IELTS Speaking 2025 Part 2&3: Describe a person you know who is from a different cultural background

IELTS Speaking Part 2 Cue Card:

Describe a person you know who is from a different cultural background.

You should say:

• Who he/she is

• Where he/she is from

• How you got to know him/her
  And explain how you feel about him/her.

Speaking Expressions:

• To be honest… (Thành thật mà nói…)

• It’s hard to believe… (Thật khó tin…)

• We hit it off… (Chúng tôi rất hợp nhau…)

• I feel like… (Tôi cảm thấy như…)

• I really admire… (Tôi thực sự ngưỡng mộ…)

Ideas & Collocations:

• Cross-cultural friendship (tình bạn xuyên văn hóa)

• Cultural exchange (trao đổi văn hóa)

• Broaden one’s horizons (mở rộng tầm nhìn)

• Mutual understanding (sự thấu hiểu lẫn nhau)

• Embrace diversity (đón nhận sự đa dạng)

Sample Answer 

To be honest, I have a friend named Sara who is from Canada, and she’s one of the most inspiring people I’ve ever met. It’s hard to believe at first that someone from Vancouver could adapt so quickly to life in Hanoi, but Sara did just that. We actually met during an English exchange program at my university last year, and we hit it off immediately over our shared love of street food and weekend bike rides around the Old Quarter.

Sara grew up in a very laid‑back, outdoorsy culture where hiking and camping are part of daily life. Back home, she was part of a local youth group that organized weekend trips into the mountains. Here in Vietnam, she threw herself into cultural exchange, inviting me to try maple syrup on bánh mì and teaching me how to say basic phrases in English with a Canadian accent. In return, I introduced her to pho, bún bò Huế, and the thrill of bargaining at the weekend markets.

Spending time with Sara has really broadened my horizons. I’ve learned to appreciate her direct communication style, where people say exactly what they think, and she’s learned to enjoy the Vietnamese tradition of communal eating, where sharing bowls of lẩu brings everyone closer. I feel like our friendship is a true cross-cultural friendship, built on curiosity and respect.

What I really admire about Sara is her openness and willingness to embrace diversity. She never hesitates to ask questions when she doesn’t understand something, and she always shares stories about Canadian festivals or Indigenous art, enriching my own understanding of her background. At the same time, she makes an effort to learn a few Vietnamese customs, like removing her shoes before entering someone’s home and celebrating Tet with my family.

Overall, Sara has taught me the value of mutual understanding and how two people from opposite sides of the world can become close friends by being curious, respectful, and open‑minded. I feel grateful to have her in my life, and I’m certain our friendship will keep growing as we continue exploring each other’s cultures.

IELTS Speaking Part 3 Questions

1. Where and how can we get to know people from different cultures?

2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of cultural diversity?

3. How can traditional culture and other cultures coexist?

4. Do you think people today are more open to cultural differences than in the past?

Question 1

Speaking Expressions:

• In today’s world… (Trong thế giới ngày nay…)

• You can easily… (Bạn có thể dễ dàng…)

• It’s as simple as… (Thật đơn giản là…)

Ideas & Collocations:

• Study abroad programs (chương trình du học)

• Online communities (cộng đồng trực tuyến)

• Intercultural events (sự kiện liên văn hóa)

Sample Answer:
In today’s world, you can easily meet people from different cultures through study abroad programs or international volunteer projects. You can easily join online communities like language‑exchange apps, and it’s as simple as attending intercultural events at universities or cultural centers to start new friendships.

Question 2

Speaking Expressions:

• On the plus side… (Về mặt tốt…)

• However… (Tuy nhiên…)

• It can also… (Nó cũng có thể…)

Ideas & Collocations:

• Creative innovation (đổi mới sáng tạo)

• Social cohesion (gắn kết xã hội)

• Cultural clashes (xung đột văn hóa)

Sample Answer:
On the plus side, cultural diversity fuels creative innovation as people bring fresh ideas from different traditions. It also strengthens social cohesion when communities learn to appreciate each other. However, it can also lead to cultural clashes if there’s a lack of respect or misunderstanding between groups.

Question 3

Speaking Expressions:

• One way to… (Một cách để…)

• We need to… (Chúng ta cần…)

• It’s important that… (Điều quan trọng là…)

Ideas & Collocations:

• Cultural preservation (bảo tồn văn hóa)

• Inclusive policies (chính sách hòa nhập)

• Community dialogue (đối thoại cộng đồng)

Sample Answer:
One way to help traditional culture and other cultures coexist is by implementing inclusive policies that protect heritage sites while welcoming new traditions. We need to organize community dialogue sessions where people share stories, and it’s important that schools teach both national history and global perspectives to encourage cultural preservation.

Question 4

Speaking Expressions:

• Frankly speaking… (Thành thật mà nói…)

• Back in the day… (Ngày xưa…)

• It seems that… (Có vẻ như…)

Ideas & Collocations:

• Global connectivity (kết nối toàn cầu)

• Cultural tolerance (chấp nhận văn hóa)

• Media influence (ảnh hưởng của truyền thông)

Sample Answer:
Frankly speaking, back in the day, people were more insular due to limited travel and media. It seems that now, global connectivity and media influence have increased cultural tolerance, so most young people are more curious and open to learning about traditions different from their own.