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Part 2 cue card · People · New for September–December 2026

Describe a person who is good at making things by hand.

Describe a person who is good at making things by hand.

You should say:

  • ·who this person is
  • ·how you know him or her
  • ·what he or she makes
  • ·how he or she learned to make these things

and explain how you feel about his or her skill.

One minute to prepare, up to two minutes to talk. Then Part 3 asks the questions below.

Sample answers

Two answers to the same card

Same story, two levels. Both were written by Ashore, then checked against the public band descriptors in a separate pass. The bands are practice estimates, not official IELTS results.

A simpler answer

Checked at band 6.5 · 163 words

I'd like to talk about my aunt, who is very good at making things by hand. She lives in the same city as me, and I have known her all my life because we often visit her on weekends.

She makes cloth bags, small cushions, and sometimes simple clothes. My favourite thing is a blue bag she made for me. It is not very fancy, but it is strong and useful, and I take it shopping.

She learned to sew from my grandmother when she was young. At first, she watched her mother and copied what she did. Later, she bought a sewing machine and learned more by practising at home. If she made a mistake, she would take it apart and try again.

I feel impressed by her skill because she can turn old pieces of cloth into useful things. I also feel happy when I use the bag, because it reminds me of her and the time she spent making it.

  • Personal context · “known her all my life”
  • Specific process · “take it apart and try again”

A stronger answer

Checked at band 8 · 241 words

Honestly, the person I’d choose is my aunt, who’s always been good with her hands. She lives nearby, and because we’re quite close, I’ve known her for as long as I can remember; I used to spend many weekends at her home when I was a child.

She makes practical things out of fabric, especially tote bags and cushion covers, and occasionally she’ll alter a piece of clothing. The item I value most is a blue shopping bag she made for me a few years ago. It’s quite simple, but the seams are neat and it’s sturdy enough to carry heavy groceries, so I use it all the time rather than keeping it in a cupboard.

She learned the basics from my grandmother, who used to sew clothes for the family. My aunt would sit beside her, watch each step and then try it herself. Once she got a sewing machine, she improved by practising at home and following patterns. If a seam came out uneven, she’d unpick it and start again instead of hiding the mistake, which I think takes patience.

I’m genuinely impressed by her skill because she can make something useful from leftover fabric, and each piece feels personal. The bag also reminds me of the time she put into making it. I’d say her talent is practical as well as creative, and I feel lucky to have something made by her that I can use every day.

  • Specific detail · “the seams are neat”
  • Practical use · “rather than keeping it in a cupboard”
  • Process and patience · “unpick it and start again”
  • Balanced evaluation · “practical as well as creative”
Angles

3 ways to answer it

  1. 1Your grandma: knitting a jumper for everyone each winter, never the same pattern
  2. 2Your old deskmate: building a moving cardboard model that won the school science fair
  3. 3A craft blogger you follow online: the handmade ceramic mug you bought from her
Expressions

5 expressions that fit this card

good with her hands
skilled at practical tasks
from scratch
from the very beginning
one of a kind
unique
an eye for detail
noticing small details
a labour of love
hard work done because you love it
Part 3

The questions that follow

After the long turn, Part 3 asks bigger questions on the same theme. Each one comes with two points you can build an answer from.

  1. 1

    Why do some people prefer handmade gifts to bought ones?

    • ·Time and effort make the gift more personal
    • ·For example, a handwritten card or a home-baked cake
  2. 2

    Are handmade products better than machine-made ones?

    • ·Handmade items are unique and feel warmer
    • ·Machine-made goods are cheaper and more consistent
  3. 3

    Do young people today still learn traditional crafts?

    • ·Paper-cutting and pottery have become weekend hobby classes
    • ·Few want to make it a full-time career
  4. 4

    Should schools spend more time teaching practical skills?

    • ·Hands-on work builds patience and problem-solving
    • ·But it takes time away from exam subjects
Stories

One story, many cards

This card fits this story. Prepare the story once and you can bend it to every card listed with it on the season page.

  • An older relative who shaped you

    A grandparent, aunt or uncle: what they taught you, what they make or grow, what they got through.

Say it out loud and get a band score