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

Describe someone older than you that you admire.

Describe someone older than you that you admire.

You should say:

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

and explain why you admire 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 · 158 words

The person I admire is my aunt, who is about twenty years older than me. She is my father's older sister, and I have known her since I was a child. When I was young, I often stayed at her home during school holidays, so I got to know her well.

She is a quiet and patient person. She doesn't talk a lot, but she listens carefully and gives practical advice. She has a small clothing shop near her home, and she has worked there for many years. She is also good at managing money, so she never wastes it.

One thing she did was help my cousin pay for college when his family had money problems. She worked extra hours and saved part of her income for him. She also helped my grandparents with daily things when they became older.

I admire her because she is responsible and kind, and she helps others without expecting anything back.

  • Specific character detail · “gives practical advice”
  • Specific example · “saved part of her income”

A stronger answer

Checked at band 7 · 221 words

Honestly, the person I admire most is my aunt, who’s about twenty years older than me. She’s my father’s older sister, and I’ve known her for as long as I can remember. When I was a child, I often stayed at her place during the school holidays, so I saw how she dealt with everyday problems rather than just hearing about her from other people.

She’s fairly quiet, but she’s very attentive. If you tell her about a problem, she’ll listen without interrupting and then offer practical advice, which is usually more helpful than simply saying, “Everything will be fine.” She’s also quite careful with money, probably because she’s run a small clothing shop near her home for years. Even when business is slow, she stays calm and works out what she can manage.

What stands out to me is how she supported my cousin when his family couldn’t afford all his college costs. She took on extra hours at the shop and put aside some of her income to help him. She also regularly checks in on my grandparents and helps with errands, especially now that they’re less mobile.

I admire her because she’s dependable and generous without making a big deal of it. If I can be even half as thoughtful and steady as she is, I’ll be happy.

  • Personal experience · “saw how she dealt with everyday problems”
  • Behavioural detail · “listen without interrupting”
  • Concession and character · “Even when business is slow”
  • Action supports quality · “put aside some of her income”
  • Natural expression of admiration · “without making a big deal of it”
Angles

3 ways to answer it

  1. 1Your grandpa: teaching himself smartphones in his sixties and now booking hospital appointments for neighbours
  2. 2Your secondary-school maths teacher: giving free weekend lessons to students who were behind
  3. 3A senior colleague: calmly helping you fix your first big mistake at work
Expressions

5 expressions that fit this card

look up to
admire and respect
set a good example
show others how to behave
a wealth of experience
a lot of experience
down-to-earth
practical and modest
young at heart
feeling young despite your age
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

    What can young people learn from older people?

    • ·Experience in dealing with people and conflicts
    • ·Practical skills like cooking or fixing things
  2. 2

    Do you think older people are respected as much as in the past?

    • ·Within families, elders are still highly respected
    • ·Fast tech change makes their experience seem outdated
  3. 3

    What problems might older people face in modern society?

    • ·Struggling with mobile payments and QR codes
    • ·Their children work far away, so they feel lonely
  4. 4

    Should the government do more to help older people use new technology?

    • ·Communities could run free smartphone classes
    • ·Public services should keep a staffed counter option
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