IELTS Speaking Vocabulary: People & Personality

You will often be asked to describe a person in the IELTS test. This could be a family member, a friend, a historical figure, or even a celebrity. The question will require you to discuss the person’s personality, character, or both. So, to prepare for it, it’s essential to know some vocabulary words used to describe people & personality and to practice using them. 

IELTS Speaking Vocabulary: People & Personality

Physical Appearance

1 . Youthful appearance: to look young 

Example: People always compliment on her youthful appearance.

2. Look young for your age: to look younger for your age

Example: Her style of wearing makes her to look young for her age.

3. To be getting on a bit: to be getting old

Example: Recently, my parents have been getting on a bit.

4. To bear a striking resemblance to somebody: to look very similar

Example: Everyone often says that I bear a striking resemblance to my father, which I proud of

5. To be good-looking: to be attractive

Example: She is the one I have a crush on who is really beautiful.

6. To be well-built: to be muscular

Example: He has been working out for years and is well-built.

7. To be well-turned out: to look smart

Example: The guy wearing glasses and a yellow T-shirt is well-turned out.

8. To be overweight: to weigh more than is regarded as healthy 

Example: Overusing fast food can cause to some health problems, such as being overweight.

9. Shoulder-length hair: hair that comes down to the shoulders and no further

Example: She has shoulder-length hair and a bright smile. 

10. To lose one’s figure: to have a figure that has lost its toned shape

Example: Because she overate fast food recently, she has lost her figure.

11. To get done up: to dress smartly

Example: Whenever she shows up in the public, she always gets done up.

Personality

1 . To be the life and soul of the party: a fun person, someone who is the center of activity

Example: He has always been the life and soul of every party he participated in.

2. To hide one’s light under a bushel: to hide one’s talents and skills

Example: I must say that she is the type of person hiding her light under a bushel.

3. To lose one’s temper: to suddenly become angry

Example: Please leave before I lose my temper.

4. Good sense of humor: the ability to understand what is funny

Example: If the guy has a good sense of humor, he is always the party’s life and soul.

5. Trustworthy: someone who can be trusted

Example: I have known her for many years, so I must say that she is a trustworthy person.

6. Self-confident: someone who believes in one’s ability or knowledge

Example: My sister is self-confident and she always believes in herself even when she has to speak in front of lots of people.

7. Self-assured: someone who is confident

Example: I want to teach my children to be self-assured from early ages.

8. Introverted: Someone who is shy

Example: In my opinion, people who is introverted cannot be a good leader.

9. Extroverted: having a confident  character  and enjoying the company of other people

Example: She is extroverted, and she likes to interact with other people.

10. Easy-going: relaxed and not easily worried about anything

Example: She is easygoing, and she never loses her temper.

11. To bend over backward: to try very hard to help someone

Example: Peter has always bent over backward to help me out whenever I am in trouble.

12. Big cheese: an important person

Example: He left business school and became a big cheese in the City.

13. Sharp cookie: An intelligent person who is difficult to fool

Example: She’s a sharp cookie and will have no trouble seeing a sales pitch for what it is.

14. Tough cookie: a mentally or physically strong person

Example: Don’t worry about her—she’s a tough cookie.

15. Go-getter: a very ambitious person

Example: We only recruit go-getters who will be actively involved in the company’s development.

16. Social butterfly: sociable and likes to spend time with people

Example: Tom’s always been something of a social butterfly, so we’ve never really worried about him making friends or finding his way in the world.

17. Dark horse: a secretive person, often with a hidden talent

Example: Anna’s such a dark horse – I had no idea she’d published a novel.

18. Bookworm: A person who loves to read

Example:

19. Book smart: having a lot of academic knowledge learned from books and studying but not necessarily knowing much about people and living in the real world.

Example: This is one satisfactory aspect of the continuation classes, but it is not everybody who is a bookworm.

20. Street smart: intelligence gained outside of school in the real world

Example: She is street-smart and a skilled mechanic and driver, using her skills as one of the drivers in hijackings.

21. Common sense: the ability to think about things practically and make sensible decisions

Example: Windsurfing is perfectly safe as long as you have/use some common sense.

22. Night owl: a person who goes to bed late and wakes up late

Example: My wife’s a night owl, but I like to be in bed by 10 o’clock.

23. Early bird: a person who goes to bed early and wakes up early

Example: She isn’t an early bird by nature, but she’s been up before dawn every day for the past month.

IELTS Speaking Sample: People & Personality

IELTS speaking part 1 – Style questions

Do you enjoy meeting new people?

Yes, I do, but I admit that it does depend on the context. For example, if I am with a group of lifelong friends, I feel more confident and relaxed than if I am alone, when I feel more timid and awkward. At work, I try to put up a façade of being professional and in control, although underneath the surface, I am paddling like a swan.

Would you describe yourself as a sociable person?

 I’d like to say so, as I am always happy to get involved in organizing parties and gatherings – indeed I can be a bit of a control freak, as I have an eye for detail. However, I would be more than delighted to be described as reliable and dependable as we all need friends we can rely on. I have known my best friends since school, and we trust each other entirely and pick up where we left off each time we see each other.

Are you usually punctual or late?

That’s a great question! Every year I make a resolution to be on time for both work and social meetings, but I have a terrible habit of always being slightly late. I know that punctuality is a virtue and I am always embarrassed by being a bad time keeper, especially when I understand that being late is rude and disrespectful. I will keep working on improving this negative trait.

IELTS speaking part 2 – Style question

Describe a person you would like to be similar to. You should say

• Who this person is?
• What this person does?
• What qualities this person has

and explain why you would like to be similar to this person?

I’d like to talk about a teacher who is Head of Pastoral care at a school I used to go to. Pastoral duties revolve around the mental and social health of students more than the academic side but of course, the two work in tandem.

This lady, Mrs Butler, has held this job for more than a decade, and she is inspiring in her attention to detail and caring personality. It is her job to interact with students in a relaxed, almost parental way and create an atmosphere where they can trust her, and share any problems and issues they may have. As part of her duties, she would liaise between the students and other members of staff, education and healthcare professional bodies, and parents as needed.

The interpersonal and communication skills required for this role are very demanding and take a long time to learn if not acquired naturally. Mrs. Butler is enormously empathetic, understands emotion, and is a great and generous listener, and I believe these are all important qualities to emulate. Interacting with students and colleagues at work can present many challenges, and understanding human characteristics, even the psychology, of how people think and respond to each other is increasingly essential.

I would love to be considered as caring, considerate, and reliable as she is, and she is one of those rare people who can connect with anyone, anywhere.

Describe a person in your family who you admire. You should say

• What his/her relationship is to you?
• What he/she has done in your life?
• What he/she does now?

and explain why you admire this person so much.

Sample Answer

Today, I would like to talk about one of my family members I always take pride in. She is my older sister, who is currently working as a saleswoman in a multinational company.

As a salesperson, appearance is really important to her, so whenever she shows up in public, she constantly gets done up. Also, her slim figure makes it very easy for her to choose clothes. Usually, she wears jeans with white shirts, but when it is necessary, she suits up for formal events. That makes me realize all of this helps her to stand out in a crowd and draw attention from other people.

Not only is she a successful businesswoman, but she also spends a part of her time taking care of me. When I was a little child, she was like my best friend; we shared laughter and happiness together. And when I am in trouble, she will consistently be there for me and help me out.  

All of this makes me admire her so much, and I have always wanted to be a person like her who has succeeded in her chosen career.

IELTS speaking part 3 – Style question

How do you think the personalities of men and women vary?

It is often said that men can be more opinionated and less empathetic than women, and, indeed, this is often a male stereotype. However, compared to previous generations, many men today are more in touch with their feelings, less moody, and are much more aware of the challenges faced by juggling a family and parenthood.

How do companies try to assess the personalities of people applying for jobs?

Rather than a traditional interview nowadays, many companies demand high grades in psychometric tests designed to test character to select candidates compatible with the company mentality. While these tests may highlight insecure or weaker candidates, I am not convinced that it is the most effective way to judge personality.

Why do you think they do this?

In my opinion, these tests are used to save time as most jobs today attract numerous applicants and it must be hard to choose the strongest and most suitable. That said, to be defined by an algorithm or computer program is terrifying and critics suggest that it cannot effectively determine those with good communication skills or natural leaders.

Which personality do you think we most want to pass on to our children?

I think it would be honesty because this is essential in every situation. For example, honesty is the foundation of a good friendship. If you are dishonest, you cannot be trustworthy. Also, children should be self-assured and self-confident, which could help them a lot in their lives.

Which personality do you think is less likely to suffer from stress or anxiety?

Easy-going, I think. These people will barely lose their temper and always stay calm when they face difficult situations. This will allow them to suffer from turmoil barely.

Vocabulary list and definitions

confident: in control

awkward: uncomfortable

underneath the surface, I am paddling like a swan: looking calm but not feeling it.

put up a façade: to pretend to be something you are not

a control freak: to want to do things yourself

an eye for detail: making sure everything is perfect

reliable and dependable: be trusted not to let someone down

punctuality: being on time

disrespectful: impolite

a negative trait: bad characteristic

parental way: behave like a mother or final

interpersonal skills: be good at talking to others

empathetic: understanding others’ emotions

generous listener: take time to hear what others are saying

to emulate: to be like

considerate: kind and thoughtful

insecure: shy and not confident

moody: sometimes happy and sometimes sad/ cross

IELTS Speaking Practice: People &Personality

You may be asked to talk about someone’s personality or character during the IELTS Speaking test. Read the following IELTS-style questions and answers below and pay attention to the phrases in bold. Use the ‘Definitions’ section at the bottom of the page to check the meaning of any phrases you don’t understand.

Part 1-style questions

Examiner: How would you describe yourself?

Paula: Everyone tells me I take after my mum as I’m quite laid-back … I think I’m good company, but you should ask my friends if they agree …

Examiner: In which ways are you similar to your friends?

Manuel: I seem to be attracted to introverts … not people who are painfully shy but most of my friends are a little reserved … and I think that’s what I’m like …

Examiner: Are you similar or different to your brother(s)/sister(s)?

Mira: I think my brother and I are very similar … I’d say we’re fun-loving and tend to be a bit extroverted … my brother is certainly the life and soul of the party … I’m not sure that applies to me …

Part 2-style task

Describe a teacher you once had who you enjoyed being taught by. You should say

• who this person was
• when they were your teacher
• which subject they taught you

and describe what it was about their character that you liked.

Carolina: I’d like to describe my English teacher from school … Miss Thomas … this was a few years ago. She was my teacher at a time when I was getting a little bored with being at school … unlike some of the other teachers Miss Thomas never lost her temper … she was very calm and easy-going … she was also very broad-minded … we were able to ask her questions about lots of subjects that some other teachers would refuse to discuss which made us respect her even more … she had a great sense of humor too … she’d laugh at our jokes as well as making us laugh … and she would also bend over backward to help us with our work … she always put us first. She often stayed around at the end of class to talk with anyone who needed help … she was highly respected within her field. Still, you would never know as she was the type that hid her light under a bushel … she was very modest and self-effacing … so yes … Miss Thomas was a teacher I have fond memories of …

Part 3-style questions

Examiner: Which personal qualities do you think we most want to pass on to our children?

Martin: I certainly would want my children to be self-confident and self-assured … I believe that people who feel good about themselves are in a good position to face what life has to offer them … and I’d hope they wouldn’t be self-centered… but remembered to think about others …

Examiner: Which characteristics do you think are the least appealing in a person?

Marianne: Well … very narrow-minded people are challenging to get on with it’s nice when someone is open to other people’s opinions and willing to think about their views … and two-faced people can be a little irritating … relationships are built on trust, and without honesty, there’s not much left …

Examiner: Which personality types do you think are less likely to suffer from stress or anxiety?

Sol: Probably people who are thick-skinned … who don’t let people or problems affect them too much … and if you are fair-minded, you ll be less likely to overreact to situations or be quick-tempered …

Definitions

to be the life and soul of the party: a fun person, someone who is the center of activity

to bend over backward: to try very hard to help someone

broad-minded: prepared to accept other views or behaviors

easy-going: relaxed and not easily worried about anything

extrovert: an energetic person who likes the company of others

fair-minded: to treat people equally

fun-loving: to enjoy having fun

to hide one’s light under a bushel: to hide one’s talents and skills

good company: enjoyable to socialize with

good sense of humor: the ability to understand what is funny

introvert: someone who is shy

laid-back: see ‘easy-going’

to lose one’s temper: to suddenly become angry

narrow-minded: opposite of ‘broad-minded’ (see above)

painfully shy: very shy

to put others first: to think of others before yourself

quick-tempered: to become angry quickly

reserved: shy

self-assured: confident

self-centered: thinks only of oneself

self-confident: believes in one’s own ability or knowledge

self-effacing: to not try to get the attention of others (especially in terms of hiding one’s skills or abilities)

to take after: to be like (often another member of the family)

thick-skinned: not easily affected by criticism

trustworthy: can be trusted

two-faced: not honest or sincere. Will say one thing to someone to their face and another when they are not present.