Cue Cards Samples with band 8 answers
Describe an interesting person you have recently met - Cue Card # 292
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IELTS Speaking Part 2: IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card.
[The topic for your talk will be written on a card which the examiner will hand over to you. Read it carefully and then make some brief notes.]
Describe an interesting person you have recently met.
You should say:
- who this person is
- how you met him/her
- what he/she does
and explain why you think this person is interesting.
[Instruction: You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you are going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]
[Examiner: All right? Remember you have one to two minutes for this, so don't worry if I stop you. I'll tell you when the time is up. Can you start speaking now, please?]
Model Answer 1:
We often meet new people and needless to say, they all can be interesting in their unique ways even though we may not always understand or recognise them the way we ought to. But, today I would like to talk about one person, whom I recently met, and who I did recognise to be an interesting and captivating person.
The interesting person, I am talking about, is a fitness trainer and also a sportsperson. His name is Antonio, and I met him at a local gym about a couple of weeks ago.
Anyway, when I met Antonio for the first time, I didn’t really think that he could be such an intelligent and environment-friendly person. But, I was proved wrong when he gave me a long talk about how we were destroying Mother Earth by indiscriminately using (he used the word “abusing”) its resources in order to feed our greed. Apart from providing fitness training to people like us, he also likes to play basketball. Oh, by the way, I forgot to mention that Antonio likes to read different kinds of books and learn from them.
In fact, I have seen him reading all kinds of interesting books in between his fitness training sessions. Besides, he also likes to help little children learn about different kinds of physical exercises by visiting them at their schools every once in a while. By the way, he also told me that had been maintaining the same health routine for the last 15 years or so after finishing his university studies. He truly is remarkable, isn’t he?
Anyway, I find Antonio so interesting because I have felt that even though he seems to have all kinds of resources at his disposal to be someone famous and rich, he didn’t choose that route, simply because he doesn’t like to find happiness in wealth and fame. Instead, he likes to enjoy his life by doing what he enjoys the most. Besides, even though, he may seem tough from the outside, he actually is a very gentle person who cares a lot about the world and people around him.
Model Answer 2:
I think that our world is full of interesting people, and we can even find many of them around us if we actually have a keen and open mind to identify them. Not that I am claiming to have such a keen or open mind, but I did meet an interesting person recently, and today, I would like to talk about her here.
And, yes, it’s a female, about 70-plus years of age. I recently met her at a super shop where she works as a Manager. When I went there to settle a business transaction dispute, I met her. Here I am not going to give too many details about the type of dispute I had with her super shop because that’s not really important in the context of this discussion here, but that’s when I came to know what an interesting person she really is.
Anyway, when Mrs Janet, as her name tag wrote, was trying to help me with settling the dispute, I found her reading an interesting book. But, she wasn’t just busy reading her book, but also equally busy taking care of her other regular and managerial duties at the same time. From the way she was reading that book, even when performing her regular job duties, I could tell that she was an avid learner. So, failing to hold my curiosity, I asked her how possibly she could enjoy reading a book while she was doing such a difficult job! In response, all she had to say was how possibly a person can survive and thrive without learning something as long as he/she is awake!
Needless to say, I didn’t really dare to question her about anything else after that response because that one response was good enough to know how she really valued knowledge, unlike most of us. I also think that it was because of her keen learning mind that she was able to keep herself fit for a rather challenging job at that old age, and that too at one of the busiest super shops in the city. No doubt she was so interesting because of her interesting way of working and speaking.
Model Answer 3:
Introduction:
Oh! This topic is intriguing because it asks me to talk about an interesting person whom I have recently met. To be honest, I have met a lot of interesting people in my life, but I would like to talk about a person whom I met recently and found quite interesting. He is none other than Mr Robert, whom I met at a friend's party last month.
Who this person is:
Mr Robert is a businessman by profession and is currently running his own small-scale industry. He is a well-educated person with a lot of experience in the business world.
How you met him/her:
I met Robert at a friend's party last month. We were introduced by a common friend who knew both of us. At first, I was a bit hesitant to talk to him as I was not familiar with his field of work, but I was amazed to see how easily he made me comfortable.
What he/she does:
As I mentioned earlier, Robert is a businessman, and he shared with me some of his experiences and stories about his business journey. He has been running his own small-scale industry for almost a decade now, and his industry specializes in the production of eco-friendly products.
And explain why you think this person is interesting:
Robert is a very interesting person to talk to as he has a lot of knowledge and experience in the business world. He shared some of his insights into the current market and how it is changing, which I found very informative. Moreover, his industry's focus on eco-friendly products was something that really inspired me, and I could see the passion he had for his work.
Idea generation for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
Meeting new people can often be inspiring, especially when their personality, profession, or life experiences leave a lasting impression. In this section, you will find a variety of detailed and realistic ideas to help you respond to this cue card topic with confidence. Each idea explores different aspects of what can make a person truly interesting.
1. A travel photographer I met at a beach in Da Nang:
I met Daniel, a freelance travel photographer from Canada, while watching the sunset at My Khe Beach. He shared stories of his adventures across Southeast Asia and showed me some stunning photos. His passion for capturing cultures and his free-spirited lifestyle made him incredibly fascinating to me.
2. A social worker at a community event in my city:
I recently met a woman named Fatima at a local health awareness camp. She works with underprivileged families and children. Her dedication to helping others and her humble nature really impressed me. It was inspiring to see someone so committed to making a difference.
3. A software engineer turned organic farmer:
During a weekend getaway to the countryside, I met Rakesh, who left his high-paying IT job to pursue sustainable farming. He spoke about soil health, eco-friendly practices, and the joy of growing one’s own food. I found his journey bold and deeply motivating.
4. A poet I met during a cultural festival:
I met Ananya, a young poet, during a literature festival held at our university. She recited a few of her original poems, and I was captivated by her powerful use of language. Her ability to express deep emotions through poetry made her stand out.
5. An elderly war veteran I spoke to at a museum:
At a World War II exhibit in the national museum, I had a conversation with Mr. Thompson, a retired veteran. He shared his firsthand experiences from the battlefield, as well as his lessons on resilience and hope. His stories were not only moving but also incredibly valuable.
6. A YouTuber I met during a technology seminar:
I met a popular local YouTuber named Minh during a digital media workshop. He creates content about productivity and self-growth. His confident communication style and creative thinking were very engaging. I also learned a lot from his behind-the-scenes content creation insights.
7. A blind pianist at a charity concert:
At a fundraising event, I listened to a blind pianist perform, and afterwards, I had the chance to meet him. His name was Rehan, and he lost his sight in childhood. His love for music and positivity in life despite his disability left a deep impression on me.
8. A teacher who uses art to teach history:
I was introduced to Ms. Clara, a high school history teacher, by a friend. She uses murals, theatre, and art to make history come alive for her students. Her creative teaching methods and warm demeanour made her an unforgettable and interesting person to talk to.
9. A mountaineer I met on a hiking trail:
While hiking in the Northern Hills, I encountered Maya, who had recently scaled some of the highest peaks in Asia. She shared her journey, training routine, and the challenges she overcame. Her bravery and passion for nature were truly inspiring.
10. A multilingual street performer in Barcelona:
On a recent trip to Spain, I met Lucas, a street performer who could fluently speak five languages. He performed magic tricks while switching between English, Spanish, French, Italian, and German. His charisma and language skills made the encounter unforgettable.
Sample Answer 4:
Mr. Robert Neil is an interesting person whom I met a few months ago. He lives a few blocks away from our home and has recently moved to our locality from a different city. He has a family with 4 members and he is an engineering graduate and has worked as a chief engineer in many reputed organisations as he told me. In his early 40’s he took self-retirement and now enjoys his time either in developing some mysterious engineering and scientific tools or by travelling to different places of the world.
It’s pretty tough to say whether he is planning to visit a new country or has recently come from one if someone meets him. He mostly wears outdated clothes and has a long beard with a strange look in his eyes. To my surprise, I found my conversation with him very interesting as he likes to talk about his plan to invent something very important to change the world!
I am not sure what he is up to but it seems very thought-provoking to learn that he really believes that. He travels to hills and forests mostly to stay close to nature as he describes this habit to be helpful for idea generation. People often look at him very strangely and do some small talk about his attitude, but I find him to be an interesting person. To my surprise, he is a very devoted and doting father and husband and has a good flow of money even though he does not have a full-time job now.
I met him all of a sudden and that was interesting as well. One day he knocked on my door and I opened it. He came to our house and asked whether I could give him some copper. I was pretty perplexed by his sudden appearance and demand for some copper. He told me that he was doing an important experiment and needed some copper to carry out his test. I apologised that we do not have any copper to offer him and advised him to visit the nearby shopping complex where he might find it. He returned back after an hour with some bags and thanked me for letting him know where he might find the copper he was looking for. He then offered to visit his house and have dinner with him. The whole confrontation took me by surprise and I understood from that very day that he was a bit unusual and interesting in nature.
Sample Answer 5:
Well, an interesting person I've recently had the pleasure of meeting is a gentleman named Mr. Alistair Finch. I encountered him quite unexpectedly about a month ago while attending a local photography exhibition. We happened to be admiring the same striking landscape photograph, and a casual conversation sparked from there. I am so glad to have been given the time and opportunity to talk about this interesting person.
Mr. Finch, as I discovered, is a retired botanist who has spent the majority of his life travelling to some of the most remote and biodiverse regions on the planet, documenting rare plant species. What immediately struck me about him was his profound passion for the natural world and his incredible wealth of firsthand experience. He recounted tales of trekking through dense rainforests, scaling volcanic slopes, and even navigating remote river systems, all in pursuit of understanding and documenting plant life that most people never even knew existed.
What makes Mr. Finch so particularly interesting is not just his adventurous life, but his unique perspective on the interconnectedness of all living things. He doesn't just see plants as isolated organisms; he views them as integral components of complex ecosystems, each playing a vital role. He spoke eloquently about the delicate balance of nature and the urgent need for conservation, not in a preachy way, but with a genuine sense of urgency and deep understanding. He shared anecdotes about indigenous communities he had lived with, highlighting their traditional knowledge of plant uses and their sustainable way of life. Furthermore, Mr. Finch possesses a remarkable ability to articulate complex scientific concepts in an accessible and engaging manner. He could effortlessly switch between discussing the intricate cellular structure of a rare orchid and sharing a humorous anecdote about a close call with a jungle creature. His genuine enthusiasm was infectious, and his stories were peppered with fascinating details and thought-provoking insights.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
When describing an interesting person you've recently met, it's important to use descriptive language that captures their unique qualities, their impact on you, and the reasons behind your fascination. Focusing on specific details about their personality, experiences, and perspectives can make your description truly engaging. Here are some useful words and phrases with example sentences:
Intriguing individual – A person who arouses curiosity or interest.
Example: I recently met a truly intriguing individual at a conference.
Unconventional approach – A way of doing things that is different from the norm.
Example: What I found most interesting was his unconventional approach to his work.
Thought-provoking insights – Ideas and perspectives that make you think deeply.
Example: She shared some thought-provoking insights about modern art.
A wealth of experience – A large amount of knowledge and skill gained from having done something for a long time.
Example: He has a wealth of experience in the field of renewable energy.
Eloquent speaker – Someone who speaks fluently and persuasively.
Example: He was a very eloquent speaker, making his stories captivating.
Unique perspective on – A distinctive way of looking at a particular subject.
Example: She offered a unique perspective on the challenges facing our society.
Charismatic personality – Having a compelling charm that attracts and influences people.
Example: His charismatic personality made him instantly likeable.
Inspiring life story – A personal narrative that motivates and encourages others.
Example: She has an inspiring life story filled with resilience and determination.
Broad range of interests – Having many different subjects that you are interested in.
Example: He has a broad range of interests, from astrophysics to classical music.
Genuine enthusiasm – Sincere and intense excitement.
Example: Her genuine enthusiasm for her work was infectious.
Open-minded and receptive – Willing to consider new ideas and listen to others.
Example: I found him to be very open-minded and receptive to different viewpoints.
Challenges conventional wisdom – Questions or goes against generally accepted beliefs or ideas.
Example: He often challenges conventional wisdom with his innovative ideas.
Left a lasting impression – Had a significant and memorable effect on you.
Example: Our conversation left a lasting impression on me.
If you prepare for the topic "Describe an interesting person you have recently met", you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe an interesting person you know about.
2) Describe a person whom you have recently met and liked.
3) Describe an interesting elderly person you have met.
4) Describe a person you have met again after a long period of time.
5) Describe an interesting conversation you had with someone.
6) Describe a very adventurous person you know about.
7) Describe one of your neighbours.
8) Describe a person whom you met all of a sudden.
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