Model Answer for IELTS Speaking Part 2 – Topic: Describe a time when you helped others

Describe a time when you helped others

You should say:
– Who you helped
– How you helped them
– Why you helped them
And explain how this person benefited from your help.

MODEL ANSWER 

(Who you helped) Ignoring someone who is in need of help is considered as the height of bad manners, I believe. Therefore, I try to give others a hand whenever I can. Helping my classmate to improve his English proficiency has been one of the most successful and meaningful achievements I’ve ever had in my life. My classmate, John, struggled with every single English test due to his low command of English. It can be said that John’s exposure to English was too little for him to have the chance to practice his skills, the reason for which was probably his financial background. I was assigned to take the responsibility of tutoring him by the teacher.

(How you helped them) John and I went to a café each weekend in order to review all the knowledge acquired during the whole week. John offered to treat me but as I could recognise his suffering from hardship, we reached a consensus on this and agreed that we would take turns to treat each other. During week days, we would go to the park where a great number of foreigners jogged so that John could have the chance to practice his listening and speaking skills, as well as to expand his vocabulary. At weekends, as aforementioned, we would review the phrases he had learned throughout the whole week so that they would be imprinted on his memory clearly and always be ready for use.

(Why you helped them) I love helping others. That’s the first reason. Another reason is that English has been of great significance to me, so I believe that if John can develop a strong command of English, he will open up a new chapter in his life.

(And explain how this person benefited from your help) And finally, my belief has turned out to be true, at least in the case of John. He emerged as one of the best performers in class, which resulted in the fact that he was chosen for the provincial examination as one of the best English learners. Also, he was able to get a job in this field, which ensured his quality of life and improved his living standards as he was able to feed himself at the age of 17.

Vocabulary

1. The height of something (phrase): the highest level of something
She was at the height of her career when they met.

2. Command (n): knowledge of a particular subject, especially the ability to speak a foreign language
She has an impressive command of the English language.

3. Assign (v): to give someone a job to do
UN troops were assigned the task of rebuilding the hospital.

4. Reach a consensus on sth (phrase):to come to an agreement
Could we reach a consensus on this matter? Let’s take a vote.

5. Take turns (phrase):(of two or more people) do something alternately or in succession.
The mothers in our group take turns driving the children to school.

6. Expand sb’s vocabulary (phrase)
Reading books plays a pivotal role in expanding your vocabulary.

7. imprint (phrase): to make something have a strong and permanent influence on someone or something
That look of grief would be imprinted on her mind forever.

8. Turn out (phrase): become
The truth turned out to be stranger than we had expected.