SPEAKING PART 2 – DESCRIBE A PERSON

Answer order:

- Introduction
- Basic information
- Main information
- Opinion
- Conclusion
Topic:

Describe a person who has had an important influence on you

You should say:
Who the person is;
What kind of person he or she is;
What this person has done to influence you;
And explain why you think this person is important to you.

1. Introduction:
Describe a person who looked after you as a child.
 I’m going to talk about my grandpa, who has always been the most important and influential
individual in my life.

2. Basic information:
- Name:
His name’s ……, which means …….. in English.
Her name’s ……., but I usually call him …….., because she likes it when I call her by that name.
- How you knew / met that person:
I have known him my whole life- from a time when I was an infant, throughout the time when I started
going to school or at the time when I became an adult.
- Age:
He’s …… (years old) now, but he’ll turn ….. next month.
He’s in his 70s now, but he looks young for his age.
- Appearance.
He told me that he was a well-built man when he was young.
- Occupation:
He’s a doctor.
He used to be a doctor, but he retired 5 years ago.
He has lots of experience with taking care of people/ He has over 40 years teaching experience.
- Where they live:
He lives in Da Lat/ He lives with my uncle and aunt in Da Lat now.
He used to live in …., but now he lives in ….
- Hobbies:
He likes …. in his spare time.
3. Core information:
Personality -> Explain / Tell a story or your memory with that person.
Example:
“He’s a knowledgeable person. When he was young, he used to travel around my country and even to
some foreign countries. During that time, he encountered various problems, so he has lots of valuable
experience and life lesson to pass on his children and grandchildren. He's someone I can always turn to
advice. I remember when I first started learning to ride a bike, I fell off my bike several times. Every time
I fell, I really wanted to give up, but my grandpa told me to not give up until I succeeded in doing it.
That’s the first memory of mine with him, and I still follow that advice until now”
“He’s also a caring person. When I was little, my parents were always busy, so I stayed with my grandpa
most of the time. I was told that I was very naughty when I was little. However, my grandpa always gave a
tender love and care to me. I guess that’s because he was a doctor”
“He’s very generous/ He has a heart of gold. He devotes lots of his time engaging in voluntary activities.
That’s what I’m proud about him”

- How that person influence you.

He’s brought me and my sister really well.
Hopefully I’ve inherited some of his traits.
He’s someone I can always turn to advice.
4. Opinion:
Do you admire / love that person?
What do you learn from that person?
Would you like to meet that person if you haven’t?
If you’ve met that person before, would you want to keep in touch / meet that person again?
Example:
“My grandfather is such a major influence of my life. Thanks to his care and life lesson, …”
“If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t become a matured man like I am today”
“I miss him so much. He’s a kind of man I always want to become. Although I’m not living with him right
now since I’m busy with work and all, I still manage to pay him a visit every two months”

5. Conclusion:
“Well, so that’s about my grandpa – the person who looked after me and the person I admire most in my
life”

Vocabulary:
- To be highly capable of doing something
- Sense of humour
- Get on well with / get along with
- Set a good example (for someone) by
- Have a positive outlook on life
- Make time for someone/something
- Typical Asian look
- Youthful appearance
- To be getting on a bit = to be old
 - Average body build
- Striking resemblance
- Life inspiration
- First impression
- To lose one’s temper
- Family-oriented
- Life and soul of
- Dress up to the nines
- Never have a hair out of place
- Slender / slim / nice figure
- To put others first
- Live up to one’s expectation

People 1: A famous person

Describe someone who is famous in your country. (Or describe a famous person who you admire.)
You should say:
Who the person is
Why he / she is famous
Why you admire this person
What you would do if you met this person.
Suggestion
Choose a star who is famous in more than one area, such as a pop star who also acts in movies and TV shows.
Uncommon Vocabulary
a big name well-known
Megastar legendary
Celebrity admirer
Renowned
Grammar Point
- Use mostly present tenses.
- Use one example of “used to” to describe something in the past:
She used to be a TV show host.
- Use an example of present of her for many years.
I’ve been an admirer of her for many years.
- Use an example of “would/could/might” to talk about the last point:
If I met her I would like to have dinner with her.
People 2: A sports star
Describe a sports star who is famous in your country.
You should say:
Who the person is
Why he / she is famous
What is special about him / her
Whether you would like to meet this person.
Suggestion
Choose someone like Beckham. This gives you the chance to talk about his sporting achievement as well as his
successful business and clothing shops.
Uncommon Vocabulary
spectator sport gymnastics
prodigy world champion
Olympic gold medal winner
Grammar Point
Use the same grammar as People 1: A famous person.

People 3 : A singer or musician

Describe a singer or musician that you admire
You should say:
Who the person is
What type of music songs he / she plays
Why you admire this person
Whether this person is popular in your country.
Suggestion
Choose the same person as People 1: A famous person
Uncommon Vocabulary
Use the same vocabulary as People 1: A famous person, and also use some vocabulary related to Music.
Grammar Point
Use the same grammar as People 1: A famous person.

People 4: A character from a story / film / TV programme

Describe a character from a story / film / TV programme
You should say:
Who the character is
When you first saw or heard this story / film / TV programme
What kind of person this character is
Why you like this character.
Suggestion: Choose a character from your favorite book, comic, novel, movie, or TV series.
Uncommon Vocabulary
legend fairy-tale
mythical amiable
Grammar Point
- Use past tenses to describe when the story was first written etc.:
The story was originally written about 500 years ago.
I first read the story / saw the film / programme when I was living in Beijing.
- Use present perfect tense:
I’ve always been a big admirer of...

People 5: An old person

Describe an old person who has influenced you.
You should say:
Who the person is
How you know this person
How he / she has influenced you
Whether this person has influenced other people.

Uncommon Vocabulary
Old aged pensioner Mentor
Well-respected inspiring
Put in plain words
Grammar point:
- Use a mix of past tenses:
We first met when I was studying in my primary school.
He used to be my English teacher.
- Use future tenses:
I will always remember how he...
I will never forget how he...
People 6: A teacher who has influenced you
Describe a teacher who has influenced you
You should say:
Who the teacher is
Where and when you met him / her
How he / she has influenced you
Whether you still know this teacher.
(You can use Topic 5: an old person)

People 7: A neighbour
Describe a neighbour who you get on well with.
You should say:
Who the neighbour is
How long you have known this person
What you like about this person
How often you see this person.
(You can use Topic people 5: An old person.)
People 8: A child you know
Describe a child that you know.
You should say:
Who the child is
How you know this child
What you like about this child
What things you do with this child.
Suggestion
Choose a young relative (cousin, brother or sister)
Uncommon vocabulary
Youngster Youthful
Relative immature
Chummy
Grammar point
- Use a mix of past tenses:
I've known this kid ever since he was a baby.
He used to live in the same community with me.
- Use future structures:
I will always remember how he...
I will never forget how he...

People 9: A family member

Describe a family member who you like
You should say:
Who the person is
Why you like this person
What things you do together
Whether you think you are similar to this person
(Same as people 8: A child you know)
People 10: Someone you have studied or worked with
Describe someone you studied of worked with.
You should say:
How the person was
When you first met this person
Whether you had a good relationship
Whether other people liked this person
Grammar point
- Use a mix of past tenses:
We always used to...
- Use future structure:
I will always remember how we used to...
I will never forget about the times when we used to...
People 11: A friend
Describe a close friend.
You should say:
Who the friend is
Where and when you first met
What you like about this friend
Whether this person is popular with other people.
Suggestion: Exactly the same as people 11: Someone you have studied and worked with. Talk about your
friendship in the past. Use past tenses to increase your grammar score.

People 12: A happy person who you know

Describe a happy person who you know.
You should say:
Who the person is
How you know this person
What things you do together
Why you think this person is happy
Suggestion: Exactly the same as People 10: someone you have studied or worked with. Talk about friendship
in the past. Use past tenses to increase your grammar score.

People 13: A successful leader who you admire

Describe a successful leader who you admire
You should say:
Who the person is
What makes him/her a good leader
Why you admire this person
Whether this person has influenced you

People 14: Someone you know who speaks another language

Describe someone you know who speaks another language.
You should say:
Who the person is
How you met this person
What other language he speaks
What you like about this person.
Suggestion
Use the same content as People 5: An old person; People 6: A teacher who has influenced you. (Say that your
teacher speaks Korean or French.