Describe an old person you know and respect

For this IELTS speaking cue card: describe an old person you know and respect, speak about an old person whom you are familiar with.

You should say:
Who he or she is?
How do you know this person?
What is he or she like?
And explain why you respect him or her?

Please remember that you will get a couple of minutes to prepare your speech. You can take notes if it helps you in the IELTS Speaking Part 2.

Describe an old person you know and respect IELTS cue card: Model answers and follow up questions

Check Out our YouTube Channel to Practice Full-Length IELTS Listening Tests Daily

There are three model answers and follow up questions given here related to describe an old person you know and respect.

Model Answer 1:

Introduction:
An old person possesses a lot of good qualities like wisdom, patience, etc., to lead a peaceful life. Their struggles in life taught us lessons that can’t be learnt from the mother, teacher or a friend. However, sometimes, they can be as hard as a rock that we cannot satisfy them. As every individual, I know an old person whom I respect.

Who he or she is? How do you know this person?

She is my grandmother, and I have known her since my birth. She passed away recently, and that shook us all. She had been the king, queen and everything at our home. We’d look up to her for guidance or support. Since she has had an approachable personality, everybody would seek her help financially and emotionally. Moreover, she was the oldest person in our family and knew how to lead a healthy, peaceful life. As a grandchild, I called her plenty of times for rescue. She supported me and at the same time, scolded me for my wrongdoings. She knew when to put you in the spotlight and when to make you humble.

What is he or she like?
Even though she was physically weak, she was mentally strong. She had tremendous courage to face any challenge that came in her life. She motivated us and others whenever they were under stress. She had been a backbone to our family right from the beginning, protecting us all the time. Her loss is irreplaceable.

Explain why you respect him or her?
I respect her for various reasons, mainly because of her self-confidence. No matter how hard life was, she never gave up. She stood up for herself and her close ones. She always portrayed herself as a bold-independent woman. She took the family's complete responsibility after my grandfather’s demise. She could sustain the family pressures and took her sons and daughters on the right path. 

Model Answer 2:

Introduction:
An old person is a wise person. I always look up to old people to seek their wisdom about life. Since they would have encountered various hurdles in their life, they know how to handle a situation by applying their mind and soul. Now, I would like to describe an old person whom I respect more.

Who he or she is? 
His name is Thomas Woodrow Wilson, a Nobel prize winner for Peace in 1919.  He served as the 28th President of the United States of America (USA) from 1913 to 1921. He was one of the pioneers of the League of Nations, later it took shape into the United Nations Organisation (UNO).

How do you know this person?

When I was studying for a master's degree in Public Administration, I came to know that he is the Father of Public Administration as he pioneered the subject. Astonishingly, his unparalleled contributions paved the way for a new discipline. Later, I came across his presence while I was studying World War 1. 

What is he or she like?
Thomas Woodrow Wilson is one of the greatest intellectuals. Being raised in a sophisticated family and environment, he was very much concerned about humanity and world peace. His progressive thinking and approach attracted millions of people across the globe. However, he was criticised by many conservatives. In a way, he sowed a seed of hope and peace among underprivileged people during world war time.

Explain why you respect him or her?

I respect him for his progressive thinking and for uniting people to attain world peace. Even though his initiative failed to continue, his ideas were recognized and couldn’t be ignored by world leaders. Moreover, he wanted to solve international conflicts through debates and arguments rather than by force. Above all, I personally felt that as an old person, he did his best not only for his country but also for the world.

Model Answer 3:

Introduction:
When it comes to old people, our culture emphasises younger generations to respect them and give attention when they are in need. There is no doubt that they need to be protected from any form of abuse. They know what is right and what is wrong. Through their experience, they could help us in solving family problems and health issues and teach us life lessons, philosophy, etc.

Who he or she is?
Today I’m going to talk about Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Former President of India, who is well-known for his speech, books, knowledge, science, philosophy, and many more. Above all, he was born and brought up in a small village in Rameshwaram district, Tamil Nadu. There he hardly had access to education, so he had to relocate to a different place and started pursuing his dream. He was one of the few scientists in ISRO who graduated with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the Madras Institute of Technology. Likewise, there are hundreds of facts about Mr. Abdul Kalam to share.

How do you know this person?
During the 2002 presidential election, I was studying 5th grade. I heard on TV that our new President of India is Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam and I saw his face, bright and charming as always. Down the line, I saw many news stories about Mr. Abdul Kalam such as how he interacts with people, especially children. So I had a dream of meeting him in person. 

What is he or she like?
Nothing is surprising about Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam. Even though he is physically dead, his ideas, inventions, and his wisdom toward life are still alive. He loved humanity and that’s why people across the world loved him. He never practised discrimination in any form. Though he is a Muslim, he praised Bhagavat Gita and Bible. Though he was a writer and a poet in Tamil, he never underestimated other languages. He was also called the ‘People’s President’. His love for children was unbelievable. During any public interaction with children, he was the one who made them comfortable. 

Explain why you respect him or her?
The reason why I respect him is that he treated everyone equally. He was humble to all human beings. He shared some of the best pearls of wisdom of life with the world. I think that next to Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was well received and celebrated by our country.

IELTS Speaking Test Part 3: Follow up Questions

Based on the answers to the cue card - ‘describe an old person you know and respect’ the IELTS Speaking Test part 3 comprises follow-up questions asked by the examiner. They are as follows:

1. What qualities does a person need to have to take care of old people?
If a person needs to take care of old people, s/he must acquire patience, emotional intelligence, and importantly listening skills. Since old people are similar to kids, they talk a lot; they are stubborn; they can’t listen to what we are saying, so they want us to repeat everything. Apart from that, they need constant care. So the person must be physically present all the time. They can’t take long leaves. Thus, these are the essential qualities one should possess to take care of old people.

2. Do you think old people should be taken care of at home?
Yes. If old people have a house to live in, then they should be taken care of at home rather than in an old-age home. Just imagine that they raise their children with love and care and don't get it back. It’s nothing but neglect and emotional abuse. However, some old people mature as they get older. They start living independently, without any expectations from their children. Surprisingly, they still help their children in their life.

3. How can people in the neighbourhood help the elderly during an epidemic?
During an epidemic, kids and elderly people are the most vulnerable. If a community is supportive, it is easy to handle the situation. A community in your neighbourhood is supportive when they act in unison when there is an emergency response unit and when they maintain a good communication system to contact the regional and local authorities; on top of that, they must take responsibility for the elderly people.

4. Do you see this kind of help occurring in your neighbourhood?
Yes. In my neighbourhood, the community is strong; they come for immediate rescue. During the Covid-19 pandemic, they collected funds and helped the poverty-stricken people. Some members of the community helped street dogs with food and water. Thus, I’m fortunate to live in a good neighbourhood.

5. Do you think teenagers must indulge in building a community for elderly?
Yes. Since teenagers are the most engaged yet distracted in this digital world, they must indulge in building a community for the elderly. They must take part in crowdfunding, get necessities, ensure pending pensions, and so on. It will eventually make them empathetic.

IELTS Speaking cue card topics

Check out other speaking cue cards below:

• Describe a time you moved to a new home/school 
• Describe a skill that was difficult for you to learn IELTS Cue Card 
• Describe a time when you changed your opinion IELTS Cue Card
• Describe a course that impressed you a lot IELTS Cue Card
• Describe your favourite movie
• Describe a bag you want to own
• Describe a time when you felt bored
• Describe a leisure activity near or on the sea

Conclusion

The IELTS Speaking test cue card - ‘describe an old person you know and respect’ involves some deep thinking, so don’t start your answer immediately. Take one or two minutes to prepare and then answer the questions. All the best!