Speaking Part 2 · PeopleIn the May–Aug 2026 forecast
Describe a Family Member You Spend Time With
In short
“Describe a Family Member You Spend Time With” is a common IELTS Speaking Part 2 cue card. You get 1 minute to prepare and should speak for 1–2 minutes, covering all four points below. This page gives you a Band 9 model answer, an idea map so you can make it your own, the Part 3 follow-up questions with answers, and the vocabulary examiners reward.
The task card
Describe a Family Member You Spend Time With. You should say:
- •Who this family member is
- •How often you spend time together
- •What you usually do together
- •And explain why you enjoy spending time with them
Band 9 model answer
The family member I spend the most time with has to be my elder sister. She's about four years older than me, and honestly, she's the person I turn to more than anyone else at home. I picked her rather than my parents because our relationship these days feels much more like a friendship — there's very little I'd hesitate to tell her, and we're on the same wavelength about almost everything.
We actually spend time together most days, which I know is a bit of a luxury now that so many families are scattered all over the place. The way we do it is pretty ordinary, to be honest — nothing you'd ever put in a photo album. Most evenings we drift into the kitchen, and while she's cooking and I'm supposedly helping, we just end up talking for ages about absolutely everything. We're both hooked on the same crime dramas, so at the weekend we've got this little ritual of watching an episode and then arguing over who the culprit is. It sounds trivial, but I genuinely look forward to it all week.
In terms of what she's like, she's the calm, sensible one in the family — the sort of person who thinks carefully before she speaks. Growing up, there was the usual sibling rivalry, of course; we'd squabble over the remote or whose turn it was to do the washing-up. But as we got older, all of that just faded away, and we actually grew closer rather than growing apart, which I know doesn't happen for everyone.
The main reason I value our time together, though, is that she's become a kind of sounding board for me. Let me give you an example. Last year I was completely torn about whether to switch my course at university, and I was going round in circles in my own head, getting nowhere. I ended up talking it through with her over about three cups of tea one night, and she didn't just tell me what to do — she asked the right questions until I worked it out for myself. That's her gift, really. She's got this way of making you feel calmer about a problem simply by listening properly, and I came away that night knowing exactly what I wanted to do.
That's also why I'd say she's the person I'd always be there for, and I know she feels the same about me. When you've got someone in the family you can be completely honest with, someone who's a shoulder to cry on one minute and making you laugh the next, you don't take it for granted.
So when I think about who I spend my time with, it's really her — not because we do anything exciting, but because that ordinary, everyday time together is exactly what's kept us so close. In a busy household, I honestly think that kind of quality time is priceless.
Make it your own: three angles
A sibling you're close to
Lets you show a friendship-style bond and use everyday routines, which sounds far more natural than praising a parent.
A grandparent
Great for contrasting past and present and for stories, but keep the focus on shared time, not their biography.
A cousin of a similar age
Useful if you don't live together, because you can explain how you make an effort to stay in touch.
What the examiner is listening for
Answer all four bullets, but spend most of your two minutes on WHY you enjoy the time together — a specific anecdote works far better than a list of activities. Mix past and present tenses to show range, and lean on warm, evaluative language rather than reciting facts about the person.
Part 1 warm-up questions
- Do you come from a large family or a small one?
- Who are you closest to in your family?
- Do you prefer spending time with family or with friends?
- How often does your whole family get together?
Part 3 follow-up questions & answers
How have families in your country changed over the past few decades?
They've become a lot smaller and more spread out, I'd say. In the past it was normal for several generations to live under one roof, whereas now most young people move away for work or study. It's given people more independence, but it does mean families see each other far less than they used to.
Do you think it's better to grow up in a large family or a small one?
There are real advantages to both, to be honest. A large family teaches you to share and compromise from a very young age, which I think builds character. That said, in a smaller family parents can give each child more attention and, frankly, more resources, so I don't think either is simply better.
Why do some families find it difficult to spend time together these days?
The main culprit is how busy everyone's become — long working hours, long commutes and children with packed schedules. On top of that, even when people are in the same room, they're often glued to their own screens. So it's not that families don't care; it's that modern life keeps pulling them in different directions.
How important is it for children to spend time with their grandparents?
I think it's hugely valuable. Grandparents pass on family history and traditions that would otherwise be lost, and they often have more patience than busy parents. Personally, some of my warmest childhood memories are of my grandmother's stories, so I'd say that bond really shapes who you become.
Do you think family relationships are stronger or weaker than they used to be?
In some ways weaker, simply because people live so far apart now. But I'd argue technology has softened that blow — a quick video call means my relatives abroad feel far more present than a letter ever could. So the closeness is still there; it just looks different from how it did a generation ago.
Should adult children be responsible for looking after their elderly parents?
I do think there's a moral responsibility there, given everything parents sacrifice. In many cultures, including mine, it's simply expected. That said, it shouldn't fall entirely on the children — the state has a role to play too, because not everyone has the time or means to be a full-time carer.
In what ways can spending time together strengthen a family?
Regular time together builds trust and gives people a chance to actually talk, rather than just coexist. Shared rituals — like eating dinner together or watching something at the weekend — create a sense of belonging. Over the years, those small habits are what hold a family together far more than the big occasions.
Useful vocabulary
| Word / phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| to be on the same wavelength | to think in a similar way and understand each other easily |
| a sounding board | a person you test your ideas or feelings on before deciding |
| sibling rivalry | competition or jealousy between brothers and sisters |
| to grow apart | to gradually become less close to someone over time |
| to be there for someone | to be available to support them when they need it |
| a shoulder to cry on | someone who listens and gives you sympathy when you're upset |
| quality time | time spent giving someone your full, undistracted attention |
| to take something for granted | to fail to appreciate something because you assume it will always be there |
| close-knit | bound together by strong, supportive relationships |
| to turn to someone | to go to a particular person for help or advice |
More cue cards
Describe a Person Who Taught You Something
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