Cue Cards Samples with band 8 answers
Person who has done a lot of work to help people - Cue Card # 479
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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 person who has done a lot of work to help people.
You should say:
- who this person is/was
- where this person lives/lived
- what he/she has done to help people
and explain how you know about 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.]
Model Answer 1:
Introduction:
Mother Teresa, a prominent name in the history of philanthropy, was a person who dedicated her entire life to helping people. She was an epitome of love and kindness and had a significant impact on the lives of many people worldwide. So as soon as I looked at this topic, I was sure that I would talk about this noble and outstanding person named Mother Teresa.
Who this person is/was:
Mother Teresa was an Albanian-Indian Roman Catholic nun and missionary who lived in Kolkata, India. She founded the Missionaries of Charity, a Roman Catholic religious congregation, in 1950, which provides aid to the sick, the needy, and the dying.
Where this person lives/lived:
Mother Teresa lived most of her life in Kolkata, India, where she worked tirelessly for the betterment of people's lives. She started her mission in the slums of Kolkata, and her work spread to other parts of the world, making her a global icon of charity.
What he/she has done to help people:
Mother Teresa's work was focused on helping the most vulnerable and marginalised people in society. She provided food, shelter, and healthcare to people who were living in extreme poverty, and her organisation also took care of orphaned and abandoned children. Her selfless service to society has touched the lives of millions of people across the globe.
And explain how you know about this person:
Mother Teresa is a well-known personality worldwide, and I came to know about her through books, movies, and news articles. I was amazed by her tireless efforts to serve humanity, and her work has inspired me to do my bit for society. Her life is an inspiration to many, and her message of love and compassion continues to inspire people across the world.
Sample Answer 2:
Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft, is a well-known name in the world of technology and philanthropy. He is one of the most influential personalities who has been using his wealth and resources to help people around the world. Here, I would like to talk about Bill Gates and his contribution to society.
Bill Gates was born on October 28, 1955, in Seattle, Washington, USA. He is an American business magnate, software developer, investor, and philanthropist. Gates is one of the richest people in the world, with a net worth of over $100 billion. He currently resides in Washington, USA.
Bill Gates is known for his philanthropic work through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which he founded with his ex-wife in 2000. The foundation is one of the world's largest charitable organizations and works to improve global healthcare and reduce extreme poverty. Gates has donated billions of dollars to various causes through the foundation and has been actively involved in several initiatives to improve people's lives. I believe that Bill Gates is an extraordinary individual who has dedicated his life to helping others. He serves as a powerful example of how an individual with immense wealth and resources can use them to improve the lives of others.
Through the foundation, Gates has worked on a wide range of projects, including eradicating diseases such as polio and malaria, improving education, and investing in new technologies to address global challenges such as climate change. The foundation has also supported research in various fields, including agriculture, energy, and healthcare.
I have learned about Bill Gates and his philanthropic work through various news articles, documentaries, and interviews. His contributions to society have been widely recognized, and his work has inspired many people around the world to get involved in charitable initiatives. I admire his dedication to making a positive impact on the world and believe that his work serves as a powerful example for others to follow.
Model Answer 3:
Thank you for choosing this nice cue card topic for me. The country, in which I live, indeed has seen a great number of people who have worked tirelessly to help others. Today, I would like to talk about one such person who essentially has become the epitome of philanthropy and philanthropic activities in my country.
The person, I am talking about, is very popularly known as “Haji Mohammad Mohsin” in my country. Born in the year of 1733 AD, Haji Mohammad Mohsin was one of the greatest Muslim personalities of undivided Bengal in British India. He is known as a great philanthropist and educationist of Bengal. In fact, he is such a popular figure in Bangladesh that whenever somebody does something good to help other people, they start to compare him or her with the “great” Haji Mohammad Mohsin.
Anyway, He was one of the wealthiest men in the area as he possessed huge properties in Hooghly, Nadia in today's Bengal (a province of India which has a border with Bangladesh) and in Khulna and Jessore in today's Bangladesh.
This great philanthropist dedicated all the income – yes, all of his income - from his property for charity and social and educational causes. He particularly helped the starved and destitute during the great famine of Bengal in 1776-77 which had saved the lives of thousands of people. Besides, he established many schools and colleges to offer free education for the poor and unprivileged, in addition to building many places for worship. However, the most significant aspect of this great person was that even though he was one of the wealthiest few persons of undivided India, he earned his living by sewing caps and calligraphy of the holy Quran.
I know about this person, primarily from educational sources, like schools and books. In fact, it was a part of our course curriculum to learn about such great people of our country. I came to learn about him also through some discussions on our television channels.
Sample Answer 4:
This is an interesting topic. Many people help others as part of their professional role – perhaps giving advice, teaching students or providing medical treatment. Of course, all of these things are incredibly important, impressive and of course helpful. And today, I’ll tell you about a person I know about who I believe has helped a lot of people.
So the person is known locally as The Mohican Runner, and he lives in my home city of Sheffield. To be quite honest, when I first spotted him it was simply because he had a very distinctive look. He is quite lean and athletic and a talented runner, so a fast and furious participant in many local races. However, what makes him stand out is that he has a well-sculptured Mohican haircut. It’s a punk style where the sides of his head are shaved, and then he has a distinctive central strip of long hair down the middle. His arms are heavily inked with various geometric designs, other shapes are marked on his shaved head and legs. If you just saw him, it is possible that you might feel quite intimidated by him at first glance, but once you know his story you will realise you shouldn’t be.
Because The Mohican Runner runs and lives locally, I saw him around a lot. He, like me, is a regular attendee at my local Saturday morning 5 km parkrun. (Though unlike me he always finishes near the front!) About a year ago, I found out that he was setting himself some running challenges to raise money for some children’s charities. This caught my attention. Not content with seeking sponsorship for doing a single event, The Mohican Runner set himself the challenge of running a half-marathon every month for 13 months, the following year it was to run a race every weekend for a year. The challenges are in themselves impressive, but also not the point. It turns out that what drove this fundraising addiction was his own personal experience. He was himself the victim of really horrific physical child abuse when he was growing up. He was isolated, bullied and vulnerable. He was only able to escape his situation when certain charities got involved and intervened and he was then removed from his family.
His fundraising achievements are extraordinary, his story and efforts have raised somewhere around £1.3 million, which is an amazing sum of money. However, I believe it isn’t just that he has helped people through fundraising. I believe by being courageous enough to tell his story he reminds everyone of how important it is to be alert to the often hidden problem of child abuse. I think what he does is helpful beyond measure because even without fundraising, he is giving a voice to a section of society that is often completely powerless and without a voice to represent them at all.
[ Written by - Lucy Marris (2016): Careers Adviser (UK), TEFL teacher (Vietnam) ]
Idea generation for this Candidate task card / Cue card topic:
Below are some examples of individuals from different backgrounds and regions who have significantly helped people. These ideas can be adapted based on your personal experience or knowledge.
1. Mother Teresa:
She dedicated her entire life to serving the poor and sick in Kolkata, India. As the founder of the Missionaries of Charity, she provided shelter, care, and dignity to the homeless and dying. Her humanitarian work earned her the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979.
2. Abdul Sattar Edhi:
He lived in Pakistan and founded the Edhi Foundation, which operates the largest ambulance network in the country. He also opened orphanages, shelters for the homeless, and medical clinics. I read about him in a book on modern-day heroes.
3. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao:
She is a Vietnamese entrepreneur and philanthropist. Apart from founding VietJet Air, she has funded numerous educational and health initiatives for underprivileged children. I came across her story in a local Vietnamese business magazine.
4. Terry Fox:
This Canadian icon attempted to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research after losing a leg to the disease. His Marathon of Hope raised millions and continues to inspire people through annual charity runs. I learned about him in high school.
5. Elon Musk:
Though primarily known for his business ventures, Elon Musk's contributions to renewable energy and space exploration are seen as efforts to help humanity long-term. He’s donated millions to education, health, and environmental causes. I follow his work online.
6. Malala Yousafzai:
Originally from Pakistan, she now lives in the UK and advocates for girls' education globally. She survived a Taliban attack and has since become a Nobel laureate and symbol of resistance and courage. Her autobiography inspired me deeply.
7. Jacinda Ardern:
As the former Prime Minister of New Zealand, she was praised for her empathetic leadership during crises like the Christchurch mosque shootings and the COVID-19 pandemic. I watched a documentary on her leadership style.
8. Greta Thunberg:
A Swedish climate activist, she has rallied millions around the world to demand urgent action on climate change. Her speeches at global summits left a strong impression on me, especially her clarity and passion at such a young age.
9. Kailash Satyarthi:
He is an Indian children’s rights activist who has rescued thousands of children from slavery and bonded labour. He also shared the Nobel Peace Prize with Malala. I learned about him from a TED talk.
10. A local volunteer:
My neighbour, Mrs. Evelyn, runs a community kitchen in my town every weekend. She prepares and distributes meals to the homeless. Her humility and consistency inspire many, including myself.
Vocabulary for this Candidate Task Card / Cue Card topic:
When talking about someone who has dedicated their time, resources, or efforts to help others, it’s essential to use vocabulary that reflects admiration, impact, and humanitarian values. The following list includes moderately advanced words and expressions that will help you articulate your thoughts clearly and effectively for this cue card topic:
Selfless – Putting other people's needs before one's own.
Humanitarian – A person who works to improve the lives and welfare of others.
Philanthropy – The practice of giving time, money, or resources to help others and support social causes.
Altruistic – Acting out of concern for others without expecting personal gain.
Compassionate – Showing sympathy, kindness, and concern for those in need.
Charitable initiatives – Organised activities or programs intended to support people in need.
Community leader – A respected person who helps guide or support people in a neighbourhood or local area.
Volunteer work – Unpaid work done to help others, often through organisations or events.
Outreach programme – A service or campaign that reaches out to support underserved individuals or communities.
Social change – A significant transformation in behaviour, cultural values, or social institutions driven by individuals or movements.
Empower – To give people the tools or confidence they need to take control of their lives.
Advocate – A person who publicly supports a cause or helps defend others' rights.
Impactful – Having a strong effect or influence.
Dedication – The quality of being committed to a cause or task.
Inspire – To motivate or encourage someone to take positive action or pursue something meaningful.
Part 3 – Details discussion:
Helping other people in the community:
Q. What are some of the ways people can help others in the community? Which is most important?
Q. Why do you think some people like to help other people?
Q. Some people say that people help others in the community more now than they did in the past. Do you agree or disagree? Why?
Community Services:
Q. What types of services, such as libraries or health centres, are available to the people who live in your area? Do you think there are enough of them?
Q. Which groups of people generally need most support in a community? Why?
Q. Who do you think should pay for the services that are available to the people in a community? Should it be the government or individual people?
Click here for the answer to these part 3 questions - Speaking Sample Part 3
If you prepare for the topic "Describe a person who has done a lot of work to help people", you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe someone you know who does something well
2) Describe a famous person in your country whom you know.
3) Describe someone who is kind and helpful to others.
4) Describe someone you admire a lot.
5) Describe a person whose job is important to society.
6) Describe a person who makes a positive contribution to society.
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