Describe a Time When You Helped Someone - IELTS Speaking Part 2 & 3

To describe a time when you helped someone is an opportunity to think back to the last time you helped someone whether it was holding something minor or making a major change and sharing your experience. With the help of this IELTS cue card, prepare yourself on similar topics like describe a situation when you helped someone and improve your speaking skills.

This practice test includes sample answers for helping others speaking part 1, describe a time when you helped someone part 2, and related Part 3 questions, complete with vocabulary. Use these examples to understand how to structure your responses and effectively communicate your experiences, enhancing both your fluency and your overall score for the IELTS Speaking exam.

Have a look at the video below for some quick tips to get a Band 9 in IELTS Speaking!

Helping Others Speaking Part 1

When answering the IELTS Speaking Part 1 questions, make sure to learn how to effectively utilise a good IELTS Speaking test tone to gain a high speaking band. Check out the Helping Others Speaking Part 1 sample answers given below.

1 Do you like to help others?

Yes. I like helping people. It makes me feel good. I feel happy that I could help someone when they needed it the most.

2 When was your last time you helped others?

I don’t keep count as to how many times I helped someone. There’s no big or small help, so yes, I do not keep count.

3 Do you think it’s important to help people?

Yes, I think it's crucial to help others whenever we can. In addition to enhancing the lives of those in need, deeds of compassion and assistance promote a feeling of camaraderie and understanding among people. Assisting others strengthens bonds and can start a positive feedback loop of compassion and giving.

4 Did your parents teach you the importance of helping others?

My parents have always taught me to help selflessly. One should never expect anything in return. Always remember, they chose you to ask for help.

5 How do you feel after you have helped someone?

Usually, I experience a profound sense of fulfillment and joy after helping someone. Knowing that I have improved someone's life makes me feel good. Since receiving praise and smiles from others is so fulfilling, it occasionally even inspires me to do more good things.

6 Have you ever refused to help others?

As much as I hate to not help, I did once refuse to help. I was really late for my flight and there was a huge crowd on the road asking for donations. I drove my car past them. I was already late. So if I had waited there, I would have missed the flight.

7 Have you ever sought help from others?

Sure, I often seek help from others when I feel it is needed, whether it is in the form of task assistance, emotional support, or advice. Since no one can manage everything alone, it's a normal part of life and is better than struggling alone. In my opinion, asking for assistance is a means to learn and develop via cooperation and support, not a sign of weakness.

8 Do you think that countries should help other countries in need?

Definitely. I believe nations ought to assist those in need, particularly in times of emergency like pandemics, natural disasters, or wars. Offering aid strengthens ties and promotes global solidarity. Furthermore, nations may foster global stability and mutual development by aiding one another, which eventually helps everyone.

Describe a Time When You Helped Someone Part 2

You will have exactly one minute to prepare and speak on a specific helping a family member speaking part 2 topic like ‘Describe a time when you helped someone' for IELTS Speaking Part 2. Check out the sample answer for this topic and learn how to answer similar topics in IELTS Speaking practice test.

Audio

Here is an audio of the sample answers given below. Please listen to it for more clarity on the Speaking Test.

Describe a Time When You Helped Someone - Sample Answer 1

• Who you helped?

Well. I try to help people whenever I can, even if it is in a small way. I try to help my parents with work in the house, and I usually help with the cooking whenever I am around at the time the meal is being made. If I come across beggars on the street, I often give them something, though not always. Sometimes I’m not sure they are really poor people because I’ve heard there are a lot of fakes who pretend to be poor or sick.

One time, in particular, I passed an older man who was begging. It was early in the morning, and I was on my way to a class. Something caused me to take special note of this man.

• How you helped them?

I started to get some money out of my bag for him when it seemed as if a little voice inside told me to get some food for him instead. I hesitated for a moment, but I couldn’t shake the thought. So I went to the nearby market and bought him some fresh stuffed buns, about five of them, and a cup of warm soy milk. Then I went back to the man and handed it to him, and said some kind words to him. I think he was delighted to have some warm food on a chilly morning.

• How you felt when you helped them?

When I saw the smile on his face and the way he gulped down the food, I had mixed feelings. Although it made me happy at being able to help him, I was reminded of the various upsetting situations that people had to face in life just for some food on their plate.

• And explain how this person benefited from your help.

It would have been much better if I could have made an arrangement that he could have got food on a daily basis. However, the warm food that he ate that day at least helped him to fight his hunger and cold that day.

Describe a Time When You Helped Someone - Sample Answer 2

• Who you helped?

Well, I like to believe that I am an empathetic person. Whenever possible, I like giving a helping hand to those in need. I stood like a rock for all of my friends throughout my school. However, this one time, I got an opportunity to help a stranger, and I dived deeper. So, in my entire school, there was only one disabled boy. He used to attend school in his wheelchair. Being considerate and supportive, our school management had appointed a peon specifically for him.

• How you helped them?

On one of the typical days, I was extremely late to school. I was the last person to enter the gates after the morning assembly. To avoid getting chastised by the teacher in front of everybody, I sprinted towards my class. On the way, I came across this boy who was steadily rolling his wheelchair toward his class. I stopped there and asked him the whereabouts of his assistant peon and why he was moving the wheels by himself. I got to know that the peon was on leave that day. So, I decided to push his wheelchair and drop him to his class.

• How you felt when you helped them?

Although his classroom was far from my own, and ultimately I was rebuked by my class teacher, I felt content after helping my schoolmate.

• And explain how this person benefited from your help.

A small helpful gesture from my end helped this boy reach his class safely and without facing much trouble.

Vocabulary for Describe a Time When You Helped Someone Part 2

Here are some IELTS Speaking vocabulary words used in the sample answers for the Speaking Part 2 topic: Describe a time when you helped someone.

• Beggars: one who begs
  Eg: “It is kind of you to help the beggars”
• Hesitated: pause in indecision before saying or doing something.
  Eg: She hesitated to sing at first.
• Chilly: freezing cold
  Eg: It’s chilly outside.
• Pretend: fake act
  Eg: She is pretending to be my sister.
• Gesture: a movement of the body, hands, arms, or head to express an idea or feeling
  Eg: Her kind gesture makes her a popular person in the community.
• Profound: felt or experienced very strongly or in an extreme way
  Eg: The pandemic had a profound effect on the global economy.
• Camaradarie: a feeling of friendliness towards people that you work or share an experience with
  Eg: We still enjoy the camaraderie among our friends whenever we meet.
• Solidarity: agreement between and support for the members of a group
  Eg: The solidarity among the teachers helped to make the school better.

Foster: to encourage the development or growth of ideas or feelings
Eg: The company is trying to foster communication and work-life balance for its employees.

Similar IELTS Cue Cards

• Describe an occasion when you helped someone – IELTS Cue Card Sample Answers
• Describe a person who is helpful to others - IELTS Cue Card

Helping Others Speaking Part 3

In IELTS Speaking Part 3, you will be asked some questions related to the topic of the cue card you have been given in Part 2. So, some follow-up questions related to the topic, ‘Describe a time when you helped someone' are given below with expert-curated sample answers.

1 In general, why do people help others?

I think it’s the kindness that exists in most human hearts. Many of us have needed some help ourselves from time to time, and we know what it feels like to need something. We know it feels good to receive support from others when we need it. So we want to help others in the same way. Also, as I mentioned before, it is the happiness that we get from helping others in some way.

2 Many people only look out for themselves and never think about helping others. What do you think of this attitude?

I think it isn’t right. I know it is common, but it’s a tragic statement of modern life, at least in big cities. I know not everybody is that way, but nowadays a lot of people have become very selfish. It seems that so many people are in such a rush to get rich or get better jobs or into the best schools that they hardly even notice people who need help. Maybe if people were not so absorbed in their worlds, they would able to see other’s needs and would do something about it. At least I hope so.

3 What is the most important way for a country to help visitors?/ How can our country help visitors?

Probably the most common help needed by foreigners is assisting with the language. I’ve also seen foreigners on the streets who seem to be a little lost. Sometimes they’re looking at their maps trying to find a famous tourist spot, so giving directions is another common way to help foreigners. I’ve done this a few times, and it was an exciting chance to talk to someone from another country.

4 What kinds of people need help in your country?

I think one of the most prominent groups in our society needing help is the farmers. It would be better if the wealth and economic progress in our country were more evenly distributed. I live in a reasonably prosperous family. We’re not rich, but we do have plenty, and though I’m happy about this, I feel a little guilty that others have so much less than I do.

5 How does the government try to help these people?

I think one of the main ways is by investing in a business in a particular part of the country so that more jobs are created for the local people. Another way is by providing training, for example, in farming, in ways that can increase productivity. Also, the government should make sure that officials of the provinces are doing their jobs correctly. The government is trying to eliminate corruption at the local level.

6 Are there any non-government organizations in your country that help people?

Yes, there are. At first, many of these were foreign, but it is changing now. Although there are international organizations that help people, there are also more and more charitable organizations being set up. I just read some articles about this.

7 Where do these organizations get their money from?

The foreign organizations get their money from overseas. Some of the funding is governmental, but a lot of it comes from private donations. Here in China, more individuals are getting involved in charities. It’s relatively new, but with the increased level of income of the people, there is more of an awareness to help others who are less fortunate.

8 Do people hesitate to seek help?

Yes, many people hesitate to seek help because they fear being judged, feel embarrassed, or don’t want to appear vulnerable. Others may worry about burdening someone else or believe they should solve problems on their own. Encouraging an open and supportive environment can help reduce this hesitation.

9 How can we encourage children to help others?/ Should parents teach helping others to their children?

Parents play a crucial role in teaching children the value of helping others. They can encourage this by setting an example through their own actions, involving children in charitable activities, and praising them when they show kindness. Storytelling, role-playing, and community service can also instill empathy and the importance of contributing to society.

10 How do people in your community help one another?

In my community, people often help one another by sharing resources, volunteering, or offering emotional support. For example, during difficult times, neighbors come together to organize food drives or fundraisers. Social media groups and community centers also play a role in connecting people in need with those who can help.

11 Should schools be responsible for teaching students how to cooperate?

Yes, schools should teach students how to cooperate, as collaboration is an essential life skill. Activities like group projects, team sports, and discussions can help students learn to work together effectively. Teachers can also encourage cooperation by promoting values such as respect, empathy, and communication, which prepare students for future relationships and work environments.

12 What are the differences between help from friends and help from family?

Help from family often comes with deep emotional understanding and a sense of obligation, as families usually share a lifelong bond. On the other hand, help from friends can feel more neutral or casual, with a focus on shared interests and experiences. While family help may be more consistent, friends might offer a fresh perspective and support in situations where family involvement might not be preferred.

Vocabulary for Helping Others Speaking Part 3

Improve your IELTS band score by incorporating the impressive vocabulary provided below when addressing the IELTS Speaking follow-up questions for helping others.

• Contribute: to give
  Eg: “Contribute something for the party”
• Workplace: place where you work
  Eg: “Respect your workplace”
• Progress: have success
  Eg: He made progress in the project
• Charitable: relating to the assistance of those in need.
  Eg: It was a charitable organization
• Vulnerable: able to be easily hurt, influenced, or attacked
  Eg: She felt vulnerable after being cheated by her long-time lover.
• Empathy: the ability to share someone else's feelings or experiences by imagining what it would be like to be in that person's situation
  Eg: When Rina showed empathy to the hurt kids, they thought she was mocking them.
• Instil: to put a feeling, idea, or principle gradually into someone's mind, so that it has a strong influence on the way that person thinks or behaves
  Eg: Parents should instil good habits in their children.
• Obligation: something that a person feels morally or legally forced to do

Eg: Please do not have any obligations while joining the army.

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