Of course! Here is a detailed model answer for the IELTS Speaking Part 2 cue card: "Describe a handsome man you know."

This answer is structured to be natural, fluent, and full of rich vocabulary and grammatical structures that will impress the examiner.

Cue Card: Describe a handsome man you know.

You should say:

• Who he is
• How you know him
• What he looks like
• And explain why you think he is handsome.

Model Answer

(The speaker starts by taking a brief moment to think, which is natural.)

Alright, I'd like to talk about a man I consider to be genuinely handsome. He is my cousin, named Alex. We grew up together in the same neighbourhood, so he's more like a brother to me than just a cousin.

In terms of what he looks like, Alex has a very classic and striking kind of handsomeness. He's of average height, but he carries himself with a confidence that makes him seem taller. He has a well-defined jawline and a warm, genuine smile that can light up a room. His most striking feature, I think, is his eyes. They are a deep shade of brown, and they are incredibly expressive. When he's happy, they crinkle at the corners, and when he's concentrating, they become very focused and intense. He keeps his dark hair short and neat, which I think really suits his face shape. He’s not the type to follow fleeting fashion trends; his style is quite timeless, usually favouring well-fitted casual clothes like a simple white t-shirt or a crisp shirt, which always makes him look put-together.

However, what truly elevates his appearance and makes him, in my eyes, exceptionally handsome is his personality. There's a saying that "handsomeness is as handsomeness does," and that applies perfectly to Alex. He has a wonderfully kind and empathetic nature. He is always the first person to offer help, whether it's to our elderly neighbours with their groceries or to a friend who is going through a tough time. This inner goodness radiates outward. When he interacts with people, he listens intently and makes them feel valued and heard. That combination of a strong, pleasant exterior and a soft, compassionate interior is incredibly attractive.

Furthermore, he has a great sense of humour. He can make anyone laugh, even in the most stressful situations. His laughter is contagious, and it adds a certain charm to his character. It's this combination of physical appeal, kindness, intelligence, and humour that makes him so handsome. He isn't just conventionally good-looking; his charisma and the way he treats people are what make him truly stand out. For me, true handsomeness is about the whole package, and my cousin Alex embodies that perfectly.

Why this answer is effective for IELTS:

1. Clear Structure: It follows the cue card points perfectly (Who, How you know him, What he looks like, Why he's handsome).
2. Rich Vocabulary:
   • Adjectives: Striking, classic, well-defined, genuine, expressive, intense, neat, put-together, empathetic, compassionate, charismatic.
   • Nouns: Jawline, neighbourhood, charisma, exterior, interior.
   • Idioms/Phrases: "More like a brother," "light up a room," "fleeting fashion trends," "the whole package."
3. Advanced Grammar:
   • Relative Clauses: "...a man who I consider to be...", "...a smile that can light up a room."
   • Participle Clauses: "...making him seem taller," "...which always makes him look put-together."
   • Conditionals: "There's a saying that 'handsomeness is as handsomeness does,' and that applies perfectly to Alex."
   • Complex Sentences: The answer uses a mix of simple, compound, and complex sentences, creating a natural flow.
4. Developed Ideas: It doesn't just list physical features. It explains why he is handsome by linking his appearance to his personality (kindness, humour, confidence). This depth of thought is what gets a higher score.
5. Natural Fluency Markers: Phrases like "Alright," "In terms of," "However," "Furthermore," and "For me" make the speech sound natural and well-organized, not like a memorized script.

Useful Vocabulary & Phrases You Can Steal:

Describing Appearance:

• Striking / Impressive: Noticeably attractive and eye-catching.
• Well-defined jawline: A strong, clear jaw.
• Expressive eyes: Eyes that show a lot of emotion.
• Carries himself with confidence: The way he walks and stands shows he is self-assured.
• Put-together: Looks neat, tidy, and stylish.
• Timeless style: A fashion sense that doesn't go out of date.

Describing Personality (The "Why"):

• Charisma: A compelling charm that inspires devotion in others.
• Empathetic / Compassionate: Able to understand and share the feelings of another.
• Genuine: Sincere and authentic.
• Radiates outward: Shows a quality from the inside to the outside.
• Contagious laughter: Laughter that is so fun it makes others laugh too.
• Embodies that perfectly: Represents a quality completely.

Idioms:

• "More like a brother than a cousin."
• "He can light up a room."
• "He has a heart of gold." (Meaning he is very kind and good-hearted).
• "He's a real people person." (Meaning he enjoys socializing and being with people).

You can mix and match these phrases to create your own unique and high-scoring answer! Good luck with your IELTS preparation.