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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 showed or taught a young person how to do something.

You should say:

• who this person was
• what you have taught him/her
• whether he/she learnt what you taught

and explain how you felt about teaching this young 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:

Well, he was my nephew and a young boy who was about 8 or 9 years old when I taught him something I thought was important to him. He was growing up and certainly wanted to do a lot of things in life, only to wake up to the “harsh” realities of life that things weren’t just as “easy” as he would have preferred. Still, of course, he just wished that he could actually learn to ride a bicycle on his own.

So, as a “well-wishing” uncle, I just “wished” for him, all the luck that I had in my “store”, but, unfortunately, it wasn’t just enough. He just kept running out of his luck, and I was also running out of my “patience”.  Therefore, I decided to “intervene”.

First, I explained a few “tricks” about holding a bicycle properly, followed by a “universal art” of how not to “cry” after “falling” on the ground with a bicycle on top. Then, of course, came the part where I taught our “future cycling hero” how to paddle properly while maintaining the body balance at the same time. However, it was one of those situations where one would get to say “it is easy to say but difficult to do” kind of things, and my “struggling” nephew figured that out as well.

So, despite my best efforts and “universally accepted” cycling techniques, my good nephew kept failing and “falling”.  The “war” of keeping the cycle standstill on the ground, while paddling it, had continued for almost a week in this way with me, of course, occasionally “jumping” on it to display the “art and science” of riding a bicycle to encourage my nephew.

Finally, my hard work as well as that of my nephew’s paid off, and my “student” was well on his way to grab a pack of cookies for me from one of the local shops by riding his bicycle without falling even once.

When the “moment of success” finally arrived, my nephew was just ecstatic as if he was flying on the moon with his bicycle. Needless to say, I was also very happy to see my nephew succeed. In fact, it was a great feeling to be able to teach someone to succeed in a difficult task and provide him/her with the much-needed confidence that one deserves. Besides, the very thought of my nephew, sharing his story of learning to ride a bicycle with his friends/family after he grows up, where I played an “important” role, was just gratifying and fulfilling. Finally, it was after this cycling lesson for my nephew, that I realised how important it was for us adults to teach new things to our young ones, because if we don’t, who else will?!

Model Answer 2:

A memorable experience of teaching a young person something occurred when I helped my neighbour's daughter, Lily, learn how to play the guitar. Lily, who was eleven years old at the time, had expressed interest in learning the instrument after seeing her favourite musicians perform on stage.

I offered to give her guitar lessons, knowing that I could share my passion for music and help her embark on her musical journey. We started by selecting a suitable beginner's guitar for her and ensuring it was properly tuned.

During our first lesson, I introduced Lily to the basic parts of the guitar and taught her how to hold it correctly. We then moved on to learning the fundamental chords, starting with simple ones like G, C, and D. I demonstrated each chord slowly, guiding her fingers to the correct positions on the fretboard.

As Lily practised strumming and transitioning between chords, I provided encouragement and constructive feedback to help her improve. Despite initial challenges, she remained determined and motivated, eager to overcome any obstacles in her path to mastering the guitar.

Over the course of several lessons, Lily made remarkable progress, gradually gaining confidence in her abilities. She diligently practised between our sessions, dedicating herself to honing her skills and mastering new techniques.

Witnessing Lily's growth and passion for music was incredibly rewarding. Seeing her face light up with joy as she successfully played her favourite songs on the guitar filled me with a sense of pride and fulfilment. Moreover, our shared musical journey fostered a strong bond between us, deepening our friendship and creating lasting memories that we both cherish.

Idea generation for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:

This topic asks you to describe an experience where you taught a young person how to do something. To answer it effectively, you should say who this young person was, what specific skill or task you taught them, whether or not they were able to learn it, and how you felt about the overall teaching experience. A great answer might include your relationship with this young person, why you chose to teach them that particular thing, the process you followed, and how it impacted both of you. You can also mention any challenges you faced while teaching and how you overcame them. Here are a few ideas to help you develop your own response:

1. Teaching my younger brother how to ride a bicycle:
I taught my younger brother, who was 8 years old at the time, how to ride a bicycle. It was a summer evening, and he was eager but scared. I held the back of the cycle for several days until he gained the confidence to ride on his own. Eventually, he learned it and now loves cycling. I felt proud and happy to see his excitement and independence grow.

2. Helping my cousin learn to swim:
My 10-year-old cousin came to visit during the school holidays, and I taught her how to swim at the local pool. I broke the process into simple steps - floating, paddling, and breathing techniques. After a week, she could swim across the pool by herself. It was fulfilling to see her face light up with confidence.

3. Showing my neighbour’s child how to tie shoelaces:
The 6-year-old daughter of my neighbour struggled with tying her shoelaces. I showed her a fun "bunny ears" technique. After a few attempts, she got the hang of it. She proudly showed her parents, and I felt glad to have helped her achieve a small but important milestone.

4. Teaching my niece how to bake a cake:
I once taught my 12-year-old niece how to bake a simple vanilla cake during a weekend visit. I guided her through measuring ingredients, mixing, and using the oven safely. She picked it up quickly, and we enjoyed a delicious cake afterwards. It was a bonding moment that I truly cherished.

5. Showing my classmate’s little brother how to use a computer:
My classmate’s younger brother was new to using computers, so I taught him how to open basic applications, type, and navigate websites. He was around 11 years old and picked things up fast. It felt great to introduce him to such an essential skill for modern life.

6. Helping a relative’s child prepare a school presentation:
My aunt’s son had to prepare a PowerPoint presentation for school, and I guided him through it - choosing a theme, inserting images, and writing points. He not only finished it confidently but also won appreciation in class. Teaching him this gave me a sense of responsibility and accomplishment.

7. Teaching my younger sister how to draw cartoons:
My younger sister loved cartoons but didn’t know how to draw them. I sat with her and showed her how to start with basic shapes. She practised daily, and soon her sketchbook was full of fun characters. It made me happy to share something creative with her.

8. Showing my cousin how to use a mobile phone safely:
My cousin recently got his first mobile phone, and I showed him how to use apps, enable privacy settings, and avoid online risks. It was a meaningful experience because I knew I was helping him use technology responsibly. I felt like I played a positive role in his digital upbringing.

9. Helping a neighbour’s child learn basic English words:
My neighbour’s child was starting school and struggled with basic English. I used flashcards and drawings to make learning fun. Over time, she could recognise common words and even form small sentences. I was delighted to make a contribution to her early education.

10. Teaching a younger friend how to ride a skateboard:
One of my younger friends was curious about skateboarding, and I decided to teach him. I taught him how to balance, push off, and turn. We spent weekends practising. He fell a few times but didn’t give up, and eventually, he mastered it. Watching him succeed made me feel proud and satisfied.

Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:

When describing a time you taught a young person, using precise vocabulary helps convey the learning process, the student's progress, and your emotional response. Thoughtful word choices can highlight the dynamics of the interaction and the impact of the teaching moment, making your response detailed and engaging. Here are some relevant words and phrases:

Young learner: – A child or adolescent who is in the process of acquiring knowledge or skills.
Example: My young learner was a quick study, eager to absorb new information.

Novice: – A person new to or inexperienced in a field or situation.
Example: As a complete novice, he approached the task with a mix of curiosity and apprehension.

Apprentice: – A person who is learning a trade or skill from a skilled employer, having agreed to work for a fixed period at low wages.
Example: I felt like I was guiding a little apprentice through their first steps.

Demonstrated: – Clearly showed the existence or truth of something by giving proof or evidence; showed by example.
Example: I demonstrated the correct technique slowly, ensuring she could follow each step.

Guided: – Directed or influenced the course of action of (someone or something).
Example: I gently guided his hands, helping him to grasp the concept.

Instructed: – Gave (someone) directions or orders.
Example: I instructed him on the safety precautions before we began.

Patience: – The capacity to accept or tolerate delay, problems, or suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious.
Example: Teaching required a great deal of patience, especially when repeating instructions.

Encouraged: – Gave support, confidence, or hope to (someone).
Example: I continuously encouraged her, praising every small improvement she made.

Grasped the concept: – Understood an idea or principle, usually quickly.
Example: Within minutes, he seemed to have grasped the core concept.

Picked it up quickly: – Learned something easily and rapidly.
Example: She picked it up quickly, surprising me with her aptitude.

Showed aptitude: – Demonstrated a natural ability to do something.
Example: He showed clear aptitude for problem-solving from the very beginning.

Mastered the skill: – Fully learned or acquired a skill, technique, or art.
Example: By the end of the session, he had practically mastered the skill.

Rewarding: – Providing satisfaction; gratifying.
Example: Witnessing his progress was incredibly rewarding.

Fulfilling: – Providing personal satisfaction.
Example: It was a truly fulfilling experience to see him succeed.

Sense of accomplishment: – A feeling of pride and satisfaction at having completed something successfully.
Example: He radiated a sense of accomplishment after successfully completing the task on his own.

Sparked an interest: – Caused someone to become interested in something.
Example: I hoped my teaching had sparked an interest that he would pursue further.

If you prepare for the topic "Describe a time when you showed or taught a young person how to do something", you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:

1) Describe a skill you have that you can teach someone else.
2) Describe a time when you helped a child.
3) Describe a child that you know.
4) Describe a time when you had to take care of a baby.
5) Describe a memorable childhood experience.
 

• IELTS Cue Card
• IELTS Speaking
• Candidate Task Card
• Speaking Part 2

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