Hi, I’m Daniel Hughes, and in this guide we’ll expand your vocabulary for describing people, places and events — three of the most common IELTS Speaking Part 2 topics.
Your lexical range plays a big role in your band score. As the British Council notes, candidates at Band 7+ use “some less common and idiomatic vocabulary with flexibility.” You don’t need fancy words — you need the right ones, used naturally.
Let’s look at how to do that.
1️⃣ Describing People
When the cue card asks you to describe someone you admire or someone who influenced you, focus on appearance, personality, and impact.
Category | Useful Vocabulary | Example Use |
Appearance | tall, well-built, graceful, casually dressed | “She’s tall and always looks confident in casual clothes.” |
Personality | outgoing, generous, level-headed, ambitious | “He’s very level-headed and handles pressure calmly.” |
Relationship to You | colleague, mentor, role model, close friend | “He was my mentor during university and taught me patience.” |
Impact / Inspiration | motivated me, influenced my career, taught me discipline | “She inspired me to be more independent.” |
💡 Tip: Combine adjectives with examples: “She’s generous — for instance, she always helps colleagues without expecting anything back.”
For more inspiration, browse official examples on IELTS.org’s sample questions.
2️⃣ Describing Places
Places are perhaps the most frequent cue card theme — you might describe your hometown, a holiday destination, or a peaceful spot you like to visit. Use adjectives that show sensory details.
Aspect | Vocabulary | Example Use |
Nature & Scenery | picturesque, lush, breathtaking, serene | “It’s a serene village surrounded by lush green fields.” |
Urban Features | lively, modern, bustling, crowded | “The city centre is bustling with cafés and street music.” |
Atmosphere | welcoming, vibrant, peaceful, cosy | “The market has a vibrant atmosphere with colourful stalls.” |
Your Feelings | reminds me of home, helps me unwind, refreshing | “Walking there always helps me unwind after work.” |
Connector Tip: link adjectives naturally with phrases like “It has a really…” or “What I love most is…”
3️⃣ Describing Events
Cue cards often ask about memorable occasions — a wedding, a concert, a competition. Describe sequence, emotion, and outcome.
Event Aspect | Useful Vocabulary | Example Use |
Type of Event | ceremony, celebration, gathering, performance | “It was a small family celebration at home.” |
Emotions | thrilled, nervous, overwhelmed, excited | “I was nervous at first but then felt thrilled on stage.” |
Outcome / Effect | unforgettable, inspiring, life-changing | “That event was life-changing — it boosted my confidence.” |
Verbs | attend, celebrate, participate, host | “I participated in a school debate competition.” |
Use past tense verbs for events and add connectors like “first,” “then,” “after that” to show sequence. Watch how professionals structure event descriptions in IDP IELTS Speaking videos.
Strong vocabulary means little without clear pronunciation. Practise stress patterns using BBC Learning English’s Pronunciation & Speaking series.
Word | Stress Pattern | Example Sentence |
picturesque | /ˌpɪk.tʃəˈresk/ | “It’s a picturesque village by the lake.” |
generous | /ˈdʒen.ər.əs/ | “He’s generous and always helps others.” |
ceremony | /ˈser.ɪ.mə.ni/ | “The graduation ceremony was emotional.” |
vibrant | /ˈvaɪ.brənt/ | “The city is vibrant at night.” |
Focus on word stress and intonation — they make your speech sound authentic and fluent.
Describe a person you admire.
Model Answer (≈ 1 min 45 sec)
I’d like to talk about my uncle who is a doctor. He’s a very dedicated and level-headed person who always stays calm in difficult situations. He’s also generous — he often treats patients for free if they can’t afford medicine. I admire his discipline and positive attitude towards life. Because of him, I’ve learned the value of helping others.
✅ This response uses precise adjectives, varied grammar, and a clear structure — ideal for Band 8.
Function | Examples |
Expressing opinion | “What I really appreciate is…”, “I was particularly impressed by…” |
Adding emphasis | “It was truly unforgettable because…”, “It really stood out to me…” |
Showing contrast | “Although it was crowded, I still enjoyed it.” |
Reflecting | “Looking back, that day changed how I see things.” |
These phrases connect your vocabulary with your ideas naturally — no memorisation needed
Choose one topic from each category below and record a 1 minute answer:
After recording, check: Did you use at least five topic-specific adjectives? Did you sound natural and confident?
Mistake | Fix |
Using generic words like “nice” or “good” | Replace with specific adjectives (e.g., amazing, breathtaking, inspiring). |
Overusing complex words incorrectly | Keep it natural and context-appropriate. |
Forgetting to explain why | Always follow an adjective with a reason or example. |
Mixing tenses | Use past for events, present for people you still know. |
Speaking too fast when listing vocabulary | Pause slightly to let each word register. |
After each practice session, ask yourself:
1️⃣ Do I need to use advanced words for Band 8?
Not necessarily. Use precise and natural vocabulary with clear examples — that scores higher than rare words used incorrectly.
2️⃣ Can I use idioms to describe people or places?
Yes, but sparingly. Idioms like “down to earth” or “once in a lifetime” sound authentic when used naturally.
3️⃣ What if I forget a word mid-sentence?
Paraphrase quickly: instead of “breathtaking,” say “really beautiful to look at.”
4️⃣ Are topic collocations important?
Yes — they make your speech sound natural. Learn phrases like “take a photo,” “catch up with friends,” “go sightseeing.”
5️⃣ Where can I find authentic lexical examples?
Try official resources on IELTS.org and the British Council IELTS Preparation site
Rich, accurate vocabulary makes your Part 2 talk sound expressive and confident. Describe people, places, and events with detail, emotion, and variety — not memorised phrases.
Next, move on to High-Band Model Cue Card Samples to see how these words and structures combine in real Band 8–9 answers.
Or revisit the IELTS Speaking Overview for a full map of skills and criteria.
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