Sample IELTS Speaking Part 1, 2, 3: Describe your mother

The topic "Describe your mother" is likely not unfamiliar to us, right? This prompt not only appears in the IELTS Speaking test but is also in everyday life. Below, PREP provides a sample IELTS Speaking topic on describing your mother. Refer to the article below to enhance your vocabulary and phrases for effective self-study at home.

I. Speaking Part 1 - Sample answer for the topic Describe your mother

During your IELTS preparation, you will come across this type of topic. Let Prep decode this topic for you.

1. Do you have a large or small family?

I am currently living in an extended family including my parents, my brother and sister-in-law. And there are also my adorable niece and nephew. People often talk about the generation gap in large families, yet I haven’t seen any quarrels about distinct opinions or lifestyle. I suppose that I should feel blissful about that. 

• Extended family (n): A family structure that includes not only parents and children but also other relatives such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
• Generation gap (n): The difference in attitudes, beliefs, and values between different generations, typically resulting in a lack of understanding or communication.
• Quarrel (n): An argument or disagreement, often involving heated or angry exchanges between individuals or groups.
• Blissful (adj): Characterized by extreme happiness, joy, or contentment; experiencing or expressing great pleasure or satisfaction.

2. How much time do you spend with your family?

For normal days, I think we only go out on Sunday for coffee. If the budget allows, the whole family would go for a vacation at the beach. And then there is Tet holiday when we can wine and dine as a way to strengthen the family tie. 

• Wine and dine (v): To entertain someone lavishly, usually by providing them with good food and drink.
• Family tie (n): The connection or bond between members of a family, typically based on blood relations or close relationships.

3. What do you like to do together as a family?

You know, in the last day of the lunar calendar, there is a yearly comedy show called “Táo Quân” broadcasted on the central television. I love the atmosphere when we eat dinner while watching it. It feels like we are waving goodbye to the old year and all the unlucky events in the past.

• Central television (n): A television network or station that is operated or controlled by a central government or organization.
• Wave goodbye (v): To make a gesture of farewell or parting by moving the hand or hands back and forth in a waving motion.

4. Do you get along well with your family?

Not all the time if I have to be candid. But I do feel at ease as most of the conflicts are too serious. To give as an illustration, we fight about trivial things like who would do the dishes, actually just my brother and I do that. 

• Candid (adj): Open, honest, and sincere in speech or expression; straightforward.
• At ease (adj): Feeling comfortable, relaxed, or free from anxiety or tension.
• Conflict (n): A serious disagreement or argument between individuals, groups, or nations.
• Trivial (adj): Of little importance or significance; insignificant; not serious or substantial.

II. Sample IELTS Part 2 topic: Describe your mother

1. Cue card: Describe your mother

Describe your mother:

2. Part 2 Outline

• Mom
• Homemaker
• Strict => arguments
• Stick together
  • Shopping: stylist, high-waist dress, a-line
  • Movies: compatible taste, comedy, fav: Bridesmaids
• Busy => weekend => talk
• Nearest and dearest

3. Sample Speaking: Describe your mother

My mom is the one that I cherish the most in my life, so I usually go out with her the most out of all the family members. My mother is the homemaker in the family. Actually, she used to go to work, but she decided to step back and took care of the me when I was in grade 12 preparing for the university entrance exam. That’s why I think she is a devoted parent, sacrificing her career for her child. She’s also quite strict about my study, so inevitably, we had a few arguments, but we never reached a long-standing family feud. 

So, to talk about what we often do together, there are two casual activities. The first one is going shopping. To be honest, my mom is my personal stylist. She is the one who advised me to wear more dresses like high-waist or A - line ones, which perfectly suit my body shape.

Furthermore, going to the cinema is what we also like to do in our spare time. We all have a compatible movie taste and our favourite genre is comedy. Honestly, I think we have watched “Bridesmaids” no less than three times. As I have started going to work in the recent two years, I have less time to hang out with my mom, but I try to clear my schedule at weekends or at least do lunch with her on Sunday.

Even though I am fairly busy with my job, I still want to talk to her about things like my co-workers or my tasks because I want her to know that I can handle my job well and I am safe in this environment. Also, since she is my nearest and dearest, I want to become a reliable child so that she can lean on when she gets old. 

• Cherish (v): To hold dear and show love or affection towards someone or something.
• Homemaker (n): A person, typically a woman, who manages the household and takes care of domestic tasks.
• Devoted (adj): Showing strong dedication, loyalty, or affection towards someone or something.
• Long-standing (adj): Having existed or continued for a long time; enduring.
• Family feud (n): Prolonged and bitter conflict or disagreement within a family.
• High-waist dress (n): A dress that has a waistline that is positioned above the natural waistline, typically creating a higher waist appearance.
• A-line dress (n): A dress that is fitted at the top and gradually widens towards the hem, resembling the shape of the letter "A".
• Nearest and dearest (n): Referring to the closest and most beloved individuals, often used to describe one's closest family members or loved ones.

For more information, please refer to the article:

• Sample Speaking Part 2: Describe an event that changed your life
• Sample Speaking Part 2, 3: Describe a law on environmental protection
• Sample Speaking Part 2, 3: Describe a person you follow on social media

III. Sample answers for IELTS Speaking Part 3 topic: Describe your mother

 1. In what ways have families in your country changed recently?

Most Vietnamese girls get married at the age of 24, which stays unchanged in the last decade, but the difference is that couples are now having children later compared to the previous generations. The major contributor to this trend is the worry about personal finance.

Young people now consider bringing up children doesn’t mean just feeding them enough food, it is about covering the best education and entertainment for them. Another point is that same-sex couples are now seen a norm in the country even though there isn’t any legal endorsement from the government, which is a good sign of a civilized society. 

• Cover (v): To provide enough money or resources to meet expenses or obligations.
• Norm (n): A standard or typical pattern or behavior that is considered common or usual in a particular society or group.
• Endorsement (n): The act of giving approval, support, or recommendation to someone or something.
• Civilized (adj): Showing or having advanced social development, particularly in terms of cultural, ethical, and intellectual aspects.

2. Should husbands and wives have different roles within the family? Why (not)?

I don’t think there should be a definite answer to this question. I regard marriage as teamwork. Some couples prefer to focus on their prospects only and if that can help them to work efficiently when taking care of the children as well as the maternal and paternal sides, they should do that. We can see a lot of traditional models which contains a husband, the breadwinner,  and a housewife.

On the other hand, some favour sharing chores together. Both the male and female go to work and look after the children. I mean the world is not chauvinist anymore, so people shouldn’t be restricted in obsolete gender roles. 

• Definite answer (n): A clear and precise response or solution.
• Maternal (adj): Relating to or characteristic of a mother or motherhood.
• Paternal (adj): Relating to or characteristic of a father or fatherhood.
• Favor doing something: To prefer or enjoy doing something more than other options.
• Chauvinist (adj): Holding the belief that men are superior to women in all aspects.

3. Which are more important to you: your family or your friends?

It was hard for me to choose between them, but I still go for my family at the end. To explain my reason, although it sounds so cliché, my parents are the one who bring me to this world and nurture me till the day I’m mature, physically and mentally. Not to mention, they are my tower of strength. My parents usually back me up when I have a concern and also give me useful insights. 

• Cliché (adj): stereotypical or overused
• Nurture (v): to foster or support the growth and development of
• Tower of strength (n): a source of great strength or support
• Back sb up (v): to support or assist someone

IV. Conclusion

This article has provided a sample IELTS Speaking Part 2 topic on "Describe your mother" and sample answers for Speaking Part 1 + 3 topics on "Family". Prep is delighted to accompany you throughout your IELTS preparation journey. Be sure to check out the IELTS learning pathways at prepedu.com.