IELTS VocabMaster

Describe a person you only met once recently and want to know more about.

Describe a person you only met once recently and want to know more about. You should say: - who this person is - when and where you met this person - what you talked about - and explain why you want to know more about this person

Part 2 model answer

Well, I'd like to talk about an elderly man I met just a few weeks ago on a bus journey from Dhaka to Chattogram. I never actually got his full name, but he introduced himself as "Uncle Karim", and honestly, I still think about him quite often.

So, it was a long overnight trip, and he happened to be sitting right next to me. At first, I was just scrolling through my phone, but he noticed I was studying English vocabulary, and he started chatting with me. It turned out he had worked as a ship engineer for almost thirty years and had travelled to more than forty countries.

We talked about all sorts of things, like his life at sea, the different cultures he had experienced, and even how he learned to speak a bit of Japanese and Greek just by talking to local people at ports. He also gave me some really practical advice about learning languages. He said, "Don't be afraid of making mistakes, just keep talking." That really stuck with me.

The reason I want to know more about him is that he seemed to have so many fascinating stories, and we only scratched the surface in those few hours. I'd love to hear how he handled loneliness on long voyages, or what the most dangerous situation he faced was. Unfortunately, I didn't take his phone number, which I really regret now. If I ever bump into him again, I'll definitely ask him to share more of his experiences.

Part 3 discussion

Why do some people find it easy to talk to strangers?

I think it mostly comes down to personality. Outgoing people naturally enjoy social interaction, so they don't feel nervous starting a conversation. Also, people who travel a lot or work in customer-facing jobs get used to it, so it becomes almost second nature for them.

Is it safe to talk to strangers?

It depends on the situation. Having a casual chat in a public place, like a bus or a café, is usually harmless. But people should be careful about sharing personal information, such as their address or bank details, because unfortunately there are scammers out there.

Do you think first impressions are important?

Yes, definitely. People often make quick judgements within the first few minutes, especially in job interviews or business meetings. That said, first impressions can be misleading, so I believe we should give people a chance before making a final judgement.

How has technology changed the way people meet new people?

Technology has made it much easier. Nowadays, people connect through social media, online communities, and even apps designed for networking. On the downside, I feel face-to-face interactions have decreased, and some people find real-life conversations more awkward than before.

Why do older people often like sharing their life stories with young people?

I think older people have gathered a lot of wisdom over the years, and they want to pass it on so young people can avoid the same mistakes. Also, many elderly people feel lonely, so having someone listen to them gives them a sense of being valued.