Practice prompt
A Helpful Stranger
Talk about a time when a stranger helped you during a difficult situation.
A strong response plan
- 1Set the scene
- 2Explain the problem
- 3Describe exactly what the stranger did
- 4Explain the result and your reaction
Sample answer
Study the organization, not the script
Last winter I was carrying several grocery bags when one of the paper bags tore as I stepped off the bus. A few items rolled onto the sidewalk and I was trying to collect them before the bus pulled away. A woman who was waiting at the stop immediately came over, picked up the groceries and gave me a reusable bag from her backpack. She even helped me carry everything to the entrance of my building because it was only a short distance away. I was embarrassed at first, but mostly I felt grateful. The experience stayed with me because she solved a stressful problem without expecting anything in return.
What to notice
Tell events in chronological order
Include specific sensory or situational details
Finish with a clear feeling or lesson
Now answer a fresh prompt
Record a new timed response so you practise generating ideas, organizing them quickly and speaking naturally under time pressure.
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