Speaking Test Model Answers
8. Personality
Below you will find example model answers for IELTS test style speaking parts 1, 2 and 3 questions on this topic. You'll notice that some key advanced vocabulary for this topic is in bold in the model answers - you will find definitions and examples sentences at the bottom of the page for these.
SPEAKING
PART 1
1. How would you describe yourself?
I would describe myself as hardworking and self-motivated. I have a good sense of humour and I’m approachable, but I’m also quite shy and not very outgoing.
2. In what ways are you similar to your friends?
I have a close group of friends who share similar interests and values to me. Most of us are passionate about outdoor sports like running, cycling or swimming. We don’t see eye to eye on all things, but we’re all quite laid back so it’s not a problem.
3. What do you like to do to relax?
To relax, I enjoy doing a variety of sports, and spending time in nature, especially by the sea. These activities really help me to work off stress and unwind.
4. What are the qualities of a good boss?
A good boss is someone who is approachable and supportive of her team. I think it’s also very important that a good boss is sincere and has integrity, so that you can trust her and rely on her.
5. Is it necessary to be ambitious to be successful?
While ambition can certainly be helpful in achieving success, it's not the only factor that determines success. Hard work, perseverance, and a willingness to learn and grow are also essential qualities that help you achieve your goals.
6. Do you know any really generous people?
Yes, I have a friend who has a heart of gold and always goes out of her way to help her friends, family and colleagues.
7. Who do you admire in your family?
I really look up to my grandfather because he is so resilient and determined. He grew up in a difficult environment and faced many challenges throughout his life, but he never gave up.
8. What was your favourite teacher at school like?
My favourite teacher at school was a history teacher who was very passionate about his subject and always went out of his way to ensure that his students understood the material. I think I got my passion for history from him.
Listen:
PART 2
Describe a person who you admire.
You should say:
who the person is
what he or she is like
and why you admire him or her
Model Answer:
I admire several of my friends for different reasons but today I’ll tell you about James, who lives in my neighbourhood and has been one of my close friends for several years.
I look up to James because he is self-motivated and determined. He started his own furniture business several years ago, and at the time he had absolutely no experience, so he had to learn everything from scratch. It can’t have been easy, but he was able to build a successful business.
What’s more, he’s not very interested in money, and so his perseverance comes from loving what he does rather than chasing financial reward. In fact, he’s known for working very long hours if he needs to meet a deadline for a customer order. I’d say this is also because he’s someone with strong moral values and integrity, and he feels a big responsibility to fulfil his promises and commitments.
Finally, James is also the kind of person who you can go to if you have a problem. Although sometimes he comes across as not very sympathetic, he has a heart of gold, and will go out of his way to help people, even when they’re not close friends. Of course, he has his faults too, but I won’t go into them now!
Listen:
PART 3
1. Do you think it’s important for friends to have similar personality traits?
That’s an interesting question. In my opinion, people with very different personalities can be good friends, for example sometimes someone who is shy and quiet might get on well with someone who is very sociable and talkative. It’s more important to share values, and also to have shared interests, so that you can enjoy doing things together.
2. Which personal traits do you think we most want our children to have?
I think most people want their children to have personalities which will help them to be successful. So, that probably means characteristics such as being outgoing, assertive and resilient. I think we also want our kids to be self-motivated and have integrity so that they can find their own way in life.
3. Is it the job of schools to teach children to be good members of society?
I’d say that schools play a very important role in preparing children to be successful members of society. Teachers and classes should try to build the character of the children, and encourage qualities like perseverance, tolerance, and integrity. They can also try to build children’s self-esteem and give them the positive mindset which will help them be successful in life. However, children are still most influenced by parents, and will usually take after them, so people must take most responsibility for their own children.
4. Do you think a person can change his/ her personality?
Yes, to some extent. If people work hard over a long period of time they can make changes to their personality. They can overcome weaknesses and develop strengths in their character. However, I believe it’s very hard to do and it’s not something that happens quickly. If you want to become more patient, calmer, more assertive or more self-motivated, you have to try hard over many years to make these changes.
5. In general, do you think men and women have different personality types?
That’s an interesting question because it’s hard to say how much our upbringing and society influences our character. But, having said that, if you look at young kids you can see clear differences between even very young girls and boys. For example, girls usually seem to develop social skills more quickly than boys, while boys tend to be more energetic and boisterous.
6. What are some of the character traits of people in your country?
Well, one of the stereotypes of people in my country is that we are quite polite, and I’d say generally that’s true. We tend to say sorry, please and thank-you a lot and try to avoid upsetting other people, especially in public places. But sometimes we are not very honest or open about our true feelings and can come across as cold and insincere.
Listen:
VOCABULARY
Topic Vocabulary:
a heart of gold (idiom)
Definition: A kind, generous, and compassionate nature.
Example: She has a heart of gold, and will always help a friend in need.
approachable (adjective)
Definition: Easy to talk to or approach, often used to describe people who are friendly and welcoming.
Example: The new boss was very approachable and made it easy for employees to share their concerns with him.
assertive (adjective)
Definition: Confidently expressing yourself and your needs.
Example: Sarah was assertive and could often win over other team members to her point of view.
boisterous (adjective)
Definition: Being noisy, energetic, and lively in a way that grabs attention.
Example: The children were boisterous, running around and laughing loudly in the playground.
callous (adjective)
Definition: Emotionally insensitive and not caring about others’ feelings.
Example: She made fun of his problems, showing a callous attitude.
come across as (phrasal verb)
Definition: To give a certain impression or appear in a particular way to others.
Example: Maggie comes across as confident and approachable, making others feel comfortable around her.
determined (adjective)
Definition: Having a strong sense of purpose and the willpower to pursue one's goals despite challenges.
Example: Mike was determined to get a promotion.
go out of your way (idiom)
Definition: To make an extra effort or to do more than is expected or required.
Example: He went out of his way to make sure we had everything we needed.
insecure (adjective)
Definition: Feeling unsure or lacking confidence in oneself or one's abilities.
Example: He felt insecure about speaking in front of the class.
insincere (adjective)
Definition: Not being genuine or honest in what one says or does, often displaying false emotions or intentions.
Example: Sarah's apology seemed insincere as she avoided eye contact and had a forced smile.
integrity (noun [u])
Definition: Being honest, doing what is right, and being a person others can trust.
Example: Tom demonstrated his integrity by returning the lost wallet he had found.
laid back (adjective)
Definition: Relaxed and unconcerned; having a calm and easy-going attitude.
Example: He's a great travel companion because he's really laid back.
outgoing (adjective)
Definition: Referring to an individual who is social, talkative, and enjoys interacting with others.
Example: The outgoing child quickly made friends in her class.
perseverance (noun [u])
Definition: The act of persisting and working hard without giving up, even in the face of challenges.
Example: Despite facing numerous obstacles, John's perseverance enabled him to succeed.
resilient (adjective)
Definition: Being able to deal with problems and recover from difficult situations or setbacks.
Example: After facing a major setback, Lisa demonstrated resilience by continuing to pursue her dream.
see eye to eye (idiom)
Definition: To agree with or have the same opinion as someone else on a particular matter.
Example: My father and I don't see eye to eye on politics.
self-esteem (noun [u])
Definition: How one feels about oneself and one's abilities.
Example: Low self-esteem can negatively impact one's mental health and relationships with others.
self-motivated (adjective)
Definition: Having the ability to drive oneself and achieve goals without needing outside motivation or rewards.
Example: Laura is highly self-motivated, setting goals for herself and working hard to achieve them.
sympathetic (adjective)
Definition: Showing or feeling concern, compassion, or understanding towards others.
Example: Jane showed her sympathetic nature by really supporting her friend while she was getting divorced.
take after (phrasal verb)
Definition: To have similar traits, behaviours, or characteristics to a family member, especially a parent or relative.
Example: Sarah really takes after her grandma with her love for gardening.
tolerance (noun [u])
Definition: Accepting and respecting others, even if they are different from you or have different opinions.
Example: I grew up in an open-minded family, where tolerance was really valued.
