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

Describe a person who studies history and loves it.

Describe a person who studies history and loves it.

You should say:

  • ·who this person is
  • ·how you know him or her
  • ·what kind of history he or she studies
  • ·how he or she shows this interest

and explain why you think he or she loves history.

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 · 207 words

The person I'd like to talk about is my cousin, Wei. He is 32 and works in an office in my city. I have known him all my life because our families meet often, and we usually have dinner together during holidays. I also see him a few times each month.

He studies Chinese history, especially the history of ordinary people in the last hundred years. He reads books about old streets, schools, and family life. He is not a history teacher, but he takes an online course in the evening and writes notes when he reads.

He shows his interest in many ways. When we walk around the old part of our city, he tells me what some buildings were used for before. He also visits local museums and takes photos of old objects and signs. At family dinners, he sometimes asks older relatives about their childhood, then checks the details in his books.

I think he loves history because he likes finding out how people lived before us. He says that the past helps him understand our city today. I don't know as much as he does, but I enjoy listening to him, and I think his interest makes the past feel close and real.

  • State the topic · “He studies Chinese history”
  • Add a specific activity · “He also visits local museums”

A stronger answer

Checked at band 7.5 · 260 words

Honestly, the person I'd like to talk about is my cousin Wei, who's 32 and works as an office administrator. I've known him since I was a child, because our families live nearby and get together regularly. I see him especially at holiday dinners, where he often manages to turn a normal chat into a story about the city.

He studies Chinese history, particularly the history of everyday life over the last century. Rather than focusing only on emperors and battles, he likes learning how people worked, went to school, and lived in old neighbourhoods. He reads books about local streets and follows an evening online course, taking notes whenever a detail surprises him.

He shows this interest in quite practical ways. If we walk through the older part of town, he'll point out a building and explain what it used to be—perhaps a school or a small factory. He also visits local museums and photographs old signs and household objects. At family dinners, he asks our older relatives what their childhood was like, then checks their memories against what he's read. That makes his interest feel more personal than just reading facts.

I think he loves history because he's curious about how ordinary people managed their lives, and he feels the past helps explain the city we live in now. Although history can seem distant in a textbook, he brings it alive with small details and family stories. If I ask him a question, he can usually give me a clear example, which is probably why I enjoy listening.

  • Describe the subject precisely · “the history of everyday life”
  • Develop by contrast · “Rather than focusing only on emperors and battles”
  • Give a specific example · “checks their memories against what he's read”
  • Use vivid phrasing · “he brings it alive with small details”
Angles

3 ways to answer it

  1. 1A history-major friend: showing you round a museum, with a story for every object
  2. 2Your cousin: making short videos about how people celebrated New Year in ancient times
  3. 3A retired neighbour: researching your area's old streets and writing a small booklet about them
Expressions

5 expressions that fit this card

bring history to life
make the past feel real
know it inside out
know every detail of something
be fascinated by
find something very interesting
dig into
research something in detail
learn from the past
use history to make better choices
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 young people find history boring?

    • ·Lessons often mean memorising dates and events
    • ·It seems unrelated to their daily lives
  2. 2

    What is the best way to learn about history?

    • ·Visiting museums and old sites makes it vivid
    • ·Documentaries and period dramas can spark interest
  3. 3

    Do you think historical films and TV series should be accurate?

    • ·Viewers may take the story as real history
    • ·Some changes make the story more entertaining
  4. 4

    Should the government spend money on protecting old buildings?

    • ·Once demolished, they are gone forever
    • ·Turned into bookshops or galleries, they attract visitors
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