You may need to describe a personality on IELTS.
It could be your own or someone else’s.
Today you’ll learn high-scoring specific vocabulary for this topic.
Practice answering questions with this vocab so you’re ready on test day.
IELTS questions about personality
Some questions will specifically ask you to describe a personality.
Part 2:
Describe a person you know who is kind.
Describe a friend you have known a long time.
Others can be answered by describing personality traits.
Part 1:
What is one of your best characteristics?
What personality traits do you admire in a person?
Why it matters for your score
If you aren’t prepared for these questions, you could pause or hesitate in your answer.
This will decrease your Fluency/Coherence score.
When it comes to your vocabulary score, you need less common vocabulary.
You may be able to answer these questions with simple words that all students know.
This would earn you a score of 6 or lower.
In order to score 7+, you must use less common, topic-specific vocabulary.
Sample answers
In the episode, you hear band 9 answers for IELTS questions.
You also hear feedback about what makes these high-scoring.
Take note of this vocabulary and practice using it in your own answers.
Add details from your own life experience.
This is the best way to speak fluently for higher Fluency/Coherence scores.
#1: Responsibility of schools
It’s not obvious that this question could be answers by describing personalities.
Note how Aubrey answers this question with a lot of context.
Is it the job of schools to teach children to be good members of society?
- age-old debate: a debate that has continued for some time
- certain responsibilities: undefined responsibility
- honest, upright citizens: high integrity
#2: Changing personalities
Some questions address personality more directly.
Do you think a person can change his/ her personality?
- addictive personality: a personality that is prone to addiction
- personality traits: characteristics of one’s personality
- define ourselves by these traits: aspects of personality determining how one views themselves
- root of something: the foundation
#3: Gender roles
Aubrey is asked a very difficult question about gender roles.
In general, do you think men and women have different personality types?
She talks about nature vs. nurture.
- nature vs. nurture: is someone born with traits or are they learned?
This could be used when answering so many IELTS Speaking questions.
It can also be useful for many Writing Task 2 topics.
- innate: something you’re born from
- stems from: comes from
Note how Aubrey gave context about why people hold certain opinions about this.
This was useful filler while she decided how she wanted to answer.
As she was answering, she realized her opinion has evolved.
She also was considering how honest she would want to be with the Examiner.
Does your opinion affect your score?
You are not graded on your opinions.
Instead, you are only graded on how well you answer.
It doesn’t matter if the Examiner agrees with your opinions or not.
They are not concerned with your opinions.
They are listening for impressive vocabulary, grammar structures and pronunciation.
Takeaway
You must be prepared to describe personalities on IELTS.
You may need to describe your own personality or that of another.
Be ready with today’s vocabulary and strategies.
Practice answering IELTS Speaking questions using your personal experiences.
For all the strategies you need on IELTS, sign up for our online IELTS course.
What questions do you have from today’s episode?
Please leave a comment below.
