Describe a person who you are happy to know.
You should say:
- 1who this person is~30s
- 2how you know this person~30s
- 3what he or she is like~30s
- 4and explain why you are happy to know him or her~30s
Reported in September 2026 Friends & People
Plan it in one minute
What each point needs, about 30 seconds on each.
- 1Who this person isSet the scene: a real time, place or person. Specific beats impressive.
- 2How you know this personWalk through it in order, with one concrete detail.
- 3What he or she is likeSay it in one line, then add one detail.
- 4Explain why you are happy to know him or herThis is your ending. One clear reason or lesson, said with confidence.
Sample answers: Band 6, 7 and 8
One story told three ways. Tap a highlighted phrase to learn it.
Band 6
I’m happy to talk about my friend Linh, who I met in my first year at university. We joined the same English club, and then we talked about homework, and then the teacher put us together1 for a speaking activity. After that, we became quite good friends because she was easy to talk to3. Now she is twenty-two and study business2, while I study information technology. Um, Linh is cheerful and practical, and she is patient when people have problems. She usually listens before giving advice, and she doesn’t get angry very easily. She always give me honest advice, even when I don’t want to hear it. You know, she works hard, but she still makes time for friends. I’m happy to know her because she helped me feel comfortable at university. When I had to give a presentation, I was nervous, so she lent me a hand by practising with me after class. We’ve been friends for about two years - actually, nearly three years, and she still helps me sometimes. She also keeps me grounded when I worry too much about my grades. I can tell her some personal problems, and she doesn’t judge me. So, university feels less lonely because I know her.
Why it's a Band 6
and then we talked about homework, and then the teacher put us together
The repeated and then links ideas simply, but it sounds repetitive.Now she is twenty-two and study business
This has a small agreement slip, but the meaning is clear.because she was easy to talk to
This gives a clear reason with because.
What lifts it to Band 7 Change “Now she is twenty-two and study business” to “Now she’s twenty-two and studies business”, and say “After that” instead of one of the repeated “and then”s.
Phrases to borrow
lend a hand
/lend ə hænd/
help someone with a task or problem
My brother lent me a hand with the heavy boxes.
keep someone grounded
/kiːp ˈsʌmwʌn ˈɡraʊndɪd/
help someone stay calm and realistic
Her honest advice keeps me grounded when work becomes stressful.
Band 7
The person I’m happy to know is my close friend Linh. We met in our first year at university, when we joined the same English club. We were both a bit shy, and at first we only talked about homework. Then our teacher put us together for a speaking activity, and we found out we liked travel videos and street food. We are friends for nearly three years now. She’s studying business, while I’m doing information technology, so we don’t share every class, but we see each other several time a week. Linh is warm-hearted and pretty level-headed. She’s the sort of person who really listens instead of just waiting for her turn, and she gives advice without sounding bossy. She’s also ambitious in a quiet way, and she’s really nice to everyone, even people she doesn’t know well. We don’t always see eye to eye about money or future plans1, yet we can disagree without falling out. I’m especially happy to know her because she helped me through a difficult period at university. Before an important presentation, I was so anxious that I thought about skipping it altogether3. Linh went out of her way to practise with me after class, and she recorded my presentation so I could notice my mistakes. She encouraged me to open up instead of keeping every worry to myself2. When I start overthinking my grades, she keeps me grounded, although I still worry sometimes. I mean, she’s not a perfect person, but she’s someone I can rely on when things feel uncertain, and that makes university life much easier.
Why it's a Band 7
We don’t always see eye to eye about money or future plans
This uses a natural idiom to describe disagreement accurately.She encouraged me to open up instead of keeping every worry to myself
This uses a clear comparison and a useful phrasal verb.Before an important presentation, I was so anxious that I thought about skipping it altogether
This is a developed complex sentence with accurate grammar.
What lifts it to Band 8 Change “We are friends for nearly three years” to “We’ve been friends for nearly three years”, and “she’s really nice to everyone” to “she’s genuinely kind to everyone”.
Phrases to borrow
see eye to eye
/siː aɪ tə aɪ/
agree with someone, often used with not
We don't always see eye to eye about how to spend money.
go out of your way
/ɡəʊ aʊt əv jɔː weɪ/
make extra effort to help someone
Our neighbour went out of his way to welcome us.
open up (to someone)
/ˈəʊpən ʌp tə ˈsʌmwʌn/
share personal thoughts or feelings with someone
It took me months to open up to my new colleagues.
keep someone grounded
/kiːp ˈsʌmwʌn ˈɡraʊndɪd/
help someone stay calm and realistic
Her honest advice keeps me grounded when work becomes stressful.
Band 8
I’d like to talk about Linh, a friend I’m very glad to have met at university. We crossed paths in our first year, when we both joined the English club. We were paired for a speaking task, and what started as a slightly awkward conversation about homework gradually turned into a close friendship1. Nearly three years later, we’re still in regular contact, even though she’s studying business and I’m doing information technology. Linh has a calm, open personality. She’s warm without being over-familiar, and she has a practical way of looking at problems that stops small difficulties from becoming dramatic. She notices when people feel uncomfortable and listens without interrupting. She gives advice in a way that feels respectful, rather than making you feel foolish2. We don’t always see eye to eye on career choices or how carefully we should spend money, but our disagreements are usually useful. The main reason I’m so happy to know her is the quiet, dependable support she’s given me. Before a presentation that I was seriously dreading, she went out of her way to practise with me after class. She recorded it and pointed out where I was rushing, which honestly made a huge difference. Whenever I start obsessing over my grades, she keeps me grounded by reminding me that one result can’t define my ability. I’ve also learned to open up rather than pretending I can handle everything alone3. Well, at least I’ve become more willing to ask for help. Once, when I was struggling with a project, she lent me a hand even though she had an exam the next morning. Knowing her has made me less hard on myself, and she’s someone I can genuinely trust. That’s why I’m so happy she’s part of my life.
Why it's a Band 8
what started as a slightly awkward conversation about homework gradually turned into a close friendship
This develops the relationship clearly with precise change language.She gives advice in a way that feels respectful, rather than making you feel foolish
This uses a varied structure accurately to explain her personality.I’ve also learned to open up rather than pretending I can handle everything alone
This gives a personal explanation with accurate contrast and natural vocabulary.
What would make it a 9 For Band 9, change “That’s why I’m so happy she’s part of my life” to “Honestly, I’m not sure I’d have stayed in the English club without her”.
Phrases to borrow
see eye to eye
/siː aɪ tə aɪ/
agree with someone, often used with not
We don't always see eye to eye about how to spend money.
go out of your way
/ɡəʊ aʊt əv jɔː weɪ/
make extra effort to help someone
Our neighbour went out of his way to welcome us.
keep someone grounded
/kiːp ˈsʌmwʌn ˈɡraʊndɪd/
help someone stay calm and realistic
Her honest advice keeps me grounded when work becomes stressful.
open up (to someone)
/ˈəʊpən ʌp tə ˈsʌmwʌn/
share personal thoughts or feelings with someone
It took me months to open up to my new colleagues.
lend a hand
/lend ə hænd/
help someone with a task or problem
My brother lent me a hand with the heavy boxes.
Part 3: what the examiner asks next
Real follow-up questions candidates reported with this card.
- How can children feel happy?
- What is the difference between what makes adults and children happy?
- Does everyone share a similar definition of happiness?
- Is happiness something people are born with, or is it learnt over time?
- Is buying gifts the best way to make children happy? Why or why not?
- Do you think the place where people live affects how happy they are?
Your turn: talk through the card
Describe a person who you are happy to know.
Talk for one to two minutes, one point at a time. Nothing is uploaded.
0:00 / 0:00
Answer it with the examiner
Sign in free, then speak for 1–2 minutes and get a band score with one thing to fix.
Which phrase means…
agree with someone, often used with not
“We don't always see eye to eye about how to spend money.”
see eye to eye
heytardy