IELTS Speaking : Successful Family Member

IELTS Speaking

1) The format of the test is as follows:

In the first part of the interview you will be asked questions about yourself and familiar topics. In the second part you will be given a card with a topic and some prompts. You will have one minute to prepare this topic and then you will talk about it for one to two minutes. In the last part the examiner will develop this topic into a more abstract discussion. You will be asked for your opinions and ideas on related issues.

2) Try to talk as much and as fluently as possible. In the actual test, do not let concern about accuracy obstruct fluency.

3) Do not prepare specific answers: they will not be useful and they will make it more difficult for you to do a good interview.

4) Relax, be confident and enjoy using your English.

Part 2

Take one minute to prepare a talk on the following subject.
Take notes if you like and remember to include reasons and examples.
You should then speak for between one and two minutes.

Describe the member of your family who is the most successful.

You should say:

  • who this person is
  • how often you see each other
  • what this person does

and explain why he/she is successful.

Model answer

I think that the person who is the most successful in my family would be my father. I think also that the answer to the question ‘Who is the most successful person in your family?’ basically depends on what you think ‘success’ means, so, my answer is in the context of working life, rather than personal life. And that's why I've chosen my dad. He has a job that is rewarding. He feels like he's accomplishing something, that is obviously personally and professionally satisfying, but he also feels like he's contributing to society in a positive way, which is a quality that a lot of jobs these days seem to lack and is something that I gauge success on.

It's a bit hard to explain exactly what he does, but basically he works for a charitable organisation that runs retirement homes for old people, especially old people who haven't got much money. It's a management job, but working in a context which is really worthwhile.

His success is due to a lot of different things basically ... finding the right job for him, one that suited him and his personality as well as his qualifications, and the goals that he wants to reach in his working life. But he's also just worked hard over a lot of years, which means that it's more likely that he'll be successful, I guess, if success comes from hard work, which it often does.

I see my dad very regularly, about once a week. We often eat breakfast together before we go to our respective workplaces, so, yes, I think that I'd have to say he was the most successful because he enjoys what he does, as well as making a decent living out of it and I admire that in him. I think that in a work context this is what success means.


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