IELTS Cue Card 65: Talk about an Old Person whom you know and respect

Directly go to Follow Up Questions (Part 3 Discussions)

Describe an old person you know whom you respect/ admire

Who the person is
How you know the person
What kind of person he or she is
And explain why you respect/ admire the person

Sort Version

There are many old persons whom I know, and I respect all of them.When I see them; I greet them and show them respect by bowing head and talk to them politely. Here, I would like to talk about my own father who is in his 60s.

He is 5 feet 8 inch. He is healthy .He has a traditional Punjabi look. He likes to wear kurta-pyjama, which is a traditional dress in my region. He follows Punjabi culture and lifestyle.

He is the head of our family. He is a farmer. I have always seen him working in farms for livelihood. He grows wheat and rice and also the vegetable. He works hard and earns money to cover expenses of family. He gave us good education and provided us security. When he is close, we feel safe, secure and so much loved. His caring hands give us peace.

He’s very generous to me. He loves me and my siblings very much. He is kind to the family and relatives and almost everyone. He lives in brotherhood with his real brothers as well as all the villagers. They respect him very much. In fact, he is often invited to the village committees, and his suggestions are considered valuable.

The best thing in my father is that he never gets angry. When there is a state of aggression, He stays calm, and handles the situation nicely. His voice carries politeness and lowers the anger of others also. He always tries to understand the meaning behind whatever we say and whatever we do.

When I am in confusion, I always like to take shelter in my father’s authority. My father has done all that a good father must do for his family. My father is like a godly figure to me.

So my father is the old person whom I respect a lot.

Long Version

There are many old persons whom I know, and I respect all of them. For example, my own father, mother, my Uncles and aunts, a few neighbors are at their old age. I meet them frequently. When I see them, I greet them and show them respect by bowing head and talk to them politely. They also extend me a lot of love. Here, I would like to talk about my own father who is in his 60s.

He is 5 feet 8 inch. He is healthy .He is sober and has a traditional Punjabi look. He likes to wear kurta-pyjama, which is a traditional dress in my region. He follows Punjabi culture and lifestyle. For him, old social and family traditions are so valuable. For example, he would like to have old Punjabi sweets instead of modern dishes or chocolates.

He is the head of our family. He is a farmer. I have always seen him working in farms for livelihood. He grows wheat and rice and also the vegetable. He works hard and earns money to cover expenses of family. He has spent a lot of money in raising me and my siblings. He also takes good care my mother and grandparents. He has always fulfilled my needs and the needs of my family.

He’s very generous to me. He loves me and my siblings very much. He spends his time in farms, or with family or village people. He is kind to the family and relatives and almost everyone. He lives in brotherhood with his real brothers as well as all the villagers. They respect him very much. In fact, he is often invited to the village committees, and his suggestions are considered valuable. He gave us good education and provided us security. When he is close, we feel safe, secure and so much loved. His caring hands give us peace. When I am in confusion, I always like to take shelter in my father’s authority. My father has done all that a good father must do for his family. My father is like a godly figure to me. He has given us lot of Liberty. And he gave us freedom to take decisions of self. He has always wanted us to become successful in our career.

(Following Lines are extra for Longer Speech, depending upon your fluency and speech-timing; you would include some of the line from below))

He is not only good to his family, but also to the neighbors and others. Whenever there is a need in the village he always stands forward. He behaves well with his relatives, and he tries to keep all the people bind together. He never talks of anything, which separates the people. He is a role model for me. I have a great respect for your father and I have always wanted to become like him. I know there are so many Character defects in today’s younger generation. But my father has so much good things in character and one of the good things is the compliance to the morals. So I try to learn morality from my father. I am sure that one day, I will feel proud to be like my father.

So my father is the old person whom I respect a lot.

Punjabi Translation of above Sample Answer:

ਕਿਸੇ ਅਜਿਹੇ ਬਜ਼ੁਰਗ ਵਿਅਕਤੀ ਬਾਰੇ ਗੱਲ ਕਰੋ ਜਿਸਨੂੰ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਜਾਣਦੇ ਹੋ ਅਤੇ ਆਦਰ ਕਰਦੇ ਹੋ

ਬਹੁਤ ਸਾਰੇ ਪੁਰਾਣੇ ਲੋਕ ਹਨ ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਮੈਂ ਜਾਣਦਾ ਹਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਮੈਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਸਾਰਿਆਂ ਦਾ ਆਦਰ ਕਰਦਾ ਹਾਂ। ਉਦਾਹਰਨ ਲਈ, ਮੇਰੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਪਿਤਾ, ਮਾਂ, ਮੇਰੇ ਅੰਕਲ ਅਤੇ ਚਾਚੀਆਂ, ਕੁਝ ਗੁਆਂਢੀ ਆਪਣੀ ਬੁਢਾਪੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਹਨ। ਮੈਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਅਕਸਰ ਮਿਲਦਾ ਹਾਂ। ਜਦੋਂ ਮੈਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਦੇਖਦਾ ਹਾਂ ਤਾਂ ਮੈਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਸਵਾਗਤ ਕਰਦਾ ਹਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਸਿਰ ਝੁਕਾ ਕੇ ਆਦਰ ਦਿਖਾਉਂਦਾ ਹਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਨਿਮਰਤਾ ਨਾਲ ਗੱਲ ਾਂ ਕਰਦਾ ਹਾਂ। ਉਹ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਬਹੁਤ ਪਿਆਰ ਵੀ ਦਿੰਦੇ ਹਨ। ਇੱਥੇ, ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਪਿਤਾ ਬਾਰੇ ਗੱਲ ਕਰਨਾ ਚਾਹੁੰਦਾ ਹਾਂ ਜੋ 60 ਵਿਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੈ।

ਉਹ 5 ਫੁੱਟ 8 ਇੰਚ ਹੈ। ਉਹ ਸਿਹਤਮੰਦ ਹੈ। ਉਹ ਸੂਫੀ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਉਸਦਾ ਰਵਾਇਤੀ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਲੁੱਕ ਹੈ। ਉਹ ਕੁੜਤੇ-ਪਜਾਮੇ ਨੂੰ ਪਹਿਨਣਾ ਪਸੰਦ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਜੋ ਮੇਰੇ ਖੇਤਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਇੱਕ ਰਵਾਇਤੀ ਡਰੈੱਸ ਹੈ। ਉਹ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਸੱਭਿਆਚਾਰ ਅਤੇ ਜੀਵਨਸ਼ੈਲੀ ਦੀ ਪਾਲਣਾ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ। ਉਸ ਲਈ ਪੁਰਾਣੀਆਂ ਸਮਾਜਿਕ ਅਤੇ ਪਰਿਵਾਰਕ ਪਰੰਪਰਾਵਾਂ ਬਹੁਤ ਮੁੱਲਵਾਨ ਹਨ। ਉਦਾਹਰਨ ਲਈ, ਉਹ ਆਧੁਨਿਕ ਪਕਵਾਨਾਂ ਜਾਂ ਚਾਕਲੇਟਾਂ ਦੀ ਬਜਾਏ ਪੁਰਾਣੀਆਂ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਮਿਠਾਈਆਂ ਰੱਖਣਾ ਚਾਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ।

ਉਹ ਸਾਡੇ ਪਰਿਵਾਰ ਦਾ ਮੁਖੀ ਹੈ। ਉਹ ਕਿਸਾਨ ਹੈ। ਮੈਂ ਹਮੇਸ਼ਾ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਰੋਜ਼ੀ-ਰੋਟੀ ਲਈ ਖੇਤਾਂ ਵਿਚ ਕੰਮ ਕਰਦੇ ਹੋਏ ਦੇਖਿਆ ਹੈ। ਉਹ ਕਣਕ ਅਤੇ ਚਾਵਲ ਅਤੇ ਸਬਜ਼ੀ ਵੀ ਉਗਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ। ਉਹ ਮਿਹਨਤ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਪਰਿਵਾਰ ਦੇ ਖਰਚਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਪੂਰਾ ਕਰਨ ਲਈ ਪੈਸੇ ਕਮਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ। ਉਸਨੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਭੈਣ-ਭਰਾਵਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਪਾਲਣ ਵਿੱਚ ਬਹੁਤ ਸਾਰਾ ਪੈਸਾ ਖਰਚ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ। ਉਹ ਮੇਰੀ ਮਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਦਾਦਾ-ਦਾਦੀ ਦੀ ਵੀ ਚੰਗੀ ਦੇਖਭਾਲ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ। ਉਸਨੇ ਹਮੇਸ਼ਾ ਮੇਰੀਆਂ ਲੋੜਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਪਰਿਵਾਰ ਦੀਆਂ ਲੋੜਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਪੂਰਾ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ।

ਉਹ ਮੇਰੇ ਲਈ ਬਹੁਤ ਉਦਾਰ ਹੈ। ਉਹ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਭੈਣ-ਭਰਾਵਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਬਹੁਤ ਪਿਆਰ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ। ਉਹ ਆਪਣਾ ਸਮਾਂ ਖੇਤਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਜਾਂ ਪਰਿਵਾਰ ਜਾਂ ਪਿੰਡ ਦੇ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਬਿਤਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ। ਉਹ ਪਰਿਵਾਰ ਅਤੇ ਰਿਸ਼ਤੇਦਾਰਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਲਗਭਗ ਹਰ ਕਿਸੇ ਪ੍ਰਤੀ ਦਿਆਲੂ ਹੈ। ਉਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਅਸਲੀ ਭਰਾਵਾਂ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ-ਨਾਲ ਸਾਰੇ ਪਿੰਡ ਵਾਸੀਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਵੀ ਰਹਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ। ਉਹ ਉਸ ਦਾ ਬਹੁਤ ਆਦਰ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ। ਅਸਲ ਵਿਚ, ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਅਕਸਰ ਪਿੰਡ ਦੀਆਂ ਕਮੇਟੀਆਂ ਵਿਚ ਬੁਲਾਇਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਸੁਝਾਵਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਮੁੱਲਵਾਨ ਮੰਨਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ। ਉਸ ਨੇ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਚੰਗੀ ਸਿੱਖਿਆ ਦਿੱਤੀ ਅਤੇ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਸੁਰੱਖਿਆ ਪ੍ਰਦਾਨ ਕੀਤੀ। ਜਦੋਂ ਉਹ ਨੇੜੇ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਤਾਂ ਅਸੀਂ ਸੁਰੱਖਿਅਤ, ਸੁਰੱਖਿਅਤ ਅਤੇ ਬਹੁਤ ਜ਼ਿਆਦਾ ਪਿਆਰ ਮਹਿਸੂਸ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਾਂ। ਉਸ ਦੇ ਸੰਭਾਲ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲੇ ਹੱਥ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਸ਼ਾਂਤੀ ਪ੍ਰਦਾਨ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ। ਜਦੋਂ ਮੈਂ ਉਲਝਣ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹਾਂ, ਤਾਂ ਮੈਂ ਹਮੇਸ਼ਾ ਆਪਣੇ ਪਿਤਾ ਜੀ ਦੇ ਅਧਿਕਾਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਪਨਾਹ ਲੈਣਾ ਪਸੰਦ ਕਰਦਾ ਹਾਂ। ਮੇਰੇ ਪਿਤਾ ਜੀ ਨੇ ਉਹ ਸਭ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ ਜੋ ਇੱਕ ਚੰਗੇ ਪਿਤਾ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਪਰਿਵਾਰ ਲਈ ਕਰਨਾ ਹੈ। ਮੇਰੇ ਪਿਤਾ ਜੀ ਮੇਰੇ ਲਈ ਰੱਬੀ ਹਸਤੀ ਵਾਂਗ ਹਨ। ਉਸ ਨੇ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਬਹੁਤ ਆਜ਼ਾਦੀ ਦਿੱਤੀ ਹੈ। ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਨੇ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ-ਆਪ ਦੇ ਫੈਸਲੇ ਲੈਣ ਦੀ ਆਜ਼ਾਦੀ ਦਿੱਤੀ। ਉਹ ਹਮੇਸ਼ਾ ਤੋਂ ਹੀ ਚਾਹੁੰਦੇ ਹਨ ਕਿ ਅਸੀਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਕਰੀਅਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਸਫਲ ਹੋਈਏ।

ਮੇਰੇ ਪਿਤਾ ਜੀ ਦੀ ਸਭ ਤੋਂ ਚੰਗੀ ਗੱਲ ਇਹ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਉਹ ਕਦੇ ਵੀ ਗੁੱਸੇ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੁੰਦਾ। ਜਦੋਂ ਹਮਲਾਵਰਤਾ ਦੀ ਸਥਿਤੀ ਹੁੰਦੀ ਹੈ, ਤਾਂ ਉਹ ਸ਼ਾਂਤ ਰਹਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਸਥਿਤੀ ਨੂੰ ਚੰਗੀ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਸੰਭਾਲਦਾ ਹੈ। ਉਸ ਦੀ ਆਵਾਜ਼ ਨਿਮਰਤਾ ਨਾਲ ਲੈ ਕੇ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਹੋਰਨਾਂ ਦਾ ਗੁੱਸਾ ਵੀ ਘੱਟ ਕਰਦੀ ਹੈ। ਉਹ ਹਮੇਸ਼ਾ ਜੋ ਕੁਝ ਵੀ ਅਸੀਂ ਕਹਿੰਦੇ ਹਾਂ, ਉਸ ਦੇ ਪਿੱਛੇ ਅਰਥ ਸਮਝਣ ਦੀ ਕੋਸ਼ਿਸ਼ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ ਅਤੇ ਜੋ ਵੀ ਅਸੀਂ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਾਂ।

(ਤੁਹਾਡੀ fluency ਅਤੇ ਬੋਲਣ ਦੇ ਸਮੇਂ ‘ਤੇ ਨਿਰਭਰ ਕਰਨ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ, ਲੰਬੀ ਬੋਲੀ ਵਾਸਤੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਦੀਆਂ ਲਾਈਨਾਂ ਵਾਧੂ ਹਨ; ਤੁਸੀਂ ਹੇਠਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਕੁਝ ਲਾਈਨਾਂ ਸ਼ਾਮਲ ਕਰੋਂਗੇ)।

ਉਹ ਨਾ ਕੇਵਲ ਆਪਣੇ ਪਰਿਵਾਰ ਲਈ, ਸਗੋਂ ਗੁਆਂਢੀਆਂ ਅਤੇ ਹੋਰਨਾਂ ਲਈ ਵੀ ਚੰਗਾ ਹੈ। ਜਦੋਂ ਵੀ ਪਿੰਡ ਵਿੱਚ ਲੋੜ ਹੁੰਦੀ ਹੈ ਤਾਂ ਉਹ ਹਮੇਸ਼ਾ ਅੱਗੇ ਖਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ। ਉਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਰਿਸ਼ਤੇਦਾਰਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਚੰਗਾ ਵਿਵਹਾਰ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਸਾਰੇ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਇੱਕ-ਦੂਜੇ ਨਾਲ ਜੋੜਨ ਦੀ ਕੋਸ਼ਿਸ਼ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ। ਉਹ ਕਦੇ ਵੀ ਕਿਸੇ ਅਜਿਹੀ ਚੀਜ਼ ਬਾਰੇ ਗੱਲ ਨਹੀਂ ਕਰਦਾ, ਜੋ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਵੱਖ ਕਰ ਦੀ ਹੈ। ਉਹ ਮੇਰੇ ਲਈ ਇੱਕ ਰੋਲ ਮਾਡਲ ਹੈ। ਮੇਰੇ ਪਿਤਾ ਜੀ ਦਾ ਬਹੁਤ ਆਦਰ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਮੈਂ ਹਮੇਸ਼ਾ ਤੋਂ ਹੀ ਉਸ ਵਰਗਾ ਬਣਨਾ ਚਾਹੁੰਦਾ ਹਾਂ। ਮੈਂ ਜਾਣਦਾ ਹਾਂ ਕਿ ਅੱਜ ਦੀ ਨੌਜਵਾਨ ਪੀੜ੍ਹੀ ਵਿਚ ਬਹੁਤ ਸਾਰੇ ਚਰਿੱਤਰ ਨੁਕਸ ਹਨ। ਪਰ ਮੇਰੇ ਪਿਤਾ ਜੀ ਦੇ ਚਰਿੱਤਰ ਵਿਚ ਬਹੁਤ ਚੰਗੀਆਂ ਚੀਜ਼ਾਂ ਹਨ ਅਤੇ ਇਕ ਚੰਗੀ ਗੱਲ ਇਹ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਨੈਤਿਕਤਾ ਦੀ ਪਾਲਣਾ ਕਰਨਾ। ਇਸ ਲਈ ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਪਿਤਾ ਤੋਂ ਨੈਤਿਕਤਾ ਸਿੱਖਣ ਦੀ ਕੋਸ਼ਿਸ਼ ਕਰਦਾ ਹਾਂ। ਮੈਨੂੰ ਯਕੀਨ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਇੱਕ ਦਿਨ, ਮੈਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਪਿਤਾ ਵਾਂਗ ਹੋਣ ‘ਤੇ ਮਾਣ ਮਹਿਸੂਸ ਹੋਵੇਗਾ।

ਇਸ ਲਈ ਮੇਰੇ ਪਿਤਾ ਜੀ ਉਹ ਬਜ਼ੁਰਗ ਹਨ, ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਮੈਂ ਬਹੁਤ ਆਦਰ ਕਰਦਾ ਹਾਂ।

Sample Answer 2

The old person I respect is Mr. Baldev Singh, an 84 years old man from my Village. He is an active and kind man. I respect him for what he does. He is an ordinary person, yet he has been doing an unusual thing. After he retired, he volunteered to offer help to children of poor families in my hometown, which he has been doing for the past 22 years. We became friends when he paid a visit to my primary school about 12 years ago.

I remembered the day when I was called into the Teachers’ Office, where I was introduced to him. He made friends with me because of my handwriting on the school show window. He told me he was impressed by that. He is a friend who is as old as my grandpa, so I called him grandpa. He paid a visit to my home once, during which he told me who he was and the meaningful thing he was doing.

He was sad about reading the news that children in my hometown dropped off school because they lost their parents, or their parents were disabled. Then he made up his mind to sponsor the unlucky children.
He contributed his pension and the donation he collected, stuff like clothing and stationery, to children he funded, while he himself living very simply. At that time, I actually didn’t quite understand how he could do the selfless thing like that.

But I liked him for his kindness. We wrote to each other for a year since then. However, I lost contact with him when my family moved to another city. Not until a year ago I read news about people in a village holding a birthday party for him then did I know that he’s been a well-known good man in my hometown. He’s the first person in my life who showed me sincere help to others. He’s a friend who I always admire.

Sample Answer 3

I know many old people and I respect all of them.
Actually, it is in our culture to respect the elderly.
Here I would like to talk about my grandfather.
His name is Baldev Singh
He is in his early 70s
He is not tall but looks very handsome
He generally wears white kurta pyjama
He wears a white turban
He has done his Masters in history
He retired as a school teacher
He is a very kind hearted person
Everyone in our family and in a neighbourhood respects him
Whenever anyone in the neighbourhood comes to him for advice he listens to them very patiently and tries to help them in whatever way he can
He even donates part of his pension for charity.
I respect him because of many reasons
First he is my grandfather and he loves me a lot
Whenever I need anything and my parents are reluctant to listen, my grandfather always takes my side.
Second he deserves all the respect that he gets
He speaks very politely to everyone.
He always says that to get respect, you must first learn to give respect
He is a very disciplined person
He never misses his morning and evening walk
Even at this age he is very light and agile
He does yoga and meditation for half an hour every day
He is the head of the senior citizens club
He is a role model for many people who know him
He has a great sense of humour
He can turn any tense situation into a happy one by cracking light jokes
So my grandfather is the person I love and respect a lot

Sample 3

I have a senior friend. He is much older than I am and even he is senior to my parents. He is almost in his 60s and passing the retirement days. He is Mr Rodrick – a neighbour living our next door apartment. He is a former police officer and now living his retired life with his family.

I first met with Mr Rodrick at the elevator when we newly bought the apartment many years ago. I was in a rush to attend a social programme and thus was running to catch the elevator but unfortunately, the elevator was going to be closed. Suddenly I noticed an older man smiling inside the elevator while he was pressing the waiting button, for me. We got down together and talked a little. He did not forget to invite me to his apartment.

Mr Rodrcik is the man of natural intelligence. He has very good observation quality. He has developed the observation power when he was in the police force and that has helped him greatly to succeed in the profession. His sharp intelligence is still helping him to enjoy his retirement days.

I mostly admire him for his friendly behaviour which is currently unavailable to the senior citizens like him. He has the ability to make friends within a few minutes. I have learnt many important aspects of him and he shared his knowledge with me whenever I wanted to know from him. He never turned irritated and the most important thing for my admiration for him is his pleasant behaviour to all.

Sample 4

My grandmother is about 65 and I admire her a lot for the amiable and benevolent nature she possesses. Her name is Samantha and she is a well educated and wise woman. I have a daughter of 6 years old and I wish her to become a great person as my grandmother is.

I know my grandmother from the day I came to this world. In fact, she was there when I was born. I grew up and passed my adolescent and young age with the love and affection of my grandmother. In fact, after my grandfather died, she started living in our house.

My grandmother is a highly talented person and a great mentor. Her affable characteristics and helpful mentality are most attractive. Even a stranger can feel her great heart in few minutes. I can recall several occasions when she took great risks to help others. She was a school teacher until she retired and there are still so many students who write to her to show their respects and affections.

Personally, I like her firm belief in humanity and an unquenchable thrust for learning and reading. My father became a voracious reader only because of her. She is caring and emotionally open. Above all, she is an ideal and successful mother. The other qualities she possesses are also exemplary. These other qualities include truthfulness, confidence and fairness. I was quite amazed in my early teens when I found her taking the side of a neighbour against his own son in a dispute. I have not met so many incorruptible, straight and morally upright humans.

I admire her from the deep down of my heart. I love to spend time with her because she is intelligent and can give proper guidance. She is a reliable critic who often inspired me to work harder. Her affection and caring is probably the main reason I admire and love her so much.

Sample 5

The aged person whom I really admire and like is my grandmother. From my childhood, she has always been a caring person and loved me very much. Till now she is a good friend of mine with whom I share so many of my personal information. She is a benevolent and good person who possesses a good heart. She tries to help others with her highest efforts. I know her from my childhood as she has been living with us for a long and we have lots of happy memories together.
She is a successful mother of 4, including my father. She has devoted her entire life for the betterment of her kids and made them educated and helped them greatly to be established. She possesses a nice and charming personality that always pleases people around her. She is a kind and wise woman.
I love and admire her for many different reasons. The most important reason is that of her unconditional love and affection for me. She is a good mentor who can show me positive ways and guide me in my distressing time. Talking to her is a soothing experience and the stories she tells are always attractive and full of morality. I have learned many positive attitudes and good thinking from her. For all those reasons and strong bonding between us, I admire her very much.

Part 3: Details Discussion

Q. What average age is normal for retirement in your opinion?
A. I think the normal retirement age should be 65 years because the average life cycle in my country is over 70 years and the people who got retired by their 60s may be able to contribute for five years more if the age is increased. When they got retired, they have nothing much to instead of remembering the past. But their hard-earned expertise and experience might be used for the further development of the society.

Q. What are the good things about being retired?
A. When someone is retired, there are few good things. Firstly they have enough time to think about any issue to bring a positive change as most of the employed people are routine-bound and rarely have time to ponder. Secondly, they are the pool of experience and they could use them to meet their individual needs. Thirdly, the retired people have plenty of time and thus they could use them in different productive activities.

Q. How does the government in your country treat the retired people?
A. The government of my state provides the retired people with different incentives. They have health and medical allowance and special facilities in hospitals, they are awarded different other incentives like senior citizens allowance, priority and assistance in every task; for instance, they get assistance even if they are in a queue of tickets for a bus ride and more other similar issues.

Q. Can young specialist substitute the old ones who are in retirement in the workplace?
A. I do not think that the young specialist can substitute the skilled retired workforce. The young are still in a learning process and lacks the maturity and expertise to execute a task smoothly. On the other side, the retired people have performed that tasks probably hundred thousand times and thus they have achieved excellence at their respective workplaces. So, it needs more time for the young specialists to substitute the retired hands and in fact, it is not possible for the young to beat the old in terms of executing respective tasks.

Q. What do you think is it necessary to give retirement to people? Why/ Why not?
A. In my individual opinion, it appears that the senior people need retirement after a certain age. As the human being, we have many limitations and thus we need to take rest. It is applicable for the retired people too. They may make accidental mistakes in their workplace if they are not retired after a specific period. With the advancement of age, people start losing their working ability and when they reach the limit, there are mistakes and accidents. So they need to go for retirement but that should be done after a certain age.

Q. What are the pros and cons of being retired?
A. The most important benefit of retirement is that you will have plenty of time and no tension to pass the remaining life, but people who are habituated to work cannot sit idle. There are some people who do not work for earning their living only rather they need to work to remain alive. They need to work for their mental stability and when they get retired, they suffer from mental stress.

Follow-up Questions:
• What are the qualities of people that attract you?
• What special qualities do you have?
• What are your strengths & weaknesses?

Part 3 – Two-way discussion:

Q. What average age is normal for retirement in your opinion?
Q. What are the good things about being retired?
Q. How does the government in your country treat the retired people?
Q. Can young specialist substitute the old ones who are in retirement in the workplace?
Q. What do you think is it necessary to give retirement to people? Why/ Why not?
Q. What are the pros and cons of being retired?

Question: In India today, what are the living conditions for old people like?
The living condition of the old in India has improved a lot. The state government has developed a national welfare system for the old, and the old even in the countryside can receive a monthly allowance. Also, many policies and measurements have been carried to improve old people’s life, such as the free classes, which make their life colorful. Many old people develop a new interest and make new friends.

Question: Why do old people enjoy live longer than in the past?
Enjoying good living, people now can have nutritious food since their birth, so they are physically healthier. Having received an education, people know the importance of keeping a healthy lifestyle, and many people give up drinking or smoking for the sake of being healthy. Besides, the standard of health care has improved a lot in the past years, and people can get scientific and efficient treatment when they are sick. All those contribute to people enjoying a longer life.

Question: What are some things a person can do to help them live longer?
People can do many things to help the old. First of all, people should spend more time with their parents. Too many old people, the happiest thing is to have the company of their children. Being in a good mood can make them live longer. Besides, living with their children or others, they can be better-taken care of, and they can get in time help if they fall ill. What’s more, people working in the Nursing House should treat those lonely old people as their relatives. It’s sad for them to stay in the Nursing House, but the work of young people there can make the old feel at home and happy.

Question: Do old people in India have opportunities to attend any forms of classes?
Yes, in many cities, old people can attend various free classes. Those who are interested in history can enroll in a history class. Those who are in love of music can take up singing or dancing classes, and there are traditional singing and national dancing available. Those being fond of exercise can take part in aerobics or Indian classic dance. Everyone can find something interesting to learn.

Question: Who pays for these classes?
Those classes are usually provided by the government. In the past, many people cannot adjust to their life after retirement, for they have nothing to do to kill time, especially for those people who have no personal interest. The government has spared much effort in promoting old people’s life, and free classes have been introduced to make the old occupied. Doing what they are interested in makes their life happier and more colorful. Besides, more companies now donate money to help improve the classes.

Question: Do you think the government has a responsibility to provide these classes?
Yes, I think so. The old citizens have made their personal contribution to society, and it’s time for them to enjoy their life after their retirement. The government is responsible for taking care of the well-being of all its citizens, the old included. Besides, as the old been under good care, the younger need not worry about their parents, in this way, they can spare more effort in their work, contributing to their country.

Question: Do you think we (younger people) can learn anything from old people?
Yes, of course. Old people have much life experience. They have obtained much while losing much during their past life, and they are much clearer of what is special and deserves to fight for. So we can learn from the old how to deal with the gain and lose in life. Another thing we should learn from them is how to care for others. There are happy old couples who’d be together for decades, and they are living encyclopedia of how to cope with quarrel and fight in the family.

Question: Are the attitudes of young people today towards old people the same as they used to be years ago?
Generally speaking, young people nowadays still respect old people as people did in the past. Old people are the symbol of wisdom for their life experience. However, part of young people to ignore the valuable experience of the old, since the society is developing rapidly, much of the working experience of the old is no longer useful. Yet, young people will
always realize that there are so many for them to learn from the old.

Question: What work (if any) is suitable for old people and what work is unsuitable for them?
I think old people are suitable to take care of the kids. Nowadays, young couples are busy with their work, and they don’t have much time to look after children. Those old people, if physically capable, are surely the best ones to take care of their grandchildren. However, some manual work is unsuitable for them to do, for example, carrying a box of water to upstairs.

What qualities does a person need to have to take care of old people?
A person needs to be patient when taking care of the old people, because the elderly are like children in many ways. It is very important to realise that the elderly may sometimes be hard of hearing and so the person should not get impatient or lose temper while taking care of the elderly. A person also needs to be a good listener while taking care of the elderly people because their main problem is social isolation and they need someone to talk to.One should be very polite and respectful towards the elderly.

Do you think old people should be taken care of at home?
Ideally yes, but if there is a problem at home and both the younger people are working then professional caretakers should be hired to look after the elderly at home or the elderly should be left in a good nursing home where they can be taken care of well.

How can people in the neighbourhood help the elderly during an epidemic?
People in the neighbourhood can help the elderly in many ways during an epidemic. For example, if an elderly couple is living alone then the people in the neighbourhood can help by buying vegetables and groceries for them so that they don’t have to go out during an epidemic. They can cook for them and take care of them and help them get timely medical aid whenever needed.

Do you see this kind of help occurring in your neighbourhood?
Yes, there is an elderly couple in our street and their children are living abroad. Now during the Corona lock-down, my parents would buy vegetables and groceries for them so that they didn’t have to go out. My father also used to call them daily to ask if they needed anything. My mother also sometimes cooked for them so that they didn’t have to do all the work as even maids were not allowed in those days.

Tips for Idea generating for this cue card/candidate task card:

You can describe any old person you know about and respect. This can be your grandfather, a neighbor or a teacher who is old. Some of the ideas are given below to help you generate your own ideas to talk about this cue card topic:
• Your grandfather.
• Your grandmother.
• A senior citizen who lives nearby.
• An aged relative.
• A senior teacher in your college or university.
• A famous politician or writer in your country who is over 50 years old.
• A relative of your friend who is a senior citizen.
• A family member of a joint family who is old.

Useful Vocabulary to use while talking about this Cue Card Topic:

• ‘Old person’ Synonyms: Elderly person, senior citizen, old folk, senior person.
• ‘Admire’ Synonyms: Adore, respect, esteem, commend, revere, idolise, honour, hail.
• ‘Characteristics’ Synonyms: Quality, personality trait, aspect, feature,
• Some good characteristics of a human: Integrity in character, Sense of Humor, Intelligence, Wisdom, Compassion, Empathy, Courageousness, Kindness, Generosity, Emotionally openness, Benevolence, Discipline, Humanity, Amiable, Good behaviour, Cooperative, Patience, Caring, Truthfulness, Commitment, Open minded, Affable, Courteous, Forgiving, Impartial, Loving, Logical, Polite, Realistic, Strong-willed, Wisdom, Prudence, Conscientious, Fairness, Charming, Encouraging & Nobility.

Your preparation for this Cue card will help you to answer the following Cue card topics as well:

Describe a relative you really like.
Describe an old person you often meet.
Describe a person you admire.
Describe someone in your family.
Describe a person you often talk to.
Describe an old neighbour you admire.
Describe a person you like to talk to.
Describe a person who had a great influence in your life.
Describe someone who helped you.
Describe an elderly person you know about.