In the digital age, social media has become an integral part of our daily lives, and the personalities we choose to follow often reflect our interests and aspirations. This post provides a comprehensive guide on how to describe a person you follow on social media — ielts speaking cue card (band 9 sample answer), a topic that has frequently appeared in recent exams. By studying the model answers and vocabulary provided, you can learn how to structure a high-scoring response that showcases your fluency and range of expression.

The Cue Card

Describe a person you follow on social media — ielts speaking cue card (band 9 sample answer). You should say:
• Who this person is
• How you first found out about them
• What kind of content they post
And explain why you follow this person on social media.

Band 9 Sample Answer

If I had to pick just one person I find truly captivating on social media, it would undoubtedly be a travel photographer named Chris Burkard. I first stumbled across his profile about three years ago while I was mindlessly scrolling through Instagram’s explore page, searching for some inspiration for a trip I was planning. His work immediately caught my eye because, unlike the typical highly-saturated and filtered travel photos you see everywhere, his shots had a raw, ethereal quality to them. Chris primarily posts breathtaking landscapes from some of the most remote and frigid corners of the globe, such as Iceland, Norway, and the Russian Far East. What sets him apart is his penchant for capturing the intersection between human endurance and the untamed power of nature; you’ll often see a lone surfer or a tiny tent dwarfed by massive, jagged glaciers or towering mountain ranges. Beyond just the visuals, he frequently shares long-form captions that delve into the backstories of his expeditions, the challenges of shooting in sub-zero temperatures, and his philosophy on environmental conservation. I follow him not just for the aesthetic appeal of his feed, which is admittedly stunning, but because his content serves as a constant reminder of the world’s vastness. His storytelling is so immersive that it makes me feel like I’m experiencing these adventures vicariously through him. Moreover, his commitment to sustainability and his advocacy for protecting wild spaces resonate deeply with me, making his profile feel much more meaningful than your run-of-the-mill influencer. Every time his posts pop up on my feed, they ignite a sense of wanderlust and encourage me to step outside my comfort zone, much like how one might feel after they describe a long journey you went on to a group of friends.

Band 7 Sample Answer

The person I’m going to talk about is a famous chef named Jamie Oliver, whom I follow on both Instagram and YouTube. I first heard about him years ago through his TV shows, but I only started following his social media accounts recently when I wanted to improve my cooking skills during the lockdown. Jamie mainly posts short, easy-to-follow recipe videos and tips on how to eat more healthily on a budget. He also shares a lot of behind-the-scenes photos of his family and his gardens, which makes him feel very relatable and down-to-earth. I follow him because his recipes are actually practical for someone with a busy schedule like mine; they don’t require exotic ingredients that are impossible to find. Also, I really admire his passion for food education, especially his campaigns to improve school meals for children. His positive energy is quite infectious, and whenever I see his posts, it motivates me to cook a fresh meal instead of just ordering a takeaway. Even though I’m not a professional cook, his content makes me feel confident in the kitchen. It’s quite similar to the feeling of satisfaction you get when you describe an act of kindness you witnessed, as his work really aims to help people live better lives through food.

How the Band 9 Answer Scores Top Marks

Fluency and Coherence

The Band 9 answer flows effortlessly because of the natural use of discourse markers and cohesive devices. Phrases like “If I had to pick just one,” “What sets him apart is,” and “Beyond just the visuals” help transition between different points of the cue card without sounding robotic. The speaker maintains a consistent pace and avoids long pauses by using “filler” phrases that sound authentic to a native speaker, such as “it would undoubtedly be” or “admittedly stunning.” This high level of coherence ensures that the examiner can follow the narrative easily from start to finish.

Lexical Resource

The vocabulary used is both precise and sophisticated. Instead of saying “good photos,” the speaker uses “breathtaking landscapes” and “ethereal quality.” Topic-specific language like “highly-saturated,” “environmental conservation,” and “vicariously” demonstrates a wide lexical range. The speaker also uses idiomatic expressions such as “run-of-the-mill influencer” and “ignite a sense of wanderlust,” which are hallmarks of a Band 9 performance. This variety shows the ability to express complex ideas with nuance.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy

The response showcases a variety of complex structures. For instance, the use of a conditional sentence (“If I had to pick…”) and a relative clause (“whose work I find…”) adds depth. The speaker also employs the present perfect continuous (“I have been following…”) and passive voice (“dwarfed by massive glaciers”) correctly. There are no grammatical errors, and the sentences vary in length and complexity, which keeps the listener engaged and proves the speaker’s mastery over English grammar as outlined in our IELTS English Speaking Course.

Pronunciation

In a real test, a Band 9 candidate would use word stress and intonation to highlight key points. For example, emphasizing “undoubtedly” or “truly captivating” helps convey the speaker’s enthusiasm. The pronunciation of multi-syllabic words like “sustainability” and “philosophy” would be clear and effortless. The natural rhythm of the speech, including slight contractions and linking sounds, would make the answer sound like a conversation rather than a rehearsed speech.

Vocabulary and Idioms to Use

Grammar Structures That Boost Your Band Score

• Second Conditional for Hypotheticals: “If I could meet any influencer, it would definitely be her because…”
• Present Perfect for Duration: “I have been following this account since I started university.”
• Relative Clauses for Detail: “He is a photographer whose work focuses primarily on urban decay.”
• Passive Voice for Emphasis: “His videos are watched by millions of people every single day.”
• Not only… but also: “Not only does she provide great advice, but she also engages with her fans.”
• Past Perfect for Sequences: “I had never seen such high-quality editing until I discovered his channel.”
• Cleft Sentences: “What I find most appealing about his content is his sense of humor.”
• Gerunds as Subjects: “Following her has really helped me improve my photography skills.”

Part 3 Follow-up Questions

What are the advantages and disadvantages of social media influencers?

On the one hand, influencers can be a great source of inspiration and information, often providing niche knowledge that traditional media ignores. They can build strong communities and raise awareness for important social causes. However, a significant drawback is the promotion of unrealistic lifestyles, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy or low self-esteem among followers. Furthermore, some influencers prioritize profit over honesty, promoting products they don’t actually use, which can be quite misleading for younger, more impressionable audiences. Balancing these aspects is crucial for a healthy digital experience.

Why do you think some people become very famous on social media?

I believe it’s a combination of consistency, authenticity, and timing. Those who become famous usually post high-quality content regularly, which helps them stay relevant in the eyes of the algorithm. Moreover, people are drawn to personalities who seem “real” and relatable; they want to feel a personal connection with the creator. Sometimes, a single viral post can catapult someone to fame, but sustaining that popularity requires a unique voice or a specific talent that stands out in a crowded digital landscape. It’s almost like how a describe a piece of art that impressed you might go viral for its unique perspective.

Do you think social media has changed the way we communicate?

Undoubtedly, social media has revolutionized communication by making it instantaneous and global. We can now maintain relationships with people across the world with ease. However, it has also led to a decline in face-to-face interactions and the nuances of non-verbal communication. People often prefer sending a quick message or a “like” rather than having a deep, meaningful conversation. While it has made the world smaller in some ways, it has also created a sense of isolation for others, as digital connections sometimes lack the emotional depth of physical presence.

Should there be regulations on what influencers can post?

I think some level of regulation is necessary, particularly when it comes to advertising and health advice. Influencers should be legally required to disclose sponsored content to ensure transparency. Moreover, when individuals give medical or financial advice without proper qualifications, it can be downright dangerous for their followers. While freedom of speech is important, the potential for harm on such a massive scale means that platforms and governments need to work together to establish clear guidelines that protect users from misinformation and predatory marketing tactics.

How do you think social media will evolve in the next ten years?

It’s likely that we will see a shift toward more immersive technologies, such as virtual and augmented reality. Instead of just looking at photos, we might be able to “step into” a creator’s world using VR headsets. Additionally, there might be a move away from massive, centralized platforms toward smaller, more private communities where users feel safer and more connected. Artificial intelligence will also play a huge role in personalizing content, though this raises significant concerns about privacy and the creation of “echo chambers” where we only see viewpoints that align with our own.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Being Too Vague: Avoid saying “I follow a girl who posts photos.” Instead, be specific about her name (or a pseudonym), the platform, and the specific niche of her content.
• Repeating “Follow”: Try to use synonyms like “subscribe to,” “keep up with,” “track his updates,” or “am a fan of.”
• Ignoring the “Why”: Many candidates focus too much on who the person is and forget to explain the personal impact or reason for following them. This is the most important part of the cue card.
• Using Informal Slang: While social media is an informal topic, the IELTS is a formal test. Avoid overly casual slang like “it’s lit” or “he’s a goat” unless you are explaining the term.
• Lack of Structure: Don’t jump back and forth between points. Follow the bullet points on the card to ensure a logical flow.
• Talking About Yourself Too Much: While you are explaining why you follow them, the focus should stay on the person and their content.

Practice Tips for This Cue Card

1. Record Yourself: Use your phone to record a 2-minute answer. Listen back to check if you addressed all the bullet points and if your transitions sound natural.
2. Expand Your Vocabulary: Look up 5-10 words related to your specific person (e.g., if they are a chef, learn words like “gastronomy” or “culinary”).
3. Use a Timer: Practice speaking for exactly 2 minutes. Many students stop too early, which can lower their score for fluency.
4. Focus on Connectors: Practice using phrases like “In addition to that,” “Consequently,” and “From my perspective” to link your ideas.
5. Mock Interviews: Have a friend ask you the Part 3 follow-up questions to practice thinking on your feet and providing extended answers. Check out our speaking lessons for more interactive practice.

Mastering the ability to describe a person you follow on social media — ielts speaking cue card (band 9 sample answer) requires a blend of personal storytelling and sophisticated language. By focusing on specific details and explaining your motivations clearly, you can impress the examiner and achieve your target score. For more practice, try our IELTS Speaking Course or take one of our latest speaking quizzes. For official information on exam format, you can always visit the IELTS Official Website.