Describe a person who is often in the news

IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card 470 with Model Answer:

Describe a person who is often in the news, and who you would like to meet.

You should say:

• who this person is
• why he or she is often in the news
• what he or she talks about in the news

and explain why you would like to meet this person.

[You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you are going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]

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Model Answer 1:
I must say that it is an interesting topic to talk about. During my preparation time to think about the topic and what I should say, I have thought about a few people whom I often see on the TV, especially in the news programmes, and whom I would like to meet. However, I have decided to talk about Julia Campbell, a social worker and a political activist in our country.

Ms Campbell comes from a wealthy family and is a well-known figure in our country. She could have followed in her family's footsteps and run a large corporation, but destiny had some other plans for her. She had decided to work for ordinary people and reform some aspects of our politics and policies. She is around 34 years old and a mother of three. She leads a modest and simple life and loves to be with ordinary people. She is a lawyer by profession, but these days, she is more active in pointing out social and political discriminations and biases rather than representing clients.

She was never after fame but, ironically, fame never left her! As a social worker, some of her work was highly appreciated all over the country. Her brave actions and unshakable voice to reform the minimum wage and maternity leave policy for working women were internationally acclaimed. These days, she often appears in news programmes and other talk shows to discuss such social, corporate and political issues that need amendment or reform. Due to her popularity among ordinary people, her fighting spirit for establishing a fair society and some great social works for the destitute and low-income class population, she is often on the news. She has become so popular a figure that whenever there is an issue related to social bigotry or unjust, news reporters seem like want to hear her opinion.

I would like to meet Julia Campbell because I admire her spirit as a person and social worker. I would love to know more about her, her source of motivation, and her future plans. I would also like to spend some time with this noblewoman to know how she feels about changing some of the political aspects to make society a far better place for all of us. Finally, I would ask about some of her favourite books and discuss them with her.

Sample Answer 2:

Introduction:
In today's world, news channels and social media platforms are flooded with the latest happenings and updates of various personalities. One such person whom I would like to meet is Malala Yousafzai, a young female activist from Pakistan.

Who this Person is:
Who is Malala Yousafzai? Malala Yousafzai is a Pakistani female education activist who was born in Mingora, Pakistan. She became an advocate for girls' education and rights when the Taliban took over her hometown and prohibited girls from attending school. Malala bravely spoke out against this oppression, and as a result, she was shot in the head. After a miraculous recovery, Malala continued her advocacy work, and in 2014, she became the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.

Why he or she is often in the news:
Malala is often in the news because of her tireless efforts to promote education for girls and women's rights. She has become a symbol of hope and resilience for people all around the world. She uses her platform to speak out against extremism and to promote education as a means of fighting poverty, inequality, and discrimination.

What does he or she talks about in the news:
In the news, Malala talks about the importance of education, particularly for girls. She emphasizes that education is not only a fundamental right but also a crucial tool for fighting poverty and achieving gender equality. She also speaks out against terrorism and extremism, calling for peace, dialogue, and understanding among people of different cultures and religions.

And explain why you would like to meet this person:
I would like to meet Malala Yousafzai because she is an inspiration to me and millions of other young people around the world. Her courage, determination, and resilience are admirable, and I would like to hear her story firsthand. Malala is an embodiment of the power of education, and I am sure that I would learn a lot from her.