Describe a Person Who Has Interesting Ideas or Opinions: IELTS Speaking Part 2 & 3

Some people we meet in life often leave a lasting impression on us through their ideas or opinions. In the IELTS cue card, ‘Describe a Person Who Has Interesting Ideas or Opinions’/ ‘Describe a Person Who Always Has Interesting Ideas or Opinions’, you have got an opportunity to share your experience of such an individual in your life.

To understand how to frame the answer for the topic - Describe a Person Who Has Interesting Ideas and Opinions - and to brush up your speaking skills, explore the 3 sample‌ answers along with IELTS Speaking Part 3 questions related to it.

Describe a Person Who Has Interesting Ideas or Opinions - IELTS Cue Card Sample Answer 1

• Who this person is?

One person whose ideas I find particularly intriguing is a close friend of mine, Sarah. She is a writer and environmental activist. Although we are poles apart, I really admire that she is well-informed and forms her opinions based on facts rather than emotions.

• How you know this person?

I met Sarah during a sustainability conference about five years ago, and since then, we have stayed in close contact, frequently discussing various environmental and societal issues.

• What interesting ideas/opinions he or she has?

What makes Sarah’s ideas so interesting is her unique perspective on how we can merge technology with environmental conservation. For instance, she believes that the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning could be pivotal in solving some of the world’s most pressing ecological problems. She frequently discusses how AI could improve farming methods, make more accurate predictions about climate change, and even assist in lowering carbon footprints by using energy more wisely. Moreover, she promotes "Eco-literacy," or the requirement of teaching environmental awareness from an early age and integrating it into all educational levels.

• And explain you think why his/her ideas are interesting.

Her ideas are fascinating to me since they are grounded in pragmatism and forward-thinking. She proposes technologically sound remedies that could have a significant long-term effect on the entire world, rather than only focusing on the problems. Her opinions go against the frequently conventional approaches to environmental concerns in favor of creativity and forward-thinking approaches. This kind of thinking, in my opinion, is exactly what we need to combat the current environmental crises effectively.

Describe a Person Who Has Interesting Ideas or Opinions - IELTS Cue Card Sample Answer 2

• Who this person is?

• How you know this person?

Frankly speaking, I know varying people who carry great and outstanding opinions. However, I would like to specifically talk about Mr. Jai Sharma, who is my father’s friend and near about his age only. I personally believe that he has adequate knowledge about every possible thing.

He is a businessman and very successful at that. Physique-wise, he is slim, tall and handsome. Interestingly, one of the things that I like about him is that he is extremely health conscious. Sure, he works hard at his business but also looks after his body. He eats nutritious food and exercises without missing a day.

• What interesting ideas/opinions he or she has?

From my father, I got to know that Mr.Jai commenced his business at the age of 20 with only Rs. 100. He had his share of ups and downs. All these years, he garnered a lot of knowledge on varying subjects and concepts, such as home remedies, health, history, politics, religion and much more. His house is filled with books on different topics.

• And explain you think why his/her ideas are interesting.

Once, I had a nice conversation with him where he shared a glimpse of his journey with me. He told me how he started his business, failed at it and then finally succeeded. He also told me a few ideas to lead a healthy, prosperous life. All of these ideas, in my opinion, were amazing. Something that I like the most about him is that he always goes into depth while discussing something. This way, the listener always learns something new and different.

Describe a Person Who Has Interesting Ideas or Opinions - IELTS Cue Card Sample Answer 3

• Who this person is?

• How you know this person?

I’m going to talk about my friend, Hardy, who is very good at languages and always has a lot of interesting ideas when it comes to language learning and teaching. He is a fellow teacher at my workplace so we have had a lot of opportunities to work together.

He is fluent in THREE foreign languages, English, Chinese and Japanese, in addition to his mother tongue. So you can imagine, as a language teacher, he has great advantages.

• What interesting ideas/opinions he or she has?

• And explain you think why his/her ideas are interesting.

Although language comes to him naturally, he knows that for others it may not, and always tries to come up with new methods to help language learners improve faster and achieve better results. In addition to imparting knowledge, he also does it in an interesting way. For example, at the start of each class, he would have all the students stand up and play some warm-up games instead of going straight into doing routine teaching stuff. Some of the games are even invented by himself and I must say they are all well thought out. I learn a lot from observing his classes and look forward to working more with him in the future.

Vocabulary You Can Use to Answer IELTS Speaking Part 2 Questions on Describe a Person Who Has Interesting Ideas or Opinions

Here are the IELTS Speaking vocabulary for ‘Describe a person who has interesting ideas or opinions’ with examples.

• Poles apart

Meaning: have nothing in common

Example: Although my sister and I are poles apart, we love each other.

• Intriguing

Meaning: very interesting because of being unusual or mysterious

Example: Mr. Banks has some intriguing ideas for the upcoming project that might make it a success.

• Unique

Meaning: not like anything else; being the only one of its type

Example: She always has some unique ideas that no one has thought of.

• Pivotal

Meaning: very important because other things depend on it

Example: Being updated on the latest news is pivotal to form the right opinion.

• Pragmatism

Meaning: thinking about solving problems in a practical and sensible way rather than by having fixed ideas

Example: The class loved their principal because of her pragmatism and caring attitude.

• Ups and downs

Meaning: the mixture of good and bad things in life or in a particular situation or relationship

Example: Everyone faces ups and downs in their life, so there is no need to give up so easily.

• Garnered

Meaning: to obtain or collect something such as information or support

Example: This piece of national news has garnered a lot of attention among the business community.

• Fellow

Meaning: used of people or a person with whom you share something

Example: John introduced his fellow roommate to his parents.

• Come naturally

Meaning: to be an ability that a person or animal is born with

Example: Memorizing the timeline of history came naturally to Raj in School.

• Come up with

Meaning: to suggest or think of an idea or plan: come up with a plan/idea/solution

Example: The boss came up with a plan to increase the profits.

• Impart

Meaning: to give something a particular feeling, quality, or taste

Example: The institute imparts quality education to the students.

• Well thought out

Meaning: carefully considered and planned

Example: The judges appreciated John for his well-thought-out presentation

Describe a Person Who Has Interesting Ideas or Opinions - IELTS Part 3 Follow-Up Questions

In Part 3, you will be asked some questions related to the topic of the cue card you have been given in IELTS Speaking Part 2. Given below are the sample answers to Part 3 questions mentioned in the previous section of the article with expert-curated sample answers.

• How does this person typically respond to challenges or differing viewpoints?

Usually, this person responds to challenges or differing viewpoints with a calm and open-minded attitude. They genuinely listen to others’ perspective, even if it contradicts their own, and try to find common ground. Additionally, she often engages in thoughtful conversations, asking questions to understand the reasoning behind different viewpoints, rather than dismissing opposing opinions. This ability to consider various perspectives allows them to refine their ideas and make them more comprehensive.

• What do you think sets this person apart from others regarding their ability to generate interesting ideas or opinions?

What distinguishes this person is their capacity to draw unexpected links between seemingly unrelated topics or languages. Instead of restricting themself to conventional thinking, they incorporate ideas from a variety of fields, giving their concepts depth and uniqueness. Their ideas are not only creative but also feasible because of their futuristic perspective and practical approach to problem-solving.

• How does this person encourage others to share their ideas and opinions?

This person encourages others to share their ideas by creating a welcoming and non-judgmental environment. They often ask open-ended questions and value input from everyone, regardless of their background or expertise. Their approach is inclusive, and they actively listen, providing positive reinforcement, which makes others feel comfortable and valued. They are also skilled at asking probing questions that help others clarify and develop their own ideas further.

• Do you choose the proper people for the correct ideas or opinions?

Yes, I think it's crucial to take people's backgrounds and levels of experience into account when talking about particular concepts or viewpoints. For example, I usually consult with people who are knowledgeable about a particular topic when I need guidance. Selecting the appropriate individuals with relevant experience guarantees that the concepts discussed are knowledgeable and appropriate for the current circumstance.

• Can we solve real-life problems?

Yes, real-life problems can certainly be solved, especially when creative and innovative solutions are applied. The secret is to deal with these problems by using critical thinking, teamwork, and being open to experimenting with new ideas.

• How important is it to listen to other people's opinions when forming your own ideas?

I think it is important to hear what other people have to say when developing your own ideas. It enables you to examine problems from several angles, confront your own prejudices, and improve your ideas. Although it's vital to have your own opinion, taking into account a variety of points of view leads to more well-rounded and balanced ideas. It also promotes critical thinking and personal development.

• Why do some people’s ideas or opinions become more popular than others?

Some people’s ideas or opinions become more popular due to their ability to communicate effectively, resonate with current societal concerns, or offer solutions to pressing problems. Additionally, the influence of social media and public figures can amplify certain ideas, making them widely accepted or shared. Sometimes, the simplicity or practicality of an idea makes it easier for people to adopt and support it.

• In what ways can innovative ideas change the world for the better?

Innovative concepts have the power to transform the world by offering answers to challenging issues, increasing productivity, and improving standard of living. For example, medical advances have the potential to save lives, and technological developments can facilitate and ease daily duties. Moreover, innovation frequently encourages economic expansion and creates sustainable practices, both of which can benefit society and the environment in the long run.

Vocabulary You Can Use to Answer IELTS Speaking Part 3 Questions on Describe a Person Who Has Interesting Ideas or Opinions

Improve your IELTS band score by incorporating the impressive vocabulary provided below when addressing the IELTS Speaking follow-up questions for people with opinion cue cards.

• Open-minded

Meaning: ready to consider new ideas and opinions

Example: Mrs. Pickles is an open-minded person and is keen to learn new things.

• Perspective

Meaning: a particular way of considering something

Example: Sharing different perspectives will help us understand the problem better.

• Futuristic

Meaning: very modern and strange and seeming to come from some imagined time in the future

Example: The company is planning to experiment with some futuristic technology for better results.

• Non-judgemental

Meaning: avoiding judgments based on one's personal and especially moral standards

Example: It is important to be non-judgmental to learn new things.

• Positive Reinforcement

Meaning: the process of encouraging or establishing a pattern of behaviour by offering reward when the behaviour is exhibited

Example: Our class teacher uses positive reinforcement to deal with the naughty students in class.

• Probing

Meaning: (of a question) difficult to answer without telling the truth

Example: Ricki did not like the probing questions the detective asked.

• Well-rounded

Meaning: involving or having experience in a wide range of ideas or activities

Example: This lesson is well-rounded and covers all the important topics for children.

Make sure that your vocabulary and style of speaking are on point to grab that Band 8+ in the IELTS Speaking test. You can also practice IELTS Speaking practice tests or can connect with our IELTS experts to practice similar cue cards to take your IELTS Speaking preparation to the next level!