As an IELTS tutor, I always encourage my students to prepare well for the Speaking test by practicing common cue card topics. One such topic that often appears in the IELTS exam is:
Talk about a foreign person you know about.
You should say:
- Who the person is
- How do you hear about him/her
- What he/she is famous for
- And tell us why you think he or she is interesting.
In this guide, I will show you how to answer this question properly, give you some vocabulary, as well as some model answers.
How to Answer This Cue Card
In answering this question, I always tell my students to organize their answers well. As far as I’m concerned, here’s the structure to use:
PART 1 Introduction-
How You Heard About Them – Describe where or how you first heard about this person.
What Are They Known For – Their contributions or achievements?
Why You Think They Are Interesting Share your opinion and why you admire them.
Sample Cue Card Answer
Talk about a foreign person you heard about.
Introduction
I want to say a few words about Elon Musk, the famous South African entrepreneur. He runs Tesla, SpaceX, and various other cutting-edge organizations.
How I Heard About Him
I first came across Elon Musk a few years back while reading an article on electric cars and space exploration. I watched several interviews and documentaries on his work later which drew me closer to him.
What He Is Famous For
Elon Musk is known for transforming the automobile and space industries. His company, Tesla, has popularized electric cars, cutting the world’s dependence on fossil fuels. SpaceX has also developed reusable rockets which drastically cut the cost of space travel. He too but futuristic projects are under work such as Neuralink.
Why I Find Him Interesting
What inspires me most about Elon Musk: is his vision for the future and his drive. He never backs down, even when he keeps running into dead ends. His ideas, like colonizing Mars and promoting sustainable energy, stand to revolutionize the global landscape. I too, appreciate his capacity to run more than one business at a time.
Alternative Answers for This Cue Card
If I were answering this cue card in a real test, I might also talk about:
Cristiano Ronaldo (Footballer — Portugal)
I have been an avid football fan for years and I have seen Ronaldo’s career.
He is one of the best footballers in history, but it is not just skill dedication, or fitness that make him one of the all-time greats.
I respect his discipline and hard work which have allowed him to stay on top for so long.
Oprah Winfrey (USA – TV Host & Philanthropist)
I found Oprah just to be an inspiring woman when searching for motivational videos on YouTube.
A media icon and philanthropist who has inspired millions around the globe.
I respect her for what she overcame from her childhood to being one of the most powerful women in the world.
Malala Yousafzai (Pakistan- Advocate for Girls’ Education)
I found out about her via news and social media.
Almost exactly 10 years later, she is a Nobel Prize winner who fought for girls’ right to education.
I admire her bravery and commitment to improving the world.”
Helpful Vocabulary & Phrases for This Theme
- I suggest these words and phrases to help my students level up their responses.
- “Revolutionary figure” — A person who brings major change.
- “Groundbreaking” – New and impactful discoveries.
- “Visionary leader” — Someone who thinks about the future.
- “Against all odds” – Achieving success in spite of hardships.
- “Trailblazer” — A pioneer in a specific area.
How to Get a Higher Band Score in IELTS Speaking
Over time, I have perceived that students who do well in the IELTS Speaking test implement the following approaches:
✅ Vary your sentence structure – Mix it up with simple, compound, and complex sentences.
✅ Speak without fluency – Long pauses and hesitations.
✅ Use natural intonation – Don’t sound like you’re reading your lines; sound confident and conversational.
✅ Elaborate – Answer the question in detail instead of a one-liner.
✅ Regular practice – Speak on various cue card topics.
Final Thoughts
As an IELTS teacher, I always tell my students that the best way to prepare for the Speaking test is not to memorize answers but to free up the mind and develop confidence and fluency. It doesn’t matter if you decide to talk about a businessman, sportsman, or activist, just being natural and delivering the content from your point of view are enough.
