IELTS Speaking Part 2: describe a person, with a 2-minute timer and sample answers
In IELTS Speaking Part 2 you get one cue card, one minute to prepare and up to two minutes to talk. “Describe a person” is one of the most common types. Practise with 12 person cue cards and a timer that records you, learn a 5-stage structure that fills two minutes, and read two sample answers with notes on why they work.
By The YoFluent teamUpdated 9 min read
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Practise now: a Part 2 timer with 12 person cards
Press start to get a random card, a 1-minute preparation (take notes on paper) and a 2-minute speaking timer. If you allow the microphone, it records you in your browser so you can listen back. Nothing is uploaded.
Your cue card
Describe a person you admire
You should say:
- who this person is
- how you know them
- what they have done
- and explain why you admire them
Runs in your browser. Your recording stays on your device and is never uploaded.
A 5-stage structure that fills 2 minutes
| Stage | About | Say |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Who | 15 sec | “I’d like to talk about…” · “The person I’m going to describe is…” |
| 2. How you know them | 15 sec | “I’ve known her since…” · “We met when…” |
| 3. A story | 40–50 sec | “For example, last year…” · “I remember once when…” |
| 4. Why they matter | 30 sec | “What I admire most is…” · “The reason I chose this person is…” |
| 5. Finish | 10 sec | “Overall, I think…” · “That’s why…” |
While you prepare, write five keywords (one per stage), not sentences. If you finish early, add a second short example or describe a small habit: “She always…”.
Two sample answers with notes
Sample 1: a person you admire
Describe a person you admire.
“I’d like to talk about my aunt Rania, who is a nurse in a small hospital near my hometown. I’ve known her all my life, because she lived next door to us when I was a child. What I admire most is how she stays calm in difficult situations. For example, a few years ago there was a bus accident close to the hospital, and she worked for almost twenty hours without a break. The next day she still came to my cousin’s birthday party and smiled as if nothing had happened. I also admire the way she treats everyone equally, from the cleaners to the doctors. When I was preparing for my exams she often said, “Do your best, and be kind to yourself,” and that advice stayed with me. I think I admire her because she shows that being strong doesn’t mean being loud. If I could be half as patient as she is, I’d be very happy.”
Why it works:
- Opens with who and how I know her, so the first bullet is answered quickly.
- One specific story (the accident) instead of general adjectives. Specific details are easier to keep talking about.
- Mix of tenses: present for what she is like, past for the story, conditional for the ending.
- Reflecting at the end (“being strong doesn’t mean being loud”) gives a natural finish.
Sample 2: a friend you have known for a long time
Describe a friend you have known for a long time.
“My oldest friend is Tomás. We met when we were seven, on the first day of primary school, because the teacher sat us next to each other. We’ve been friends for about twenty years now, even though we live in different cities. We used to play football every afternoon, and these days we mostly talk on the phone on Sunday evenings. What I like about him is that he’s honest with me. If I make a bad decision, he tells me, but he never makes me feel stupid. Once, when I was thinking about leaving my job without a plan, he sat down with me and helped me write a list of pros and cons. I think the friendship has lasted because we don’t need to see each other every week. When we meet, it feels like no time has passed.”
Why it works:
- Time phrases (“for about twenty years”, “these days”, “used to”) show control of past and present.
- A short, concrete example (the pros and cons list) supports the claim that he is honest.
- The last sentence answers “why has it lasted” directly, covering the final bullet.
These are original practice answers to learn from, not model answers with an official band. Use your own real person and your own story, because examiners can tell when an answer is memorised.
Useful words and phrases for describing people
| Phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| look up to | respect and admire someone | “I’ve always looked up to my grandfather.” |
| be a role model | someone others copy | “She’s a role model for younger nurses.” |
| down-to-earth | practical, not proud | “Despite her success, she’s very down-to-earth.” |
| easy-going | relaxed, not easily upset | “He’s easy-going, so he’s easy to work with.” |
| get along with | have a good relationship | “I get along with my neighbours really well.” |
| keep in touch | stay in contact | “We keep in touch by phone.” |
| have a lot in common | share interests | “We have a lot in common, especially music.” |
| be there for someone | support them when needed | “She was there for me when I needed her.” |
| a great sense of humour | good at being funny | “He has a great sense of humour.” |
| go out of one’s way | make extra effort to help | “She went out of her way to help me.” |
Common mistakes
- Only adjectives (“kind, smart, funny”). Show the quality with a short story. For precise words and softer ways to say negative ones, see words to describe a person.
- Choosing a famous person you do not know well. A relative or friend gives more details.
- Stopping at 1 minute. Plan a story and a reason, so the second minute is ready.
- Mixing up he and she, or forgetting -s: “she work”. Practise the person’s pronouns before the test.
- Reading prepared notes aloud. Keywords only, then speak naturally.
- Long silences. Use “Let me think…” or “Another thing I’d like to mention is…”.
How to practise and what to read next
- Do one card a day with the timer. Record it.
- Listen back and check that you answered every bullet and used at least one story.
- Redo the same card the next day, with a better story.
More Part 2 practice: IELTS cue cards with a timer and audio samples. For the whole test: IELTS speaking mock test and IELTS speaking topics. For fluency in general: how to speak English fluently.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I speak in IELTS Speaking Part 2?
You get one minute to prepare and then speak for up to two minutes. The examiner will stop you at two minutes and may ask one or two short follow-up questions.
How do I describe a person in IELTS Speaking?
Say who the person is, how you know them, tell one specific story about them, explain why they matter to you, and finish with how you feel about them now. Cover every bullet on the card.
Do I have to follow the bullet points in order?
No. The bullets are prompts to help you, but you should cover all of them. Many candidates follow the order because it is easier to remember.
What if I run out of things to say?
Add a second example, describe a habit (“She always…”), or say how the person changed your life. Plan these during your preparation minute.
Can I describe a famous person?
Yes, if the card allows it, but you will usually have more to say about someone you know. Examiners want natural, detailed speech, not facts from the internet.
Should I memorise a sample answer?
No. Learn the structure and useful phrases. Examiners are trained to notice memorised answers, and they can lower the fluency score.
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- IELTS test format: Speaking, IELTS