Speaking Part 2: Describe a person in the news...

Today, I want to focus on Speaking Part 2. We're going to tackle a question that was in the IELTS test recently...

Describe a person in the news.

Whenever I ask this question to candidates, they often freeze, unable to identify a person to talk about. However, it really does not need to be that difficult.

The question asks you to describe a person in the news. This could a journalist who you admire or a member of the public who was in the news. It could also be a famous person. Look at the examples below...

• George Floyd

• Greta Thunberg

• K pop

You could discuss any of the above examples and say who they are, why they were in the news and explain why they interest you?

Remember to keep talking until the examiner tells you to stop. This way you will get a better mark for Fluency. If you still have time left, try to think of ways of extending your topic...is there anyone else you admire that was in the news? If you really can't think of what to say next then confidently state, "Thank you. That is the end of my presentation." This is better than having long uncomfortable silences. The examiner is still required to wait 5 seconds until they move on to give you a chance to speak if you think of anything.

It really is worth preparing some notes on a famous person before you head into the test just in case you get this question. The IELTS test often contains questions on famous people! Read the news and keep up to date with what's happening, even on your phone. Reading helps build your vocabulary. The Guardian is a good newspaper if you want to build more academic vocabulary or you could try the BBC which is easier to follow.

Study this sample answer...

"Today, I want to talk about an amazing story which I heard about on the news. The story is about Captain Tom Moore from Bedfordshire in the UK who decided to try and walk 100 laps of his garden to raise money for the NHS.

Firstly, when Captain Tom decided to do this he wanted to try and finish his 100 laps before his 100th birthday. I think he was 99 at the time. Furthermore, he was an army veteran who had fought in the second world war.

So, as he started to do his laps, the donations came flooding in. When they had reached £500,000, he and his daughter were shocked but he persisted and continued. In the end, he had raised over £32 million for the NHS. Finally, he was recognised for his incredible achievements and he was even knighted. He is now known as Colonel Tom Moore.

I find this story simply fascinating because it shows the determination of one man. He was 99 years old when he started his challenge and I believe he has reached 100 now. It shows that when you are determined, you can achieve anything. Moreover, it inspires us to have goals and work hard. I think in some ways it also really puts the younger generations to shame! Not all but some.

Secondly, the other reason why I love this story is because I find that the way it just united the nation moving. It is just an inspiring story and the cause was close to everyone's heart. I mean we were all in full lockdown and the NHS was pushed to its limits. It needed all the help it could get. I feel there is a lot that we can all learn from Tom Moore's story. In fact, he inspired many other people to get involved and set different challenges for themselves to raise money for the NHS."

Can you try and identify good examples of Linking words and Vocabulary that would impress examiners? Comment below...