Describe a time someone helped you

In IELTS Speaking Part 2 you get this card, one minute to prepare and up to two minutes to speak. Below: the notes a strong candidate might make in that minute, a natural Band 7–8 answer, the words that make it work, and the Part 3 discussion the examiner usually moves on to.

The cue card

One-minute notes

Notes in the preparation minute should be keywords, not sentences — one line per bullet, plus the one detail that makes your story yours. Something like:

• a stranger at a train station abroad
• first solo trip, 20, lost wallet + phone dead
• paid for my ticket, called my hostel
• refused to give me her address for repayment
• mattered: I was panicking; now I help strangers

Band 7–8 sample answer

I'd like to describe a time when a complete stranger helped me, during my first trip abroad on my own. I was twenty, travelling around for three weeks, and feeling rather pleased with myself for organising everything.

On the fourth day, things fell apart. I got to a train station to travel to the next city and discovered that my wallet was gone — I've no idea whether it was stolen or I'd just dropped it. To make things worse, my phone battery was dead, so I couldn't contact anyone or check anything. I remember standing at the ticket machine feeling genuinely panicked, because I didn't speak the language and had no plan at all.

A woman who'd been standing behind me in the queue must have noticed, because she asked if I was all right. When I explained, she bought my ticket without any hesitation, lent me her phone so I could call the hostel I was heading to, and even walked me to the right platform. When I asked for her address so I could pay her back, she just laughed and said that someone had once done the same for her son.

Her help mattered partly for the obvious practical reason — without it I'd have been stuck. But the bigger effect was afterwards. Ever since then, if I see someone looking lost in a station or an airport, I stop and ask if they need anything. I think of it as paying back a debt I couldn't pay back to her directly.

About 256 words — roughly two minutes at a relaxed pace. Notice what it does: one specific story instead of general statements, every bullet covered, natural spoken linking rather than "firstly… secondly…", and the "why" part of the card answered properly at the end — that is where many candidates run out of things to say. Use it to see the structure; don't memorise it. Examiners are trained to spot memorised answers, and your own story will always sound more fluent.

Useful vocabulary

• fall apart — when plans suddenly go wrong
• to make things worse — adding a second problem in a story
• without any hesitation — immediately, without stopping to think
• be stuck — unable to move forward or leave a place
• pay it forward — to repay kindness by helping someone else
• go out of your way — to make a special effort to help

Part 3: questions and model answers

After your two minutes, the examiner moves to a discussion linked to the card's topic. These questions are more abstract: give an opinion, a reason and an example, and it's fine to say "it depends" — as long as you explain on what.

Are people in your country willing to help strangers?

Generally, yes, especially in smaller towns, where people still tend to know each other. In big cities people are more cautious — not because they're unkind, but because they're busy and a bit suspicious of strangers. If someone clearly needs help, though, I think most people still step in.

Should schools require students to do volunteer work?

I'm not sure about requiring it. Volunteering that's forced can feel like a punishment and might put students off. I think it works better when schools make it easy and attractive — giving credit for it or organising projects — so students experience it and many choose to continue.

Is it the government or individuals who should help those in need?

Both, but they have different roles. Governments are the only ones who can provide reliable, long-term support like healthcare or housing. Individuals and charities are better at the human side — noticing someone who's lonely, for example. Neither can replace the other.

Has city life made people less helpful?

Maybe a little. When you live surrounded by thousands of strangers, it's easy to assume someone else will help. But I don't think people have become worse; I think the environment discourages them. In neighbourhoods where people know each other, city dwellers can be just as helpful as anyone else.

More cue cards about experiences and events

• Describe a journey you remember well
• Describe an important decision you made
• Describe a goal you achieved
• Describe a time when you were very busy
• Describe an interesting conversation you had
• Describe a change that improved your life
• Describe a time you were late for something important
• Describe a celebration you enjoyed
• Describe a time you changed your mind about something
• Describe a piece of good advice you received
• Describe a time you taught someone something

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