Describe a good friend who is important to you: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

Who he/she is
How/where you got to know him/her
How long you have known each other
And explain why he/she is important to you

4 unique answers with expert feedback

What qualities do you think make a good friend?

I believe a good friend should be supportive, trustworthy, and understanding. They should be someone you can rely on during tough times and celebrate with during good times. Communication and shared interests also play a significant role in strengthening the friendship.

How do you maintain long-distance friendships?

Maintaining long-distance friendships requires effort. I make it a point to schedule regular calls or video chats. We also share updates through social media and messages. It’s important to stay connected and show that you care, even if you’re miles apart.

Have you ever had a disagreement with your friend? How did you resolve it?

Yes, disagreements are natural in any friendship. I remember a time when we had different opinions on a project. We discussed our views openly, listened to each other, and found a compromise. This experience actually strengthened our friendship and improved our communication.

Band 6

00:00

So, a good friend of mine is Anusha, she has been a friend of mine for the past 12 years. We met in school and we have been very good friends since she joined school and she is important to me because of a lot of reasons. The way she helps me out in the most minor inconveniences that I have in my life. Apart from it being a very supportive friend in every good and bad, she will always be there. She is a good mental health supporter of mine and if I feel very low, sometimes she is always there. If I want to talk to someone and I don't have anyone to talk to, I know she is the go-to person I can go to just to share about my day because we don't have siblings and it is hard to get out of that loneliness without having to talk to someone and I am great that I have her in my life.

Follow up questions

What qualities do you value most in a friend?

I value qualities like loyalty, empathy, and support in a friend. It's important to have someone who understands you and stands by you during tough times, just like Anusha does for me.

How do you maintain your friendship over the years?

We maintain our friendship by regularly communicating, sharing our experiences, and making time for each other despite our busy schedules. We often meet up or have video calls to catch up.

Have you ever faced challenges in your friendship?

Yes, like any friendship, we have faced challenges, especially during misunderstandings. However, we always communicate openly and work through our issues, which strengthens our bond.

Band 6

00:00

So, so I'll be talking about my best friend named Sarah, who I know from school and our friendships started since grade one, and she was the most trusted and most lovable person in my life. So in every hardship, she was always there to make sure that I was feeling good. I was comforted. She was always there. She was the very the first person that I would always approach. She made sure that I was okay. She always took the effort for our friendships, which lasted more than 14 years. If not for her, I don't think I would be here alive. She is one of the most important person in my life. Without her, life would definitely be so hard to live.

Follow up questions

What qualities do you think make Sarah a good friend?

Sarah is incredibly trustworthy, supportive, and loving. She always listens and provides comfort during tough times. Her ability to empathize and her consistent effort to maintain our friendship are qualities that I truly value.

How has your friendship with Sarah influenced your life?

My friendship with Sarah has had a profound impact on my life. She has been my emotional anchor, helping me navigate challenges. Her support has boosted my confidence and made me feel valued, which has encouraged me to pursue my goals.

Do you think it's important to have a close friend like Sarah?

Absolutely! Having a close friend like Sarah is essential for emotional support and personal growth. Such friendships provide a safe space to share feelings and experiences, which can greatly enhance one's well-being and happiness.

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Band 6

00:00

He is Mayur Borkar. I got to know him in my school days when we were in the same grade. I have known him since for nine years now, so we are very much acquainted. I really like his personality. He is mischievous, although an enduring person. He might have a great insight into the financial and geopolitical subjects, which are part of my interests. It makes us compatible in terms of our interests and into some topics. He usually gives me teachings of the finances and overall life values. Yes, I have not been exposed to the social life since I was a kid. He has been an anchor to me, who had given insightful lessons on how social well-being is important in one's life. You might find many friends. It's ubiquitous everywhere, but he is the only rare piece I got to know out of this world, which is a great friend.

Follow up questions

What qualities do you think are essential in a good friend?

I believe essential qualities in a good friend include trustworthiness, loyalty, and the ability to communicate openly. A good friend should also be supportive and understanding, as these traits help build a strong and lasting friendship.

How do you maintain your friendship with Mayur?

We maintain our friendship by regularly communicating through messages and calls, and we often meet up to catch up. We also share common interests, which helps us bond over activities like discussing financial topics or attending events together.

Have you ever had any disagreements with Mayur? How did you resolve them?

Yes, we have had disagreements, especially on opinions regarding financial decisions. We usually resolve them by discussing our viewpoints openly and respectfully, which helps us understand each other better and strengthens our friendship.

Show all 4 answers

Cue 1:Who he/she is

Begin by introducing your friend with their name and a brief description of their personality.
Mention any unique traits or hobbies that make them stand out.

Example

My best friend is Rahul. He is a cheerful and outgoing person who loves to make people laugh. He has a great sense of humor and is always ready to help others.

Cue 2:How/where you got to know him/her

Describe the circumstances under which you met your friend.
Include details about the location or event that brought you together.

Example

I met Rahul during my first year of college at a welcome party. We were both new students and ended up sitting next to each other. We started talking and quickly realized we had a lot in common.

Cue 3:How long you have known each other

State how many years or months you have been friends.
Mention any significant experiences you have shared during this time.

Example

We have known each other for about five years now. Over these years, we have shared many memorable experiences, like traveling together and supporting each other through exams.

Cue 4:And explain why he/she is important to you

Discuss the qualities that make your friend special to you.
Explain how they have positively impacted your life.

Example

Rahul is important to me because he is always there when I need support. He encourages me to pursue my dreams and helps me stay positive during tough times. His friendship has made my college life much more enjoyable.

Conclusion

Example

In conclusion, having a friend like Rahul is invaluable. His loyalty and support have enriched my life, and I truly cherish our friendship.

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: Being Too Vague

Candidates often provide unclear or general descriptions of their friend, which can make their response less engaging. Specific details help paint a clearer picture.

Tip

Include specific anecdotes or characteristics about your friend to make your answer more vivid and relatable.

2: Ignoring the Cues

Some candidates forget to address all the cues provided, leading to incomplete answers. This can result in a lower score for coherence and relevance.

Tip

Make sure to systematically cover each cue in your response to ensure a well-rounded answer.

Overly Simple Language

Using overly simple or repetitive language can make your response sound uninteresting. Variety in vocabulary and sentence structure is important.

Tip

Practice using a range of vocabulary and different sentence structures to express your thoughts more dynamically.

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