IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe a person you want to work or study with: IELTS cue card with sample answer

An IELTS cue card for Speaking Part 2 with a Band 8 sample answer, the one-minute plan behind it, the vocabulary that lifts it and the Part 3 follow-up questions the examiner can ask next.
  • 268 words
  • A person
  • 1 minute to prepare
  • 2 minutes to speak

The cue card

Describe a person you want to work or study with

You should say:

  • →Who this person is
  • →How you know them
  • →What you would like to work or study on with them
  • →And explain why you want to work or study with them

One minute to prepare, then speak for one to two minutes.

A person

How to answer this cue card: a one-minute plan

  1. 1

    Choose a real person to make your delivery feel more natural and authentic.

  2. 2

    Use the one-minute prep to list three specific personality traits that justify your choice.

  3. 3

    Ensure you link the person's skills directly to the specific task you want to perform.

Model answer

Band 8 sample answer

Band 8268 words, about two minutes at a natural pace. Details are invented; use your own.

I would love to collaborate on a research project with my former university flatmate, Elena. I first met her back in my second year at Leeds, when we were both studying architecture. We spent countless late nights in the studio, fuelled by lukewarm coffee and the occasional takeaway, trying to perfect our structural models. She has this remarkable ability to remain calm even when a project deadline is looming, which is a stark contrast to my own tendency to panic. I would specifically like to team up with her to design a sustainable, low-cost housing initiative. We have often discussed how urban development is becoming increasingly exclusionary, and I think her technical precision paired with my focus on social integration would make for a formidable partnership. The reason I am so keen to work with her goes beyond her sheer competence. Elena possesses a unique intellectual humility; she is always the first to admit when an idea isn't working and is incredibly open to constructive criticism. In a collaborative environment, that kind of honesty is rare. Most people get defensive when their designs are challenged, but she views it as a necessary step towards refinement. Her disciplined work ethic also acts as a catalyst for my own productivity. When I am around her, I feel compelled to elevate the quality of my output because she sets such a high standard. Ultimately, I believe that working with someone who balances both technical rigour and a genuine openness to new perspectives would not only lead to a successful outcome but would also make the entire process intellectually stimulating and enjoyable.

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8 words

Useful vocabulary for this cue card

  • collaborate

    to work together with someone on something

  • looming

    approaching in a worrying or threatening way

  • exclusionary

    preventing certain groups from participating or belonging

  • formidable

    impressive and powerful in ability or strength

  • intellectual humility

    willingness to admit one's own cognitive limitations

  • catalyst

    something that causes a significant positive change

  • technical rigour

    strict attention to detail and high standards

  • elevate

    to raise the level or quality of something

5 questions

Part 3 follow-up questions

  1. 1What role does society play in shaping our attitudes towards this?
  2. 2Has the way people view this changed over the years?
  3. 3How do you think it will develop in the future?
  4. 4What are the benefits and drawbacks?
  5. 5Do you think the government should be involved in regulating this area?

Answer each in three to five sentences: position, reason, example, limit. See how to answer IELTS Speaking Part 3.

Frequently asked questions

How should I start the cue card "Describe a person you want to work or study with"?+

Choose a real person to make your delivery feel more natural and authentic.

How long should I speak on an IELTS cue card?+

You get one minute to prepare, then speak for the full two minutes, about 220 to 280 words at a natural pace. The examiner will stop you at two minutes, which is a good sign, not a problem.

How is the cue card scored?+

Part 2 is not scored on its own. Your whole Speaking test gets one band from four criteria: fluency and coherence, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation. The cue card is where the examiner hears whether you can keep going for two minutes.

Can I use this sample answer in the exam?+

Use its structure and vocabulary, not its sentences. Examiners recognise memorised answers and mark fluency down; a shorter answer from your own memory scores higher than a recited one.

Keep practising

More cue cards: a person

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