In this guide, we will explore how to describe a person who is good at cooking ielts speaking cue card, which has become a frequent topic in recent exams. This post provides a comprehensive Band 9 model answer, a Band 7 alternative, and detailed breakdowns of the vocabulary and grammar required to impress your examiner.

The Cue Card

A person who is good at cooking.
You should say:
• Who this person is
• How you know them
• What kinds of food they cook
• And explain why you think this person is so good at cooking.

Band 9 Sample Answer

To be perfectly honest, I’ve encountered quite a few people who are handy in the kitchen, but the person who immediately springs to mind is my Aunt Sarah. She isn’t a professional chef by any means, but her culinary prowess is honestly second to none. I’ve known her my entire life, as she’s my mother’s elder sister, and most of my childhood memories are inextricably linked to the mouth-watering aromas wafting from her kitchen during family gatherings. What makes her cooking truly exceptional is her versatility; she can whip up anything from a traditional, slow-roasted Sunday dinner to a complex, multi-layered Thai green curry from scratch. She has this incredible knack for balancing flavors—getting that perfect harmony between sweet, sour, salty, and spicy. I think the reason she is so phenomenal at cooking is that she treats it like an art form rather than a chore. While most people strictly adhere to the measurements in a cookbook, Sarah tends to follow her intuition, tasting and adjusting as she goes. She often says that the “secret ingredient” is patience, and you can really tell when you taste her signature beef bourguignon, which she lets simmer for hours until the meat literally melts in your mouth. Moreover, she’s a firm believer in using fresh, locally sourced ingredients, which I think elevates her dishes to a whole new level. Every time I visit her, I end up feeling completely pampered and well-fed. If I could possess even a fraction of her talent, I’d be over the moon, as she has this unique ability to bring people together through the sheer quality of her food. It’s not just about the nutrition for her; it’s about creating a memorable experience for everyone at the table.

Band 7 Sample Answer

I would like to talk about my best friend, Mark, who is an amazing cook. I first met him at university about five years ago, and I was surprised to find out how much he loved being in the kitchen. Most students just eat fast food or instant noodles, but Mark always preferred to cook healthy meals from fresh ingredients. He mostly specializes in Italian food, like homemade pasta and different types of pizza. He even makes his own tomato sauce using fresh herbs from a small pot on his balcony. I think he is so good at cooking because he is very organized and passionate. He spends a lot of his free time watching cooking shows on YouTube and trying out new techniques. Whenever we have a house party, he is always the one in charge of the food, and everyone always asks for his recipes. Even if he is cooking something simple like an omelet, it always tastes much better than what you would get in a regular restaurant. I really admire his skill because he makes cooking look very easy and fun, and he always makes sure that there is enough food for everyone. I have learned a few basic dishes from him, but I am nowhere near as good as he is yet.

How the Band 9 Answer Scores Top Marks

Fluency and Coherence

The speaker demonstrates a natural flow by using sophisticated discourse markers and linking phrases. Instead of just listing facts, the answer uses transitions like “To be perfectly honest,” “What makes her cooking truly exceptional is,” and “Moreover,” to guide the listener through the narrative. There are no noticeable pauses or hesitations for word-searching, which is a hallmark of a Band 9 performance. The ideas are logically organized, moving from the introduction of the person to specific examples of their skill and concluding with a personal reflection.

Lexical Resource

The vocabulary used is both precise and idiomatic. Phrases such as “culinary prowess,” “inextricably linked,” “whip up,” and “from scratch” demonstrate a high level of lexical sophistication. The speaker also uses topic-specific collocations like “slow-roasted,” “signature dish,” and “locally sourced ingredients.” By avoiding repetitive words like “good” or “tasty” and replacing them with “phenomenal,” “exceptional,” or “mouth-watering,” the candidate shows a wide range of vocabulary suitable for an advanced speaker.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy

The Band 9 answer showcases a variety of complex structures. For instance, the use of a conditional sentence—“If I could possess even a fraction of her talent, I’d be over the moon”—adds depth. The speaker also employs relative clauses (“which she lets simmer for hours”) and passive voice (“inextricably linked to…”). The grammar is consistently accurate, with seamless shifts between past memories and present habits, showing a full command of the English tense system. This is much more advanced than the simpler structures found in the Describe a Person you Would Like to Meet cue card answer.

Pronunciation

While the text doesn’t show sound, a Band 9 delivery would involve natural intonation and word stress. The speaker would emphasize descriptive adjectives like “exceptional” or “memorable” to convey emotion. Chunking—grouping words together in natural rhythmic patterns—would be evident in phrases like “the meat literally melts in your mouth,” ensuring the examiner can follow the story effortlessly. For more on pronunciation and fluency, you can check the Speaking Topics Jan–Apr 2026 updates.

Vocabulary and Idioms to Use

Grammar Structures That Boost Your Band Score

• Second Conditional for Hypotheticals: “If I had more free time, I would definitely try to learn how to cook like her.”
• Present Perfect for Ongoing States: “I have known her for as long as I can remember, and she has always been passionate about food.”
• Relative Clauses for Detail: “She uses a specific type of cast-iron skillet, which she inherited from her grandmother.”
• Passive Voice for Process: “The ingredients are carefully selected from the local market every Saturday morning.”
• Used to / Would for Past Habits: “When I was a child, we would often spend our weekends helping her in the kitchen.”
• Comparatives and Superlatives: “Her desserts are far more intricate than anything you would find in a high-street bakery.”
• Cleft Sentences for Emphasis: “What I admire most about her is her ability to stay calm under pressure in a busy kitchen.”
• Gerunds as Subjects: “Experimenting with exotic spices is what keeps her interested in cooking after all these years.”

Part 3 Follow-up Questions

Do you think it is important for children to learn how to cook at school?

Absolutely, I believe it’s a fundamental life skill that should be integrated into the school curriculum. In this day and age, many young people rely heavily on processed convenience foods, which can lead to various health issues down the line. By teaching children the basics of nutrition and food preparation, we empower them to make healthier choices and become more self-reliant. Furthermore, cooking is a practical application of subjects like chemistry and math, as it involves understanding reactions and measurements. It’s not just about making a meal; it’s about fostering a sense of accomplishment and cultural appreciation through food. If schools prioritized this, we might see a significant decline in lifestyle-related diseases in future generations.

Why do some people enjoy cooking while others hate it?

I think it largely boils down to how an individual perceives the process. For some, cooking is a therapeutic outlet—a way to unwind after a stressful day and express their creativity. They find joy in the sensory experience, from the sound of a sizzle to the vibrant colors of fresh vegetables. On the other hand, those who dislike it often view it as a tedious, time-consuming chore. They might find the cleanup process daunting or feel intimidated by the complexity of certain recipes. Additionally, if someone hasn’t had positive early experiences in the kitchen, they might lack the confidence to experiment, leading to a sense of frustration rather than enjoyment. It’s often a matter of mindset and skill level.

Is the food that people eat today different from the food people ate in the past?

Undoubtedly, there has been a massive shift in dietary habits over the last few decades. In the past, people primarily consumed locally grown, seasonal produce, and meals were almost always prepared from scratch at home. Nowadays, globalization has made it possible to eat exotic fruits and vegetables year-round, regardless of the local climate. However, the downside is the proliferation of ultra-processed foods and the rise of “fast food culture.” While our ancestors had a more limited palate, their diet was arguably more wholesome and free from the preservatives and artificial additives that are so prevalent in modern diets. We have more variety now, but we’ve lost some of that connection to the source of our food.

How does technology influence the way we cook nowadays?

Technology has completely revolutionized the modern kitchen. From high-tech gadgets like air fryers and sous-vide machines to smart ovens that can be controlled via a smartphone, the actual process of cooking has become much more precise and efficient. Moreover, the internet has democratized culinary knowledge. In the past, you had to rely on heavy cookbooks or family traditions, but now, thousands of video tutorials and recipes are available at the touch of a button. Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok have also turned cooking into a visual trend, encouraging people to try aesthetically pleasing dishes. While this makes cooking more accessible, some might argue it takes away from the traditional, intuitive way of preparing meals.

Do you think cooking skills will be less important in the future because of food delivery services?

That’s an interesting point. While the convenience of food delivery apps is undeniable, I don’t believe cooking skills will ever become obsolete. There is a certain emotional and social value to home-cooked meals that a delivery box simply cannot replicate. Cooking for others is often seen as an act of love or hospitality, which is vital for maintaining social bonds. Furthermore, as people become more conscious of sustainability and the environmental impact of packaging and transport, there might be a resurgence in the desire to cook at home using bulk ingredients. While we might rely on delivery for busy weeknights, the “art” of cooking will likely remain a cherished hobby and an essential skill for health-conscious individuals.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Being Too General: Avoid saying “He is a good cook because his food is good.” Instead, be specific about the types of dishes and the techniques used.
• Focusing Only on the Food: Remember the prompt asks about the person. Make sure to describe their personality or why they enjoy cooking.
• Ignoring the “Why”: Many candidates forget to explain why the person is good. Is it their patience, their training, or their creativity?
• Using Repetitive Adjectives: Don’t use “delicious” five times. Use synonyms like “flavorful,” “exquisite,” or “savory.”
• Struggling with Tenses: If you are talking about a childhood memory, use the past tense. If you are talking about their current skills, use the present tense. Mixing these up can lower your grammar score.
• Talking Like a Robot: This is a speaking test, not a written essay. Use natural fillers and contractions to sound more like a native speaker.

Practice Tips for This Cue Card

• Record Yourself: Describe a family member cooking and listen back to see if you used enough descriptive adjectives.
• Learn Five “Food” Idioms: Practice incorporating phrases like “piece of cake” or “not my cup of tea” into your answers naturally.
• Think of a Signature Dish: Even if you don’t cook, research one complex dish (like Beef Wellington or Sushi) so you can describe the process in detail.
• Practice the 1-Minute Prep: Use your one-minute preparation time to write down keywords like “aroma,” “intuition,” and “from scratch” rather than full sentences.
• Check Official Criteria: Visit the IELTS Official Website to understand exactly how examiners grade your fluency and lexical resource.

Mastering the “describe a person who is good at cooking ielts speaking” cue card is all about combining personal anecdotes with high-level vocabulary. If you found this helpful, consider exploring our full IELTS English Speaking Course for more model answers and expert strategies to help you reach your target band score.