Describe a person who likes to protect nature
IELTS Speaking Part 2 cue card with a full sample answer, a Band 9 model of the two-minute long turn.
The cue card
Describe a person who likes to protect nature
You should say:
- who this person is
- how this person encouraged you
- what this person encouraged you to do
- how you feel about this person
Sample answer
Today, I consider myself an environmentally conscious individual, committed to reducing my carbon footprint. However, this mindset did not come naturally to me; it was primarily shaped by a close friend I have known for over twenty years. Our friendship has been a profound learning experience, with him consistently encouraging me to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle. One pivotal moment stands out in my memory that truly opened my eyes to the importance of protecting our environment. When I was around 16 or 18 years old, I carelessly discarded some trash on the ground. My friend immediately approached me, expressing concern about my actions. He engaged me in a thoughtful conversation about the responsibilities we all hold for our shared environment. He explained that we should not only care for our immediate surroundings but also preserve it for future generations, including our children. His words resonated with me, as he emphasized the importance of leaving behind a healthy heritage for those who will inhabit the same spaces after us. To illustrate his point, my friend revealed a small pocket in his bag filled with trash he had been carrying for the past twenty minutes. He explained that rather than discarding the waste carelessly, he had chosen to wait until we found a proper trash bin. This simple act demonstrated his commitment to preventing pollution. Furthermore, he shared his philosophy about using a car, highlighting that he often chooses to walk to school instead. He explained that this not only benefits his health but also contributes positively to environmental preservation. His actions inspired me to rethink my own habits and responsibilities. I hold my friend in high regard and feel incredibly grateful for his influence on my life. His unwavering dedication to environmental protection and his efforts to motivate others have left a lasting impact on me. I truly admire his principles and strive to emulate his example in my daily life.
321 words — roughly 2–3 minutes at a natural speaking pace.
Reading a model answer is not the same as saying one. The sample above shows what a strong Part 2 answer sounds like. What it cannot tell you is how yours sounds — whether you hesitate, repeat the question back, or run out of things to say at forty seconds.
You can record an answer to this exact question and get it marked on fluency and coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and pronunciation — the same four criteria the examiner uses.
Common questions
How long should I speak for in Part 2?
Between one and two minutes. The examiner stops you at two, so aim to still be talking at the ninety-second mark rather than finishing early — running out at forty seconds is the most common problem in this part.
What do I do with the one minute of preparation time?
You get one minute and a pencil and paper. Most candidates waste it writing full sentences they then read aloud, which sounds flat. Note a few keywords against each bullet instead, so you have four things to say and can speak naturally from them.
Do I have to cover all four bullet points?
They are prompts, not a checklist, and you are not penalised for skipping one. In practice they are the easiest way to fill two minutes, so covering them is usually the simplest way to keep going.
Does it matter if the story is not true?
No. You are assessed on your English, not on whether the events happened. Inventing detail is fine and often easier than recalling a real memory under pressure.
Model answers written and reviewed by The English All-in-One IELTS team. They are teaching models showing what each band looks like, not real candidate scripts.