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IELTSTM CUE CARD

Describe Your Childhood Friend: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

Updated on Nov 12, 2024, 10:54

Overview

The IELTS Speaking test is the simplest of the four modules in IELTS. However, it's important to prepare well to score well.
 

IELTS Speaking is a module common in both IELTS Academic and General Training tests, and all three parts of the test remain the same.
 

The easiest way to master IELTS speaking is to become familiar with IELTS cue cards.

 

Cue Card/Topic: Describe Your Childhood Friend

You should say

  • Where did you meet this person?
  • Is this person from your neighbourhood or your school?
  • How did you become friends?
  • What kind of relationship do you have after growing up?
Sample Answer 1 (Elementary School)

Introduction
 

  • I would like to talk about my childhood friend, Sarah, who was a very important part of my life. 
     
  • We used to meet in elementary school, and we've been friends over the years.
     

Where did you meet this person?
 

  •  Sarah and I initially crossed paths at our small-town elementary school. 
     
  • Our paths crossed in the third grade on a group project, and our friendship has flourished ever since.
     

Is this person from your neighbourhood or your school?
 

  •  While Sarah wasn't in my immediate neighbourhood. 
     
  • We went to the same school, giving us plenty of opportunities for our friendship to flourish inside and outside the classroom.
     

How did you become friends?
 

  •  A tragic group project has initiated our friendship. 
     
  • We've found common interests and a similar sense of humour that has set us apart from each other for years to come. 
     
  • During good and difficult times, sharing experiences, laughter, and support deepened our friendship.
     

What kind of relationship do you have after growing up?
 

  •  Sarah and I remained friends as we made our way from childhood into adulthood. 

     
  • We make conscious efforts to remain in touch through regular calls and visits whenever possible and celebrate important milestones with each other despite distance. 
     
  • Sarah's still an integral part of my life, and it is a testament to the power of childhood connections that have allowed us to remain friends for decades.
     

Conclusion
 

  •  My friendship with Sarah, nurtured in elementary school, has stood the test of time and distance. 
     
  • A relationship that will thrive as we move through the complexities of adulthood has been developed by our common history, laughter and cooperation. 
     
  • Sarah's more than a childhood friend; she's my beloved companion whose presence has enriched my life in countless ways.
Sample Answer 2 (Neighbourhood)

Introduction 
 

  •  I'd like to talk about a dear friend named Niyati. 
     
  • We've known each other for quite some time, and our friendship has a special history that we treasure.
     

Where did you meet this person?
 

  •  We met in our neighbourhood for the first time. 
     
  • The community was a friendly, tight-knit one where everybody knew everyone else. 
     
  • We met at a community event, and our friendship blossomed.
     

Is this person from your neighbourhood or your school?
 

  •  Yes, Niyati's from the neighbourhood where I live. 
     
  • We grew up in the same neighbourhood, and our families are familiar with each other. 
     
  • This shared background greatly influenced the development of our friendship.
     

How did you become friends?
 

  •  We've developed our friendship naturally. 
     
  • We began talking when we used to meet in the park, and soon, we were discovering our common interests and hobbies. 
     
  • The foundation of our friendship was that we both loved to ride bicycles.
     

What kind of relationship do you have after growing up?
 

  • Our bond has been strengthened as we have grown up. 
     
  • We could keep in touch despite our career paths and living all over the place. 
     
  • Our friendship is becoming even more important as a constant support system for each other's lives.
     

Conclusion
 

  •   I have a special place in my heart for my friendship with Niyati. 
     
  • The strength of genuine connections is demonstrated by our journey from neighbourhood acquaintances to lifelong friends. 
     
  • I'm grateful for the memories we've created and look forward to many shared experiences in the future.
Sample Answer 3 (Distant Cousin)

Introduction
 

  • I want to talk about my distant cousin Priya, who is big in my life. 
     
  • While we've never grown up in the same neighbourhood or attended the same school, our relationship has developed over time and made her an integral part of my life.
     

Where did you meet this person?
 

  • A few years back, Priya and I first met at a family reunion.

 

  • To celebrate a special occasion, our extended family gathered, allowing us to connect and form a bond that has only grown stronger.

 

Is this person from your neighbourhood or your school?
 

  • No, Priya's not from the neighbourhood or school. 
     
  • We didn't have a chance to grow up nearby due to the distance between our homes. 
     
  • In spite of this, our connection is beyond physical distance, and we have managed to form a solid relationship in other ways.
     

How did you become friends?
 

  • Over the years, due to family events, gatherings, and occasional family vacations, our friendship has developed organically. 
     
  • Family ties provided the foundation for our friendship, even though we didn't regularly interact with our friends at school or in our neighbourhood. 
     
  • The key to building our bonds was sharing experiences at family events and celebrations.
     

What kind of relationship do you have after growing up?
 

  • Our relationship has changed as we've grown older, from cousins to friends. 
     
  • We've begun communicating more often, sharing our experiences, aspirations and challenges. 
     
  • We managed to stay connected through technology, maintaining a supportive and understanding friendship despite our physical distance.
     

Conclusion
 

  • Priya, my distant cousin, has become more than a family relation; she's a true friend. 
     
  • Over the years, our friendship has grown due to family gatherings and shared experiences. 
     
  • Despite the distance between us, the bond that we have built is an essential and precious part of my life.

The second part of the IELTS Speaking test is the Individual Long Turn. It is also called the IELTS Cue Card section. The examiner provides you with a task or cue card in this section. 
 

Check out the symbolic representation of the cue card:


 During the preparation time, the examiner will give you a pen/pencil and a rough sheet to make notes if needed. You can use this time to structure your answer.
 

Afterwards, the examiner will instruct you to begin your answer and remind you of the ending time. 
 

Once given a cue card, the next step is to plan your answer. During the 1-minute preparation time, you have to structure your answer. 
 

Begin your answer by providing a short introduction to the topic. Then, explain your topic in detail. In the end, give a brief conclusion to your speech. 
 

One of the effective ways to answer a cue card topic is by breaking down the topic into 4 parts that are: Introduction, Cue Card Questions, Your feelings regarding the topic and Conclusion. This way, you can cover all the major sides of the topic.


Now, you can find major points to answer each of these questions. Answer them one after the other, and do not elaborate too much on a single answer. Try to cover all the questions within the given time. 
 

Introduction
 

  • Start your answer with some catchy phrases. This will act as a good opener for your answer.
“There is no fun in life without friends, especially in childhood.”
  • Brief your central idea and what you think about the topic. 
“I used to think having many friends is like being a popular kid.”

Where did you meet this person?
 

  • Explain where you met this person. Here, you can provide details about the place or a situation that led you both to interact with each other. 
“I was out with my elder brother when he got into a fight with some other guy in our neighbourhood only and then came out this little guy just like me trying to pull his brother away from the fight, and that’s how we interacted the first time.”

Is this person from your neighbourhood or your school?

 

  • Here, you can mention whether this person is from your neighbourhood or school. 
  • Along with mentioning the place, you can also tell about how this person is. 
“I was out in my neighbourhood when I met this little boy roaming around and playing as if he does not care about anything in the world and is happy in his little world.”

How did you become friends?
 

  • Tell me about how you two became friends. 
  • You can explain the context and reasons why you felt like being friends with him or her. 
“I saw this little boy in my neighbourhood, and he had a very cool toy car which caught my eye, and I wanted to play with it, and that’s how we became friends.”

What kind of relationship do you have after growing up?
 

  • This is your chance to be creative and expressive. You can tell about your feelings regarding this friendship and how it has strengthened over the years.
  • Tell about how you managed to maintain your friendship over the years.
“We were neighbours, but as we grew up with time, we started going to the same school, which strengthened our friendship into more like a brother's kind of bond.”

Conclusion 
 

  • End your speech on a positive note. 
  • You can conclude your speech by recalling your main idea. 
“From just being neighbours to having a brother-like bond, you both made a family beyond blood relations of friends, which strengthens over time.”

Follow-Up Questions

We have given four follow-up questions for the ‘Describe your childhood friend’ IELTS Speaking Cue Card. The examiner will engage the test taker in a more detailed discussion of the topic introduced in Part 2 in Part 3 of the IELTS Speaking test. The purpose of this section is to assess your ability to express your views by giving explanations and discussing ideas in relation to the topic. 
 

You have 4-5 minutes to elaborate on your previous responses and express your opinions. Listen carefully, speak clearly, and use appropriate vocabulary and grammar to engage in a discussion.

Q1. How has your friendship with this person influenced your personality?

Answer 1:   I've changed a lot because of my friendship with my childhood friend. When we were growing up, we did many things together, facing problems, celebrating good times, and learning many lessons. Because of this friendship, I've been better at talking to people and understanding their feelings. It's made me realise how important it is to be good at communicating, caring for others and working together. I am grateful for this friendship because it's made me who I am.
 

Answer 2:   I've had a lot of changes with him being my friend. It makes me feel safe and comfortable to have him around. It will help me share my views, and I'm more open-minded. We've been through a lot, and I learnt the importance of working with each other, speaking to one another, and solving problems that make everyone happy. I've gained a better understanding of people and how to work together from these experiences. I'm grateful for our friendship because it allowed me to be myself.

Q2. What do you think makes people have long-lasting friendships?

Answer 1:  When built on trust, open communication, shared values and empathy, long-lasting friendships are maintained. The adaptability of these relationships to change, forgiveness, and a willingness to sacrifice time and effort make them thrive. The resilience of friendship is built on the ability to promote success, support each other in times of difficulty and have a positive impact.
 

Answer 2:  The foundation of trust, open communication, common values and adaptability are the keys to lasting friendships. It is essential to empathise and understand each other, in addition to forgiving and accepting shortcomings. The longevity of these relationships is enhanced by the investment in time and effort, celebrations of success, and offering support when things don't work out.

Q3. As adults, how do you balance between your responsibilities and friendships?

Answer 1:  It takes an intentional effort and good time management to balance responsibility and friendship in adulthood. Maintaining meaningful connections entails setting priorities, communicating openly, and making conscious choices about how to do so. Clear boundaries and the ability to refuse when called upon help prevent excessive commitments.
 

Answer 2:  It is a delicate but essential task to balance responsibilities and friendships as an adult. It is necessary to make time management a priority. Burnout prevention is facilitated by establishing clear boundaries and setting realistic work and personal commitment expectations. Effective communication is key; telling friends about a busy season ensures understanding.

Q4. How do people make new friends?

Answer 1:  To make new friends, you must take an active approach and be willing to interact with others in various situations. There are opportunities to meet people with shared interests when you attend events, whether a community event or an activity such as volunteering. The key role for expanding social circles is networking through work or industry-related events, participation in sports and fitness groups, and online platforms.
 

Answer 2:  You need to make new friends by participating in situations where interactions are likely to occur, e.g. when attending a networking event, joining a club or participating in an activity that reflects your interests. The key components are initiating the conversation, being accessible and showing real interest in other people.

FAQs

Q. Is the IELTS speaking test easy?

Ans. The difficulty of the IELTS speaking test can vary depending on your level of proficiency in the language. For some test-takers, the speaking test may be relatively easy, while for others, it may be more challenging. However, adequate preparation and practice can improve your confidence and performance during the speaking test. It's important to familiarise yourself with the test format, practice speaking on various topics, and seek feedback from an experienced tutor or teacher to help you identify areas for improvement.

Q. Are speaking tests for Academic and General the same?

Ans. The speaking test is the same for both the Academic and General Training modules of the IELTS. However, the topics may differ slightly depending on the module. The test assesses your ability to communicate effectively in English in everyday situations. It's important to familiarise yourself with the specific format and requirements of the module you are taking to prepare effectively for the speaking test.

Q. How do I frame my answer in 1 minute?

Ans. To frame your answer in one minute during the IELTS speaking test, read the cue card carefully, underline key points, brainstorm related ideas and examples, and use clear and concise language to answer the question directly. You don't need to memorise your answer or speak for two minutes, but try to communicate your ideas effectively in the limited time.

Q. What is the marking scheme for the IELTS speaking test?

Ans. The IELTS speaking test is evaluated on four criteria: Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and Pronunciation. Each criterion is scored on a scale of 0 to 9, and scores are added to give an overall band score. To get a high score, use a wide range of vocabulary and sentence structures, speak clearly and confidently, and maintain a natural pace and tone. Practice with a tutor to improve your performance on the test.

Q. How many hours is the IELTS speaking test?

Ans. The IELTS speaking test lasts approximately 11-14 minutes and consists of three parts. During this time, you will be evaluated on your ability to communicate effectively in English in everyday situations. The test is conducted face-to-face with a certified IELTS examiner. Prepare by practising speaking on various topics, familiarising yourself with the test format, and seeking feedback from a tutor.

Q. Which tense is used in cue cards?

Ans. The tense used in cue cards for the IELTS speaking test varies depending on the prompt. Present tense is used for habits or routines, past tense is used for past events, and future tense is used for plans. It is important to pay attention to the tense in the prompt and use it appropriately while speaking.

Q. How do you answer part 2 in IELTS?

Ans. To answer Part 2 of IELTS speaking, read the cue card carefully, use the preparation time to organise your thoughts, introduce the topic, use prompts to provide specific details, speak fluently and coherently, and wrap up within the two-minute time frame. Practice speaking on various topics to improve your performance.

Q. How do I improve my speaking skills?

Ans. To improve your speaking skills for the IELTS test, speak regularly in English, listen to English speakers, practice on various topics, record your speaking, learn new vocabulary and grammatical structures, join a speaking club, and take mock speaking tests. Consistent practice and a willingness to learn are key.

Q. What is the duration of Part 2 speaking IELTS?

Ans. Part 2 of the IELTS speaking test lasts for up to two minutes. You will be given a cue card with a topic and prompts and will have one minute to prepare your answer. After the preparation, you must speak for up to two minutes on the given topic. It is important to watch the time and try to wrap up your answer within two minutes. Remember to use the prompts to guide your answer and provide specific details and examples to support your points.

Q. Can I exceed the time limit during the speaking test?

Ans. No, you should not exceed the time limit during the IELTS speaking test. The test is timed to ensure all test-takers are evaluated equally, so practise speaking clearly and concisely within the given time. If you finish speaking before the time ends, pause and wait for the next question. If you run out of time before completing your answer, the examiner will move on to the next question. Use your time effectively and communicate clearly within the given time limits.

Q. What is the difference between IELTS speaking parts 2 and 3?

Ans. Part 2 of the IELTS speaking test is the cue card task, where the test-taker is given a topic to speak about for two minutes, followed by one or two related questions. Part 3 is a more in-depth discussion on the same topic, with more complex questions to test the test-taker's ability to express opinions and engage in abstract discussion. To prepare, practice speaking on various topics and develop strategies to communicate effectively in English.

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