Step 1: Identify the Part 2 question requirements
The question asks you to describe a person who taught you a new skill. You need to cover:
- Who this person was
- What the skill was
- How you learned it
- And explain how you felt about this person
Step 2: Strategies for a better answer
- Expand your answer with more details or extra stories: Add anecdotes about the learning process.
- Coherence is important: Make sure your answer flows logically from one point to the next.
- Paraphrasing: Restate the question in your own words.
- Referring: Refer back to the person and the skill throughout your answer.
- Signposting: Use phrases like “To begin with,” “Another point is,” “Finally,” etc.
- Vocabulary needs to be appropriate as well as varied: Use a range of words related to learning, skills, and emotions.
- Using synonyms or substitution: For example, use “instructor” instead of “teacher,” or “ability” instead of “skill.”
- Demonstrating a range of grammar is key factor: Use different tenses, conditionals, and complex sentences.
- Whole Model Answer MUST be more than 300 words: Develop each point fully and link them together.
Topic:Learning to Play the Guitar from My Cousin
Who this person was
The person who taught me a new skill is my cousin, Alex. He is a few years older than me and has always been someone I look up to, not just because he’s family, but also because he’s incredibly talented and patient. Alex has been playing the guitar since he was a teenager, and he’s even played in a few local bands. I remember always being fascinated by his ability to pick up a guitar and play beautiful melodies effortlessly.
What the skill was
The skill that Alex taught me was how to play the guitar. I had always wanted to learn a musical instrument, but I never really had the confidence to start. Watching Alex play inspired me, and I finally decided to ask him if he could teach me. He was more than happy to help, and he even lent me one of his old guitars to practice on.
How you learned it
The way I learned was quite informal but very effective. We started with the basics, such as how to hold the guitar properly and how to tune it. Alex showed me a few simple chords and taught me how to strum. At first, my fingers hurt a lot and I struggled to switch between chords smoothly, but Alex was always encouraging. He would come over to my house every weekend, and we’d spend a couple of hours practicing together. Sometimes, he would show me videos of famous guitarists to motivate me, and other times, he would play along with me so I could get a feel for rhythm and timing. Over time, I improved and was able to play a few songs on my own.
And explain how you felt about this person
I feel extremely grateful to Alex for teaching me this skill. Not only did he give up his free time to help me, but he was always patient and supportive, even when I made mistakes. His encouragement made a huge difference, and I don’t think I would have stuck with it if he hadn’t been so positive. Learning the guitar has given me a lot of confidence, and it’s also brought us closer together as cousins. I really admire Alex, not just for his musical talent, but for his generosity and kindness. He’s someone I truly respect, and I hope I can help someone else in the same way one day.