IELTS Speaking, parties 2 et 3 : Describe someone you studied with who is successful in his/her life

Students need to attend classes, do homework and revise regularly. They should listen to teachers and ask questions if they don't understand. It helps to make a simple study plan and stick to it.

To succeed, students need good organisation and consistent effort. That means setting realistic goals, making a study timetable, and seeking feedback from teachers. Active learning – like practising past papers and explaining ideas to others – often makes a real difference.

Success at school hinges on deliberate practice and metacognitive skills: planning how to study, monitoring progress and adapting methods when something’s not working. Equally important are time management, asking for formative feedback, and building resilience so setbacks are learning opportunities rather than roadblocks.

No, it is not always easy today. There are more distractions like phones and social media. Some students still succeed but it's harder for many.

It’s more challenging now because of digital distractions and heavier exam pressure, but there are also more resources online. Success depends on how well students manage their time and use those resources sensibly.

Succeeding is arguably tougher in the contemporary environment due to constant connectivity, higher competition and a restless job market. However, the abundance of online courses and learning tools means motivated students can tailor their learning more effectively than before.

Some people think money shows success because it is easy to see and measure. If someone has a lot of money, others assume they did well.

People often equate money with success because wealth is a visible sign of achievement and it opens doors. Financial success can signal competence, but it doesn't necessarily reflect happiness or contribution to society.

Many privilege money as a metric because it’s quantifiable and brings social status and options. Yet this view is reductive: it ignores non-financial achievements such as intellectual influence, community impact or work–life balance, which are harder to measure but equally important.

Not always. School success is useful but young people also need life skills like communication and resilience. Some find jobs without top exam results.

School success is important, but it’s not the only thing. Young people also need soft skills, practical experience and sometimes creativity, all of which matter in modern careers and personal development.

Academic achievement matters, particularly for certain professions, yet it isn’t the sole determinant of a fulfilling life. Emotional intelligence, vocational skills and entrepreneurial aptitude can be equally decisive for long-term prospects and happiness.

People may have to give up free time or parties and study a lot. They might miss family events sometimes. Success often needs hard work.

To reach big goals people often sacrifice leisure time, socialising and perhaps short-term comfort. They may also delay major life decisions, like starting a family, while they focus on career development.

Achieving significant success commonly involves trade-offs: reduced leisure, strained relationships and postponed personal milestones. For some, the emotional toll and opportunity costs are substantial, so people must weigh those sacrifices against potential gains.

I think it's harder now because competition is bigger and there are more people trying to do the same things. But there are also more ways to learn.

In some respects it's harder today: global competition and rapid change mean people must update skills more often. Yet technology and information access also open new paths that weren't available before.

Whether it’s harder is complex. Globalisation and automation have raised standards in many fields, increasing pressure, but they’ve also created niches and new markets. Overall, success demands continuous learning and adaptability more than it used to.

It depends on the country. In my country national tests are tough because many students study hard. Some find them quite stressful.

The national tests are challenging because they’re competitive and have high stakes, but good schools and private tuition can make them easier for some students. Preparation and exam technique play a big role.

Pass rates vary, but national exams are often rigorous and high-pressure. Inequalities in resources—such as access to quality teaching and revision materials—mean success in those tests can depend as much on context as on ability.

There can be. Some very successful people are unhappy because they work too much. Others are happy and not that rich.

Yes, there is sometimes a contradiction: chasing success can mean sacrificing family time or free time, which can harm happiness. Conversely, some people prioritise wellbeing over career and feel more fulfilled.

Success and happiness are related but not identical. Success is often externally defined—career, wealth, status—whereas happiness is subjective and rooted in relationships and meaning. The paradox is that pursuing external markers of success can undermine the inner conditions needed for happiness.

A successful person is someone who reached their goals, like getting a good job or having a happy family. It depends on what they want.

I’d define a successful person as someone who achieves goals that matter to them, whether that’s career progress, stable relationships or personal growth. It’s about outcomes and whether the person feels satisfied.

I define success as the attainment of goals that align with one’s values and sustain a sense of agency and fulfilment. It’s not just external markers but also the quality of one’s relationships, autonomy and capacity to flourish over time.

In my country people often measure success by income, job title and education. Those are the common signs.

The common standard here tends to be material: a stable, well-paid job, a house and good qualifications. Social respect and career progression are also important markers for many families.

Nationally, success is frequently equated with economic security—income, property and professional status. However, there’s growing recognition of broader indicators like work–life balance, entrepreneurship and social contribution, especially among younger generations.