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 you know who is beautiful or handsome.
You should say:
- who this person is
- how you know him/her
- what you know about him/her
and explain why you think he/she is beautiful or handsome.
[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:
When we think or talk about a handsome man, the names of some really famous Hollywood actors come to our minds. Therefore, it is really difficult to come out of that mindset when describing a handsome man, just as it is difficult for me now.
Anyway, the handsome person I want to talk about today is none other than my own cousin. This cousin of mine is in his early 30s and is more than 7 years older than me. But, even though he is older than me, we have a very special relationship between us, since we both treat each other like real friends and real brothers. So, why do I think of my cousin as a handsome person? Well, it is not just because he has a flat, solid-looking and fat-free abdomen, with a height of 6 feet, and has nicely trimmed dark hair, but more because he always carries himself like a confident person.
Anyway, I have known this person for the last 15 years or so, but seldom have I seen him without a happy face. Besides, I have always found him to be a very active person, since I have hardly ever seen him indulging in unproductive things. Of course, when I say that he hardly ever involves himself in doing “unproductive” things, I don’t necessarily mean that he doesn’t socialise with friends or families or enjoy his life, but what I mean to say is that he knows his priorities perfectly well. He has a nice brown complexion and curious eyes, which always radiate with some kind of “intelligence”.
Well, I think that my cousin certainly is a handsome person, mainly because he knows exactly how to carry himself like a confident person and be a perfect gentleman. What makes him even more “handsome” in my opinion is that he hardly ever looks sad or depressed, even when facing real difficulties in life.
Model Answer 2:
Irene, a friend of my elder sister, is both beautiful and handsome, whom I have known for a long time. Her full name is Irene Chime, and she works as a senior executive at a multinational company. She is 5 feet 8 with a slender body and a lovely complexion. On top of that, she has a great fashion sense, and her intelligence and amiable personality make her even more handsome.
As I heard from my sister, Irene once won an award for her extraordinary performance in a fashion design competition. In my opinion, she is a rare combination of beauty, intelligence, fashion acumen, sense of humour and kindness.
I’ve known her since my early childhood. She often comes to our house. She lives with her parents and three other siblings. She is 25 now, and last year, she completed her graduation. Now she is working full-time in a large company and planning to establish a small coffee shop near her house. She has asked my sister to be her business partner.
Irene is undoubtedly a beautiful person, both in appearance and in thought. She has got the kind of look that can be described as charming and elegant. I guess she could have easily become a renowned model in our country. Her fashion sense is quite great, and most importantly, her high IQ makes her stand out from the crowd. Furthermore, she is kind and helpful, and her amiable and affectionate behaviours make her even more likeable. For all these reasons, I like her very much.
I believe terms like ‘smart’ or ‘handsome’ are not that straightforward to define, and someone’s intelligence is equally important for being handsome as much as his or her physical appearance is. In this regard, Irene is smart, good-looking and handsome.
Sample Answer 3:
I’ve met many wonderful people in my life, but without hesitation, I’d say that the most beautiful person I’ve ever known is my mother. Her name is Rini, and to me, her beauty goes far beyond her physical appearance. I’d like to thank you for allowing me to talk about this topic.
She is in her mid-forties now, graceful and elegant, with expressive eyes and a warm smile that can brighten any room. For many years, she worked as a schoolteacher, but a few years ago, she decided to devote herself fully to our home. She has an extraordinary talent for cooking, especially traditional dishes, and she takes pride in preparing meals that bring the whole family together.
What makes her truly beautiful, though, is her character. She is endlessly patient, compassionate, and selfless. Despite the challenges she faced in her early life – when her parents doubted her decision to marry my father, and when she had to juggle both teaching and raising three children – she never lost her determination or kindness. She has always been the pillar of our family, managing every responsibility with grace and optimism.
On a personal level, I feel an incredibly close bond with her. I’m the youngest child, and although she treats all of us equally, I know she has always given me special attention. When I was younger, she would sit beside me for hours, explaining lessons with creative examples, and more importantly, teaching me values like resilience, honesty, and empathy. Even now, as I search for jobs after completing my studies, she is the one who encourages me when I feel disheartened.
For me, beauty is not just about appearance – it is about strength of character, generosity of spirit, and the ability to inspire others. My mother embodies all of these qualities, and that’s why I believe she is the most beautiful person I have ever met.
Model Answer 4:
No doubt, we are biased in our behaviour and attitude, no matter how hard we try not to be. As a result, we tend to prefer someone or something while ignoring others at our discretion. However, when we say that we like or prefer someone, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the people we like are “better” than others, but it is just how we like to “feel” about a certain person or others. And, the same also holds true when we say that someone is “beautiful” or “handsome”, just as when I say that my maternal uncle is handsome.
Well, he is my uncle – my favourite uncle in that, so he has to be “handsome”. I mean, how can a favourite uncle not be “handsome” to his nephew!? And, by the way, I have known my uncle to be “handsome” and nice from the time I came to recognise him from a very early age. He is a good-looking person with more than average height and strong, symmetrical features. But what makes him handsome to me is probably his confidence.
In fact, there is hardly a day that goes by without meeting him or talking to him since he lives very close to my family. He is a doctor by profession, but he is also treated as a “leader” figure among his community members probably because of his ability to help others during the time of crisis, his infallible confidence as well as because of his noble profession.
So, what exactly makes my uncle “handsome”? Well, I find him handsome simply because of the way he “carries” himself around, as well as because of the ways he presents himself to others while always having a positive attitude. Besides, if you see your uncle remaining nicely dressed and combed most of the time, he has to be “handsome”. Isn’t it like that?
But, if his nice attire and nicely-combed hair aren’t enough to make him look “handsome”, then his “soft words” and “smiley face”, while talking to others, should also make him a “handsome” person. Am I right? Well, if not, an uncle’s unending love and affection for his nephew and his family should certainly make him the “most handsome” person in the world, and that’s exactly how much “handsome” my uncle is!
Sample Answer 5:
One person who comes to mind when I think of beauty is my friend Emily. I first met Emily in college, where we were both studying literature. She is not just physically beautiful but also possesses an inner beauty that radiates from within. Thank you very much for this great topic.
Emily works as a freelance writer and spends her time travelling to different countries, immersing herself in diverse cultures, and capturing her experiences through her writing. What makes Emily beautiful is her stunning appearance and her kind and compassionate nature. She has a warm and welcoming smile that instantly puts people at ease, and her genuine interest in others makes everyone feel valued and appreciated.
Physically, Emily has striking features – her deep, expressive eyes, flawless complexion, and radiant smile are just some of the attributes that contribute to her beauty. However, it is her inner beauty that truly sets her apart. Emily’s kindness, empathy, and unwavering positivity make her a joy to be around. She has a way of making everyone feel special and loved, and her infectious laughter can brighten even the darkest of days.
Moreover, Emily’s inner beauty shines through in everything she does. Whether it’s lending a listening ear to a friend in need, volunteering at a local charity, or simply spreading kindness wherever she goes, Emily’s actions reflect her beautiful soul.
In essence, what makes Emily truly beautiful is not just her physical appearance but also her kind and compassionate nature. She represents the true essence of beauty – a combination of inner and outer qualities that uplift and inspire those around her.
Idea Generation for this Topic:
This topic asks you to describe a person you know who is beautiful or handsome. You should say who this person is, how you know him/her, what you know about him/her, and explain why you consider him/her handsome or beautiful. To make your answer rich, you can talk about their physical appearance, personality, lifestyle, or even the way they carry themselves. Here are a few ideas to help you develop your own response:
1. A close friend with natural charm:
Describing a childhood friend who has always stood out for her radiant smile, kind heart, and the confidence she shows in social gatherings.
2. A cousin with athletic looks:
Talking about a cousin who regularly plays sports, has a fit physique, and whose energy and optimism make him very appealing.
3. A classmate with elegance:
Speaking about a university classmate who dresses stylishly, has graceful manners, and carries herself with a poise that draws admiration from many.
4. A neighbour with simplicity:
Mentioning a neighbour who doesn’t use heavy makeup or fashion but still looks striking because of her natural beauty and gentle nature.
5. A colleague with confidence:
Describing a co-worker who may not be traditionally good-looking but appears handsome because of his confidence, professionalism, and excellent communication skills.
6. A family member with warmth:
Talking about an elder sibling who is admired not just for his physical appearance but also for his intelligence and caring attitude, which add to his handsomeness.
7. A teacher with grace:
Describing a teacher who is admired for her graceful personality, neat appearance, and the respect she commands, making her seem both beautiful and dignified.
8. A friend active on social media:
Talking about a friend who shares stylish photos online, has a great fashion sense, and receives a lot of compliments for her beauty from others.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
When describing a person you find beautiful or handsome, using specific vocabulary can effectively convey their physical appearance, personal qualities, and the reasons for their appeal. Thoughtful word choices will help you articulate not only their outer beauty but also their inner charm, making your response both descriptive and genuine. Here are some relevant words and phrases:
Beautiful/Handsome: – A pleasing appearance (beautiful for women, handsome for men).
Example: I know a person who is both handsome and has a great personality.
Striking: – Attracting attention by reason of being unusual, extreme, or dramatic.
Example: His most striking feature is his bright, confident smile.
Elegant: – Graceful and stylish in appearance or manner.
Example: She always looks so elegant, no matter what she is wearing.
Charismatic: – Exercising a compelling charm that inspires devotion in others.
Example: Her charismatic personality makes her stand out in any crowd.
Radiant: – Sending out light; shining or glowing brightly.
Example: She has a radiant energy that makes her so pleasant to be around.
Graceful: – Having or showing a pleasing elegance or charm.
Example: He has a graceful way of moving and speaking that is very calm.
Flawless: – Without any imperfections or defects.
Example: Her skin is absolutely flawless and looks amazing.
Dashing: – (Of a man) attractive, confident, and stylish.
Example: He is a very dashing person with a great sense of style.
Exquisite: – Extremely beautiful and delicate.
Example: Her features are so exquisite that she looks like a work of art.
Sophisticated: – Having, revealing, or proceeding from a great deal of worldly experience and knowledge of fashion and culture.
Example: She has a sophisticated style that I really admire.
Inner beauty: – The good qualities of a person’s character that are not visible.
Example: I believe a person’s inner beauty is just as important as their outer appearance.
Confident: – Feeling or showing confidence in oneself or one’s abilities or qualities.
Example: His confidence is a big part of what makes him so handsome.
Unassuming: – Not pretentious or arrogant; modest.
Example: She is so beautiful, and very unassuming and humble.
Genuine: – Truly what something is said to be; authentic.
Example: The most beautiful thing about her is her genuine and kind nature.
Kind-hearted: – Having a kind and sympathetic nature.
Example: He is very kind-hearted, which is why everyone loves him.
Captivating: – Capable of attracting and holding interest; charming.
Example: His captivating smile and warm personality are what make him so attractive.
If you prepare for the topic “Describe a person you know who is beautiful or handsome”, you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe someone in your family whom you like/ admire.
2) Describe a fashionable person you know.
3) Describe one of your friends.
4) Describe someone in the news you would like to meet.
5) Describe someone you follow on social media.
6) Describe a person who, in your opinion, is beautiful.