Describing People

Face:

1. Round /raʊnd/ (Adjective)
2. Oval /ˈoʊ.vəl/ (Adjective)
3. Square /skwɛər/ (Adjective)
4. Wrinkled /ˈrɪŋ.kəld/ (Adjective)
5. Freckled /ˈfrɛk.əld/ (Adjective)
6. Scarred /skɑːrd/ (Adjective)
7. Smooth /smuːð/ (Adjective)
8. Chubby /ˈtʃʌ.bi/ (Adjective)
9. Gaunt /ɡɔːnt/ (Adjective)
10. Youthful /ˈjuːθ.fəl/ (Adjective)
11. Aged /eɪdʒd/ (Adjective)
12. Puffy /ˈpʌf.i/ (Adjective)
13. Blemished /ˈblɛm.ɪʃt/ (Adjective)
14. Clear /klɪər/ (Adjective)
15. Bearded /ˈbɪərdɪd/ (Adjective)

Hair:

1. Curly /ˈkɜːr.li/ (Adjective)
2. Straight /streɪt/ (Adjective)
3. Wavy /ˈweɪ.vi/ (Adjective)
4. Bald /bɔːld/ (Adjective)
5. Thick /θɪk/ (Adjective)
6. Thin /θɪn/ (Adjective)
7. Long /lɔːŋ/ (Adjective)
8. Short /ʃɔːrt/ (Adjective)
9. Dyed /daɪd/ (Adjective)
10. Natural /ˈnætʃ.ər.əl/ (Adjective)
11. Frizzy /ˈfrɪz.i/ (Adjective)
12. Greasy /ˈɡriː.si/ (Adjective)
13. Dry /draɪ/ (Adjective)
14. Glossy /ˈɡlɑː.si/ (Adjective)
15. Shiny /ˈʃaɪ.ni/ (Adjective)

Skin:

1. Fair /fɛər/ (Adjective)
2. Dark /dɑːrk/ (Adjective)
3. Tanned /tænd/ (Adjective)
4. Pale /peɪl/ (Adjective)
5. Smooth /smuːð/ (Adjective)
6. Rough /rʌf/ (Adjective)
7. Clear /klɪər/ (Adjective)
8. Blemished /ˈblɛm.ɪʃt/ (Adjective)
9. Wrinkled /ˈrɪŋ.kəld/ (Adjective)
10. Freckled /ˈfrɛk.əld/ (Adjective)
11. Moist /mɔɪst/ (Adjective)
12. Dry /draɪ/ (Adjective)
13. Oily /ˈɔɪ.li/ (Adjective)
14. Sensitive /ˈsɛn.sɪ.tɪv/

Build:

1. Muscular /ˈmʌs.kjə.lər/ (Adjective)
2. Skinny /ˈskɪn.i/ (Adjective)
3. Plump /plʌmp/ (Adjective)
4. Overweight /ˌoʊ.vɚˈweɪt/ (Adjective)
5. Petite /pəˈtiːt/ (Adjective)
6. Lanky /ˈlæŋ.ki/ (Adjective)
7. Stocky /ˈstɑː.ki/ (Adjective)
8. Athletic /æθˈlɛt̬.ɪk/ (Adjective)
9. Robust /roʊˈbʌst/ (Adjective)
10. Slender /ˈslɛn.dɚ/ (Adjective)
11. Stout /staʊt/ (Adjective)
12. Toned /toʊnd/ (Adjective)
13. Flabby /ˈflæb.i/ (Adjective)
14. Broad-shouldered /ˈbroʊdˈʃoʊl.dɚd/ (Adjective)
15. Narrow-hipped /ˈnæroʊˈhɪpt/ (Adjective)

Personality: 

Friendly /ˈfrendli/ (Adjective)

Unfriendly /ʌnˈfrendli/ (Adjective)

Kind /kaɪnd/ (Adjective)

Unkind /ʌnˈkaɪnd/ (Adjective)

Honest /ˈɑːnɪst/ (Adjective)

Dishonest /dɪsˈɑːnɪst/ (Adjective)

Generous /ˈdʒɛnərəs/ (Adjective)

Selfish /ˈsɛlfɪʃ/ (Adjective)

Brave /breɪv/ (Adjective)

Cowardly /ˈkaʊərdli/ (Adjective)

Smart /smɑːrt/ (Adjective)

Stupid /ˈstuːpɪd/ (Adjective)

Funny /ˈfʌni/ (Adjective)

Serious /ˈsɪriəs/ (Adjective)

Quiet /ˈkwaɪət/ (Adjective)

Noisy /ˈnɔɪzi/ (Adjective)

Lazy /ˈleɪzi/ (Adjective)

Hardworking /ˈhɑːrdˌwɜːrkɪŋ/ (Adjective)

Patient /ˈpeɪʃənt/ (Adjective)

Impatient /ɪmˈpeɪʃənt/ (Adjective)

Questions about describing people:

1. Can you describe your best friend’s appearance?
2. What color are your mother’s eyes?
3. How would you describe your favorite teacher’s personality?
4. How tall is your father? Is he taller or shorter than you?
5. Do you have any siblings? Can you describe what they look like?
6. Can you describe your hair? Is it long, short, curly, straight?
7. Who is the funniest person you know? Can you describe their personality?
8. Can you describe the appearance of your favorite movie or TV character?
9. Can you describe the personality of your favorite book character?
10. If you had to describe yourself in three words, which words would you choose?
11. Who is the kindest person you know? Can you describe them?
12. What does your neighbor look like?
13. Can you describe the appearance of your favorite singer?
14. How would you describe your pet (or your favorite animal)?
15. Can you describe the personality of your best friend?
16. How would you describe your principal or boss?
17. What does your favorite superhero look like?
18. Can you describe the personality of your favorite superhero?
19. Can you describe your sibling’s or cousin’s personality?
20. Can you describe your favorite athlete’s appearance?

Medium Level:

1. Can you describe the most unique-looking person you know?
2. How would you describe the personality of the most interesting person you’ve met?
3. Can you describe a person who has influenced you the most?
4. How would you describe your own personality?
5. Can you describe the appearance of the most fashionable person you know?
6. If you were to describe a stranger on the street, what are some things you might mention?
7. How would you describe a person who inspires you?
8. Can you describe someone who has a completely different personality from yours?
9. Can you describe the appearance of a famous person that you admire?
10. How would you describe the personality of your role model?
11. Can you describe a character from a book that you didn’t like?
12. Can you describe the personality of a person you’d like to meet in the future?
13. How would you describe a celebrity that you don’t like?
14. Can you describe the appearance of someone you saw only once?
15. Can you describe the personality of a person you’ve only interacted with online?

Difficult Level:

1. How would you describe a person who has significantly changed over time?
2. Can you describe the personality of a historical figure you admire?
3. How would you describe the physical appearance of a character from a book, but in a way that also hints at their personality?
4. Can you describe a person whose actions contradict their appearance?
5. Can you describe the appearance and personality of a person from a different culture or time period, based on what you’ve read or learned?

Idioms: 

1. A chip on your shoulder – This means someone is carrying around a sense of resentment or grievance, often due to past unfair treatment or perceived wrongs.
2. A heart of gold – If someone has a heart of gold, they are very kind, generous, and caring.
3. As cool as a cucumber – This idiom refers to someone who stays calm and composed, even in difficult or high-pressure situations.
4. Behind someone’s back – If something is done behind someone’s back, it is done without their knowledge and usually involves dishonesty or deceit.
5. A loose cannon – This idiom refers to a person who is unpredictable and can cause damage if not kept in check.
6. The life of the party – This refers to a person who is energetic, fun, and makes a social event lively.
7. A wallflower – This term refers to a shy or introverted person who would rather observe than participate in social situations.
8. A breath of fresh air – If someone is a breath of fresh air, they are refreshing and energizing, usually because they are new or different.
9. Old hand – This idiom refers to a person who is very experienced at something.
10. A walking encyclopedia – This is a term for someone who has a vast amount of knowledge, often on a wide array of subjects.

Ielts Questions:

Part 1: Introduction and Interview (4-5 minutes)

In this part, the examiner will ask you general questions about yourself and a range of familiar topics.

1. Can you tell me about your family?
2. Do you have many friends?
3. Who is your best friend? Can you describe them?
4. Who do you spend most of your time with?

Part 2: Long Turn (3-4 minutes)

In this part, you will be given a card that asks you to talk about a particular topic. You will have one minute to prepare before speaking for up to two minutes.

1. Describe a person you admire.
2. Talk about a teacher who had a significant impact on you.
3. Describe one of your friends.
4. Talk about a family member who you are particularly close to.

Part 3: Discussion (4-5 minutes)

In this part, the examiner will ask further questions which are connected to the topic of Part 2.

1. How do friendships change as people age?
2. What qualities make a person admirable?
3. How do people’s characters influence their relationships?
4. How important is it for people to have role models?

Giving an Opinion:

1. “In my opinion, …”
2. “From my point of view, …”
3. “As far as I’m concerned, …”
4. “I believe that …”

Giving Examples:

1. “For instance, …”

1. “For example, …”
2. “An example of this would be …”

Contrasting Points:

1. “On the one hand, … On the other hand, …”

1. “However, …”
2. “Although …, …”

Adding Information:

1. “Furthermore, …”

1. “In addition to this, …”
2. “Also, …”

Concluding:

1. “In conclusion, …”

1. “To sum up, …”
2. “Overall, …”

Expressing Certainty:

1. “I’m absolutely certain that …”

1. “I’m sure that …”
2. “There’s no doubt in my mind that …”

Expressing Uncertainty:

1. “I’m not entirely sure, but …”

1. “It’s difficult to say, but perhaps …”
2. “I could be wrong, but …”