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

Describe a popular person.

Describe a popular person.

You should say:

  • ·who this person is
  • ·how you know him or her
  • ·what he or she is like
  • ·what he or she does

and explain why you think this person is popular.

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 · 148 words

I'd like to talk about Lin, a colleague in my company. She works as an office assistant, and many people know her. I met her when I joined the company three years ago. Her desk is near mine, so we talk quite often.

Lin is friendly and patient. She remembers people's names and listens when they talk about a problem. She doesn't get angry easily, even when work is busy. She also has a good sense of humour, so people enjoy having lunch with her.

At work, she answers phone calls, books meeting rooms, and orders office supplies. She also helps new staff understand how things work. Sometimes she arranges a group lunch for us, which gives people a chance to chat outside meetings.

I think Lin is popular because she's helpful and easy to talk to. People trust her, and she makes the office feel more welcoming.

  • Specific trait · “She remembers people's names”
  • Work detail · “books meeting rooms”

A stronger answer

Checked at band 8 · 222 words

I'd like to talk about Lin, an office assistant at the company where I work. She's probably the most popular person in our office, even though she isn't a manager or anything like that. I first met her three years ago, when I joined the company, and our desks are quite close, so we see each other most days.

She's warm and easy-going, but what stands out to me is how attentive she is. She remembers small details, like how people take their coffee, and she listens properly instead of looking at her phone. If someone is under pressure, she'll usually notice and ask if they need a hand. She also has a dry sense of humour, which helps lighten the mood when everyone's busy.

Her actual job is to keep the office running smoothly. She answers calls, schedules meetings, books rooms and orders supplies. On top of that, she shows new staff where to find things and explains the little routines that aren't written down. Every few weeks, she suggests a place for us to have lunch together, and she makes sure quieter colleagues are included.

I think that's why people like her so much. She doesn't try to impress anyone; she's simply reliable and thoughtful. If she weren't around, we'd probably manage, but the office would feel much less friendly.

  • Relative clause · “the company where I work”
  • Specific example · “remembers small details”
  • Natural collocation · “keep the office running smoothly”
  • Conditional · “If she weren't around”
Angles

3 ways to answer it

  1. 1Your class monitor: organising the graduation trip and listening to everyone's ideas
  2. 2The office receptionist: remembering everyone's name and birthday, so everyone invites her out
  3. 3A cooking vlogger you watch: millions of followers and a friendly comment section
Expressions

5 expressions that fit this card

a people person
someone who enjoys being with others
get on well with
have a friendly relationship with
the life and soul of the party
the liveliest person at a gathering
approachable
easy to talk to
go out of her way to help
make a special effort to help
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 are some children more popular at school than others?

    • ·Good athletes or top students get more attention
    • ·They are outgoing and happy to share
  2. 2

    Is it important to be popular at work?

    • ·If colleagues like you, they cooperate more
    • ·Being good at the job matters more than being liked
  3. 3

    Why do some online influencers become popular so quickly?

    • ·One video gets pushed widely by the algorithm
    • ·Their content feels real and relatable
  4. 4

    Do you think famous people have a responsibility to set a good example?

    • ·Many teenagers copy what celebrities do
    • ·They are human too and cannot be perfect
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 close friend and a night out

    A friend since school: what they are like, a birthday or a night you spent together, a time you helped them.

Say it out loud and get a band score