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

Describe a famous person in your local area.

Describe a famous person in your local area.

You should say:

  • ·who this person is
  • ·what he or she has done
  • ·why he or she is popular

and explain how you feel about this person.

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 · 190 words

I'd like to talk about Ms Chen, a retired primary school teacher who is well known in my neighborhood in Chengdu. She lives near the old community centre, and many people know her because she is always there in the evenings.

After she retired, she started a small reading room in one of the rooms at the centre. She has collected books from local families, and she helps children with their homework. She also reads stories to them on Saturday afternoons. She has done this for about ten years, and she doesn't ask people to pay.

I think she is popular because she is kind and patient. Parents feel comfortable leaving their children with her, and the children enjoy spending time there. Also, she knows many people in the area, so families often talk to her when they need help. The reading room is a good place for children to study and meet friends.

I feel a lot of respect for Ms Chen. I have talked with her a few times, and she is friendly to me too. Her work is simple, but it makes our neighborhood a better place.

  • Simple reason · “because she is kind and patient”

A stronger answer

Checked at band 7.5 · 258 words

Honestly, the person who comes to mind is Ms Chen, a retired primary-school teacher who lives in my neighborhood in Chengdu. She’s not famous across the city, but almost every family around our community centre knows her, especially parents with school-age children.

After she retired, she turned a spare room in the centre into a small, free reading room. It started with just a few shelves, and local families gradually donated books and children’s magazines. For about ten years now, she’s opened the room on most evenings, helped children with their homework, and held story sessions on Saturday afternoons. One thing I remember is seeing her sit patiently with a boy who was having trouble reading; she let him go at his own pace instead of making him feel embarrassed.

I’d say she’s popular because she’s both kind and dependable. Parents can leave their children there knowing they’ll be safe, and the kids enjoy having somewhere quiet to study and see their friends. The fact that she never charges makes the room accessible to families who might not be able to afford extra classes. She also knows people by name, so it feels more like a welcoming community space than a formal service.

I really respect her. I’ve spoken to her a few times, and she’s warm even when she’s busy. If more people offered this kind of practical help, I think neighborhoods would feel less disconnected. Her work may be modest, but it has made a real difference where I live, and that’s why I admire her.

  • Specific detail · “turned a spare room in the centre”
  • Illustrative example · “let him go at his own pace”
  • Reason and impact · “The fact that she never charges”
  • Conditional extension · “If more people offered this kind”
Angles

2 ways to answer it

  1. 1A local marathon champion who leads a free running group in the park
  2. 2A noodle-shop owner known from local television and loved for welcoming regular customers
Expressions

4 expressions that fit this card

well known locally
recognised by people in the area
a familiar face
someone people often see and recognise
give back to the community
help the community that supported you
down to earth
practical and easy to talk to
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

    Is it always good to be a popular student at school?

    • ·Popularity brings support but can create pressure to maintain an image.
    • ·Trying constantly to please others can weaken independent judgement.
  2. 2

    Why are some students popular?

    • ·Helpfulness and friendliness can attract classmates more than grades alone.
    • ·Visible talents gain attention without guaranteeing lasting friendships.
  3. 3

    Why do people like local celebrities?

    • ·Local celebrities can feel relatable because of shared places and experiences.
    • ·Contributing to the area can give residents a clearer reason to appreciate them.
  4. 4

    How can local celebrities influence their hometown?

    • ·They can draw attention to local culture, products and events.
    • ·Their behaviour matters, since controversy can also affect the area’s reputation.
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.

  • A driven classmate or colleague

    Someone with a clear goal: what they want to become, how they study or work, a problem they solved.

Say it out loud and get a band score