IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe an energetic person you know: 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.
  • 242 words
  • A person
  • 1 minute to prepare
  • 2 minutes to speak

The cue card

Describe an energetic person you know

You should say:

  • →Who this person is
  • →How you know them
  • →What energetic things they do
  • →And explain why you think they are so energetic

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

    Jot down three specific activities that prove the person is energetic.

  2. 2

    Use a clear narrative timeline starting from how you met them.

  3. 3

    Focus on the 'why' by linking their energy to their mindset or motivation.

Model answer

Band 8 sample answer

Band 8242 words, about two minutes at a natural pace. Details are invented; use your own.

I’d like to talk about my cousin, Leo, who is hands down the most vibrant person I have ever encountered. We grew up together in a small coastal town, so I have known him since we were toddlers, and our families are still incredibly close today. Leo is essentially a human dynamo. His daily routine is exhausting just to watch; he is a fervent triathlete, often heading out for a pre-dawn cycle before most people have even thought about their morning coffee. Aside from his fitness regime, he works as a high-octane freelance project manager, where he thrives on tight deadlines and rapid-fire communication. On weekends, he refuses to sit still, dragging our friends on intensive mountain hikes or organising charity football matches. He possesses this rare, infectious zest for life that seems to recharge his batteries rather than deplete them. I believe the reason he is so remarkably energetic stems from his relentless curiosity and his physiological need for stimulation. He is constantly pursuing new goals, whether it is learning a complex musical instrument or mastering a new language, and this mental engagement keeps his mind as active as his body. He genuinely feels that time spent being idle is time wasted, and he has cultivated a mindset where he derives immense satisfaction from physical exertion. It is not just about being busy, but about having a genuine passion for every aspect of his day, which keeps him permanently switched on.

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8 words

Useful vocabulary for this cue card

  • human dynamo

    a person with an endless supply of energy

  • fervent

    having or displaying a passionate intensity

  • high-octane

    full of energy, excitement, or intense activity

  • zest for life

    great enthusiasm and enjoyment of living

  • deplete

    to use up the supply or resources of

  • relentless

    showing no signs of stopping or slowing down

  • idle

    avoiding work or spending time doing nothing

  • switched on

    mentally alert and aware of one's surroundings

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 an energetic person you know"?+

Jot down three specific activities that prove the person is energetic.

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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