Part 2 (Cue Card) People & Relationships

A Person Who Influenced You

Cue Card

Describe a person who has had a great influence on your life.

You should say:

and explain and explain why this person has had such a great influence on you.

Model Answer

Well, I'd like to talk about my high school English teacher, Mrs. Nguyen, who honestly had a huge impact on the direction of my life. I first met her when I was about fifteen, and she was assigned as our homeroom teacher for the year. To be honest, at that time I wasn't particularly interested in studying English, but she completely changed my perspective. What she did was really remarkable, actually. She didn't just teach us grammar and vocabulary from a textbook. Instead, she brought in real-world materials like newspaper articles and short stories, and she encouraged us to have debates and discussions in class. I remember she would stay after school to help anyone who was struggling, and she never made you feel embarrassed for making mistakes. I'd say the main reason she influenced me so much is that she taught me the value of perseverance and self-belief. There was a time when I wanted to give up on learning English altogether because I kept failing my exams. But she sat me down and told me that everyone learns at their own pace, and that the only real failure is giving up. That conversation stuck with me, and I ended up working much harder. Looking back, I think her patience and dedication shaped not just my academic career but also the kind of person I became. She showed me that a single person's encouragement can truly change someone's life.

Key Vocabulary

influential
Having great impact or effect on someone or something
admirable
Deserving respect and approval
perseverance
Continued effort and determination despite difficulties
dedication
The quality of being committed to a task or purpose
perspective
A particular way of thinking about or viewing something
remarkable
Worthy of attention; striking or extraordinary
encouragement
The act of giving someone support, confidence, or hope

Pronunciation Guide

influential /ˌInfluˈEnʃəl/
Stress falls on the third syllable: in-flu-EN-tial. Make sure to pronounce the 'sh' sound clearly.
admirable /ˈædmɪrəbəl/
Stress is on the first syllable: AD-mi-ra-ble. Do not stress the second syllable.
perseverance /ˌpɜːsɪˈvɪərəns/
Four syllables with stress on the third: per-se-VEER-ance. The 'veer' rhymes with 'ear'.

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Speaking Tips

When describing a person, try to give specific anecdotes rather than general statements. Use a mix of past and present tenses to show how this person influenced you then and continues to affect you now. Showing genuine emotion makes your answer more engaging and natural.

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