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IELTSTM CUE CARD

Describe a Gift You Gave Someone: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

Updated on Nov 13, 2024, 06:06

Overview

In the IELTS Speaking test, Part 2, you’ll need to talk about a topic for up to two minutes. This part, often called the cue card or individual long run, tests your ability to speak fluently and coherently on a specific subject.

 

For the topic "Describe a Gift You Gave Someone," you’ll want to focus on a memorable gift you gave to someone and how it impacted them. This could be a gift to a family member, friend, colleague, or even a charitable donation that made a significant difference.

 

To help you with this, I’ll share some strategies and a sample answer that can guide you in structuring your response effectively.

 

Cue Card/Topic: Describe a Gift You Gave Someone

You should say

  • What was the gift?
  • Who did you give it to?
  • Why did you give it?
Sample Answer 1

Introduction (Covers: What was the gift? / Who did you give it to?)

 

  • The gift I want to talk about is a beautiful silk saree that I gave to my mother on her birthday. 
  • It was a traditional Kanchipuram silk saree, renowned for its rich colours and intricate designs, which I carefully selected to match her preferences.

 

Describing Your Experience/Opinion/Interest 

 

  • I decided to give her this saree to honour her and express my gratitude for everything she has done for our family. 
  • My mother has always admired the elegance and craftsmanship of Kanchipuram sarees, and I knew this gift would bring her immense joy and pride.

 

Key Highlights (Covers: Why did you give it?)

 

  • On her birthday, as she unwrapped the saree, her eyes lit up with delight. 
  • She appreciated the vibrant colours and the detailed zari work, which she considered a symbol of our cultural heritage. 
  • It was a touching moment for both of us, as she expressed her happiness and immediately planned to wear it for a special family occasion.

 

Conclusion

 

  • Giving this saree to my mother was not just about a material gift but about cherishing our cultural traditions and honouring her role in our family. 
  • It reinforced our bond and reminded me of the importance of showing appreciation through thoughtful gestures.
Sample Answer 2

Introduction (Covers: What was the gift? / Who did you give it to?)

 

  • The gift I would like to discuss is a personalised recipe book I gave my sister on her wedding anniversary. 
  • It was a collection of her favourite recipes, beautifully compiled and customised with family recipes passed down through generations.

 

Describing Your Experience/Opinion/Interest 

 

  • I decided to create this recipe book because cooking has always been a passion we shared since childhood. 
  • I wanted to gift her something that would not only be practical but also sentimental, reflecting our shared memories and love for food.

 

Key Highlights (Covers: Why did you give it?)

 

  • When she received the recipe book, she was overwhelmed with emotions. 
  • Flipping through the pages, she found recipes from our grandmother, handwritten notes from our parents, and even some of her own favourite dishes. 
  • It brought back cherished memories and made her feel deeply connected to our family roots.

 

Conclusion

 

  • This gift was more than just a collection of recipes; it was a token of our bond as siblings and a celebration of her new journey in marriage. 
  • It reinforced the importance of family traditions and the joy of sharing meaningful moments together.
Sample Answer 3

Introduction (Covers: What was the gift? / Who did you give it to?)

 

  • I would like to talk about a special gift I gave to my grandfather on his 80th birthday—an antique pocket watch that belonged to his father. 
  • This watch held significant sentimental value as it had been passed down through generations in our family.

 

Describing Your Experience/Opinion/Interest 

 

  • I decided to give him this gift because I wanted to honour his wisdom and the legacy of our family history. 
  • My grandfather had always cherished stories about his father and the watch, so I knew this gift would resonate deeply with him.

 

Key Highlights (Covers: Why did you give it?)

 

  • When I presented the pocket watch to him, he was visibly moved. 
  • Holding the watch in his hands, he recounted childhood memories and shared anecdotes about his father, creating a poignant connection between us and our family's past.

 

Conclusion

 

  • This gift was more than just a timepiece; it symbolised our family's love, respect, and heritage values. 
  • It reminded me of the importance of preserving our family traditions and honouring the generations that came before us.

 

Also Read: Best IELTS Cue Cards for 7+ Band Score

When the cue card section begins, the examiner will hand you a card with a topic and some prompts. You will have one minute to prepare your response and can make notes.

 

This structure helps you stay organised and covers all topic aspects clearly and logically.

 

Introduction (Covers: What was the gift? / Who did you give it to?)

 

  • Introduce the specific gift you gave and briefly mention who received it.
  • State the occasion or reason for giving the gift and why it was significant.

 

Describing Your Experience/Opinion/Interest 

 

  • Explain why you chose this particular gift, considering the recipient's interests or needs.
  • Describe how you prepared for giving the gift and any thoughts or feelings you had leading up to it.

 

Key Highlights (Covers: Why did you give it?)

 

  • Discuss the recipient's reaction or the impact the gift had on them.
  • Share any memorable moments or anecdotes related to giving the gift.
  • Reflect on why this gift was meaningful or why it stands out among others you have given.

 

Conclusion

 

  • Summarise the main points you discussed about the gift-giving experience.
  • Reflect briefly on what you learned about the importance of giving thoughtful gifts and the joy of making others happy.

 

Following this structure, you can provide a well-rounded and engaging response to the cue card topic "Describe a Gift You Gave Someone." This approach helps ensure you make the most of your speaking time and effectively demonstrate your language skills.

 

IELTS Speaking Cue Card 2024 Topics With Samples

Follow-up Questions

In the IELTS Speaking test, Part 3, which is also known as the "Two-way Discussion," follows the cue card round and involves a deeper conversation with the examiner. This segment assesses your ability to expand on your initial response, offer detailed explanations, and engage in a more spontaneous and interactive discussion.
 

During this phase, the examiner will pose follow-up questions that explore various facets of the positive change you described. These questions may inquire about the reasons for the change, its impact on your life, challenges encountered along the way, comparisons with other experiences you've had, and considerations for the future.
 

Q1. How did the recipient react when you gave them the gift?

Answer 1: When I gave my friend the personalised photo album for her birthday, she was genuinely surprised and touched. She immediately flipped through the pages, reminiscing about our shared memories captured in the photos. Her smile and tears of joy showed me how much she appreciated the effort and thoughtfulness behind the gift.


Answer 2: The watch I gave to my father on his retirement elicited a mix of emotions. The gesture visibly moved him, as it symbolised the years of hard work and dedication he had put into his career. Seeing him wear it proudly every day since then has been incredibly rewarding.

Q2. Why did you choose that particular gift for them?

Answer 1: I chose the cookbook for my sister because she's passionate about baking. It was filled with recipes from our grandmother, and I knew it would not only inspire her but also keep our family traditions alive.

 

Answer 2: Selecting a traditional handloom saree for my mother was an easy choice because she loves wearing them on special occasions. The craftsmanship and vibrant colors represented our cultural heritage, making it a perfect gift for her birthday.

Q3. In your culture, how important is gift-giving on special occasions?

Answer 1: In Indian culture, gift-giving is deeply ingrained, especially during festivals and significant life events. It's a way to express love, respect, and gratitude towards family and friends, and it plays a vital role in strengthening social bonds.


Answer 2: Gift-giving in British culture is often seen as a gesture of appreciation and thoughtfulness. It's customary to exchange gifts during holidays, birthdays, and other milestones to show affection and celebrate relationships.

Q4. Have you received a memorable gift yourself? How did it compare to the one you gave?

Answer 1: I received a handmade quilt from my grandmother, which holds immense sentimental value for me. It reminded me of her love and dedication, much like the impact I aimed for when I gave a handmade painting to my best friend.

 

Answer 2: The gift from my brother, a vintage record player, stands out as it was unexpected yet perfectly suited to my love for music. It inspired me to choose a thoughtful gift for him during his graduation ceremony.

 

Pace Up Your IELTS Preparation With Our Expert Masterclass!

FAQs

Q. How should I manage my time during the 1-minute preparation?

Ans. Use the 1-minute preparation time to quickly brainstorm ideas, structure your speech, and jot down key points or vocabulary. Focus on organising your thoughts so you can speak confidently and coherently.

Q. What happens if I exceed the 2-minute limit?

Ans. The examiner will stop you if you exceed the 2-minute limit. This is not necessarily bad, as it shows you have a lot to say, but keep your speech relevant and concise.

Q. Can I use informal language or slang?

Ans. Using semi-formal to formal language during the IELTS Speaking test is best. Avoid slang and overly informal expressions to ensure clarity and appropriateness.

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