Cue Cards Samples with band 8 answers
Describe a person whom you recently met and liked - Cue Card # 530
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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 whom you have recently met and liked.
You should say:
- when and where you met
- what he/she does
- why you liked him/her
and explain whether you would like to spend more time with 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're going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]
Model Answer 1:
I am not sure about others, but I think that I have met my fair share of good people whom I have liked for one reason or another. Perhaps I am just not the best judge of people, and that’s probably why I like pretty much everybody I meet, just like I met Mr. Gingrich recently.
I met Mr. Gingrich at a local shopping centre in my town, where he works as a security guard. But, he certainly didn’t look like just any other security guard in the town because there was an aura of authority and respect around him. He dressed nicely, and he certainly loved his job as he made it abundantly clear with his constant patrolling in and around the shopping centre.
Anyway, as I approached Gingrich to ask for some parking-related questions, he stunned me by saying that he couldn’t help me with my questions, as if he already knew what I was about to ask! Later on, of course, he told me who could actually help me with my question, but what really puzzled me was that he was too “sharp” for an 80-year-old man. When I asked him how he could possibly know what I was about to ask, his simple reply with a smiley face was that he had all the experience in this world to understand who needed what, just like a psychic could do.
To tell you the truth, I don’t know whether or not he was a psychic, but I sure liked his confidence and alertness. Besides, I also liked the way he was carrying him.
Anyway, my meeting with that 80-year-old man was brief, but I certainly would like to spend some more time with him because he surely had a treasure of experience to share with me in order to teach me a thing or two about life and living a good and full life.
Sample Answer 2:
For this interesting topic, I’d like to talk about a person I met recently and instantly connected with. His name is Rahul, and he’s an IT professional who runs his own tech company.
I first met him about four months ago, quite by chance, through work. I had gone to his office on Royal Street because he had applied for a business loan, and I was assigned to handle his case. At first, it was just a formal, professional meeting, but very quickly, I realised he wasn’t just another client. He struck me as warm, approachable, and genuinely easy to talk to.
What surprised me even more was that we had a lot in common. For example, we both graduated from the same university - I completed my MBA there, while he studied computer science. That small coincidence sort of broke the ice, and we ended up chatting about our time on campus, professors we both knew, and even some of the old hangout spots around the university.
Now, what I admire most about Rahul is his determination and integrity. He comes from a wealthy family, but instead of relying on his background, he chose to start his IT firm completely on his own. He told me he didn’t take a single penny from his father when setting up the business, and honestly, I think that takes a lot of courage. Many people in his position would have used family money or connections to make things easier, but he wanted to build everything from scratch. Another thing I really respect is his honesty. Even with the loan application that I was reviewing, he never once tried to use his influence or family connections to push things along. He just said, “If my business qualifies, great. If not, I’ll work harder.” That mindset really impressed me because it’s rare to see that kind of attitude among young entrepreneurs these days.
Over the last few months, we’ve started to become good friends. He even invited me to a family gathering recently, which was incredibly kind of him, considering our friendship is still quite new. I’d definitely like to spend more time with him in the future - learning about his business ideas, his future plans, and also just enjoying his company.
Sample Answer 3:
Recently, I met a guy named Jack Ethan, who has now become one of my closest friends. He’s originally from Australia, but he’s studying Mass Communication at Cairo University under an international scholarship. We actually met on the very first day of class when he happened to sit next to me, and we just clicked right away.
What I really admire about him is that, despite coming from a wealthy background, he’s incredibly down-to-earth and humble. He’s also extremely sharp - always quick with a witty response, even our professors sometimes struggle to argue with him. But the moment that really made me appreciate him was when I was struggling with my first assignment. None of my old school friends offered to help, but Jack, who was completely new to Egypt, immediately guided me and showed me how to approach it. That small gesture spoke volumes about his character.
I enjoy spending time with him not just because he’s funny and intelligent, but also because he has a unique perspective on politics, culture, and life in general. Honestly, I feel I can learn a lot from him, and I’m glad that what started as a casual meeting has turned into such a meaningful friendship.
Model Answer 4:
Introduction:
I'd like to talk about a person whom I recently met during a train journey in the UK. The encounter was brief but memorable, and I was genuinely impressed by her personality, which left a positive impression on me. So, thank you for the opportunity to talk about this person whom I met suddenly, but liked a lot.
When and where you met:
A few weeks ago, I was travelling from London to Manchester by train. The journey was a couple of hours long, and I happened to be seated next to a young woman. We started talking quite naturally after she helped me lift my bag onto the overhead shelf. That small act of kindness led to an engaging conversation that lasted almost the entire trip.
What he/she does:
She told me that she is a postgraduate student studying environmental science at a university in Manchester. Besides her studies, she is also involved in a few community projects that focus on reducing plastic waste and promoting sustainable living. I found it fascinating that she was not only academically committed but also practically contributing to society through her volunteer work.
Why you liked him/her:
What I liked most about her was her humble nature and enthusiasm. Despite being highly knowledgeable in her field, she spoke in a very approachable and friendly manner. I also admired her strong sense of responsibility towards the environment, which reflected a lot of maturity and awareness. Her positive outlook on life and willingness to make a difference were truly inspiring.
And explain whether you would like to spend more time with this person:
Yes, I would definitely like to spend more time with her if I get the chance. I feel I could learn a great deal from her perspective on environmental issues and her passion for making a meaningful impact. Besides, she was genuinely pleasant to talk to, and I believe spending more time with such a person would be both enjoyable and enriching.
Idea generation for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
This topic asks you to describe a person you’ve met recently and genuinely liked. To craft a strong answer, mention when and where you met, what this person does, the specific qualities or actions that made you like them, and whether you’d like to spend more time with them. Here are some ideas to help you develop your own response:
1. The barista who remembered my order:
We met last month at a neighbourhood café where I stopped during a busy morning. She works as a barista and handled a long queue with calm efficiency. I liked her for remembering my name and custom order after just one visit, which felt thoughtful and personal. I’d love to chat with her again about coffee beans and latte art during a quieter afternoon.
2. A software engineer from a meetup:
The encounter happened two weeks ago at a local tech meetup. He’s a backend engineer who volunteers as a mentor for beginners. What impressed me was his humility and clear explanations of complex concepts. I’d like to collaborate with him on a weekend open-source project to learn from his approach.
3. The librarian who curated a reading list:
I met her at the public library while looking for books on creativity. She is a librarian who curates thematic lists for patrons. I appreciated how she asked targeted questions and recommended titles that matched my goals. Spending more time attending her library workshops would be inspiring.
4. A fitness instructor from a trial class:
We met last Sunday at a community gym during a free trial session. He is a certified fitness coach focusing on functional training. I liked his supportive coaching style - he corrected my form without being pushy and celebrated small improvements. I’d happily join his weekly class to build a consistent routine.
5. The visiting lecturer at a seminar:
The meeting took place at a university seminar last month. She’s a researcher and visiting lecturer in behavioural science. Her talk combined data with engaging stories, which made the topic accessible. I’d enjoy having coffee with her to discuss practical applications of her research.
6. A neighbour who organised a cleanup:
We met during a weekend street cleanup two weeks ago. He works as a logistics coordinator and volunteered to manage supplies and safety. His ability to motivate everyone - and crack jokes while working - stood out. I’d like to team up with him for the next community project and keep that momentum going.
7. The startup founder at a co-working space:
This was a recent encounter at a shared office where I booked a day pass. She runs a small ed-tech startup. I liked her focus on user feedback and her willingness to share both successes and mistakes. I’d welcome another conversation to exchange product ideas and workflows.
8. A photographer at a local exhibition:
I met him last weekend at a small gallery opening. He’s a freelance photographer who documents everyday city life. His warm, curious personality mirrored the empathy in his work, which made me like him instantly. I’d like to join one of his photo walks to learn how he frames candid moments.
9. The volunteer at a blood donation camp:
The meeting happened recently at a community health drive. She’s a medical student volunteering to guide donors through the process. Her calm voice and clear instructions made the experience smooth. I’d be happy to help at the next event and learn more about her journey in medicine.
10. A chef from a cooking class:
We met last Friday in an evening cooking workshop. He’s a professional chef who teaches home cooks simple techniques. I liked his patient teaching style and practical tips that made complex dishes manageable. I’d definitely sign up for another session to explore regional cuisines with him.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
When describing a person you have recently met and liked, using specific vocabulary can effectively convey the context of your meeting, their profession, their personality traits, and your reasons for wanting to get to know them better. Thoughtful word choices will help you articulate the positive impression they made on you, making your response both personal and engaging. Here are some relevant words and phrases:
Acquaintance: – A person one knows slightly, but who is not a close friend.
Example: We are new acquaintances who just met at a conference last week.
First impression: – The initial judgment or feeling one has about a person or thing, typically a strong and lasting one.
Example: My first impression of her was that she was incredibly confident and kind.
Charismatic: – Exercising a compelling charm that inspires devotion in others.
Example: His charismatic personality made him the centre of attention in the room.
Approachable: – Friendly and easy to talk to.
Example: I liked him immediately because he was so approachable and welcoming.
Insightful: – Having or showing an accurate and deep understanding; perceptive.
Example: Her insightful comments during the discussion really impressed me.
Articulate: – Having or showing the ability to speak fluently and coherently.
Example: He was very articulate, which made our conversation engaging and interesting.
Shared interests: – Common hobbies, activities, or topics that people enjoy together.
Example: We discovered we had many shared interests, which made talking to him very easy.
Open-minded: – Willing to consider new ideas; unprejudiced.
Example: She was very open-minded and receptive to different points of view.
Engaging: – Holding one's interest or attention.
Example: I found our conversation to be very engaging and dynamic.
Kindred spirit: – A person whose tastes, interests, or attitudes are similar to one's own.
Example: I felt like I had found a kindred spirit in her, as we connected on so many levels.
Bond: – A feeling or force that unites people.
Example: I feel we could form a strong bond if we spend more time together.
Genuine: – Truly what something is said to be; authentic.
Example: What I liked most about him was his genuine personality and warmth.
Impression: – An idea, feeling, or opinion about something or someone.
Example: He left a very positive impression on me.
Intriguing: – Arousing one's curiosity or interest; fascinating.
Example: I found her life story to be quite intriguing and wanted to learn more.
Witty: – Showing or characterised by quick and inventive verbal humour.
Example: He was so witty and had a way of making everyone laugh.
Down-to-earth: – Practical and realistic.
Example: Despite her success, she was very down-to-earth and humble.
If you prepare for the topic "Describe a person whom you have recently met and liked", you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe an interesting person you have recently met.
2) Describe a person you recently met again after a long time.
3) Describe a person you have met only once and want to know more about.
4) Describe an interesting person you know.
5) Describe a person with whom you like to work or study.
6) Describe someone who has accidentally become your friend.
7) Describe a memorable conversation you have had with a stranger.
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