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This IELTS Speaking Part 2 cue card asks you to talk about a person who inspired you, covering who this person is; how you know this person; what interesting thing they inspired you to do; and explain how they inspired you.. Below is a band 9 sample answer with tips on structuring a two-minute talk.
Describe a person who inspired you to do something interesting.
You should say:
You have one minute to prepare and may make notes. Then speak for one to two minutes; the examiner may ask one or two short follow-up questions.
The person I would like to talk about is my college senior, Ananya, who inspired me to start cycling long distances. I first met her during a student club fair, where she was showing photographs from a 300-kilometre cycling trip she had completed alone. What struck me was that she was not a professional athlete at all — she was an ordinary student who had simply decided to train patiently for six months. We got talking, and she explained how she began with short rides of ten kilometres and gradually built up her stamina. Her attitude completely changed my thinking, because I had always assumed such adventures were only for exceptionally fit people. Inspired by her example, I bought a second-hand bicycle and joined the weekend rides she organised. Within a year, I completed a 100-kilometre ride myself, which remains one of my proudest achievements. What really inspired me was not her fitness but her discipline and her belief that big goals are just small goals repeated consistently. Whenever I hesitate before trying something new, I still remember her saying that the hardest part of any journey is deciding to start.
After your talk, the examiner moves to more abstract questions linked to this cue card.
I think young people today are increasingly inspired by relatable figures rather than distant heroes — entrepreneurs, content creators and sportspeople who share their struggles openly. Because social media shows the process and not just the result, young people connect with persistence and authenticity more than with pure talent or status.
Only partly. Some celebrities promote discipline, charity and hard work, which is genuinely motivating. However, celebrity culture often celebrates wealth and appearance, and young fans may copy lifestyles without seeing the luck and privilege behind them. So celebrities can be good role models, but they should not be the only ones.
Personally, I believe people we know are more powerful sources of inspiration. A famous person's success can feel unreachable, whereas watching a friend or relative achieve something proves that it is possible for someone with our resources. Personal role models can also give us direct advice, which a celebrity never can.
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