Cue Cards Samples with band 8 answers
Describe a time when you helped someone - Cue Card # 343
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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 a time when you helped someone.
You should say:
- who you helped and why
- how you helped this person
- what the result was
and explain how you felt about helping this person.
[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:
Thank you for giving me the chance to talk about this interesting topic. In fact, I can remember quite a few occasions when I tried to lend a helping hand to others. The particular event that I would like to talk about here is the time when I helped a poor family in our hometown during my college years.
I can’t recall the exact name of the person, but I remember that he had a family of 5 members and was a helper to a technician - as he told me. He had little education and mostly relied on a small shop where he worked. In a twist of events, this shop was shattered in a devastating cyclone, and the shop owner decided to discontinue his business. The person I am talking about lost his only source of income as a result. One day, I noticed him trying to console his small kids who were crying from hunger! This happened near our college campus, and I had been there to meet a friend. I was so touched by the beautiful yet bleak and pale-looking children that I went ahead and talked to this person. He explained what happened to his family in a trembling voice.
I bought them some food and asked them to follow me to our college and wait in the guest room. With three close friends of mine, I went to our departmental head and wrote an application regarding the agony of the person and his family. The teacher permitted us to spend an hour to raise some money for the suffering family, and we were so glad to have the permission and chance to help this poor family.
We had been able to convey the anguish of this person and his family to the students and teachers, and we raised a significant amount of money - an amount beyond our expectations! With this money, we bought some food and clothes for this family, and we gave them the remaining amount so that they would not go hungry and look for work and a way of earning.
How did I feel helping this poor family? Oh, I felt ecstatic about helping this poor family. I don't know what sparked my determination to help them - the gloomy-looking parents or the hungry children - but one thing I am sure of is that I made the right decision to come forward and help them. Perhaps it wasn't much, but I believe it gave them a fair chance to start something, and it was an immense pleasure for me.
Sample Answer 2:
Thanks a lot for giving me this great opportunity to talk about this topic. Here, I’d like to share a story about a time when I helped a friend, which turned out to be a rather bitter experience.
A while ago, while I was studying and working part-time in Malaysia, life was already tough. I was doing my best to manage my studies, job, and personal finances. One day, a friend from university, Christopher (I’ll call him that to keep his identity private), asked me for help. He needed money to pay his tuition fees for the upcoming semester. Christopher came from a wealthy family, and it was the first time he had ever asked me for financial help.
At first, I was caught off guard. I also needed money for my own fees, and my finances were tight. But then I thought, "Why not share what I have to help him out?" So, I decided to lend him half of my tuition fees, even though I knew it meant I would have to pay my fees in instalments instead of all at once.
Christopher promised he would return the money once his family sent him funds. He paid the first instalment on time, and things seemed fine. However, as the semester progressed, I struggled to make up the rest of the money. Despite my family’s financial stability, I was determined to manage everything on my own.
Unfortunately, things took a turn for the worse. Christopher never paid me back. When I confronted him, he denied owing me anything and even told me not to bring it up again. It was a heartbreaking experience, and I felt deeply disappointed, not just because of the money, but because of the betrayal. It taught me an important lesson about helping others – sometimes, it’s important to be cautious about who you trust.
Model Answer 3:
Introduction:
Oh, thank you, sir/madam, for allowing me to talk about a time when I helped someone. Well, one of the most memorable events when I helped someone was when I assisted my elderly neighbour during a medical emergency. It was such an experience that left a significant impact on me. Therefore, I will talk about this event for this topic.
Who you helped and why:
I helped my next-door neighbour, Mrs. Helena, who is in her late 70s. She has lived alone for many years, and although she is independent, she occasionally needs assistance due to her age. I’ve always made sure to check on her from time to time, especially since she doesn’t have any immediate family around. One evening, she fell in her home and couldn’t get up, which is when I had to step in.
How you helped this person:
I was at home when I received a phone call from Mrs. Helena. She had fallen while trying to reach for something on a high shelf, and she couldn’t move her leg. Immediately, I rushed over to her house. Upon arrival, I found her lying on the floor, in pain and quite distressed. I quickly assessed the situation and called for an ambulance, making sure that she was comfortable while waiting for help. I stayed with her, reassured her, and helped by keeping her calm until the paramedics arrived.
What the result was:
The ambulance arrived promptly, and Mrs. Helena was taken to the hospital. Thankfully, she had only suffered a mild sprain, and she didn’t have any broken bones. She was discharged later that evening with some pain relief and instructions to rest.
And explain how you felt about helping this person:
Helping Mrs. Helena was both a rewarding and humbling experience. Initially, I felt anxious because it was such an unexpected situation, and I wanted to make sure she was okay. However, as soon as I saw the paramedics arrive and the relief on her face, I felt a sense of accomplishment and comfort knowing that I had helped her in a moment of need. It made me appreciate the importance of being there for the people around us, especially those who might not be able to help themselves in emergencies.
Idea generation for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
Helping others can be a rewarding experience that not only makes a difference in their lives but also gives us a sense of fulfilment. There are many ways to help people, whether it’s through small acts of kindness or larger gestures. Here are some ideas to help you describe a time when you helped someone:
1. Helping a friend with a personal problem:
One time, I helped a close friend who was going through a tough breakup. She was feeling emotionally overwhelmed, and she reached out to me for support. I listened to her, provided advice, and encouraged her to focus on self-care and moving forward. I also helped by suggesting activities she could do to take her mind off things, such as attending a yoga class together. As a result, she gradually started to feel better and regain her confidence. I felt proud of being there for her, and it strengthened our friendship.
2. Helping a colleague with a work task:
At work, I once helped a colleague who was struggling with a project deadline. She had too many tasks on her plate and was feeling overwhelmed. I offered to take on some of her work and helped her with organising the tasks in a manageable way. We worked together to complete the project on time, and the outcome was successful. She was grateful for my help, and I felt good knowing that I had made her work life easier and contributed to the success of the team.
3. Helping a family member with a health issue:
When my mother fell ill and needed surgery, I helped by taking care of her at home during her recovery. I assisted with cooking meals, administering her medications, and helping with household chores. Although it was a challenging time, I felt happy to support her in any way I could. The result was that she recovered well, and our bond became even stronger. I felt a deep sense of satisfaction and love for being able to take care of her during her time of need.
4. Helping a stranger in need:
One time, I helped a lost tourist who had trouble finding their way around the city. I noticed they were holding a map, looking confused, so I approached them and offered to help. I guided them to the nearest landmark and gave them directions to their destination. The tourist was extremely grateful for my assistance, and I felt happy to make their day easier. It was a simple act, but it left me with a sense of fulfilment, knowing I helped a stranger in a small but meaningful way.
5. Helping a neighbour during an emergency:
Once, I helped my elderly neighbour when she had a medical emergency at home. She suddenly fell and couldn’t get up, so I immediately called for help and stayed with her until the ambulance arrived. I helped by comforting her and ensuring she was safe until professional help arrived. Afterwards, she was fine, but I felt deeply moved by the experience. It was a reminder of how important it is to be there for those in need, especially in times of crisis.
6. Helping a student with their studies:
I once helped a student who was struggling with their final exam preparation. They came to me for tutoring, so I spent several weeks explaining difficult concepts and practising with them. After the exam, they were able to pass with good grades. Seeing their improvement and knowing that I had played a role in their success made me feel fulfilled and proud. It reinforced my belief in the power of education and the impact of helping others achieve their goals.
7. Helping a friend start a business:
A friend of mine wanted to start an online business but didn’t know where to begin. I offered my help by guiding them through the process of creating a business plan, setting up a website, and marketing their products. With time and effort, their business took off, and they became successful. I felt proud of the role I played in helping them achieve their entrepreneurial dreams and was happy to see their hard work pay off.
8. Helping an animal in need:
One time, I found an injured stray dog on the street. I immediately took it to the vet, where it was treated and cared for. Afterwards, I found a loving home for the dog. The dog’s recovery and new home brought me so much joy. Helping an animal in need made me feel grateful and connected to the community, and it reinforced my belief in the importance of kindness toward animals.
9. Helping a friend cope with a loss:
When a close friend of mine lost a loved one, I helped them by offering emotional support and spending time with them. I listened to their feelings and helped them with funeral arrangements. Over time, my friend began to heal, and they expressed gratitude for my support. I felt honoured to be there for them during such a difficult time, and it reminded me of the value of providing comfort to others in their times of grief.
10. Helping a community project:
As part of a volunteer program, I helped organise a local community event aimed at raising funds for charity. I contributed by coordinating logistics, promoting the event, and ensuring everything ran smoothly on the day. The event was successful, and the community raised enough money to support the cause. Helping with the project made me feel part of something bigger, and it showed me how small contributions can have a significant impact on the lives of others.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ cue card topic:
When describing a time you helped someone, using vocabulary that highlights the person, the reason for your assistance, the actions you took, the outcome, and your feelings can create a meaningful and empathetic narrative. Focusing on the impact of your help and your emotional response will effectively explain your experience. Here are some useful words and phrases with example sentences:
Offered assistance to – Voluntarily provided help to someone.
Example: I offered assistance to an elderly neighbour.
Lent a hand to – Provided practical help or support.
Example: I decided to lend a hand to a colleague who was struggling.
Came to someone's aid – Helped someone who was in difficulty or needed help urgently.
Example: I came to their aid when they had a flat tire.
Out of the goodness of my heart – Because of my natural kindness and generosity.
Example: I helped them out purely out of the goodness of my heart.
Empathized with their situation – Understood and shared their feelings or difficulties.
Example: I empathized with their situation and wanted to do what I could.
Offered a listening ear – Listened attentively and sympathetically to their problems.
Example: Sometimes, all they needed was someone to offer a listening ear.
Went out of my way to help – Made a special effort to assist them, even if it was inconvenient.
Example: I went out of my way to help them move their belongings.
Made a positive difference – Had a beneficial impact on their situation.
Example: It felt good to know that I had made a positive difference.
Alleviated their burden – Made their difficulties or worries less severe.
Example: I hoped that my help would alleviate their burden.
Felt a sense of satisfaction – Experienced a feeling of contentment and fulfilment.
Example: I felt a deep sense of satisfaction after helping them.
Was deeply rewarding – Provided a strong feeling of personal satisfaction and benefit.
Example: Helping them was a deeply rewarding experience.
Strengthened our bond – Made our relationship or connection stronger.
Example: It strengthened our bond of friendship.
Similar Cue Card Topics
If you prepare for the topic "Describe a time when you helped someone", you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe a time when you helped a child.
2) Describe something good you did for others.
3) Describe something that you felt good about.
4) Describe something you did that was new or exciting.
5) Describe a situation when you helped someone.
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