On this card, an ordinary craftsman or professional works better than a celebrity: you get concrete details and your own observations. The key phrase is "what really sets him apart is...".
The cue card
Describe a person you know who is good at their job.
You should say:
who this person is
what their job is
how you know them
and explain why you think they are good at their job.
One-minute notes
- who: Rustam aka, car mechanic, fifties, end of our street
- job: repairing cars in a small garage for ~25 years
- know: dad's old Nexia, since I was a child
- why: hears the problem, honest about repairs, explains simply, trust
Model answer (about 2 minutes)
I'd like to talk about Rustam aka, a car mechanic who has a small garage at the end of our street. He's in his fifties, and he's been repairing cars there for about twenty-five years.
I've known him since I was a child, because my dad has taken our old Nexia to him for as long as I can remember. As a kid I loved going with my dad and watching him work, because the garage was full of tools and strange noises.
What makes him so good at his job is, first of all, his skill. He can often tell what's wrong with a car just by listening to the engine for a few seconds, which still amazes me. But I think what really sets him apart is his honesty. If a repair isn't necessary, he says so, even though he could easily charge for it, and he always explains the problem in simple words, so you understand what you're paying for.
Because of that, he never has to advertise. Almost all his customers come through recommendations, and people from other districts are willing to wait days for him rather than go somewhere closer.
For me, he shows that being good at a job isn't only about technical knowledge. It's about trust, and he's spent twenty-five years earning it.
Useful words and phrases
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| for as long as I can remember | for as long as I can remember |
| tell what's wrong | tell what's wrong |
| what sets him apart | what sets him apart |
| charge for | charge for |
| recommendations | recommendations |
| be willing to | be willing to |
| earn trust | earn trust |
| make up for | make up for |
How to answer
- Give years of experience with the present perfect continuous: "he's been repairing cars there for...".
- Prove the skill with one specific example: "just by listening to the engine".
- Single out the main reason: "What really sets him apart is...".
- End with a general lesson: "being good at a job isn't only about...".
Practise this topic now
The AI examiner asks you these questions, listens to your answers and shows your mistakes.
Part 3: follow-up discussion questions
What makes someone successful at work?
Skill matters, but I think reliability matters just as much. People who do what they promise, on time, tend to get more opportunities than people who are brilliant but unpredictable.
Should people choose a job they love or a job that pays well?
Ideally both, but if I had to choose, I'd say a job you can at least enjoy. A high salary doesn't make up for being miserable every day, although of course people need enough money to live comfortably.
Which jobs are most respected in your country?
Will some jobs disappear in the future?
Part 2 strategy: the cue card guide. Next step: the Part 3 guide.
Practise this topic now
The AI examiner asks you these questions, listens to your answers and shows your mistakes.
