In the IELTS Speaking exam, being able to narrate personal experiences with emotion and detail is key to a high score. One of the most common prompts in recent months is to describe a time when you encouraged someone to do something, a topic that allows you to showcase your ability to use past tenses and descriptive adjectives. This post provides a Band 9 model answer and a comprehensive guide to help you master this cue card.

The Cue Card

Describe a time when you encouraged someone to do something. You should say:
• Who you encouraged
• What you encouraged them to do
• Why they needed encouragement
And explain how you felt about the outcome.

Band 9 Sample Answer

I’d like to talk about a time I encouraged my close friend, Mark, to finally take the plunge and apply for a prestigious international scholarship. This happened about two years ago, just as we were finishing our undergraduate degrees. Mark is incredibly gifted—he’s one of those people who is naturally brilliant at research—but he’s also plagued by a massive amount of self-doubt. He’d seen an advertisement for the Rhodes Scholarship, which is notoriously competitive, and although he met every single requirement, he was convinced that he wouldn’t stand a chance against “real” geniuses. He was essentially self-sabotaging before even trying. I remember sitting in a quiet corner of our university library when he showed me the application page, sighing that it was probably a waste of time. I knew I had to intervene because I couldn’t let him throw away such a life-changing opportunity. I spent the next couple of hours basically giving him a massive pep talk, highlighting all his achievements that he’d conveniently overlooked. I even went as far as to help him draft the initial outline of his personal statement right then and there to build some momentum. I told him that the only guaranteed way to fail was to not apply at all. It took some serious persuasion, and I had to be quite firm with him, but eventually, he clicked ‘submit.’ Looking back, I feel an immense sense of pride and relief. Not only did he end up getting shortlisted, but he actually won the scholarship! Seeing him thrive in Oxford now makes me realize how vital it is to have someone in your corner who believes in you when you don’t believe in yourself. It was a rewarding experience for me too, as it strengthened our bond and taught me the power of positive reinforcement.

Band 7 Sample Answer

I remember a time when I encouraged my younger sister to join the school’s public speaking club. This was last year during her first term at high school. She has always been very shy and was afraid of talking in front of other people. She really liked writing stories, but she never wanted to read them out loud because she was worried people would laugh at her. I told her that she had a great talent and that joining the club would help her become more confident. I explained that everyone starts as a beginner and that the teachers there were very supportive. I even practiced with her at home every evening for a week to make her feel more comfortable. Eventually, she decided to join the club and even participated in a small competition. She didn’t win, but she was very happy that she tried. I felt very proud of her because I knew how hard it was for her to overcome her fear. It was a good feeling to see her making new friends and becoming more outgoing. I think it is important to encourage our family members to try new things because it helps them grow.

How the Band 9 Answer Scores Top Marks

Fluency and Coherence

The Band 9 answer flows naturally without any noticeable effort to find words. The speaker uses sophisticated cohesive devices and discourse markers to link ideas, such as “I remember sitting in…” to set the scene and “Looking back…” to transition to the reflection phase. The narrative follows a logical chronological order which makes it very easy for the examiner to follow. The speaker also avoids repetitive fillers, opting instead for natural pauses that mimic a real-life conversation. For more on structuring your responses, check out our IELTS Speaking Tips.

Lexical Resource

The vocabulary used is both precise and idiomatic. Phrases like “take the plunge,” “plagued by self-doubt,” and “self-sabotaging” demonstrate a high level of English proficiency. The speaker uses topic-specific language like “personal statement,” “shortlisted,” and “positive reinforcement” appropriately. This range of vocabulary shows the examiner that the student can discuss abstract concepts and personal feelings with nuance. If you find yourself struggling with vocabulary, you might want to explore our IELTS English Speaking Course for more advanced lessons.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy

The response showcases a variety of complex structures. For instance, the use of the past perfect (“all his achievements that he’d conveniently overlooked”) and the third conditional structure (“I couldn’t let him throw away…”) adds depth. The speaker also uses relative clauses (“which is notoriously competitive”) and gerunds effectively. The grammar is consistently accurate, with errors being extremely rare and not affecting communication. This is a hallmark of a Band 9 performance according to the IELTS Official Website criteria.

Pronunciation

While the text doesn’t show sound, a Band 9 delivery would involve “chunking”—grouping words together naturally—and using intonation to emphasize key points. For example, emphasizing “immense” in “immense sense of pride” helps convey the emotion behind the story. The pronunciation of complex words like “notoriously” or “reinforcement” would be clear and effortless. Proper word stress is vital for achieving a top score in this category.

Vocabulary and Idioms to Use

Grammar Structures That Boost Your Band Score

• Conditionals for reflection: “If I hadn’t encouraged him, he probably would have missed the deadline.”
• Past Perfect for background info: “He had already decided to give up when I stepped in.”
• Relative Clauses for detail: “My friend Mark, who is usually very confident, was feeling quite low.”
• Passive Voice for focus: “The application was eventually submitted after hours of discussion.”
• Inversion for emphasis: “Not only did he apply, but he also won the top prize.”
• Gerunds as subjects: “Encouraging others is a great way to build strong relationships.”
• Used to/Would for past habits: “He would often talk about his dreams but never take action.”

Part 3 Follow-up Questions

How can leaders encourage their employees to work harder?

In my opinion, effective leadership isn’t about demanding more work, but rather about fostering an environment where employees feel valued. Leaders can encourage their staff by providing constructive feedback and recognizing their achievements publicly. When a worker feels that their efforts are noticed, they are naturally more motivated to excel. Additionally, offering opportunities for professional development, such as workshops or training, shows that the company is invested in their future. This creates a sense of loyalty. Using alternative phrases for ‘in my opinion’ can help vary your speech here. Ultimately, a leader who leads by example and maintains an open-door policy will always find it easier to inspire their team to go the extra mile.

Is it better to encourage children with rewards or with praise?

That’s a fascinating question. I believe a balanced approach is usually the most effective, but praise generally has a more lasting impact on a child’s character. While tangible rewards like toys or sweets can provide immediate motivation, they can sometimes lead to a “transactional” mindset where the child only performs well for the prize. On the other hand, sincere praise builds self-esteem and internal motivation. It helps children understand the value of the effort itself rather than just the outcome. For instance, if a parent praises the hard work a child put into a drawing, the child learns to value persistence. This is similar to how one might make a promise to someone to support them; the emotional commitment often outweighs the physical reward.

What are the disadvantages of over-encouraging someone?

While encouragement is mostly positive, there is a thin line between being supportive and being overbearing. If someone is constantly pushed to do something they truly aren’t ready for or interested in, it can lead to immense pressure and anxiety. This is particularly true in academic or professional settings where the fear of letting the “encourager” down can become overwhelming. Over-encouragement can also result in a lack of autonomy; the person might start relying too much on external validation rather than developing their own internal drive. It’s crucial to respect people’s boundaries. Sometimes, when we ask someone for advice, we are looking for a gentle nudge, not a shove into a situation that makes us uncomfortable.

Do you think friends or family are better at giving encouragement?

I think it depends entirely on the situation and the individual’s personality. Family members usually provide a foundation of unconditional support; they know your history and your struggles, so their encouragement often feels very deep-rooted and safe. However, friends can sometimes be more objective. Because friends often share similar life stages or professional goals, their encouragement can feel more relevant to the current challenges you’re facing. For example, a friend might understand the stress of a modern job hunt better than an older relative. In many cases, a friend’s “tough love” might be exactly what’s needed to spark action, whereas family might be more inclined to protect you from failure, which isn’t always helpful in the long run.

How has the way people encourage each other changed with social media?

Social media has definitely revolutionized how we support one another, but it’s a double-edged sword. On one hand, it’s now possible to receive encouragement from a global community. If someone is trying to lose weight or learn a new language, they can join online groups where hundreds of strangers offer “likes” and motivational comments. This can be incredibly empowering. On the other hand, digital encouragement can sometimes feel superficial or performative. A “heart” emoji isn’t the same as a long, heart-to-heart conversation. Furthermore, the constant comparison to others’ highlight reels can actually undermine the very encouragement people are trying to give. It’s a complex shift from private, intimate support to a more public and visible form of validation.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Being too generic: Avoid saying “I encouraged my friend and they were happy.” Use specific details about why they were stuck and exactly what you said to them.
• Focusing only on yourself: The prompt asks who you encouraged. Make sure you describe the other person’s emotions and situation clearly.
• Ignoring the “How you felt” part: Many students forget to explain their own feelings at the end. This is a vital part of the “explain” bullet point.
• Repetitive vocabulary: Don’t just use the word “encourage” over and over. Use synonyms like “persuade,” “motivate,” “urge,” or “inspire.”
• Tense inconsistency: Since this is a past experience, stay in the past tense for the story, but shift to the present tense when reflecting on it at the end.
• Talking too fast: Students often rush when they are nervous. Take your time to articulate the emotional weight of the story.

Practice Tips for This Cue Card

• Record yourself: Use your phone to record a 2-minute answer. Listen back and count how many times you used “um” or “like.”
• Mind map your story: Write the person’s name in the center and branch out with keywords for the “why,” “how,” and “outcome.”
• Practice transitions: Work on phrases that move the story along, like “To make matters worse,” or “Fortunately,” or “As it turned out.”
• Focus on emotions: Try to use at least three different “feeling” words in your answer (e.g., apprehensive, ecstatic, relieved).
• Use a timer: Practice speaking until the 2-minute mark so you get a feel for the length without looking at a clock.

Mastering the topic to describe a time when you encouraged someone to do something is all about balancing a clear narrative with sophisticated language. By practicing the structures and vocabulary mentioned above, you will be well on your way to achieving your target score. For more in-depth preparation, don’t forget to check out our full IELTS English Speaking Course and stay updated with the latest Speaking Topics for 2026. Happy practicing!