Who You Admire – IELTS Cue Card Sample Answer & Tips

In the  IELTS Speaking test, one of the most commonly asked cue card topics is to describe a person you admire. This is your chance to showcase your language skills while talking about someone who has inspired or influenced you. Whether it’s a celebrity, a family member, or a teacher, make sure your response is heartfelt and well-organized.

Let’s explore how to structure your answer, what vocabulary to use, and some follow-up questions you can expect.

What Does It Mean to Admire Someone?

Admiring someone means you respect and look up to them because of their qualities, actions, or achievements. This admiration can stem from:

• Their values or ethics
• Their achievements and contributions
• The impact they’ve made on your life or others
• Their personality traits and how they handle life

So, when preparing for this cue card, think of someone who genuinely inspires you and whom you can talk about passionately.

IELTS Speaking Cue Card: Describe a Person You Admire

How to Structure Your Cue Card Answer?

To give a well-rounded answer, follow this structure:

1. Introduction

Briefly introduce the person you admire. Mention how you know them and your relationship with them.

Example:
“One person I truly admire is my grandfather. He has played a significant role in shaping who I am today.”

2. Description

Talk about what they do or did. Mention any specific contributions or achievements that stood out to you.

Example:
“He was a school principal for over 30 years and devoted his life to educating children in rural areas.”

3. Qualities

Discuss the qualities you admire in them. Be specific and use vocabulary that reflects a range of positive traits.

• Warm-hearted – kind and compassionate
• Integrity – honest and moral
• Resilient – able to recover from setbacks
• Witty – intelligent and humorous
• Determined – doesn’t give up easily
• Empathetic – understands others’ feelings

Example:
“What I admire the most about him is his integrity and resilience. Even during tough times, he always did what was right.”

4. Impact and Admiration

Explain why these traits made a lasting impression on you and how they’ve influenced your life.

Example:
“His strong values and calm demeanor have always inspired me to be a better person. I’ve learned the importance of patience and hard work from him.”

Describe a Person You Admire - Cue Card Sample Answer 1 

“One person I truly admire is Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the former President of India and a renowned scientist. Despite coming from a humble background, he rose to become one of the most respected figures in the country.

What I admire most about him is his humility, dedication to education, and his vision for the youth. He was a brilliant mind behind India’s missile program and yet always remained grounded. He inspired millions through his speeches and writings.

His resilience, passion for knowledge, and ability to connect with people from all walks of life make him someone I look up to deeply. His life has taught me to dream big, stay focused, and never forget to give back to society.”

Describe a Person You Admire - Cue Card Sample Answer 2

One person I truly admire is my older sister, Aisha. She’s a pediatric nurse who works long hours at a children’s hospital in our city. Despite the challenges of her job, she’s always warm, composed, and full of energy.

What I find most admirable is her kindness and emotional strength. She has the ability to stay calm in emergencies, comfort children in pain, and support their families during difficult times. She also volunteers on weekends at a local shelter, which reflects her deep compassion for others.

I admire her because she balances her personal and professional life so well, and still finds time to care for those around her. Her selfless attitude and resilience inspire me to be more empathetic and determined in my own life.

Describe a Person You Admire - Cue Card Sample Answer 3

A person I truly admire is Emma Watson, a British actress and activist best known for her role as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter series. While her acting talent is remarkable, what I find most admirable is how she uses her fame to advocate for important social causes.

Emma Watson is a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador and a leading voice for gender equality. Her speech at the United Nations, launching the “HeForShe” campaign, was incredibly powerful and showed her deep commitment to feminism and human rights. She’s articulate, confident, and unafraid to speak out against injustice.

What I admire most about her is her courage, intelligence, and authenticity. Despite being in the spotlight from a young age, she’s stayed grounded and purpose-driven. She constantly pushes boundaries, not just as an actress, but as a changemaker. For me, she represents how a person can use their influence to bring about real change—and that’s incredibly inspiring.

Vocabulary to Use When Talking About Admiration

Here are some high-scoring IELTS Vocabulary words to describe admired individuals:

Using such vocabulary naturally in your speech can boost your lexical resource score in IELTS.

Common Follow-Up Questions (Part 3)

After your Part 2 speech, the examiner may ask you related questions in IELTS Speaking Part 3. Here are some examples:

Q1: Why do people admire others?

Sample Answer:
People admire others because of their positive traits like kindness, honesty, or success. These traits reflect the kind of person they aspire to be.

Q2: What kind of people are usually admired in society?

Sample Answer:
Usually, people who are generous, brave, or have achieved something significant are admired. Celebrities, leaders, or those who help others often gain public admiration.

Q3: Is it important to have someone to look up to?

Sample Answer:
Yes, having a role model gives direction and motivation in life. It helps individuals set goals and learn how to overcome challenges.

Related IELTS Cue Card Topics

If you are practicing this cue card, you may also want to prepare for similar topics like:

• Describe an artist or entertainer you admire
• Describe a creative person whom you admire
• Describe a person in your family who you most admire
• Describe a person who inspired you to do something new

Each of these topics allows you to explore different types of admiration — personal, professional, or creative.

Final Tips for Answering “Who You Admire” Cue Cards

Here are some tips to answer the IELTS Speaking Cue Card: 

• Choose someone you know well or feel connected to
• Prepare a few strong traits or examples that highlight their qualities
• Use a mix of simple and advanced vocabulary
• Stay confident and natural in your tone
• Practice aloud to sound more fluent and coherent

Describing someone you admire in the IELTS Speaking test is a golden opportunity to express genuine feelings and showcase your language ability. Choose someone who truly inspires you, organize your thoughts clearly, and practice confidently. With the right vocabulary and structure, this cue card can be your ticket to a higher IELTS Band Score. 

Useful Links:

• How to Prepare a Cue Card for IELTS Speaking
• What to Do if You Forget What to Say During IELTS Speaking Test?
• Latest IELTS Speaking Vocabulary to Boost Your Score
• How to Express Your Mixed Feelings in IELTS Writing & Speaking?
• 10 Useful Structures to Express Contrasting Ideas in IELTS Speaking & Writing Task 2
• 75+ Common English Words Used in IELTS Speaking Test
• 5 Silly Things You Say To Decrease Your IELTS Speaking Band Score
• Reasons for the IELTS examiner to interrupt you in IELTS Speaking