IELTS Speaking Part 2: IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card.
Describe a person you would like to study or work with.
You should say:
- who this person is
- how you know him/her
- what you would like to study or do with him/her
and explain why you would like to study or work with this person.
[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:
It always helps if you are in good company, whether it is with a fellow student or a fellow worker, as it almost always makes your life a little easier. And, I am lucky that I have always found such good companies in my life as a student. Today, I would like to talk about one such person whom I have known for more than 3 years as one of my best friends at my university, and we both study in the same Major, which is Chemistry.
Anyway, even though Timothy Chris and I know each other really well, we never really had a chance to work or study together. But I have had a feeling that we would make a great team together. So, the other day, when I told Timothy how we could benefit from each other by studying together, even though we may have different schedules, he gladly agreed with me. As a result, now we are planning that we should spend a great deal of time in our chemistry class studying in the same group as well as in the library, and spend time in the chemistry lab, doing experiments.
I would like to study with Timothy primarily because we get along really nicely, having a great understanding of each other. Besides, I am not really very good at “physical chemistry” since it involves a lot of math. In this kind of situation, Timothy can really help me since he is really good at math.
I would also like to study with him because of his great helping attitude, whether one is having a tough time understanding simple things or writing a thesis paper. On top of that, Timothy likes to talk about an array of issues, such as history and politics, just like me. Finally, Timothy is also in an inter-university debate competition like me. So, I am pretty sure that if I study with Timothy, it will not only benefit us with my university curriculum but also in extra-curricular activities.
Model Answer 2:
A person I would love to study or work with is Dr. Jane Goodall, a renowned primatologist, ethologist, and conservationist. I first learned about Dr. Goodall through her groundbreaking work with chimpanzees in Tanzania’s Gombe Stream National Park. I am not sure if I can ever work with this great mind, but if I do, that would be a dream come true.
I’ve been fascinated by her research and dedication to understanding primate behaviour and conservation efforts. Working alongside Dr. Goodall would provide an incredible opportunity to learn firsthand about animal behaviour, habitat conservation, and environmental activism.
Specifically, I would be interested in studying the intricate social dynamics of chimpanzee communities and their impact on conservation efforts. Dr. Goodall’s wealth of knowledge and experience in this field would be invaluable in guiding research and implementing effective conservation strategies.
Moreover, collaborating with Dr. Goodall would not only allow me to contribute to important scientific research but also inspire and empower others to take action to preserve our planet’s biodiversity. Her passion, resilience, and unwavering commitment to protecting wildlife and the environment serve as a beacon of hope for future generations.
Idea generation for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
This topic asks you to describe a person you would like to study or work with in the future. You need to explain who this person is, how you know him or her, what kind of work or study you would like to do together, and why you think this person would be a good companion or teammate. To make your answer stronger and more natural, try to describe the person’s personality, skills, work ethic, and how these qualities would help both of you achieve success together. You can also mention any previous experience you had with this person and how it influenced your opinion. Here are a few detailed ideas to help you develop your response effectively.
1. A hardworking classmate:
One person I would really like to study with is one of my classmates whom I have known since college. He is extremely organised, disciplined and serious about his studies. I would love to prepare for important exams or complete academic projects with him because he explains difficult topics very clearly and always motivates others to stay focused. I would like to study with him because I believe his positive attitude and dedication would help me become more productive and confident.
2. A creative software developer friend:
A person I would enjoy working with is a friend of mine who is very skilled in software development. I got to know him through online projects and shared interests in technology. I would like to work with him on creating websites or mobile applications because he is creative and excellent at problem-solving. I would like to work with him because he always brings fresh ideas and makes teamwork enjoyable and efficient.
3. My elder sibling:
One person I would love to work with is my elder sibling, whom I have admired for many years. He or she is responsible, patient and very practical in handling tasks. I would like to run a small business or collaborate on a project together because we understand each other very well. I would enjoy working with this person because there is already trust and strong communication between us.
4. A supportive teacher:
A person I would like to study with is one of my former teachers who inspired me greatly during my academic life. I know this teacher from school, and I have always admired the way lessons were explained so clearly. I would love to learn advanced topics or conduct research under this person’s guidance. I would like to study with this teacher because he or she is knowledgeable, encouraging and always motivates students to think critically.
5. A friend who is good at communication:
One person I would like to work with is a close friend who has excellent communication and leadership skills. I met him during a volunteering event a few years ago. I would like to organise events or manage projects with him because he works well under pressure and knows how to motivate people. I would enjoy working with him because he creates a positive environment and solves problems calmly.
6. A successful entrepreneur:
A person I would love to work with is a successful entrepreneur whom I know through social media and interviews. I would like to learn business management and innovative thinking from this person. Working with someone experienced like that would allow me to gain practical knowledge and confidence. I would really enjoy it because ambitious and visionary people often inspire others to improve themselves.
7. A talented artist or designer:
One person I would like to collaborate with is a talented artist friend whom I met during a workshop. He is highly creative and always comes up with unique ideas. I would like to work with him on creative design projects or digital content creation. I would enjoy working with him because creative people often make projects more exciting and innovative.
8. A disciplined sports teammate:
A person I would like to train or work with is a former sports teammate from my school days. I know him as someone who is extremely disciplined and hardworking. I would like to practise sports or fitness activities with him because he pushes others to improve continuously. I would enjoy working with him because motivated people create a competitive but healthy environment that encourages growth.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card:
Collaborative: Produced or conducted by two or more parties working together.
Example: Working with someone who has a collaborative mindset makes solving complex problems much more efficient.
Insightful: Having or showing an accurate and deep understanding.
Example: She is an insightful peer whose feedback always helps me see development errors from a completely different perspective.
Expertise: Expert skill or knowledge in a particular field.
Example: I want to work with him because his expertise in backend architecture would complement my frontend skills perfectly.
Synergy: The interaction or cooperation of two or more agents to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects.
Example: I believe our combined skills would create great synergy, allowing us to complete the project ahead of schedule.
Like-minded: Having similar tastes, opinions, or interests.
Example: It is incredibly motivating to study alongside like-minded individuals who share the same career aspirations.
Industrious: Diligent and hard-working.
Example: He is one of the most industrious students I know, always arriving early and staying late to master the material.
Proactive: Creating or controlling a situation rather than just responding to it after it has happened.
Example: I prefer working with proactive partners who anticipate technical challenges before they become major issues.
Astute: Having or showing an ability to accurately assess situations or people and turn this to one’s advantage.
Example: Her astute observations during lectures always spark deep and meaningful discussions within the study group.
Resourceful: Having the ability to find quick and clever ways to overcome difficulties.
Example: She is incredibly resourceful, often finding open-source solutions to bugs that seem impossible to solve.
Meticulous: Showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise.
Example: His meticulous approach to reviewing documentation ensures that very few errors make it to the final stage.
Knowledgeable: Intelligent and well-informed.
Example: Working with a knowledgeable colleague would allow me to learn new programming concepts much faster.
Inspiring: Having the effect of inspiring someone; animating or motivating.
Example: Her dedication to her research is truly inspiring, making her the perfect person to collaborate with.
Adept: Very skilled or proficient at something.
Example: He is highly adept at data analysis, which is a practical skill I am eager to develop further.
Camaraderie: Mutual trust and friendship among people who spend a lot of time together.
Example: The strong camaraderie between us would make long hours of studying feel enjoyable rather than exhausting.
Constructive: Having or intended to have a useful or beneficial purpose.
Example: I appreciate her constructive criticism because it directly helps me improve the quality of my work.
Dynamic: Characterised by constant change, activity, or progress; full of energy and new ideas.
Example: He has a dynamic personality that keeps the entire team motivated and focused during intense project sessions.
If you prepare for the topic “Describe a person you would like to study or work with”, you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe a person who has once helped you in your work or studies.
2) Describe a person with whom you like to work or study.
3) Describe an interesting person you know.
4) Describe an intelligent person you know.
5) Describe someone you know who does something well.
6) Describe a person whom you have recently met and liked.
7) Describe a friend with whom you like to spend time.