In the current IELTS Speaking exam, one of the most frequent topics candidates encounter is to describe an energetic person that you know. This prompt allows you to showcase a wide range of descriptive vocabulary and complex grammatical structures, and this guide provides a Band 9 model answer to help you excel in your test.

The Cue Card

Describe an energetic person that you know. You should say:
• Who this person is
• How you know this person
• What this person does that is energetic
• And explain why you think this person is so energetic.

Band 9 Sample Answer

The person who immediately springs to mind when I think of boundless energy is my Aunt Sarah, who is essentially a human whirlwind. I’ve known her my entire life, obviously, but it’s only in the last few years that I’ve truly begun to marvel at her stamina. She’s currently in her late fifties, yet she possesses more vitality than most twenty-somethings I know. What makes her so remarkably energetic is her daily routine, which is frankly exhausting just to hear about. She kicks off her day at five in the morning with a ten-kilometre run, regardless of the weather, and then heads straight to the local community center where she teaches a high-impact aerobics class. After that, instead of crashing on the sofa, she spends the rest of her day managing a bustling organic bakery she owns. Even after a ten-hour shift on her feet, she’s often found organizing local charity events or hiking up nearby trails on the weekends. I think the reason she’s such a live wire is a combination of her mindset and her lifestyle. She’s always been someone who views life as a series of opportunities to be seized, rather than tasks to be completed. Moreover, she’s incredibly disciplined with her nutrition and sleep, which I suppose provides the fuel for her indefatigable nature. Whenever I’m feeling a bit sluggish or unmotivated, I just think of her, and it usually gives me the kickstart I need. She doesn’t just have physical energy; she has this infectious mental buzz that seems to light up whatever room she walks into, making her one of the most vibrant individuals I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing.

Band 7 Sample Answer

I would like to talk about my friend Mark, who is a very energetic person. I met him at university about three years ago when we were in the same football club. Mark is the kind of person who never seems to get tired. He is always the first one to arrive at practice and the last one to leave. Even after a long day of lectures, he still has the energy to go to the gym or play a match in the evening. Besides sports, he is also very active in the student union and helps organize many social events. I think he is so energetic because he really loves being around people and staying busy. He told me once that he hates sitting still and prefers to be doing something productive all the time. He also eats very healthily and drinks a lot of water, which probably helps his energy levels. I really admire him because his positive attitude and high energy make everyone around him feel more excited and motivated to work hard. He is definitely the most active person I know in my social circle.

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 discourse markers and linking phrases such as “the person who immediately springs to mind,” “frankly exhausting just to hear about,” and “moreover.” These transitions guide the listener through the narrative seamlessly. This level of coherence is essential, as explained in our General Overview of the IELTS Speaking Test. The answer avoids repetitive “and then” structures, opting instead for logical progression that mirrors natural, high-level speech.

Lexical Resource

The vocabulary used is both precise and idiomatic. Instead of just saying “energetic,” the candidate uses synonyms like “human whirlwind,” “stamina,” “vitality,” “indefatigable,” and “live wire.” These terms demonstrate a high level of lexical sophistication. Additionally, the use of collocations like “infectious mental buzz” and “high-impact aerobics” shows a deep understanding of how English words fit together naturally. For more examples of how to describe people, you can check out our guide on 90 Personality Vocabulary Words.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy

The answer showcases a variety of complex structures. For instance, the use of a cleft sentence—“What makes her so remarkably energetic is…”—adds emphasis and variety. The speaker also employs the present perfect continuous (“I’ve been marvelling…”) and conditional structures (“Whenever I’m feeling… I just think of her…”). These varied sentence patterns are much more impressive than the simple subject-verb-object sentences found in lower-band responses. This is similar to the grammatical depth required when you describe an area of science that interests you.

Pronunciation

While the text cannot demonstrate audio, the choice of words like “remarkably” and “indefatigable” suggests a candidate who can handle multi-syllabic words with correct stress patterns. The use of contractions like “I’ve,” “she’s,” and “don’t” indicates a natural, spoken rhythm rather than a robotic, memorized tone. To improve your own delivery, consider reviewing our IELTS Speaking Tips for better intonation and stress.

Vocabulary and Idioms to Use

Grammar Structures That Boost Your Band Score

• Cleft Sentences for Emphasis: “It is her positive attitude that makes her so energetic.” (Instead of “Her attitude makes her energetic.”)
• Present Perfect Continuous for Duration: “I have been observing her work ethic for many years now.”
• Inversion for Dramatic Effect: “Not only does she work full-time, but she also finds time to volunteer every weekend.”
• Relative Clauses to Add Detail: “My aunt, who is almost sixty, runs faster than I do.”
• Conditional Sentences (Type 2/3): “If I had her level of energy, I would probably be able to finish my degree in half the time.”
• Participle Phrases: “Having spent the whole day working, she still managed to cook a three-course dinner.”
• Comparative Structures: “She is by far the most energetic person I have ever encountered in my life.”
• Used to/Would for Past Habits: “She would always be the first one up, even when we were on holiday.”

Part 3 Follow-up Questions

What kinds of jobs require people to be very energetic?

I believe roles in the service and healthcare industries demand the highest energy levels. For instance, nurses and doctors often work grueling twelve-hour shifts where they are constantly on the move, making life-or-death decisions. Similarly, teachers, especially those working with primary school children, need to be incredibly energetic to maintain the students’ attention and manage a classroom effectively. If a teacher is lethargic, the children will likely lose interest. Furthermore, professional athletes and fitness instructors must possess immense physical stamina to perform their duties. In these professions, being “full of beans” isn’t just a personality trait; it’s a fundamental requirement for job performance and safety.

Do you think people are more energetic now than they were in the past?

That’s an interesting question. On one hand, modern technology has made our lives much more sedentary, which might suggest we are less physically active than our ancestors who performed manual labor. However, in terms of mental energy and the “hustle culture” of today, people seem more frantic and “on the go” than ever before. We are constantly multi-tasking and processing information from our devices. While our ancestors might have had more physical stamina for farming or building, modern individuals often possess a different kind of nervous energy driven by the fast-paced nature of the digital age. So, it’s a bit of a double-edged sword; we are mentally busier but perhaps physically more sluggish.

Is it better to be an energetic person or a calm person?

I think it depends entirely on the situation, as both traits have their own merits. An energetic person is often a great motivator and can drive projects forward with their enthusiasm, which is vital in leadership roles. However, a calm person is often better at critical thinking and handling crises without panicking. In a high-pressure environment, you need someone who can remain level-headed and composed. Ideally, a balance of both is best—having the energy to get things done but the calmness to ensure they are done correctly. If everyone were purely energetic, life might become too chaotic, but if everyone were purely calm, we might lack the drive to innovate.

How can people increase their energy levels if they feel tired all the time?

There are several lifestyle adjustments that can make a significant difference. Firstly, nutrition plays a pivotal role; consuming slow-release carbohydrates and staying hydrated can prevent energy crashes. Secondly, ironically, regular exercise is one of the best ways to boost long-term energy, as it improves cardiovascular health and stamina. Many people find that a morning workout “kickstarts” their metabolism for the day. Finally, prioritizing sleep hygiene is crucial. Without restorative sleep, the body cannot recover, leading to chronic fatigue. Beyond physical changes, sometimes a shift in mindset or finding a hobby that one is passionate about can provide a mental energy boost that translates into physical vitality.

Does age affect a person’s energy levels significantly?

Conventionally, we assume that energy declines as we age due to physiological changes like a slower metabolism or reduced muscle mass. You often see children with seemingly infinite energy, while the elderly are more inclined toward rest. However, this isn’t a universal rule. As I mentioned with my aunt, many older adults maintain incredible vitality through disciplined lifestyles and a positive outlook. In fact, some people find they have more energy in retirement because they are no longer drained by the stress of a nine-to-five job. So, while biology plays a part, I believe that habits and mental attitude are equally important factors in determining how energetic a person remains throughout their life.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overusing the word “Energetic”: Many students repeat the keyword 20 times. Use synonyms like “lively,” “active,” or “dynamic” to show range.
• Focusing Only on Sports: Energy isn’t just about athletics. You can describe someone who is “mentally energetic” or always busy with community work.
• Lacking Specific Examples: Don’t just say “they do a lot.” Say “they run 10km every morning” or “they manage three different projects simultaneously.”
• Mixing Tenses: Be careful when switching between describing their current habits (present simple) and how you met them (past simple).
• Talking Too Fast: Because the topic is about “energy,” some candidates start speaking too quickly. Maintain a steady, clear pace to ensure the examiner can follow your complex grammar.
• Neglecting the “Why”: The last bullet point usually asks “why” you think they are energetic. Don’t forget to give your opinion on the root cause of their energy.

Practice Tips for This Cue Card

• Record and Listen: Record yourself speaking for two minutes. Listen back specifically for how many times you said “energetic” and try to replace half of them with idioms or synonyms.
• Brainstorm “Energy” Contexts: Think of three different people—an athlete, a busy parent, and a hard-working colleague. This helps you adapt if the examiner asks slightly different variations of the prompt.
• Use the 1-Minute Preparation Wisely: Don’t write full sentences. Write keywords like “Aunt Sarah,” “bakery,” “5 AM run,” and “indefatigable” to prompt your memory.
• Connect to Other Topics: Practice transitioning from this topic to others. For example, if you describe an energetic person, be ready to transition if asked to describe a person who inspires you.
• Check the Official Standards: Regularly visit the IELTS Official Website to stay updated on the latest assessment criteria and ensure your practice aligns with what examiners are looking for.

Mastering this cue card is a fantastic way to prove your fluency. If you want to dive deeper into more topics, explore our IELTS Speaking Topics January to April 2026. For personalized feedback and structured lessons, we highly recommend enrolling in our IELTS English Speaking Course to reach your target band score.