Cue Cards Samples with band 8 answers
Describe someone you know who is very brave - Cue Card # 327
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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 someone you know who is very brave.
You should say:
- who this person is
- how you know him/her
- what he/she does
and explain why you think this person is very brave.
[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:
I myself am not exactly a very brave person, but I have always appreciated the company and courage of a brave person. Luckily, of course, this person lives very nearby to my residence. In fact, we grew up together, so I know exactly what I am talking about.
Well, the person, I am talking about, is my own, elder cousin. His name is “Bill Graham”, but people around him fondly like to call him “Billy the Brave”, obviously because of sticking to a dangerous profession like the police. “Billy the Brave” is senior to me by a few years, so I always see him like an elder brother, but never as a “decorated police officer”. By the way, I refuse to “treat” him like a decorated police officer, probably because it would cast some shadow on our natural, brotherly bond and relationship.
But whether or not, one likes to treat him as a police officer, it doesn’t change the fact in any way that he still is a very brave person to me because of the role he chose to play to keep our society safe and secure from all sorts of anti-social and criminal elements, by fighting against them, as long as he remains awake. Just to give an example of his courage, he had been shot at least 3 times in his 12 years of career, by some notorious smugglers in my country, and still refuses to retire or take a leave from his job even for just one day! And I am calling him fearless, not just because he takes risks in his life, but also because he is very “adventurous” too! In fact, it would definitely give one “goosebumps” if he/she finds him bending and turning his motorbike in a “motorcycle racing” competition!
Anyway, Billy, the brave, is a very valiant person to me not just because he has already risked his life several times, but also because he thinks that his country needs him even though he might face even bigger risks in future to save his people and country he loves so much.
Sample Answer 2:
Introduction:
I have always believed that "bravery" is a quality that everyone admires. People who possess this quality can overcome their fears and do the right thing, even when it is difficult. In my life, I have come across many people who have displayed bravery, but the person who stands out the most in my mind is my best friend, Sarah. For this topic, I would like to describe her as a brave person.
Who this person is:
Sarah is an intelligent and confident woman who never backs down from a challenge. She is a single mother who works hard to provide for her children, and she never complains about the difficulties she faces.
How you know him/her:
Sarah and I have been best friends since we were in high school. We have been through many ups and downs together, and I have always been impressed by her courage and determination.
What he/she does:
Sarah's job is to work as a nurse in a hospital. She is responsible for taking care of patients, administering medication, and handling emergencies. Sarah always puts the needs of her patients first, and she is never afraid to take risks to ensure that they receive the best possible care.
And explain why you think this person is very brave:
There are many reasons why I believe Sarah is a very brave person. First of all, she faces danger and uncertainty every day at her job, but she never lets that stop her from doing her best. She is always calm and composed, even in the most difficult situations. Second, Sarah is a single mother who has raised two amazing children all on her own. She has faced numerous challenges, including financial difficulties and health problems, but she has never given up. Finally, Sarah is not afraid to stand up for what she believes in, even when it is not the popular opinion. So naturally, I consider her to be one of the bravest persons I have ever met and known.
Sample Answer 3:
I've always believed that being brave means being afraid of nothing. The two go hand in hand. First is the fear, then the determination not to be ruled by it - what I call “bravery”. So, I will always choose to face fear, in order to conquer it, for how else could we possibly make true progress in life? Today, I would like to talk about one such person who is not afraid to face his fear.
The brave person, I am talking about, is a distant cousin of mine. His name is "James" and he is about 35 years old. He is about 5 years older than me, and I have always found him to be a very positive, confident and brave person.
Whether it is by standing up for a person who is being picked on unjustly, standing against racism or prejudice or taking a stand against unfair social and economic practice, my distant cousin has always proved his worth as a brave person. I guess, by now, you have a pretty good idea about the profession of this person.
But, if not, I will tell you what he really does, and he is a Journalist – a brilliant and courageous journalist with a big heart. Trust me, being a good and objective journalist is not an easy thing these days because there always is a risk of being targeted unfairly by some crooked and anti-social elements against whom a journalist chooses to run his pen, knowing that there are risks. Anyway, the bravery of my cousin achieved a new dimension when he refused a good-paying job. Well, trust me, it takes some guts for a person to refuse a job that pays at least 5 times more than his current job, but my cousin did just that.
Anyway, I have already mentioned why exactly my cousin is a brave person. But, aside from that, I would like to say that it is his determination to always remain truthful and objective in all kinds of adverse situations for the sake and benefit of his society certainly makes him a very brave person in my eyes.
Idea generation for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
Bravery can be seen in everyday acts or in extraordinary situations. It is not only about fighting danger but also about standing up for what is right or facing challenges with courage. Below are some detailed ideas for someone you know who is very brave. These examples cover a range of professions, personal relationships, and inspiring stories.
1. My elder sister, a nurse during the COVID-19 pandemic:
She works at a government hospital and continued treating patients even during the height of the pandemic. I admire her because she faced the risk of infection every day but never once hesitated to go to work. Her dedication and fearlessness deeply inspired me.
2. My friend Ahmed, a firefighter in Karachi:
Ahmed has saved many lives in fire emergencies. I met him during university and we've been close since. I think he’s brave because he puts his life on the line regularly to protect others. His stories of rescue operations are both terrifying and admirable.
3. My grandmother who fought cancer:
She was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago and went through surgery and chemotherapy. Despite the pain, she never lost her smile. Her strength during those difficult times made me realise how strong and brave she truly is.
4. A classmate who stood up to bullying in school:
In high school, one of my classmates stood up to a group of seniors who were bullying a younger student. He reported the incident and even faced threats. I think that kind of moral courage is true bravery.
5. My neighbour, a single mother:
After losing her husband, she raised three children alone while working two jobs. Despite financial struggles, she ensured her kids were well-educated and happy. Her strength in managing everything with a smile shows great courage.
6. My uncle, a retired army officer:
He served in several critical missions abroad and once led a rescue operation during a flood in our country. I’ve heard his stories growing up and always admired his calmness in life-threatening situations.
7. My teacher who overcame a disability:
He lost his right arm in an accident but returned to teaching after recovery. He writes with his left hand now and inspires students every day with his positive attitude and perseverance. His courage taught us to never give up.
8. A friend who spoke out against injustice in the workplace:
She discovered unethical practices at her office and raised her voice, even though it meant risking her job. Eventually, the management changed their policies. I respect her bravery and moral strength.
9. A cousin who volunteers in war-torn regions:
He works with an international NGO and travels to conflict zones to help victims. He sends updates from areas most people would avoid. His commitment to helping others despite danger is truly admirable.
10. A college mate who came out despite family pressure:
He opened up about his identity and faced severe criticism and rejection. Still, he stood firm, educated others, and now supports people in similar situations. His emotional strength is a form of bravery I truly respect.
Model Answer 4:
To me, my mother is the bravest person I have ever known and met. She was a fighter from her early teenage and she is still a fighter. She lost her parents when she was only 14 and after that, she took life as a challenge. Strangely, with her bravery and determination, she has established herself as a successful Doctor and has been serving people ever since. She did an extraordinary job to be able to get admitted to the top-notch State-owned Medical College and achieved a promising result in her medical years. I am so exhilarated to be able to describe my mother here.
She is my mother and I have known her my whole life. By profession, she is a doctor, and she is, in fact, a very renowned doctor in our locality. She is popular for her benevolent character and bravery. People often seek her advice when needed and she treats the poor people for free. She even purchases medicine for them with her own money. She is also a doting mother of 3 children and a loving wife to my father. It amazes me how she perfectly balances her professional and personal life.
Her life was very challenging and she has faced almost all of the adversities "Luck" can bring to someone! Facing these adversities and successfully overcoming them requires courage, intelligence and resilience. She has done that with absolute bravery and brilliance. I have never seen her compromise with human rights and social justice even in very adverse situations. That makes her brave not only to me but also to most others who know her. She is the person I consider my role model and I admire her very much.
Sample Answer 5:
Thank you so much for this great topic that asks me to talk about a very courageous person I know. Well, one person I know who I consider exceptionally brave is my neighbour Mrs Sharma. I've known her family for over a decade, as they live just a few houses down the street from us.
While she might seem like an ordinary, soft-spoken woman in her late sixties, her quiet strength and the challenges she has faced with unwavering determination truly exemplify bravery to me. Mrs Sharma is a retired school teacher. However, it’s not her profession that defines her bravery, but rather how she has so far navigated life after her husband passed away unexpectedly about seven years ago. They had been married for over forty years and were deeply devoted to each other. His death left a significant void in her life, and she had to learn to manage everything on her own – from household finances and maintenance to dealing with her own health issues, as she has a chronic heart condition.
What makes Mrs Sharma so brave in my eyes is her incredible resilience and her refusal to succumb to despair. Instead of becoming withdrawn or dependent, she actively sought ways to cope and rebuild her life. She learned how to manage her finances meticulously, took online courses to understand basic home repairs, and became an active member of our community senior citizens' group. She even started volunteering at a local charity, helping underprivileged children with their studies.
I consider her brave not because she faced a single dramatic event, but because of her consistent and quiet courage in the face of ongoing adversity. Losing a life partner after so many years is an immense emotional blow, and dealing with chronic illness adds another layer of difficulty. Yet, Mrs Sharma has shown remarkable fortitude in learning new skills, maintaining her independence, and even extending a helping hand to others.
Model Answer 6:
Well, for this topic, I want to talk about Mr. Simpson, a man who exemplifies bravery in ways that go far beyond what most people would expect. I first witnessed his courage during a fire in the apartment building where we live. What makes Mr. Simpson such an extraordinary individual is not only his heroism during emergencies but also his benevolent and honest nature, which has earned him my admiration over the years. I am so glad to be able to talk about this courageous person here today.
Mr. Simpson resides directly opposite my apartment on the same floor. He works as a government official, and although he’s dedicated to his job, he’s also incredibly social and always up for a good chat. He’s well-known in our community for his bravery and selflessness, and his reputation for helping others has become almost legendary. In his younger days, Mr. Simpson was a skilled boxer who won numerous national and international championships. His background in unarmed combat has contributed to his fearless attitude, as he’s never shied away from danger if it means helping others.
Before becoming a government employee, Mr. Simpson taught mixed martial arts and ran his own school for self-defence. However, he later made a career switch to foreign affairs, and today, he works in the government’s foreign affairs section. While his career change was unexpected, he seems to have found great satisfaction in his current role. Despite this, his boldness has never diminished. One particular incident stands out in my mind, where I had the privilege of witnessing his incredible bravery firsthand.
Several months ago, a fire broke out in the building, and thick smoke quickly engulfed one of the apartments. Amidst the chaos and panic, Mr. Simpson was the only person who acted without hesitation. He rushed into the smoke-filled apartment and saved a young girl who was trapped inside. Despite the danger, he didn’t flinch. His courage, as he risked his life to rescue the girl, was truly remarkable. That act alone demonstrated his lionhearted spirit, and I believe it’s a perfect example of the kind of person Mr. Simpson is: fearless, selfless, and ever-ready to help when it’s most needed.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
When describing someone you know who is very brave, using vocabulary that highlights their courage, resilience, and the nature of their bravery can create a powerful and inspiring response. Here are some useful words and phrases with example sentences to help you do better in your IELTS Speaking exam.
Remarkable courage - Exceptional bravery and strength in the face of fear.
Example: He demonstrated remarkable courage in a dangerous situation.
Unwavering determination - Firm and resolute persistence despite obstacles.
Example: Her unwavering determination to overcome adversity is truly inspiring.
Acts of selflessness - Actions showing concern more for the needs and wishes of others than for one's own.
Example: His bravery is evident in his many acts of selflessness.
Faces challenges head-on - Deals with difficult situations directly and without avoiding them.
Example: She's the kind of person who faces challenges head-on.
Resilient spirit - The ability to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.
Example: Despite setbacks, she has a truly resilient spirit.
Moral courage - The courage to act rightly in the face of popular opposition, shame, scandal, or discouragement.
Example: His moral courage to speak out against injustice is admirable.
Quiet strength - Courage shown in a calm and understated way, without seeking attention.
Example: Her bravery is often seen in her quiet strength and perseverance.
Overcomes adversity - Successfully deals with difficult or challenging circumstances.
Example: He has bravely overcome significant adversity in his life.
Stands up for what is right - Supports and defends just or moral causes.
Example: She is brave because she always stands up for what is right, even when it's unpopular.
Fearless in the face of danger - Not afraid when confronted with something dangerous.
Example: In that moment, he was fearless in the face of danger.
Inspiring example - Someone whose bravery motivates others.
Example: He is an inspiring example of courage for everyone who knows him.
Demonstrates fortitude - Shows courage and resilience in pain or adversity.
Example: She demonstrates remarkable fortitude in dealing with her illness.
Acts with conviction - Behaves in a way that shows a strong belief in what is right.
Example: His bravery stems from acting with deep conviction.
If you prepare for the topic "Describe someone you know who is very brave", you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe an adventurous person you know.
2) Describe someone you like or admire.
3) Describe someone you know who likes to take risks.
4) Describe someone in your family you like or admire.
5) Describe someone you know who does something well.
6) Describe a person who you think is brave.
7) Describe one of your friends.
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