Band 9 Sample for IELTS Speaking Part 2 – Topic: Sports Person You Admire

Describe a sports person that you admire

You should say:

Who he/she is
What did she/he do?
What do you know about his/her life story?
And explain how much you know about sports.

I may not be a sports fan, but I would say without hesitation that my favorite athlete in the world is definitely Nancy Kerrigan. What make me so impressed by her are her graceful beauty and her flawless performances.

(What did she/he do?)

As a matter of fact, Nancy was a famous American figure skater. Adored by the public thanks to her lovely appearance and personality, she also became kind of a celebrity who appeared in numerous advertisement campaigns.

(What do you know about his/her life story?)

Nancy is most famous for her unforgettable accident in the Olympics. Days before the competition, she was injured by a mysterious man who was trying to break her leg so that she couldn’t perform. It was discovered later that the man was hired by her rival, Tonya Harding. Tonya’s win-at-all-costs attitude caused her to lose sight of the Olympic ideal, leading to her being disqualified from participating further. The incident received massive sports coverage. Luckily, Nancy suffered no life- threatening injury, and was given tremendous emotional support from fans. Although not in the peak of condition, Nancy really exerted herself and achieved the silver medal.

(How much you know about sports?)

Although I know little about sport, I still really admire Nancy and all figure skaters. I know that figure skating is very challenging and involves a high probability of injury.

Vocabulary for IELTS 

Sport and Exercise

1.      a sport(s) fan (expression)

Meaning: a person who takes a keen interest in sport

Example: While I think that it is healthy to be a sports fan, people should remember that for
most people, sport is just entertainment, not a matter of life and death.

2.       a win-at-all-costs attitude (expression)

Meaning: an idea that a match or competition must be won, using all possible means

Example: Youth sport is being ruined by a win-at-all-costs attitude, which includes cheating
and breaking the rules in order to achieve victory.

3.       the Olympic ideal (expression)

Meaning: the ultimate goal is not to win but to know that you have taken part and done your
best in a competition

Example: Unfortunately, professional sport is just another branch of the entertainment
industry, and the Olympic ideal has been lost.

Meaning: not to be allowed to join a competition

Example: Sportsmen or sportswomen who take drugs should be disqualified from
participating in sport for a long time.

5.         sports coverage (expression)

Meaning: the activity of reporting news related to sport

Example: Many top sports stars are now known to millions of people around the world
because of global sports coverage by the media.

6.         life-threatening injuries (expression)

Meaning: injuries which are so serious that the person may die

Example: Paragliding and cliff-jumping are two examples of extreme sports in which life-
threatening injuries are sustained all too often by those who take part.

7.         to be in the peak of condition (expression)

Meaning: to be in the best possible physical condition

Example: Sports professionals should receive high salaries, because they must always be in
the peak of condition in order to perform at the highest levels.

8.         to exert oneself (expression)

Meaning: to make a big physical effort to do something

Example: I believe that sports professionals deserve high salaries, because constant hard
training is necessary so that they can exert themselves to the limit when they compete.

9.       a high/low probability of injury (expression)

Meaning: you are very likely/not very likely to be injured

Example: If anyone plans to take up mountaineering or skydiving, they should be aware that
there is a high probability of injury

1. to offer emotional support (expression)

Meaning: to give counselling to a person who is suffering from a mental health problem

Example: Some schools in Europe now offer emotional support to pupils who are the
victims of bullying.

Other vocab

1.        flawless [adjective]

Meaning: perfect, without fault

Example: The musicians gave a flawless performance at the concert.

2.         figure skater [noun]

Meaning: a competitor who performs complex exercise routines on iceExample: She spent hours on the ice rink, practicing to become a professional figure skater