APIESpeaking: Someone Who Inspired Me
Education
Answers and an explanation for each question appear once you add this activity to your own library.
B1 | Speaking | 10 min
Topic: Someone Who Inspired Me
Talk about a person who had a positive influence on your life. Use the past simple, relative clauses with 'who', and 'used to'.
Useful Sentence Starters
- The person who inspired me most is...
- She is a person who always...
- Before I met him, I used to...
One patient teacher. One very brave tiny student.
APIE · AI doodleWho is this person and how do you know them?
Introduce the person and your relationship with them using a clause with who. Add when or where you met and one detail.
[Bài tập luyện nói]
What are they like?
Describe their personality and qualities.
Name one or two qualities; add a specific example for one quality.
[Bài tập luyện nói]
What did they do that inspired you?
Use the past simple.
Tell about one specific action or event using the past simple, then explain why it inspired you.
[Bài tập luyện nói]
Did anything change in your life because of them?
Use used to.
Talk about a past habit or past thinking with used to, compare it with now, and add one example.
[Bài tập luyện nói]
What would you say to thank them?
Express your gratitude directly.
Thank the person directly, say what you are thankful for, and say what lasting effect they had on you.
[Bài tập luyện nói]
Model answer and useful phrases
Question 1 - example answer
The person who inspired me most is Mr. Liam, who was my secondary school maths teacher. I met him four years ago when I struggled with numbers, and he took the time to support me after class.
Question 2 - example answer
He is incredibly patient and friendly with everyone. For example, when I felt stressed before exams, he always stayed calm under pressure and explained complex equations step by step until I understood them completely.
Question 3 - example answer
Last year, I failed a mock exam and felt terrible. However, Mr. Liam encouraged me gently and went out of his way to organize free revision lessons every weekend, which helped me pass easily.
Question 4 - example answer
Because of that, my whole attitude changed. I used to give up whenever an exercise looked too tricky, but now I stay positive and keep trying until I find the correct solution myself.
Question 5 - example answer
If I met him today, I'd say: 'Mr. Liam, I can't thank you enough for your kindness. You really made a big difference in my life, and your advice still guides me every single day.'
| Phrase | Meaning | Example in another situation |
|---|---|---|
| took the time | gives your time to do something | She took the time to explain the project to me. |
| incredibly patient | has a lot of patience | Our tour guide was incredibly patient with all our questions. |
| stayed calm under pressure | stays calm when under pressure | The doctor stayed calm under pressure during the emergency. |
| went out of his way | chooses to make extra effort to help | My neighbor went out of his way to help me carry the boxes. |
| Because of that | says the result of something | I practised speaking daily. Because of that, I feel confident now. |
| keep trying | keeps trying | Don't give up on your dream; just keep trying your best. |
| I can't thank you enough | says you are very, very thankful | I can't thank you enough for driving me home safely. |
| made a big difference | causes a big change | Winning that scholarship made a big difference to my future. |
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