IELTS Speaking: Describe a Person in the News You Would Like to Meet

In IELTS Speaking, topics related to News, Celebrities, Public Figures, and Media offer a fantastic opportunity to showcase your social vocabulary and ability to develop multi-dimensional perspectives. However, when faced with the prompt “Describe a person on the news that you would like to meet,” many students feel stuck or end up rambling about their fame.

In reality, you don’t necessarily have to choose a global superstar. The key is to pick someone who gives you enough material to discuss: how you discovered them, what makes them stand out, their social impact, and your genuine reasons for wanting to meet them. By following this approach, you’ll master the vocabulary and transition into Part 3 seamlessly.

Join ECE Language Center as we explore a comprehensive set of vocabulary, structures, and sample answers for all three parts of the exam! This article features expert insights from Ms. Nguyen Ha Anh – an 8.0 IELTS instructor at ECE.

Vocabulary & Structures for the “Person on the News” Topic

Instead of using basic words like famous or on TV, elevate your speaking with these three groups of advanced journalistic and media collocations:

News & Media Vocabulary

Media Influence Vocabulary

• Shape public opinion: To form or influence what the public thinks.

• Influence people’s perceptions / social attitudes: To affect how people see things or their social outlook.

• Draw attention to an important issue: To highlight a significant matter.

• Spark public debate: To trigger discussions among the public.

• Bring an issue into the spotlight: To make an issue prominent or bring it to light.

• Spread information rapidly: To disseminate information quickly.

• Have a far-reaching impact: To have a deep and wide-ranging effect.

Useful Structures

These structures are particularly effective for Part 2, helping your speech flow naturally and logically:

• 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…

• 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.

IELTS Speaking Part 1 Sample – Topic: News and Famous People

Question 1: Do you often read the news?

Sample: Yes, I do, although I don’t read 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.

Question 2: What kind of news do you usually read?

Sample: 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 different perspectives on issues that I would not normally think about.

Question 3: Do you like reading news about famous people?

Sample: 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 detail of their personal life.

Question 4: Do you think famous people receive too much attention from the media?

Sample: 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 positive when public figures use their influence responsibly to raise awareness of important causes.

IELTS Speaking Part 2 Sample

Cue Card: 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.

Sample Answer:

One person I have seen in the news and would genuinely like to meet is Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani activist who has become internationally recognised for her 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 internationally famous at such a young age, but the determination she showed in continuing to speak publicly about education despite facing extremely difficult circumstances.

Since then, I have occasionally come across interviews and news reports about her work. She has been involved in various initiatives aimed at improving access to education, particularly for girls who face social or economic barriers. Her story has also received extensive media coverage because of the broader issues it represents, including education, equality and the rights of young people.

What I admire most about her is her ability to turn a personal experience into a broader social cause. Rather than using her public profile simply for personal recognition, she has used her platform to raise awareness and encourage people to take education more seriously. I think that is particularly impressive because public attention can be extremely difficult to handle, especially for someone who became a household name at such a young age.

If I had the opportunity to meet her, I would love to have a conversation about her experiences and ask how she has managed to remain motivated despite the pressure that comes with being constantly in the public eye. I would also be interested in hearing her thoughts on how education systems can become more accessible and inclusive.

More than anything, I think meeting her would be inspiring because she represents the idea that one individual can have a far-reaching impact on society. I wouldn’t expect the conversation to be particularly long, but I believe it would be an experience that I would remember for a very long time.

IELTS Speaking Part 3 Sample – Topic: Media and Social Influence

Question 1: Why are some people more interested in celebrity news than other types of news?

Sample: I think one reason is that celebrity news is generally easier to consume than complicated political or economic stories. People may find it entertaining and emotionally engaging, particularly when they already feel connected to a particular public figure. Social media has also played a major role in this trend. People are constantly exposed to updates about celebrities through short videos, photographs and online discussions, so following famous individuals has become part of everyday digital life. Another factor is curiosity. People naturally want to know more about individuals who appear successful, attractive or influential, even if those people’s lives have little direct connection to their own.

Question 2: How can the media influence public opinion?

Sample: The media can have an enormous influence on public opinion because it determines which issues receive attention and how those issues are presented. When a particular story receives extensive coverage, it can shape the way people understand and evaluate that issue. For example, if the media repeatedly focuses on a particular social problem, it can raise public awareness and encourage people to demand change. On the other hand, biased or sensationalised reporting can create misconceptions and lead people to develop opinions based on incomplete information. For this reason, I think media literacy is increasingly important.

Question 3: Do famous people have a responsibility to influence society positively?

Sample: To some extent, yes. Public figures have access to a huge audience, so their words and behaviour can influence people’s attitudes, particularly among younger audiences. If they use their platform responsibly, they can draw attention to important issues and encourage positive social behaviour. However, I don’t think celebrities should be expected to become experts on every social or political issue simply because they are famous. They should be careful about the information they share, but they should also have the freedom to decide which causes they genuinely want to support.

Question 4: Is social media more influential than traditional news?

Sample: I think social media has become extremely influential because information can spread almost instantly. A single post or video can reach millions of people within a very short period of time, whereas traditional news tends to follow a more structured publishing process. However, I wouldn’t say traditional media has become irrelevant. Established news organisations still play an important role in investigating stories and verifying information. The real challenge is that people now have access to an enormous amount of information from different sources, and not all of it is reliable.

Question 5: What are the disadvantages of giving celebrities so much media attention?

Sample: One major disadvantage is that it can create unrealistic expectations about success, appearance and lifestyle. When people are constantly exposed to carefully presented images of celebrities, they may start comparing their own lives with an idealised version of someone else’s life. Another problem is the loss of privacy. Constant media attention can make it difficult for public figures to maintain a normal personal life. In extreme cases, excessive coverage can turn someone’s private experiences into entertainment for the general public. I think the media should therefore find a better balance between public interest and respect for individual privacy.

Preparing well for topics related to media and celebrities not only helps you excel in the Speaking test but also provides a solid foundation of ideas for Writing Task 2. Start applying this advanced vocabulary from Ms. Ha Anh to sharpen your critical thinking. ECE Language Center wishes you effective study sessions and hopes you reach your target score soon!