Cue Cards Samples with band 8 answers
Describe a popular athlete or sportsperson you know - Cue Card # 797
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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 popular athlete or sportsperson you know.
You should say:
- who this person is
- how you know this person
- how famous he or she is
and explain how he or she has become so popular.
[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:
Ohh! I am so grateful to you for the chance you have given me here to talk about a popular sportsperson who also happens to be one of my favourite footballers.
Who this person is:
Undeniably, Lionel Messi is one of the most popular footballers of our time, and here, I am going to talk about him. He was born on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina. Messi is a forward player for Paris Saint-Germain and the Argentina national team. Often said to be the best football player the world has ever produced, he is truly a wonder when it comes to his fabulous and unbeatable soccer skills.
How you know about him:
I came to know about Messi through my passion for football. I have watched him play for years and admired his skills, agility, and speed. Messi is one of the best football players in the world, and his talent is recognised globally.
How famous he or she is:
Messi is incredibly famous, both on and off the field. He has won several awards, including seven Ballon d'Or trophies, which are given to the best football player in the world. Messi's performance in the FIFA World Cup and his numerous victories with Barcelona have made him an icon in the football world.
And explain how he or she has become so popular:
Messi has become so popular primarily because of his exceptional football skills throughout his career. He won the World Cup for his country - Argentina, in an epic victory over the 2018 champion - "France". But, Messi's popularity is not just because of his exceptional football skills but also because of his personality. He is known for his humility, kindness, and his willingness to give back to his community. Messi has established a foundation that focuses on children's healthcare and education, and he has donated millions to this cause.
Model Answer 2:
Well, I have known a number of popular athletes and sportspeople who have created history and records, one after another. Michael Jordan also happens to be one such sportsperson, and today, I would like to talk a little about him. Thank you for this interesting topic.
Now, please first allow me to introduce this athlete. Well, Michael Jordan is an “American legend” and the greatest basketball player of all time. Starting his basketball career at the tender age of 15 as an NBA (National Basketball Association - USA) rookie in the year of 1984, Michael Jordan became an unstoppable scoring machine, a multi-time NBA league champion, and a marketing icon who convinced millions of kids to “be like Mike.”
By the way, it's been 15 years since his last NBA game, yet Michael Jordan still carries an unmatched mystique in the eyes of players and fans. Besides, he also happens to be a generational trendsetter whose influence on sneaker culture, basketball and modern-day advertising stretches well beyond the NBA. Now, if these facts and pieces of information don’t quite say how famous he really is, then this information sure will: Michael Jordan was once one of 3 most famous people on the planet, found in a study of 1996, matching his popularity with the likes of Princess Diana and the Vatican Pope.
Of course, I didn’t know so much about this sports legend until I started university. In fact, it was at that time that I started to like basketball; and the facts, figures and legends associated with this very physically demanding sport. I also learned quite a lot about him from TV interviews and popular sports magazines.
Michael Jordan didn’t become popular overnight. In fact, he had to work really hard and become “relentlessly competitive” over a rather long period of time in order to become such a sports legend. Besides, his smart decision to stick with big companies, like Nike, to do advertising also helped him tremendously to become such a popular athlete.
Idea generation for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
When describing a popular athlete or sportsperson, it’s essential to focus on their identity, achievements, how they became famous, and what makes them stand out. Below are ten examples of well-known athletes, along with detailed descriptions based on the four questions that will guide your answer. You can use these as a model to talk about your chosen sportsperson.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Football/Soccer):
Cristiano Ronaldo is a Portuguese professional footballer widely regarded as one of the greatest players in football history. I have followed his career through international tournaments, club matches, and through news about his performances at clubs like Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus. Ronaldo is one of the most famous athletes worldwide, with millions of social media followers and a massive fan base. He has won numerous Ballon d'Or awards and is known for his impressive goal-scoring records. Ronaldo’s fame grew through his extraordinary skill on the field, his dedication, and his record-breaking performances in the Champions League and international competitions like the UEFA Euro and FIFA World Cup qualifiers. His work ethic and relentless pursuit of greatness contributed to his global popularity.
2. Serena Williams (Tennis):
Serena Williams is an American professional tennis player considered one of the greatest female tennis players of all time. I became aware of her when I saw her dominate the sport during the Grand Slam tournaments. Serena Williams is a globally recognized icon, known for her 23 Grand Slam singles titles, making her one of the most famous athletes in the world. Serena’s rise to fame came from her powerful play style, versatility, and success in major tennis tournaments. Her influence also grew as she became a role model for women in sports and overcame personal and professional challenges.
3. Michael Jordan (Basketball):
Michael Jordan is a former professional basketball player widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time. I’ve known about him through his legendary career with the Chicago Bulls, winning six NBA championships. Jordan’s fame extends far beyond basketball, with endorsements and business ventures making him a global icon. His exceptional performance, competitive nature, and numerous records, including five MVP awards and six NBA championships, helped him become a household name.
4. Usain Bolt (Track and Field):
Usain Bolt is a retired Jamaican sprinter, widely considered the fastest person ever. I first became aware of him through his groundbreaking performances at the Olympics. Bolt is a global figure, known for holding the world records for the 100m and 200m sprints. His dominance in sprinting, especially his 8 Olympic gold medals, his charismatic personality, and his memorable “Lightning Bolt” pose made him a global sensation.
5. Lionel Messi (Football/Soccer):
Lionel Messi is an Argentine professional footballer regarded by many as one of the greatest football players of all time. I have watched his matches for FC Barcelona and Argentina in major tournaments like the FIFA World Cup and UEFA Champions League. Messi is globally known, with millions of followers, and is considered one of the greatest players to ever play the game. His technical skills, vision, and playmaking ability, along with numerous titles and awards, helped Messi become a household name in the football world.
6. Novak Djokovic (Tennis):
Novak Djokovic is a Serbian tennis player known for his incredible consistency and achievements in tennis. I’ve watched him compete in major tennis tournaments, including Wimbledon and the US Open. Djokovic is one of the “Big Three” in tennis (along with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal), with 20 Grand Slam titles. Djokovic’s popularity grew through his rivalries with Federer and Nadal, his consistent success in Grand Slam tournaments, and his fighting spirit on the court.
7. LeBron James (Basketball):
LeBron James is an American professional basketball player who is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players in history. I followed LeBron’s career since his early days with the Cleveland Cavaliers and later with the Miami Heat and the Los Angeles Lakers. LeBron James is one of the most famous athletes in the world, with millions of fans globally and numerous endorsements. His incredible performance in the NBA, his leadership skills, and his social activism have made him a global icon.
8. Tiger Woods (Golf):
Tiger Woods is an American professional golfer, widely regarded as one of the greatest golfers of all time. I became aware of him through his breakthrough success in major golf tournaments, especially the Masters Tournament. Woods is globally recognized, with numerous PGA Tour wins and a significant influence on the sport of golf. His dominance on the golf course, combined with his charisma and ability to attract attention to the sport, helped him become an iconic figure in the world of sports.
9. Simone Biles (Gymnastics):
Simone Biles is an American gymnast known for her exceptional talent and dominance in gymnastics. I followed her performances in the Olympics, where she won numerous gold medals. Biles is considered one of the greatest gymnasts of all time, with multiple Olympic and World Championship gold medals. Biles became popular through her dominance in gymnastics, where her innovative routines and victories at the Olympics and World Championships made her a household name.
10. Ronda Rousey (MMA):
Ronda Rousey is an American mixed martial artist, judoka, and actress, known for her groundbreaking career in MMA. I first heard about her through her victories in the UFC, particularly her dominance in the women’s bantamweight division. Rousey became a global sensation due to her undefeated streak and rapid rise to stardom in MMA. Rousey’s popularity skyrocketed after her unprecedented success in the UFC, becoming a trailblazer for women in combat sports.
Model Answer 3:
According to many expert opinions, one of the most popular athletes in the world is Cristiano Ronaldo, and he is the sportsperson that I would like to talk about today.
Cristiano Ronaldo is a Portuguese professional football player who is widely considered to be one of the greatest football players of all time.
I know about Cristiano Ronaldo through various sports channels, social media, and news websites. He is incredibly famous, with a massive following of fans all around the world, who admire him not only for his impressive skills on the football pitch but also for his hard work, dedication, and charitable work off the field.
Cristiano Ronaldo's rise to popularity can be attributed to his outstanding performance as a football player. He has won numerous awards throughout his career, including five Ballon d'Or awards, which are awarded to the best football players in the world. He has also played for some of the biggest football clubs in the world, including Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus.
Furthermore, Cristiano Ronaldo is known for his strong work ethic and dedication to his craft, which has inspired many people all over the world. He has also been involved in various philanthropic efforts, including donating large sums of money to charities and using his platform to raise awareness about various issues.
In conclusion, Cristiano Ronaldo is an incredibly popular athlete, known not only for his impressive skills on the football pitch but also for his hard work, dedication, and charitable efforts. His incredible rise to popularity can be attributed to his impressive achievements as a football player, as well as his commitment to making a positive impact on the world.
Model Answer 4:
Thank you so much for this fantastic topic. It will allow me to talk about one of my favourite sports personalities, whom I admire for her talent and excellent sportsmanship. The popular athlete I know and like is Naomi Osaka, who is a professional tennis player from Japan.
I first became aware of Naomi Osaka when she burst onto the international tennis scene a few years ago. Like many sports enthusiasts, I followed her matches in major tournaments, read news articles about her performances, and watched interviews where she spoke about her journey and her views on various issues. Her powerful playing style and her unexpected victory at the 2018 US Open against Serena Williams were truly captivating and marked her as a rising star.
Naomi Osaka has achieved significant global fame. She has been ranked as the world number one by the Women's Tennis Association and has won four Grand Slam singles titles: the US Open in 2018 and 2020, and the Australian Open in 2019 and 2021. These victories, especially her early Grand Slam wins, propelled her into the global spotlight. Beyond her on-court success, she has become a highly recognisable figure due to her endorsements with major international brands, her appearances in fashion and lifestyle magazines, and her significant presence on social media platforms where she interacts with millions of followers.
Naomi Osaka's popularity stems from a combination of factors. Firstly, her exceptional talent and powerful playing style on the court have made her a formidable competitor and exciting to watch. Her ability to deliver powerful serves and groundstrokes has led to victories against some of the biggest names in tennis. Secondly, her personality and background have resonated with many people. As a biracial athlete with a Japanese mother and a Haitian father, who was raised in the United States but represents Japan, she embodies a diverse and global identity that appeals to a wide audience. Furthermore, Osaka has gained significant popularity for her authenticity and her willingness to speak out on social and political issues. In my opinion, Naomi Osaka's popularity is a result of her remarkable achievements in tennis, her compelling personal story, and her courageous and authentic engagement with broader societal issues.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ cue card topic:
When describing a popular athlete or sportsperson, using vocabulary that highlights their achievements, their public image, and the reasons for their fame can create a comprehensive and engaging response. Focusing on their skills, personality, and impact will help explain their popularity. Here are some useful words and phrases with example sentences:
A celebrated athlete – A sportsperson who is widely admired and praised.
Example: He is a celebrated athlete in our country.
Achieved widespread recognition – Became known by a large number of people.
Example: He has achieved widespread recognition for his outstanding performances.
Garnered a massive following – Attracted a very large number of fans and supporters.
Example: The athlete has garnered a massive following on social media.
Renowned for [skill/achievement] – Famous for a particular talent or accomplishment.
Example: She is renowned for her exceptional speed and agility.
Record-breaking performances – Achievements that surpass previous best results.
Example: He is known for his record-breaking performances in international competitions.
Consistent excellence – Maintaining a high level of performance over a long period.
Example: Her consistent excellence has made her a role model.
Positive public image – The way that the athlete is generally seen and perceived by the public.
Example: She maintains a very positive public image through her charitable work.
Role model for many – Someone who people admire and try to imitate.
Example: He is a role model for many young aspiring athletes.
Extensive media coverage – Being featured frequently in news reports, articles, and other media.
Example: His achievements have received extensive media coverage.
Endorsement deals with major brands – Agreements to promote products for large companies.
Example: He has lucrative endorsement deals with several major brands.
Philanthropic activities – Involvement in charitable work and helping those in need.
Example: Her philanthropic activities have further enhanced her popularity.
If you prepare for the topic "Describe a popular athlete or sportsperson you know", you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe a sportsperson you like or admire.
2) Describe a famous celebrity you like or admire.
3) Describe a famous person you would like to meet.
4) Describe a well-known person you like or admire.
5) Describe a famous person you know.
6) Describe a famous person who is often in the news.
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