IELTS Speaking Part 2 Describe a Person: Complete Guide

Quick Answer: To ace IELTS Speaking Part 2 when describing a person, use a clear 4-part structure: introduce who the person is, describe their appearance and personality, explain why they are special or how you know them, and share your feelings or a memorable story. Use varied vocabulary (e.g., "compassionate" instead of "kind") and maintain natural fluency. Practice with a timer to speak for 1.5–2 minutes.

Table of Contents

Understanding the Task

Structure Your Answer

Vocabulary for Describing People

Grammar for Band 7+

Sample Answers

Band Score Comparison Table

Understanding the Task

In IELTS Speaking Part 2, you are given a cue card with a topic. A typical "Describe a Person" prompt might be:

Describe a family member you admire. You should say:

- who this person is

- what they look like

- what kind of person they are

- and explain why you admire them

You have 1 minute to prepare and must speak for 1–2 minutes. The examiner will not interrupt you. The key is to organise your thoughts quickly and speak naturally with good vocabulary and grammar.

Structure Your Answer

Use this simple 4-paragraph structure to stay on track:

Introduction – Who is the person? (e.g., "The person I’d like to talk about is my grandmother, Maria.")

Appearance & Personality – Describe their looks and character. (e.g., "She’s in her late 70s, with silver hair and a warm smile. She’s incredibly patient and wise.")

How you know them / Why they are special – Mention your relationship and a specific example. (e.g., "I’ve known her all my life. When I was struggling with exams, she would sit with me and share her own stories of perseverance.")

Feelings / Final thoughts – Explain your admiration or emotion. (e.g., "I admire her because she taught me the value of kindness and hard work. Whenever I think of her, I feel grateful and inspired.")

This structure fits almost any person – a friend, teacher, neighbour, or historical figure.

Vocabulary for Describing People

Using precise and varied vocabulary lifts your score.

Category	Simple Words	Better Words
Appearance	tall, thin, old, young	towering, slender, elderly, youthful
Face	beautiful, nice eyes	striking, captivating, piercing eyes
Personality	kind, funny, smart	compassionate, witty, insightful
Relationships	friend, relative	confidant, mentor, role model
Feelings	like, love	admire, respect, cherish, look up to

Common phrases to use:

"He/she has a real flair for…"

"What stands out about them is…"

"I’ve always been impressed by their ability to…"

"They have a knack for…"

"I can’t help but feel… when I’m around them."

Grammar for Band 7+

To reach a higher band, use complex structures naturally.

Relative clauses: "My grandmother, who is now 80, still runs a small bakery."

Past tenses: "When I was a child, she used to tell me stories that taught me life lessons."

Conditionals: "If I had not met her, I would probably have given up on my studies."

Comparatives / superlatives: "She is the most resilient person I have ever known."

Avoid repeating the same sentence structure. Mix short and long sentences.

Sample Answers

Band 7:

The person I admire is my mother. She is in her 50s, with short brown hair. She is very kind and hardworking. I have known her all my life. She always helps me with my problems. I admire her because she is patient and always supports me. I feel lucky to have her.

Band 8:

The person I’d like to talk about is my mother. She is in her early 50s, with shoulder-length hair and a gentle smile. She has a calm and patient personality, but she is also incredibly determined. I’ve known her all my life, and she has been my biggest supporter. For example, when I was preparing for my exams, she would stay up late with me, making tea and encouraging me. I admire her because she never gives up, even when things are tough. I feel so grateful to have her as my mother.

Band 9:

I’d like to describe my mother, who is arguably the most influential person in my life. She is in her early 50s – a woman of average height, with silver-streaked hair and a warm, reassuring smile that instantly puts people at ease. Personality-wise, she possesses a rare combination of empathy and resilience. She is someone who listens without judgment and yet offers firm guidance. I’ve known her all my life, and our bond has only deepened over the years. I recall a particularly challenging period when I was struggling with my university entrance exams. Instead of pushing me, she sat with me every evening, sharing her own stories of failure and perseverance. That taught me that setbacks are not failures but stepping stones. I admire her profoundly because she embodies the values of kindness, grit, and humility. Every time I think of her, I feel a sense of calm and motivation – she is truly my role model.

Band Score Comparison Table

Band	What Examiner Wants
6	Uses basic vocabulary (kind, nice, tall). Simple sentences. Some hesitation. Limited range of tenses.
7	Good vocabulary (compassionate, determined). Uses some complex sentences (relative clauses). Fluent with minor pauses. Few errors.
8	Wide range of precise vocabulary (empathetic, resilient). Mixes simple and complex structures naturally. Very fluent. Rare errors.
9	Natural, sophisticated expressions (radiates positivity, unwavering support). Perfect control of grammar. Fluent, with idiomatic phrases. No errors.

Common Mistakes

❌Listing facts without details – "He is tall, kind, smart, funny." This is boring. Add a story or example to make it memorable.

❌Using only simple vocabulary – "She is good, nice, friendly." These words are overused. Use synonyms like "cheerful," "generous," "thoughtful."

❌Ignoring fluency – Stopping too often or repeating yourself. Practice speaking without long pauses. Use fillers like "actually," "you know," "let me think" to sound natural.

❌Forgetting to answer all prompt points – Some cue cards have 4 bullet points. Address each one, but don't treat them like a checklist. Weave them into your story.

Top Tips

💡 Use the 1-minute preparation wisely. Jot down key words (e.g., "grandmother – silver hair – patient – exam story – admire"). Don't write full sentences.

💡 Tell a story. Instead of just describing the person, share a short anecdote. This makes your talk engaging and helps you speak longer.

💡 Show emotion. Use your tone and facial expressions. If you admire someone, say "I feel truly grateful" – not just "I like them."

💡 Build your vocabulary bank. Learn 20–30 words for describing people (appearance + personality). Practice using them in sentences.

Resources

Check out IELTS Active for practice tests, cue card generators, and vocabulary lists. Their speaking module has timed mock tests that mimic the real exam – perfect for building confidence.

FAQ

Q: Can I describe a famous person? A: Yes, but you must know enough about them. The examiner will judge your language, not the person. A family member or friend is often easier because you have personal stories. Q: What if I don't know much about the person? A: You can create a fictional description based on real people. The examiner doesn't verify facts. Focus on fluent, rich language. Q: How to avoid repeating the same words? A: Use synonyms. For "kind," try "considerate," "thoughtful," "compassionate." For "like," use "admire," "respect," "look up to." Practice paraphrasing. Q: How to handle nervousness? A: Take a deep breath before you start. Smile. Use the first sentence to buy time: "I’d like to talk about a person who has had a huge impact on my life – my grandfather." This sets a natural pace.

Key Takeaways

✅Use a 4-part structure: introduction, appearance/personality, story/relationship, feelings.

✅Enhance vocabulary with precise adjectives and phrases.

✅Use complex grammar like relative clauses and conditionals naturally.

✅Practice speaking with a timer to reach 1.5–2 minutes.

✅Avoid listing – tell a story to captivate the examiner.

Related Posts:

IELTS Speaking Part 2: Describe a Place – Step-by-Step Guide

IELTS Speaking Part 2: Describe an Event – Vocabulary & Tips

IELTS Speaking Part 1 vs Part 2 vs Part 3 – Key Differences