Describe a person who often helps others

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 often helps others

You should say:

1 minute to prepare Speak for 1–2 minutes

Sample answer

One person who consistently embodies the spirit of kindness and generosity is my close friend, Sham Khal. We have shared an incredible bond for over twenty years, stemming from our first encounter in primary school. Instantaneously, we clicked, and that initial connection blossomed into a deep and lasting friendship. Even as children, we discovered that we had many common interests and similar ways of thinking. Over the years, I have gained profound insights into Sham’s character and his unwavering commitment to helping others whenever they need support. Throughout our university years, Sham has been an invaluable support to me, assisting in countless ways. We embarked on a journey together, often seeking extra classes beyond our immediate area and exploring neighboring cities for better educational opportunities.. When we eventually relocated to Baku for our studies, we faced the challenge of finding appropriate accommodation in a large and unfamiliar city. Sham took the initiative to thoroughly research affordable rental options, compare different apartments, and communicate with landlords. Ultimately, he secured a place that suited both of our schedules and financial situations, thereby ensuring harmony in our daily routines. Beyond practical assistance, Sham has also served as my confidant and motivator. He possesses an admirable fortitude for confronting life’s challenges—be it financial issues, academic pressure, or personal dilemmas—always facing them courageously and without hesitation.. His constant presence during difficult times has made our friendship even more resilient and meaningful, illustrating the depth of his character and commitment. Moreover, Sham’s dedication to helping others extends beyond our friendship. Although he prefers to remain modest about it, I am aware that he contributes to charitable organizations and frequently goes out of his way to assist families in need. He spends considerable time visiting these families and providing essential necessities like food and other basic supplies. His selfless acts not only inspire me but also reflect the genuine compassion he holds for those around him, making him an extraordinarily helpful individual.

325 words — roughly 3–3 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.

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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.