If you are preparing for your exam, you will likely encounter the prompt to describe a person who has a great sense of humour — ielts speaking cue card (band 9 sample answer). This is a frequent topic in the current IELTS Speaking Part 2 rotation, and this guide provides a comprehensive model answer along with expert tips to help you achieve a top score.

The Cue Card

Describe a person who has a great sense of humour — ielts speaking cue card (band 9 sample answer).
You should say:
• Who this person is
• How you know this person
• What kind of things they do to make people laugh
• And explain why you think they have a great sense of humour.

Band 9 Sample Answer

I’d like to talk about my close friend, Leo, who is hands down the funniest person I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. We first crossed paths during our freshman year at university when we were both struggling through a particularly dry introductory economics lecture. While everyone else was nodding off, Leo was subtly whispering witty observations about the professor’s eccentric mannerisms, and I found myself stifling laughter just to avoid getting kicked out. Since then, he’s been the designated “life of the party” in our social circle. What makes Leo truly hilarious isn’t just that he tells jokes; it’s his impeccable sense of timing and his ability to engage in self-deprecating humour. He has this uncanny knack for taking a mundane, everyday situation—like a botched coffee order or a minor mishap at work—and spinning it into a comedic masterpiece. He often uses vivid facial expressions and changes his tone of voice to mimic different characters, which adds a whole other layer to his storytelling. For instance, if we ever had a disagreement with someone, Leo would later reenact the scene in such an absurdly exaggerated way that all the tension would just evaporate. I believe he has a great sense of humour because it’s never mean-spirited. He doesn’t rely on putting others down; instead, he uses wit to bridge gaps and make people feel at ease. Even in high-pressure situations, he can find a silver lining and crack a joke that instantly lightens the mood. It’s a rare talent to be able to read a room so perfectly and know exactly when a bit of levity is needed, and that’s why I admire his comedic spirit so much.

Band 7 Sample Answer

The person I want to talk about is my cousin, Mark. He is definitely the funniest person in my family, and everyone loves it when he comes to visit for holidays or birthdays. I have known him my whole life because we grew up together in the same town. Mark has a very quick wit, and he is always ready with a funny comment or a joke. He mostly makes people laugh by telling stories about things that happened to him at his job or while he was traveling. He is very good at using different voices and acting out what happened, which makes the stories much more interesting than if someone else told them. I think he has a great sense of humour because he can make a joke out of almost anything, even if it was a bad situation at the time. For example, if he faced a tough challenge like getting lost in a foreign city, he would tell the story in a way that makes us all laugh. He is never boring to be around, and he always helps people feel happy when they are feeling sad or stressed. He is just a naturally funny person who enjoys making others smile.

How the Band 9 Answer Scores Top Marks

Fluency and Coherence

The Band 9 answer flows exceptionally well because it uses natural discourse markers and logical sequencing. The speaker moves from the introduction of the person to the context of their relationship, followed by specific examples of their humour, and finally a philosophical explanation of why it is effective. Phrases like “hands down the funniest person,” “since then,” and “for instance” act as signposts that guide the listener. There are no unnatural pauses, and the ideas are interconnected, showing a high level of coherence. This level of fluency is a key focus in our IELTS English Speaking Course, where we teach students how to bridge ideas effortlessly.

Lexical Resource

The vocabulary used is both sophisticated and topic-specific. Instead of just saying “funny,” the speaker uses terms like “witty observations,” “eccentric mannerisms,” “self-deprecating humour,” and “impeccable sense of timing.” These words demonstrate a wide range of vocabulary and an understanding of nuance. The use of idiomatic expressions like “life of the party,” “stifling laughter,” and “find a silver lining” is done naturally rather than being forced, which is exactly what examiners look for at a Band 9 level. This aligns with the standards set by the IELTS Official Website for lexical precision.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy

The answer showcases a variety of complex structures. For example, the use of a past continuous and past simple combination (“While everyone else was nodding off, Leo was subtly whispering…”) sets the scene perfectly. The speaker also employs conditional-style logic and relative clauses (“what makes Leo truly hilarious isn’t just that he tells jokes; it’s his impeccable sense of timing…”). The grammar is consistently accurate, and the variety of tenses used—from past narrative to present habitual—demonstrates full control over the language.

Pronunciation

While the text doesn’t show audio, the “spoken” style of the Band 9 answer implies a natural use of sentence stress and intonation. A Band 9 candidate would emphasize words like “truly,” “uncanny,” and “perfectly” to convey emotion and attitude. The use of “chunking”—grouping words into meaningful phrases—would be evident in a high-level performance, ensuring that the rhythm of the speech sounds like a native speaker rather than a rehearsed script.

Vocabulary and Idioms to Use

Word/Phrase	Meaning	Example Sentence
Witty	Quick and inventive verbal humour.	She is so witty that she always has a clever comeback.
Self-deprecating	Making fun of oneself in a humorous way.	His self-deprecating humour makes him very approachable.
Impeccable timing	Doing something at the perfect moment.	A comedian needs impeccable timing to make a joke land.
Mundane	Lacking excitement; dull or ordinary.	He can make even a mundane grocery trip sound hilarious.
Life of the party	Someone who is energetic and funny at social events.	Without Leo, the party would be boring; he’s the life of the party.
Dry humour	A form of subtle, matter-of-fact humour.	I love her dry humour; she says funny things with a straight face.
To crack a joke	To tell a joke.	He cracked a joke right when we were all feeling stressed.
Read the room	To understand the emotions of people in a situation.	He knows when to be funny because he can read the room.
Levity	Humour or frivolity, especially in a serious matter.	His jokes provided some much-needed levity during the meeting.
Mean-spirited	Having a malicious or cruel spirit.	His humour is great because it is never mean-spirited.
Uncanny knack	An unusual or mysterious ability to do something.	He has an uncanny knack for making people laugh in seconds.
Stifle laughter	To try and stop oneself from laughing.	I had to stifle my laughter during the serious wedding ceremony.

Grammar Structures That Boost Your Band Score

• Cleft Sentences for Emphasis: “What I find most impressive about him is his ability to stay positive.”
• Past Continuous for Background Action: “We were sitting in a crowded cafe when he started his hilarious impersonation.”
• Present Perfect for Life Experience: “He has always been the person I turn to when I need a good laugh.”
• Relative Clauses: “He is the kind of person who can find humour in the most dire circumstances.”
• Modal Verbs for Speculation: “You might think he’s just a clown, but his humour is actually quite intellectual.”
• Inversion for Emphasis: “Not only is he funny, but he is also incredibly kind-hearted.”
• Conditionals (Type 2/3): “If he weren’t so funny, our office environment would be much more stressful.”

Part 3 Follow-up Questions

Do you think a sense of humour is important in a professional environment?

Absolutely, I believe humour is an essential “social lubricant” in the workplace. It helps to break the ice between colleagues and can significantly reduce the levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, during high-pressure projects. When a leader uses appropriate humour, it makes them seem more human and approachable, which fosters a culture of open communication. However, it’s a double-edged sword; the humour must be inclusive and professional. If it’s used correctly, it can boost morale and even increase productivity by preventing burnout. In many ways, a shared laugh can be just as effective as a team-building exercise.

Are there any differences between the types of humour men and women enjoy?

That’s an interesting question, and while I try to avoid over-generalizing, some sociological studies suggest subtle differences. Often, men might lean towards more “slapstick” or physical comedy, and sometimes their humour involves more “roasting” or competitive banter. On the other hand, women frequently engage in more anecdotal or observational humour that focuses on social dynamics and relationships. That being said, in today’s globalized world, these lines are increasingly blurred. Most people, regardless of gender, appreciate wit, irony, and well-told stories. Ultimately, humour is a very individual preference rather than a strictly gendered one.

How has the type of humour changed over the last few decades?

Humour has undergone a massive transformation, largely due to the advent of the internet and social media. In the past, comedy was mostly consumed through television sitcoms or stand-up specials, which had a broader, perhaps more “safe” appeal. Nowadays, we see the rise of “meme culture” and short-form video content, which is often more surreal, niche, and fast-paced. There’s also a greater emphasis on “cringe comedy” and meta-humour, where the joke is about the joke itself. Furthermore, society has become more sensitive to certain topics, so “punching down” or making fun of marginalized groups is increasingly frowned upon compared to the comedy of the 80s or 90s.

Do you think comedians have a responsibility to be “politically correct”?

This is a highly debated topic. Some argue that comedy is the last bastion of free speech and that nothing should be off-limits. They believe that the role of a comedian is to push boundaries and challenge societal norms. However, others argue that comedians have a social responsibility not to perpetuate harmful stereotypes or incite hatred. My take is that while comedians should have the creative freedom to explore sensitive subjects, the best comedy usually “punches up” at those in power rather than “punching down.” A truly skilled comedian can be provocative without being inherently offensive or cruel.

Is humour an effective tool for teaching or education?

I am a firm believer that humour is one of the most powerful pedagogical tools available. When a teacher incorporates a joke or a funny anecdote into a lesson, it captures the students’ attention and makes the information much more memorable. It creates a positive emotional association with the subject matter, which can lower the “affective filter” and make learning less intimidating. For instance, if a history teacher tells a funny story about a historical figure’s quirks, students are far more likely to remember that person than if they just read a list of dates. It transforms a passive learning experience into an active, engaging one.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Not Explaining the ‘Why’: Many candidates describe the person but forget to explain why they think the person is funny. Ensure you analyze their style of humour (e.g., dry, slapstick, observational).
• Being Too Generic: Avoid saying “He tells jokes and we laugh.” Use specific examples, like a time they turned a bad situation around with a joke.
• Using Childish Vocabulary: Don’t just use “funny” or “happy.” Use Band 7+ words like “hilarious,” “amusing,” “witty,” or “entertaining.”
• Losing the Narrative Flow: Don’t just list traits. Tell a mini-story about how you met or a specific incident that highlights their humour.
• Ignoring the “How you know them” part: Make sure you establish the relationship clearly, whether it’s a childhood friend, a colleague, or a family member.
• Over-rehearsing: If you sound like you are reading a script, your score for pronunciation and fluency will drop. Keep it natural and conversational.

Practice Tips for This Cue Card

• Record and Review: Record yourself speaking for two minutes about a funny person you know. Listen back and see if you used enough descriptive adjectives.
• Watch Stand-up Comedy: Watch a few minutes of an English-speaking comedian (like Trevor Noah or Michael McIntyre) and try to describe their style using the vocabulary from the table above.
• Mind Map: Create a mind map with the person’s name in the center and branches for “Type of Humour,” “Specific Story,” and “Impact on Others.”
• Practice Transitions: Work on phrases that move you from one bullet point to the next, such as “Moving on to how we met…” or “In terms of what he actually does to make us laugh…”
• Focus on Tone: Since the topic is humour, your tone should be light and enthusiastic. Practice smiling while you speak to naturally improve your intonation.

Mastering the describe a person who has a great sense of humour — ielts speaking cue card (band 9 sample answer) topic requires a blend of specific storytelling and advanced vocabulary. By practicing the structures and idioms provided here, you will be well on your way to impressing the examiner. For more personalized feedback and structured lessons, consider enrolling in our IELTS English Speaking Course today.