, and descriptive sentence structures.
• Fluency and Coherence: Your ability to provide a smooth and coherent response, linking your ideas logically.
• Detail Orientation: Demonstrating your ability to elaborate and provide specific details about the people involved.

Effective Strategies for Describing People

1. Go Beyond Basic Relationships

While stating a simple relationship like “friend” or “family member” is grammatically correct, it doesn’t allow you to showcase your language skills. Instead, be specific and use a wider range of vocabulary:

• Instead of “friend,” say:

  • “A close confidant from university.”
  • “A former colleague who shares my passion for…”
  • “My childhood best friend who I’ve known for over 20 years.”

• Instead of “family member,” say:

  • “My paternal aunt, who’s always been a source of inspiration.”
  • “My younger brother, who’s incredibly enthusiastic about…”
  • “My grandmother, who has a youthful spirit despite her age.”

2. Paint a Picture with Descriptive Language

Use vivid adjectives to describe the people you’re talking about. Focus on:

• Physical appearance: “tall and slender,” “with sparkling blue eyes,” “always sporting a cheerful smile.”
• Personality traits: “outgoing and gregarious,” “incredibly witty and humorous,” “calm and collected.”
• Interests and hobbies: “an avid reader,” “a passionate photographer,” “a huge fan of classical music.”

Example:

“I watched the concert with my close friend Sarah. She’s a talented artist with a keen eye for detail, so she was particularly captivated by the visual aspects of the performance.”

3. Provide Context and Background

Don’t just mention the person; explain their connection to the event. Did their presence enhance your enjoyment? Did they share a particular interest in the event?

Example:

“My former colleague, Mark, accompanied me to the technology conference. He’s a software developer, so he was eager to learn about the latest advancements in artificial intelligence.”

friends concert

4. Practice Makes Perfect

The key to acing this question is practice. Think about different events you’ve attended and practice describing the people you were with. Use a variety of vocabulary and grammatical structures. You can even record yourself to identify areas for improvement.

Conclusion

Describing people effectively is an essential skill for the IELTS Speaking test. By using specific vocabulary, descriptive language, and providing context, you can demonstrate your language proficiency and achieve a higher score. Remember, practice is key. The more you practice describing people, the more confident and fluent you will become.