Part 2 & 3FREE

A Helpful Person

Cue card with sample answer · 6 discussion questions

Part 2 — Cue Card

Who they are, how you know them, what they do to help, when they help

Sample Answer

There's this guy in my building, Mr. Chen, who's honestly the most helpful person I know. It was during my first month in Canada—I was completely lost trying to set up my apartment, and he just appeared with tools and started helping without me even asking. He goes out of his way constantly. He helps elderly residents carry groceries, lends a hand with maintenance issues, and even volunteered to help me navigate the college registration process. What struck me was that he does all this while working full-time. He once told me that making a difference in people's daily lives gives him a sense of purpose. He's not expecting anything in return—he just genuinely cares. I remember feeling so grateful when he helped me find an affordable phone plan, something that seemed impossible at the time. His selfless attitude completely changed how I view helping others.

Part 3 — Helping Others and Volunteering

Various factors drive volunteering. Some people have a sense of purpose from helping; they feel their actions make a difference. Others experience personal fulfillment or cultural values—in Vietnamese communities, helping family and neighbors is fundamental. Some go out of their way because they've been helped before. Religious beliefs motivate many. Additionally, volunteering provides social connection and the opportunity to develop new skills. People also volunteer because they recognize community needs and feel responsibility.

For individuals, volunteering builds confidence, creates social networks, and develops professional skills. People gain a sense of purpose and improve mental health through helping others. For communities, volunteers strengthen social bonds and provide essential services without government funding. They lend a hand where resources are limited. Communities with active volunteers experience increased civic engagement and resilience. The collective impact is significant—especially in developing countries where volunteers often fill crucial gaps in healthcare and education.

Schools can make volunteering part of curriculum, requiring students to contribute to community projects. Workplaces can allocate paid volunteer days—companies increasingly do this. Leaders must model selfless behavior to create culture. In my business program, professors encourage us to help peers study, which is integrated naturally. When institutions recognize that helping others develops leadership and teamwork skills, they prioritize volunteer opportunities. Making a difference becomes expected behavior rather than optional.

Media campaigns celebrating volunteers inspire others. Recognition programs—awards, public acknowledgment—motivate participation. Creating easy access to volunteer opportunities through apps and organizations removes barriers. Tax incentives in some countries encourage giving. Schools teaching compassion from childhood establish lifelong habits. Community events highlighting impact demonstrate how helping others makes a difference. Mentorship programs where experienced volunteers guide new ones sustain momentum. Making volunteering visible and valued culturally encourages broader participation.

I believe both share responsibility, though differently. Governments must create safety nets and infrastructure, but individuals should lend a hand in their communities—governments alone can't address every need. In Vietnam, families traditionally help relatives; it's cultural. Here in Canada, I see stronger social services, yet volunteers remain essential. Ideally, governments ensure basic needs while individuals and communities go out of their way to provide additional support and care. This balanced approach creates resilient societies.

Volunteering develops communication, leadership, problem-solving, and teamwork skills. Empathy—crucial in business—grows through helping diverse people. Time management improves when balancing volunteer work with other commitments. These skills directly transfer to professional settings. My volunteer experience helping international students made a difference in their adaptation, and it's now a strength on my resume. Employers value candidates showing selfless commitment. Personally, helping others builds confidence and resilience. These competencies create more effective, well-rounded professionals.

A Helpful Person

Part 2 — Cue Card

Sample Answer

Part 3 — Helping Others and Volunteering

More Speaking Topics

A Popular Person In Your Country

Someone Who Recently Moved To New Accommodation

A Job You Would Like To Do

A Helpful Person

Part 2 — Cue Card

Sample Answer

Part 3 — Helping Others and Volunteering

More Speaking Topics

A Popular Person In Your Country

Someone Who Recently Moved To New Accommodation

A Job You Would Like To Do