How to Answer IELTS Speaking: A Person You Saw On Television

This recent IELTS speaking test asks you to talk about a person you saw on television.

Other speaking topics in the test include:

IELTS Speaking Test

Part 1

What do you like about your job?

What I like most about my job is the freedom with which I can move in my city. At the moment, I'm working as a courier or deliveryman. Driving a truck is more fun than I could have imagined. You could say my world is inside the truck. I eat in it, listen to music that I like while driving, and spend most of my day delivering various packages.

Do you like to eat fish?

Yes, but only if it's fresh fish. They say that fish is one of the foods that provide the most protein for the body. And that seems interesting to me. But the city where I live is far from the coast. So, most of the fish that people sell here is frozen. But I don't like the flavor that it has. The taste isn't as good as when it's fresh.

Is it easy to buy fish in the area where you live?

Yes, in the city where I live, there is a supermarket on every main avenue. And they sell frozen fish and seafood in all of them. The cost depends on the type of fish. For example, salmon and tuna loin are among the most expensive. But in general, everyone in the area can buy fish easily if they want it.

Is fishing popular in your country?

My country has an extensive coastline that faces the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Also, we have many dams, lagoons, and rivers. So fishing is one of the main commercial activities for many people.

You can also do sport fishing, but to a lesser extent, it's not so popular.

Do you know a good place to fish?

Yes, near my city there are two lagoons. In both, people fish for tilapia, crappie, and bass. I have seen many people in boats there, with fishing rods. People who can't afford a boat need to fish from the banks of the lagoons. Whatever they catch can be cooked in many food stalls installed in the surroundings. Or they can take it home and cook it themselves.

Would you keep fish as pets?

Maybe, I suppose that a well-equipped fish tank can be pretty and relaxing when you look at the fish swimming around. I once had a fish tank with freshwater fish in it. The maintenance of the fish is inexpensive, and it's not that complicated, either. So, I guess I wouldn't mind keeping pet fish again.

Part 2

Talk about a person you saw on television recently

You should say:
  • When it was
  • Who it was
  • Why was he/she on TV

IELTS Speaking Test Candidate Task card


Model Answer

A Person You Saw On TV

Let me tell you about a press conference by the government that I watch. It focuses on the current health crisis. I normally watch it on YouTube. The Undersecretary of Health for the country presents the program.

These conferences began when the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes the COVID-19 disease, known as Coronavirus, first appeared. That was when the world entered a crisis, the current pandemic, something not experienced in a hundred years.

Dr Hugo López Gatell, the Undersecretary of Health, is a scientist. He has specializations in virology and epidemiology. In short, he is a specialist in his field. Every day, he informs the public of the progress the government is making in combating the pandemic. He also explains how the government is responding to the needs of infected people.

The importance of these conferences derives from the need of the public to be informed of everything that is being done. They also need to be vigilant that it is being done correctly, and this type of program helps.

Everyone needs to remain informed and be aware of what is happening in their city, region, country, and the world.

One of the negative things about this crisis is the proliferation of false information that floods social networks and confuses people. I think it's important to check where you get your information - the source must be trustworthy.

This phenomenon has taken the issue of the pandemic as its central axis and reproduces millions of videos and false narratives throughout the world. Unfortunately, there is no way to regulate them - the problem continues to grow.

That is why official press conferences are super important for the public.

Follow-up question: Do you watch the news often?

As I said, at the moment, I watch some every night. It depends on what's happening. If there is some breaking news, I might watch the updates during the day.

IELTS Part 3

How is today's news different from the news in the past?

The changes in how the media operates have been significant, especially in the last ten years.

Before, one of the main ways of transmitting news was print media, in newspapers. But people who wanted to find out about things had to wait until the early hours of the morning to buy a newspaper.

Today, everything you need to know about the news is at your fingertips, almost as it happens, thanks to internet connectivity and social media.

This puts a lot of pressure on the media to fill a 24-hour news cycle. That is why sometimes it seems there are a lot of unimportant news items people talk about.

Today, there is a tendency to report on anything and everything rather than focusing on priority news. There is less effort involved in spreading information. It's much easier to live stream news events online or publish on social media than write a newspaper column with the facts.

Does social media influence the news?

Social media has become one of the main ways people access information and find out what's happening around the world. It's good, but it's also a problem.

Unfortunately, there's no way to regulate the immense amount of data people upload to the internet. Because much of it is untrue or misleading, and that's a problem. People can resend or forward a lot of false information, which might lead to confusion and misinformation.

Who does a better job reporting the news, social media, or TV channels?

In my country, television stations still have a large audience because of a lack of (internet) connectivity in many remote communities where millions of people live.

As for social media, I guess it comes after radio. I think that social media has opened up more information sources for people. Many television stations have been regulated by the government and the interests they protect, and that's a problem.

Social media might give instant access to unfiltered reports about events. But a news program on radio or television will probably have a larger audience.

Is television news more informative?

It depends on the program. One problem is that many of the large TV stations are owned by rich and powerful business people. They have controlled the information broadcast for decades, creating a network of specific and censored information. Sometimes, a TV program can be very biased about what it reports.

The information released is biased to create public opinion according to the interests of these groups. They decide the narrative they want to establish.

Overall, I think television stations are the worst communication medium where I live. They are too biased to be informative.

Does television news have more influence than news online or in a newspaper?

Looking back at how news coverage has changed over the years, the different means of communication have often been replaced one by one over time. Newspapers and print media have experienced a significant drop in popularity in the last decade. Also, the large established television stations are rapidly losing ratings compared to the offers of online channels.

Even though a popular TV news program currently retains the top ratings, this will change rapidly. As more and more people start watching online news programs and alternative news sources, they will become more popular.

It's just a matter of time before people prefer to get their news online rather than watch a traditional TV program. Every traditional news program will become less important and influential.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I start my answer in IELTS speaking?

When asked by the examiner to begin speaking in the 2-minute long turn section, there are several effective starters or opening phrases candidates can use:

  • Well, I recall one time when
  • One memorable experience I had was
  • I remember an occasion when
  • There was a time in my life when
  • I'd like to talk about a time when
  • A situation that stands out in my memory is

Using these phrases helps to set the stage for a coherent and engaging answer, ensuring that an IELTS candidate's response is structured and easy to follow.

Here are some more natural phrases native English speakers use to introduce an informal talk or description of something:

  • Let me tell you about
  • I'd like to describe
  • I'll start by explaining
  • I'd like to share with you
  • I want to talk about
  • I'm going to discuss
  • I'd like to tell you about
  • One particular time that stands out for me is
  • An event that comes to mind happened when
  • Looking back, I can remember when
  • A fond memory I'd like to share is
  • I distinctly remember a moment when
  • An experience worth mentioning is

Using phrases like First, Also and Finally can help organize your answer.

For example:

First, learning a second language can boost brain skills. Also, it opens up new cultural views. Finally, it can improve job chances.

Keep a natural pace and tone to show confidence and fluency, which examiners like.


How would you answer this IELTS cue card question about a person you saw on television?