IELTS Speaking: Describe an Occasion When You Helped Someone – Band 8+ Tips & Sample Answers

In the IELTS Speaking, you will be encountering three parts based on which you must answer fluently and cohesively. With the topic, ‘Describe an occasion when you helped someone – IELTS Cue Card with Band 8+ Tips’, you will enhance your speaking skills for the IELTS Speaking Part 2. This IELTS cue card to describe a situation when you help someone gives you an opportunity to share one of your memories of an occasion when you helped someone.

To attempt this IELTS Speaking test, you will have exactly one minute to prepare and speak on a specific topic like helping someone part 2. Therefore, it is suggested to brainstorm your ideas within the time frame and note down all the required points. Remember to review the sample answers of the topic on an occasion you helped someone to become familiar with the strategies to be used to achieve a band 8+ in the IELTS exam.

Shall we check out the cue card now? Let’s get started!

Band 8+ Tips for IELTS Speaking Part 2 - Describing a time when you helped someone - Cue Card

In the IELTS Speaking Cue Card Section, it is very important to practise making notes and writing down the pointers which would help guide your answer as you describe an occasion when you helped someone. However, there are certain tricks which you must use to hone your speaking skills.

• Brainstorming ideas is one of the crucial aspects in this section. Always utilise the time to write down the ideas so that you can speak confidently while giving your answer.
• Get familiar with the Latest IELTS Speaking Vocabulary to Boost Your Score and showcase that you have a wide range of words which you can use while speaking. 
• Always use intonation and voice modulation to enhance your speaking. Avoid speaking too fast or too slow and focus on speaking at a comfortable pace.
• Remember to use a varied vocabulary to show your knowledge about the IELTS Grammar which will help you score higher bands.
• As you practice, use a stopwatch to check with the timing and become aware of your progress. Also, record yourself speaking before moving on with the sample answers given below.

Before you start, take a look at the introduction to Speaking Part 2 below!

Question - Describe an occasion when you helped someone – IELTS Cue Card

Before you check out the sample answers, use your stopwatch and take 1 minute to write down your points as you describe a situation when you helped someone cue cards. Utilise the strategies as you write down points because your answer must be concise. Also, note down a few vocabulary words which you can use in your answer. Along with that, practise speaking by recording yourself and note down the areas of improvement.

Sample Answer 1 for IELTS Speaking Cue Card - Describe an occasion when you helped someone

• Who you helped

My parents have always taught me to help others when they are in need. Being an obedient child, I have always followed their principle and made them one of my own. Although it has put in a fix in many situations, as people took advantage of it, I have never stopped myself from helping. One such situation was when I helped a young girl to reach her school.

• How you helped them

Our school bus had a stop right in front of our gate, and so I have never missed the bus. One such day, when I was waiting for my bus, I saw a young girl walking up and down her bus stand, which was the front gate of a gurdwara. Anxiety was clear on her face, and it intrigued me. My conscience told me that she might need some help. 

I went to her and asked her why she was upset. She told me that she had an important exam in the first period and seemed to have missed her school bus. Unfortunately, she didn’t have any money to call at home or to hire a rickshaw to school. If she didn’t board the vehicle on time, she would be late and miss the exam. It would affect her result as well. Saying this, she broke down in tears. Luckily, I had saved some of my pocket money to buy my mother a gift on her birthday. I offered the girl some money and helped her to hire a rickshaw. She was so nervous that she didn’t hesitate to take money from a stranger and left immediately. 

• And explain how this person reacted to your help or/ and explain how you feel after helping this person

I didn’t mean to boast, but I felt really good that I could help her. The next day, as I was waiting at my designated place for the school bus, a lady approached me. She was accompanied by the girl whom I had helped. She was very grateful that I had helped her daughter and bought me some chocolate. Even though I was unwilling to take it, the girl, Poonam, insisted and apologized for not saying anything the previous day. We talked for some time until our respective buses arrived at our stops.

Sample Answer 2 for IELTS Speaking Cue Card - Describe an occasion when you helped someone

• Who you helped

Honestly, I’m not the type of people who often go out much, that’s why I rarely have chance to help other people. Last week, on the way home, I came across a miserable old woman, who seemed to be my grandma’s age. She was carrying a lot of bags full of food while trying to cross the crowded road. As it was during rush hours, there were a lot of vehicles on the road and she looked very confused. As she reminded me of my grandma living far away from me, I quickly walked up to her and offered to help.

• How you helped them

At first, she was suspicious about my sudden appearance as people nowadays are often afraid of strangers. However, after seeing my working uniform, she became calm and willingly gave me all her bags after giving me thanks in advance. Then, I held her hands and we crossed the street together. I helped her to carry the bags to her house. During that time, we spoke a lot. It made me feel like I was talking with my grandma as I extremely missed her. When we arrived at her house, she invited me to take a seat and have some tea but I had some tasks waiting me at the office and I need to come back as soon as possible.

• And explain how this person reacted to your help or/ and explain how you feel after helping this person

From my point of view, doing a good deed makes me feel comfortable. I believe that if we help another, in return, we can get a helping hand when we are in need. Therefore, I hope that everyone will help each other frequently for the sake of our mutual well-being.

Vocabulary for IELTS Speaking: Describing an Occasion When You Helped Someone

As you prepare for the IELTS Speaking Cue Card, it is important to improve your vocabulary to describe a time when you helped someone. Here are the vocabularies for “describe an occasion when you helped someone” with examples:

• Come across: meet somebody accidentally
  Eg: Last week, I came across and old classmates in cinema
• Walk up to: walk towards somebody, in a confident way
  Eg: I walked up to my moms, asking for some allowance
• Rush hours: time in a day when traffic is heaviest
  Eg: I always try to avoid going out in rush hours as the road is so crowded.
• Suspicious: afraid somebody will do something bad to you
  Eg: I was taught to be suspicious of strangers who approach me in the street.
• Cautious: careful
  Eg: Please be cautious when you touch that vase
• Do a good deed: do an action that is good
  Eg: I enjoy doing a good deed as it makes me feel happy
• For the sake of: do something for a certain benefit.
  Eg: You should give up smoking for the sake of your health.

Well done! Don’t stop here. As the IELTS Speaking Part 3 includes follow-up questions, check out the structure of the answers which will help you acquire a band 8+. Remember to focus on building confidence which will help you become fluent with IELTS Speaking Practice Test. With questions to describe a situation when you helped someone cue card, you will hone your speaking skills and ace the exam.

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