SPEAKING – DESCRIBE A BEAUTIFUL CITY

In IELTS Speaking, topics related to news, celebrities, public figures, and media frequently provide candidates with great opportunities to showcase their vocabulary range and ability to develop arguments. However, when faced with the cue card Describe a person on the news that you would like to meet, many test-takers struggle because they don’t know who to choose or they focus entirely on just how famous the person is.

In reality, you don’t need to choose someone ultra-famous. The key is selecting a person who gives you enough substance to talk about how you found out about them, what makes them stand out, their impact on society, and why you want to meet them. Approaching Part 2 this way opens up opportunities to use more diverse vocabulary and transition into Part 3 naturally.

In this article, I’ll share useful vocabulary and structures for this topic, along with a complete model answer for all three parts of IELTS Speaking.

1. Useful Vocabulary and Structures for the “Person on the News” Topic

News and Media Vocabulary

• make the headlines
• attract widespread media attention
• receive extensive media coverage
• be widely reported
• make headlines around the world
• be constantly in the public eye
• dominate the news
• gain public attention
• become a household name
• be frequently featured in the media

Vocabulary for Celebrities and Influential Figures

• a prominent public figure
• a highly influential individual
• a respected figure
• a well-known personality
• a source of inspiration
• have a strong public presence
• have a considerable influence on society
• use one’s platform to raise awareness
• inspire positive social change
• make a meaningful contribution to society

Vocabulary for Media Impact

• shape public opinion
• raise public awareness
• influence people’s perceptions
• draw attention to an important issue
• spark public debate
• bring an issue into the spotlight
• spread information rapidly
• influence social attitudes
• have a far-reaching impact

Useful Sentence Structures

One person who has particularly caught my attention is…

I first came across this person when…

What initially drew my attention to this person was…

What I admire most about this individual is…

What makes this person particularly interesting to me is…

I would be genuinely fascinated to have a conversation with…

If I had the opportunity to meet this person, I would love to ask them about…

I believe their influence extends far beyond their professional achievements.

These structures are especially helpful for Part 2 because they help create smooth, natural transitions between introducing the person, explaining why you chose them, and sharing your personal thoughts.

2. IELTS Speaking Part 1 – Topic News and Famous People

Do you often read the news?

Yes, I do, although I don’t read print newspapers on a regular basis. I usually keep up with the news through online platforms because they allow me to access information quickly and conveniently. I tend to pay particular attention to major social issues, international events, and stories that have a direct impact on everyday life.

What kind of news do you usually read?

I mostly follow news about society, education, technology, and current affairs. I find these topics more meaningful because they help me understand what is happening around me and sometimes give me fresh perspectives on issues I wouldn’t normally think about.

Do you like reading news about famous people?

To some extent, yes. I’m interested in celebrities when the news focuses on their careers, achievements, or contributions to society. However, I’m not particularly interested in gossip or stories that simply focus on their private lives. I think there is a big difference between being informed about a public figure and following every single detail of their personal life.

Do you think famous people receive too much attention from the media?

In some cases, definitely. Some celebrities receive constant media coverage even when they haven’t done anything particularly significant. This can create an unhealthy obsession with their personal lives and sometimes distract the public from more important social issues.

That said, I think media attention can be a force for good when public figures use their influence responsibly to raise awareness for important causes.

3. IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe a person on the news that you would like to meet

You should say

• who this person is
• how you know about this person
• why this person is often in the news
• and explain why you would like to meet this person

One person I have seen in the news and would genuinely like to meet is Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani activist who has become internationally recognized for her relentless advocacy of girls’ education.

I first came across her story when I was reading an article about education and gender equality. What immediately caught my attention was not simply the fact that she had become globally famous at such a young age, but the sheer determination she showed in continuing to speak publicly about education despite facing extremely difficult circumstances.

Since then, I have frequently come across interviews and news reports about her ongoing work. She has been involved in various initiatives aimed at improving access to schooling, particularly for girls facing social or economic barriers. Her story continues to receive extensive media coverage because of the broader issues it represents, including education, equality, and youth rights.

What I admire most about her is her ability to turn a personal ordeal into a wider social cause. Rather than using her public profile purely for personal recognition, she has leveraged her platform to raise awareness and encourage people to take education more seriously. I find this particularly impressive because intense public scrutiny can be extremely difficult to handle, especially for someone who was thrust into the spotlight at such a tender age.

If I had the opportunity to meet her, I would love to chat about her experiences and ask how she has managed to stay motivated despite the heavy pressure that comes with being constantly in the public eye. I would also be keen to hear her thoughts on how educational systems can be made more accessible and inclusive.

More than anything, I think meeting her would be deeply inspiring because she embodies the idea that a single individual can create a far-reaching impact on society. I wouldn’t expect the conversation to be particularly long, but I’m certain it would leave an impression that I’d cherish for a very long time.

4. IELTS Speaking Part 3 – Topic Media and Social Influence

Why are some people more interested in celebrity news than other types of news?

I think one reason is that celebrity news is generally much lighter and easier to digest than complex political or economic stories. People often find it entertaining and emotionally engaging, especially when they already feel a sense of connection to a particular public figure.

Social media has also played a major role in fueling this trend. People are constantly fed updates about celebrities through short-form videos, photos, and online discussions, so following famous individuals has simply become part of everyday digital life.

Another factor is sheer curiosity. People naturally gravitate toward individuals who appear successful, attractive, or influential, even if those people’s lives have little direct bearing on their own.

How can the media influence public opinion?

The media holds enormous sway over public opinion because it dictates which issues get the spotlight and how those issues are framed. When a specific story gets heavy, sustained coverage, it inevitably shapes how people perceive and evaluate that matter.

For instance, if the media repeatedly highlights a particular social problem, it can successfully raise public awareness and spur people to demand change. On the flip side, biased or sensationalized reporting can breed misconceptions and push people to form opinions based on flawed or incomplete information.

That’s why media literacy is becoming increasingly vital. People need to be able to tell the difference between reliable journalism and content designed purely for clickbait.

Do famous people have a responsibility to influence society positively?

To a certain extent, yes. Public figures command massive audiences, meaning their words and actions can easily sway public attitudes, particularly among younger demographics. If they use their platform responsibly, they can draw attention to critical issues and champion positive social behavior.

However, I don’t think we should expect celebrities to be experts on every social or political issue just because they’re famous. While they should be mindful of the information they share—especially on sensitive topics—they should also retain the freedom to choose which causes they genuinely wish to support.

Is social media more influential than traditional news?

I’d say social media has become exceptionally influential because information travels almost instantaneously. A single post or video can reach millions of people within minutes, whereas traditional news outlets usually adhere to a much more rigorous, structured publishing process.

Even so, I wouldn’t write off traditional media just yet. Established news organizations still play a critical role in investigative journalism and fact-checking. The real dilemma today is that people are bombarded with mountains of information from countless sources, and sorting the reliable from the bogus is harder than ever.

What are the disadvantages of giving celebrities so much media attention?

One major downside is that it creates unrealistic benchmarks for success, physical appearance, and lifestyle. Constantly bombarding people with heavily curated images of celebrities can easily lead them to compare their own ordinary lives to an idealized, unattainable fantasy.

Another issue is the complete erosion of privacy. Relentless media attention makes it nearly impossible for public figures to lead a normal personal life. In extreme cases, over-the-top coverage reduces someone’s private trials and tribulations into mere entertainment for the masses.

Ultimately, I believe the media needs to strike a healthier balance between satisfying public curiosity and respecting individual privacy.