You should say:
- When and where did this act of helping a needy person take place? Can you provide some details about the location and context?
- Who was the needy person you helped, and how did you come to know about their situation or needs?
- What specific assistance or support did you provide to the needy person? How did your help make a difference in their life or situation?
- How did you feel before, during, and after helping this person? Did this experience leave a lasting impact on you, and if so, in what way?
Sample Answer 1 (9 Band):
One significant experience where I had the opportunity to help a needy person occurred a few years ago during a severe winter. I was walking home from work when I noticed an elderly homeless man sitting on a park bench, shivering in the bitter cold. His threadbare clothes and the cardboard sign he held indicated he was in dire need. I couldn’t simply walk past him, so I decided to offer my assistance.
Approaching the man, I struck up a conversation to learn more about his situation. His name was John, and he’d fallen on hard times after losing his job and home. I realized that he needed immediate help, so I took him to a nearby shelter and bought him some warm clothes and a hot meal.
The gratitude in John’s eyes was palpable, and it warmed my heart. I also connected him with a local charity organization that could provide further assistance. The experience was a reminder of the importance of compassion and taking action to help those less fortunate. It left a lasting impact on me, reinforcing the idea that small acts of kindness can make a significant difference in someone’s life.
Sample Answer 2 (9 Band):
A memorable instance when I assisted a needy person took place when I was volunteering at a community food drive organized by a local nonprofit. The event aimed to distribute food and essential supplies to disadvantaged families in our area. As a volunteer, I had the chance to interact directly with those in need.
One family that stood out was the Martinez family, consisting of a single mother, Maria, and her two young children. Their struggles were evident, and they had limited resources to make ends meet. While working at the event, I had the opportunity to engage with Maria, and she shared her story with me.
Seeing their plight, I took the initiative to help Maria navigate the available resources in our community. I provided her with information about local social services, food banks, and educational programs for her children. Additionally, I connected her with a job placement agency to improve her employment prospects.
The impact of this assistance was heartwarming. Over time, Maria’s family started to access these services, and their situation gradually improved. It was a reminder of the profound impact we can have on the lives of those in need by offering a helping hand and providing them with the tools to rebuild their lives. This experience reinforced my commitment to volunteer work and the importance of reaching out to those who require assistance in our society.
Follow up questions:
1.Follow-up Question: How did you come to know about the person in need?
Sample Answer: I first learned about the person in need through a friend who mentioned that there was a homeless person in the neighborhood who needed assistance.
2.Follow-up Question: What specific assistance did you provide to the needy person?
Sample Answer: I provided the homeless individual with a warm blanket, a care package of food, and some essential hygiene items to help him through the challenging winter.
3.Follow-up Question: Can you describe the person’s reaction when you offered help?
Sample Answer: The homeless man was extremely grateful and appreciative. His eyes lit up when he received the items, and he expressed his thanks for the kindness.
4.Follow-up Question: Did you encounter any challenges or difficulties while helping this person?
Sample Answer: One challenge I faced was the language barrier. The homeless man didn’t speak English fluently, so there was a bit of difficulty in communication, but we managed to understand each other.
5.Follow-up Question: How did you feel during and after helping the needy person?
Sample Answer: During the act of helping, I felt a deep sense of compassion and empathy. Afterward, I experienced a warm sense of fulfillment knowing I had made a positive impact on someone’s life.
6.Follow-up Question: Did this experience change your perspective on homelessness or poverty?
Sample Answer: Yes, it definitely did. It made me more aware of the challenges homeless individuals face and reinforced my belief in the importance of reaching out and offering assistance to those in need.
7.Follow-up Question: Have you been involved in any other acts of charity or assistance since then?
Sample Answer: Yes, this experience inspired me to become more involved in volunteering and charitable activities. I’ve since volunteered at local shelters and food banks to continue helping those in need.
8.Follow-up Question: Do you think helping the needy is primarily the responsibility of individuals or governments?
Sample Answer: I believe it’s a shared responsibility. While individuals can make a difference through acts of kindness, governments also play a crucial role in addressing systemic issues related to poverty and homelessness.
9.Follow-up Question: What can society do to address the issue of homelessness and poverty more effectively?
Sample Answer: Society can work to create more affordable housing, provide job training and support services, and increase awareness to reduce the stigma associated with homelessness and poverty.
10.Follow-up Question: Do you think your experience in helping the needy person influenced others to do the same?
Sample Answer: I hope so. I shared my experience with friends and family, and some of them have since become more involved in charitable activities. Spreading awareness and compassion can have a ripple effect in inspiring others to help those in need.