IELTS speaking model answer — a family member you enjoyed spending time with
Band 9 model answer and practice tips
This section of the site is for model answers on Part Two topic cards. They are all rated at Band 9.0 (the top score).
It is good practice to read the model answer aloud, ideally while recording yourself. Then play back the recording, listening closely to your pronunciation (particularly your intonation), your fluency, and the variety of sentence structures you use. Try to copy the natural pauses and emphasis in the model answer.
Describe a family member you enjoyed spending time with. You should say:
- who the person is
- when you spent time with them
- what you did together
You should also say why you enjoyed spending time with them.
Model answer:
One family member I always loved spending time with when I was growing up was my maternal grandmother. She was a small, lively woman with an infectious laugh and an endless supply of stories. I used to visit her house nearly every weekend from about the age of six until I left home for university, and those visits became one of the highlights of my childhood.
Most Saturdays I would walk to her house after breakfast and we’d spend the day together. Sometimes we would sit in her tiny kitchen and she would teach me how to cook traditional dishes — she had a knack for turning the simplest ingredients into something delicious. Other times we’d go to the local park, feed the ducks, and then sit on a bench while she recounted anecdotes from her youth. I can still picture her animatedly describing life in the old neighbourhood, complete with colourful characters and unexpected twists.
I particularly remember a ritual we had when I was about twelve: every Sunday evening we would do crosswords together. She was brilliant with words and always encouraged me to think through clues instead of guessing. That routine improved my vocabulary and also gave me an appreciation for solving problems patiently. On birthdays and during school holidays she would take me on short trips to museums or to the countryside; these little excursions felt like adventures and broadened my horizons at a young age.
As I grew older and became busier with school and later work, I saw her less frequently, but we remained close and would call each other regularly. After she grew frailer in her eighties I visited more often again and spent more time helping her with practical tasks around the house. Those later visits were quieter but just as valuable — they were full of reflective conversations and a real sense of connection.
The reason I enjoyed spending time with my grandmother so much was that she made me feel listened to and important. She was patient and genuinely interested in what I had to say, which is something you don’t often find. She also had an optimistic outlook and a dry sense of humour that made even mundane moments entertaining. On top of that, the practical skills and stories she passed on have stayed with me — they shaped my tastes, my values, and even the way I cook.
In short, those hours with my grandmother were not only enjoyable at the time but they left a lasting impression. They taught me about kindness, resilience and the pleasures of small, everyday rituals — lessons I still carry with me today.
BOOST YOUR VOCABULARY! Here’s a glossary of key words from this post:
| Word (Part of Speech) | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Infectious (adjective) | spreading quickly to others (often used about emotions or laughter) | Her infectious laugh brightened everyone’s mood. |
| Anecdote (noun) | a short, entertaining story about a real incident or person | She told amusing anecdotes about her childhood. |
| Ritual (noun) | a repeated action or series of actions with personal or cultural significance | Our crossword ritual became a weekly tradition. |
| Patience (noun) | the ability to wait calmly or to deal with difficulties without becoming annoyed | Her patience helped me learn complex recipes step by step. |
| Frailer (adjective) | weaker or more fragile, especially due to age | When she grew frailer, I visited more often to help. |
| Reflective (adjective) | thoughtful, given to careful consideration | Our later conversations were calm and reflective. |
| Connection (noun) | a feeling of close relationship or understanding with someone | Spending time with her created a deep emotional connection. |
| Carry with (someone) (phrasal verb) | to keep and continue to be influenced by (something learned or experienced) | I still carry with me the lessons she taught. |
| Optimistic (adjective) | hopeful and confident about the future | Her optimistic outlook made difficult times easier to bear. |
| Broaden (verb) | to widen (one’s experience or knowledge) | Those museum trips broadened my understanding of art and history. |