Part 2
Describe a time when you helped someone.
One memorable time when I helped someone was when I assisted a colleague, Gunel, who was struggling to prepare for a significant presentation at an international conference. Gunel, an English teacher at our university, had been working on a complex topic related to linguistic theories, but she felt overwhelmed and unsure of how to structure her presentation effectively.
Gunel needed help because the conference was a prestigious event, and she wanted to make a strong impression. Despite her deep knowledge of the subject matter, she lacked confidence in her public speaking skills and was unsure about the best way to organize her material to make it engaging and comprehensible.
To help her, I offered to review her presentation and provide feedback. We spent several evenings going over her slides and practicing her delivery. I suggested ways to simplify her content, making it more accessible to a broader audience, and we worked on her public speaking skills, focusing on pacing, clarity, and body language. Additionally, I helped her with the design aspects of her slides to ensure they were visually appealing and supported her key points effectively.
Gunel’s reaction to my help was one of immense gratitude and relief. She expressed her appreciation for the time and effort I had invested in helping her. On the day of the conference, she delivered her presentation confidently and received positive feedback from the audience and her peers.
Helping Gunel gave me a profound sense of satisfaction and fulfillment. It was rewarding to see her succeed and to know that my assistance had played a part in her achievement. This experience reinforced my belief in the importance of supporting and uplifting others, especially in academic and professional settings where collaboration and mutual support can significantly impact one’s success.
—
Part 3
1. Why is it important to help others?
Helping others is important because it fosters a sense of community and strengthens social bonds. It promotes empathy and compassion, which are essential for creating a supportive and harmonious society. By helping others, we contribute to a culture of kindness and cooperation, which can lead to positive changes and improvements in the well-being of individuals and the community as a whole.
2. How can helping others benefit the helper?
Helping others can benefit the helper in several ways. It can lead to increased happiness and a sense of fulfillment, as acts of kindness and generosity often bring about positive emotions. Helping others can also build and strengthen relationships, enhance one’s sense of purpose, and even improve mental and physical health. Additionally, it can provide opportunities for personal growth and skill development, as well as a deeper understanding of diverse perspectives and experiences.
3. What are some ways people can help others in their community?
People can help others in their community through various means, such as volunteering their time and skills for local organizations, participating in community clean-up events, or supporting local businesses and initiatives. They can also provide assistance to neighbors, such as offering to run errands for elderly or disabled individuals, tutoring students, or organizing community events to bring people together. Donating to local charities and participating in fundraising efforts are other effective ways to contribute.
4. How do people decide when to help someone?
People typically decide to help someone based on a combination of factors, including their ability to provide assistance, the perceived need of the person requiring help, and their personal values and experiences. Emotional responses, such as empathy and compassion, also play a significant role in the decision to help. Additionally, social norms and cultural expectations can influence individuals’ willingness to offer support.
5. Do you think people are less willing to help others nowadays? Why or why not?
It can be argued both ways. Some believe that people are less willing to help others nowadays due to the fast-paced nature of modern life, increased individualism, and the prevalence of digital communication over face-to-face interactions. However, others argue that there are still many acts of kindness and community support, especially during times of crisis. Social media and technology have also made it easier to organize and participate in charitable activities and community initiatives.
6. How can schools encourage students to help others?
Schools can encourage students to help others by integrating service-learning projects into the curriculum, where students participate in community service activities as part of their education. Schools can also promote volunteerism through clubs and organizations focused on social and community issues. Encouraging a culture of empathy and kindness through classroom discussions, activities, and recognition programs can also motivate students to engage in helping behaviors. Additionally, schools can provide opportunities for students to learn about the impact of their actions on others, fostering a sense of responsibility and civic duty.
—
Glossary for Band 9+ IELTS Speaking
1. Memorable – Worth remembering or easily remembered
2. Prestigious – Inspiring respect and admiration; having high status
3. Overwhelmed – Feeling buried or drowned beneath a huge mass of something
4. Comprehensible – Able to be understood; intelligible
5. Feedback – Information about reactions to a product, a person’s performance of a task, etc., used as a basis for improvement
6. Immense – Extremely large or great
7. Gratitude – The quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness
8. Fulfillment – The achievement of something desired, promised, or predicted
9. Empathy – The ability to understand and share the feelings of another
10. Compassion – Sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others
11. Community – A group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common
12. Well-being – The state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy
13. Fundraising – The seeking of financial support for a charity, cause, or other enterprise
14. Service-learning – An educational approach that combines learning objectives with community service
15. Civic duty – The responsibilities of a citizen, which can include voting, participating in government, and engaging in community service