Describe a gift you would like to buy for your friend: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

How you knew your friend?
How long have you known him/her?
How would you choose a gift for him/her?
And explain why you would choose that gift for him/her.

64 unique answers with expert feedback

What other gifts have you given to your friends in the past?

In the past, I have given my friends personalized gifts like custom-made jewelry, photo albums filled with our memories, and even experiences like concert tickets. I believe that thoughtful gifts create lasting memories and show how much I care about them.

How do you think your friend will react to the gift?

I believe my friend will be very happy and surprised when she receives the gift. Since I’ve put a lot of thought into it, I think she will appreciate the effort and the personal touch, especially since it reflects her favorite color and interests.

Do you think it's important to give gifts on special occasions?

Yes, I think giving gifts on special occasions is important as it helps to strengthen relationships. It shows that you care and have taken the time to think about the other person. Gifts can also create joyful memories that last a lifetime.

Band 7

00:00

I would love to buy a personalized photo album for my friend. The album would be filled with pictures of our favorite memories together from our travels, birthdays and other special occasions. The cover of the album would be made of a beautiful, high-quality leather and would have my friend's name embossed on it in an elegant font. The inside pages of the album would be filled with a mix of black and white and color photos, each one carefully selected to capture the essence of our friendship. I would also include a handwritten letter or a poem expressing my appreciation for our friendship and the reasons why my friend is so important to me. I met my friend in my second standard. Until now, he is with me. I think this gift would be perfect for my friend because it would show them how much I value and cherish our relationship and would give them a beautiful way to treasure our memories together. It's a gift that would last a lifetime and would be something that my friend could always look back on. To make it an even more unique and thoughtful gift, I would also include a handwritten letter or a poem expressing my appreciation for our friendship and the reasons why my friend is so important to me.

Follow up questions

What other gifts do you think your friend would appreciate?

I believe my friend would appreciate experiences more than material gifts. For instance, a surprise trip or tickets to a concert would be memorable. He enjoys adventures, so anything that creates lasting memories would resonate with him.

How do you think gift-giving affects friendships?

Gift-giving can strengthen friendships by showing thoughtfulness and appreciation. It creates shared memories and reinforces bonds. A well-chosen gift can convey emotions that words sometimes cannot, making the relationship feel more special.

Have you ever received a gift that was particularly meaningful to you?

Yes, I once received a handmade scrapbook from a close friend. It was filled with photos and notes from our time together. It meant a lot to me because it showed how much effort and thought they put into it, making me feel valued and cherished.

Band 7

00:00

First of all, my best friend, her name is Anagha. She is my childhood friend and we have been friends since 6th standard. Something I like about her is how simple she is and she has a very optimistic mind. She loves gifts, who doesn't love gifts, right? She is not a very materialistic person. She just loves me spending time with her but if I had to buy something that is very materialistic, I would definitely buy nose pins for her because she loves nose pins. A girl will always love ornaments. So I think nose pins will definitely make her day. She will definitely like something that is very sparkly and also which enhances her face shape. Apart from all this, she would definitely like, she would definitely love everything and anything that I buy for her. Apart from that, she will also love flowers. Who doesn't love flowers? Flowers can enhance everyone's mood but if I had to purchase it for my best friend, it would definitely be roses. Red roses never go out of fashion.

Follow up questions

What other gifts do you think Anagha would appreciate?

Apart from nose pins and flowers, I think Anagha would appreciate personalized gifts, like a custom-made bracelet or a photo album filled with our memories. She values the thought behind a gift more than its material value, so anything that shows our friendship would make her happy.

How do you choose gifts for your friends?

When choosing gifts for my friends, I consider their interests and personalities. I try to think about what they enjoy or need. I also pay attention to any hints they drop in conversations. Ultimately, I want the gift to reflect our friendship and show that I care about them.

Do you think gifts are important in friendships?

Yes, I believe gifts can strengthen friendships. They show appreciation and thoughtfulness. However, the most important aspect is the time spent together and the memories created. Gifts are a nice gesture, but the bond we share is what truly matters in our friendship.

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Band 6-7

00:00

So, I would like to buy a gift for my friend Sanjana. Sanjana is my best friend from college. I have known her for around 5 years now. I met her on my first day of college. I would like to buy her a pair of headphones. She really likes music and ever since I have known her, she always has a pair of headphones either on her ears or just hanging on her neck. It's kind of her identity. She literally goes around with them. You would see them in every photograph of hers and everywhere. So, I would like to buy her headphones as a gift. Ideally, a birthday I will probably consider the brand, the guarantee, the price, the usual things when you buy anything new. Along with that, I will also look at the color and size of the headphones. She really likes those huge headphones that sometimes feel a little tight and heavy but somehow she still prefers it. So, since it's not just about the music and quality of the music, it's also about the looks. She sort of uses it as a fashion statement or an accessory. So, the color and the looks of it is also something I would consider. I hope she likes the gift I give her.

Follow up questions

What other gifts do you think Sanjana would appreciate?

I think Sanjana would appreciate gifts that align with her interests, like concert tickets or music-related merchandise. Since she loves music, anything that enhances her experience, like a vinyl record of her favorite artist or a personalized playlist, would also be thoughtful.

How do you usually choose gifts for your friends?

I usually consider their interests, hobbies, and preferences. I try to think about what they would genuinely enjoy or find useful. I also pay attention to hints they drop in conversations, which helps me select something meaningful and personal.

Have you ever received a gift that you didn't like? What was it?

Yes, I once received a gift that was a book from a genre I don't enjoy. While I appreciated the thought, I found it hard to connect with the gift. It made me realize that knowing someone's preferences is crucial when giving gifts.

Band 6-7

00:00

My friend, I have known her for a very long time. I think we met in 9th standard. From my 9th standard till now she was my best friend and if I would want to buy a gift for her I would say it will be a bag, may be a side bag or a handbag because I see she often carry things in her hand which looks clumsy and even she don't feel good about it. So it will be useful for her as well as it will give me a satisfaction if she use it and this will make our friendship strong and even she had bought me a lots of things. I have till now didn't buy anything for her so I would say if I want to buy a gift it should be useful for her. So a bag or a handbag will be more useful for her.

Follow up questions

What other gifts do you think your friend would appreciate?

I believe my friend would appreciate personalized gifts, like a custom-made jewelry piece or a thoughtful book. She enjoys reading, so a novel from her favorite genre would also be a great choice. It's important to consider her interests when selecting a gift.

How do you usually choose gifts for your friends?

I usually think about their hobbies and preferences. I try to remember what they have mentioned wanting in the past or what they enjoy doing. I also consider practical gifts that they can use in their daily lives, as I believe those are often the most appreciated.

Have you ever received a gift that you didn't like? How did you handle it?

Yes, I once received a gift that wasn't really my style. I appreciated the thought behind it, so I thanked the person sincerely. Later, I decided to exchange it for something I would use more often. It's important to be polite and grateful, even if the gift isn't perfect.

Show all 64 answers

Cue 1:How you knew your friend?

Begin by mentioning how you met your friend, whether it was in school, college, or through mutual friends.
Share a brief anecdote that highlights your initial connection or shared interests.

Example

I met my friend Priya in college during our first year. We were both part of the same orientation group and quickly bonded over our love for literature and poetry. I remember how we spent hours discussing our favorite authors and sharing book recommendations.

Cue 2:How long have you known him/her?

Clearly state the duration of your friendship, such as how many years or months you have known each other.
Mention any significant milestones or experiences you have shared during this time.

Example

I have known Priya for about five years now. Over these years, we have celebrated each other's birthdays, supported one another through exams, and even traveled together during our summer breaks.

Cue 3:How would you choose a gift for him/her?

Discuss the thought process you would go through when selecting a gift, considering your friend's interests and preferences.
Mention any specific occasions or reasons that might influence your choice.

Example

When choosing a gift for Priya, I would think about her passion for reading. I would consider getting her a special edition of her favorite book or a personalized bookmark. Since her birthday is coming up, I want to make it memorable.

Cue 4:And explain why you would choose that gift for him/her.

Explain the significance of the gift and how it reflects your understanding of your friend's personality.
Share how you believe the gift will make her feel appreciated and valued.

Example

I would choose a special edition of her favorite book because it shows that I pay attention to her interests. I know how much she cherishes her books, and I believe this gift would make her feel appreciated and loved. It’s not just a gift; it’s a way to celebrate our friendship.

Conclusion

Example

In conclusion, choosing a thoughtful gift for a friend like Priya is a wonderful way to express my appreciation for our friendship. It reflects the bond we share and the memories we have created together over the years.

Following this structure will ensure you cover all the essential points while providing a clear and engaging response to the cue card topic.

Tips to answer this Cue Card

1: Avoid Vague Descriptions

Using vague language can make your answer less engaging and informative. It's important to provide specific details about your friend and the gift to create a clearer picture.

Tip

Use descriptive adjectives and specific examples when talking about your friend and the gift to make your answer more vivid.

2: Neglecting Personal Connection

Failing to explain your relationship with your friend can weaken your response. The examiner wants to understand the significance of the gift in the context of your friendship.

Tip

Share a brief story or memory that highlights your friendship to emphasize why the gift is meaningful.

Rushing Through the Explanation

Speaking too quickly can lead to unclear answers and missed points. It's essential to take your time to articulate your thoughts clearly.

Tip

Practice pacing your speech by pausing briefly between points to ensure clarity and allow the examiner to follow your ideas.

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Answer

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Describe a time when your friend damaged something you owned

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Answer

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