When you helped someone in his/her work or study

IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card 497 with Model Answer:

Describe a situation when you helped someone in his/her work or study.

You should say:

• when it was
• whom you helped
• how you helped this person

and explain how you felt about it.

[You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you are going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]

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Model Answer 1:

Well, I am not exactly a very bright student, but still, I have managed to help some of my classmates occasionally with their studies. Today, I would like to talk about one such occasion when I helped one of my classmates in completing a math assignment.

It all happened about a few years ago when we were junior college students. This classmate of mine was an otherwise good student but he wasn’t really that good in college algebra. On the other hand, I somehow used to understand college algebra a bit better than other students, and this good classmate of mine was aware of it except, of course, he had never asked for any help from me before.

But, then one day, he came to me with his new scientific calculator, which he had just purchased, and asked me if I could help him use his scientific calculator to complete an algebra assignment which was due in the very next class.

However, the problem was I also didn’t quite know how to use his newly-bought scientific calculator, which looked a lot different from the one I was using at that time. But, I still took the challenge and started to read the “manual book” (giving instructions on how to actually use that calculator) in order to understand its functionalities, keys and other important features. By the way, it took me a while to thoroughly understand all the features of that calculator, but the good thing was that I was finally able to help my classmate understand how to have solved that kind of algebra problem – a difficult one in that too, I might add – with his calculator.

In the end, it was indeed a great feeling of “accomplishment” on my part since I was able to give my classmate in doing his math assignment on time. At the same time, it also boosted my confidence a great deal since I, for a moment, thought that I could actually solve all kinds of math problems with the help of a scientific calculator!

Model Answer 2:

Introduction:
Helping others in their work or study is a rewarding experience that can bring joy and satisfaction. Whether it is a family member, a friend, or a colleague, lending a hand can make a difference in their success. For this topic today, I will describe a situation in which I helped my younger sister prepare for a presentation at her university.

When it was:
It was about a year ago when my younger sister was in her first year at the university. She had to present a project in front of the faculty members and her peers. She was a bit nervous and could not decide how to start the project and how to prepare for the presentation.

Whom you helped:
I helped my younger sister, Tania, who was struggling with her project and preparation for the presentation. She is my only sibling and we have a special bond.

How you helped this person:
I helped my sister in several ways. First, I read her project proposal and provided feedback on the structure, content, and coherence of her writing. I suggested some changes to make her presentation more organized and focused. Second, I helped her create a presentation that would complement her coursework. We worked together to select the most relevant data and figures, and I provided some tips on how to deliver a clear and concise presentation. Finally, I practised with her, asking her questions and giving her feedback on her delivery, intonation, and body language.

And explain how you felt about it:
Helping my sister with her project and presentation was a great experience for me. It felt good to share my knowledge and skills with her and to see her grow and improve. I felt proud of her for working hard and being determined to do well in her studies, and it was rewarding to see her receive positive feedback from her professors and classmates. It was also a bonding experience for us as siblings, and I felt happy to be there for her when she needed me.