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IELTS Speaking Part 2 · People

Describe a family member you spend a lot of time with

Describe a family member you spend a lot of time with

You should say:

  • who this person is
  • what kind of person they are
  • what you usually do together

and explain why you enjoy spending time with this family member

How to plan your answer

Use your 1 minute to jot down key words for each point, not full sentences.

  1. 1

    who this person is

    Who: My older brother Leo, who lives just a few blocks away.

  2. 2

    what kind of person they are

    Kind of person: Warm-hearted, witty, very easygoing, and offers practical guidance.

  3. 3

    what you usually do together

    What we do: Grab morning coffee, play badminton, and stream documentaries together.

  4. 4

    and explain why you enjoy spending time with this family member

    Why enjoy: He is a great listener who helps me de-stress and stay grounded.

Sample answer

about 235 words · 2 minutes

I'd like to talk about my older brother, Leo, who is definitely the family member I hang out with the most. Since we live only a short walk apart, we end up meeting up several times a week. As for what kind of person he is, Leo is extremely warm-hearted and has a great sense of humor. He is one of those easygoing people who can make anyone feel comfortable within minutes. At the same time, he is very thoughtful and practical whenever I need sound advice. When it comes to what we usually do together, our routines are quite varied. On weekend mornings, we almost always grab a coffee at a local cafe and catch up on how our week went. We also share a passion for racket sports, so we frequently book a court to play badminton, which is a fantastic way for us to stay active. Occasionally, we just chill at home, playing video games or watching documentaries. The main reason I enjoy his company so much is that he is a wonderful listener. Whenever I feel overwhelmed with work, spending an hour or two with him instantly lifts my mood. We share a very similar outlook on life, so I never have to hide how I feel around him. All in all, spending quality time with my brother keeps me grounded and brings a lot of joy to my daily routine.

A teaching example, not a script to memorise. Say it in your own words.

Useful phrases

  • hang out with

    I usually hang out with my colleagues after work on Fridays.

  • sound advice

    My mentor always gives me sound advice when I face a career dilemma.

  • catch up on

    It was wonderful to catch up on old times during the holiday weekend.

  • lifts my mood

    Taking a short walk in the fresh air always lifts my mood.

  • keeps me grounded

    Staying connected with my family keeps me grounded during busy times.

Common mistakes

I am spending a lot of time with my brother every day.

I spend a lot of time with my brother every day.

Use the present simple tense for general routines and habits, not present continuous.

He is a very fun person so I like him.

He has a great sense of humor, which makes spending time with him fun.

Upgrade basic descriptive adjectives to richer phrases for a higher vocabulary score.

We usually play the badminton together on weekends.

We usually play badminton together on weekends.

Do not use the definite article 'the' before the names of sports.

Tips for a higher band

  • Use smooth discourse markers like 'As for...' and 'When it comes to...' to guide the listener naturally through each bullet point.
  • Aim for precise collocations related to personal relationships, such as 'lift my mood' or 'sound advice', instead of repetitive common words.
  • Maintain a warm, relaxed tone and natural intonation to sound genuine when sharing personal anecdotes.

Part 3 follow-up questions

After Part 2 the examiner may ask deeper questions on the same theme.

  • How have family relationships changed in your country over the last few decades?
  • Do you think modern technology helps or hinders family members from staying close?
  • In what ways do younger and older generations in a family usually learn from each other?

Now try this cue card

1 minute to prepare, up to 2 minutes to speak, then a band estimate and tips for each criterion.

Practise this cue card

Practice estimate, not an official IELTS score.

Practise this cue card
Describe a family member you spend a lot of time with (IELTS Cue Card & Sample Answer)