Describe a person you disliked at first but ended up being friends with: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

Who the person is?
When and where you met him/her?
Why you disliked this person at first?
And explain how your opinion of him/her changed and why.

17 unique answers with expert feedback

What specific traits made you dislike Pooja initially?

I found Pooja's behavior to be quite loud and attention-seeking, which I perceived as obnoxious. Her tendency to dominate conversations and her lack of awareness about how she came across to others made me uncomfortable around her.

How did your perception of Pooja change over time?

As I got to know Pooja better, I realized that her loudness was a defense mechanism for her shyness. I discovered she was actually very kind and supportive, which helped me appreciate her more and eventually led to a friendship.

What activities did you do together that helped build your friendship?

We started working on group projects together and attended college events. Through these shared experiences, I saw her more relaxed side, and we bonded over our common interests, which helped strengthen our friendship.

Band 7

00:00

So, you know how in every class there's this one teacher's pet obnoxious kid who always wants to be at the top? Ananya was one such kid and I personally disliked this behaviour wherein she always used to follow teachers, be the good kid and complain when others were trying to have fun. I initially did not even think that we would be friends but one fine day during our science exam when we were all sitting in our classroom extremely tensed is when I realised that I had forgotten one main important thing that is required to write the paper, my pen and that is when Ananya who is sitting right next to me with a very big heart offered to lend me one of her pens. That day I realised that it is always maybe way too early to judge people based on how they act in a public setting. That day I realised that she may be a teacher's pet but that might be due to the goals or expectations that she has from herself and that made me realise that she is actually genuinely a good person at heart. We started talking, we laughed about this later after the exam and that's how we bonded and now she is my best friend and I go to her when I have the slightest bit of problem. She is like a comfort person for me who helps me find solutions to difficult problems, who guides me and who has helped me in the most difficult times of my life. So from this the one thing that I have understood is that we should never judge a book by its cover.

Follow up questions

What qualities did you notice in Ananya that changed your perception of her?

I noticed that despite her teacher's pet behavior, Ananya was genuinely kind and helpful. Her willingness to lend me a pen during a stressful exam showed her caring nature. This made me realize that her actions were driven by her own goals, not just a desire to be liked.

How did your friendship with Ananya impact your school experience?

Having Ananya as a friend made my school experience much more enjoyable. We supported each other academically and emotionally. Her positive attitude helped me cope with stress, and I felt more confident knowing I had someone to rely on during tough times.

What lesson did you learn from your initial dislike of Ananya?

I learned that it's important not to judge people based on first impressions. Everyone has their own reasons for their behavior, and taking the time to understand someone can lead to meaningful friendships. This experience taught me to be more open-minded and accepting.

Band 7

00:00

I would like to tell you about one of my good friends named Ehman. We were in school together and he was the head boy of the school. When I looked at him, I thought that he was very arrogant and full of pride, which did not make me like him at all. And to be very honest, he was really good at studies, sports, and really good at being a head boy, so I envied him too, which made me dislike him even more. However, during one day, I did not have lunch as I forgot to bring my food from home. Out of the blue, he came to me and he offered me his lunchbox and we shared the lunch. This was not something that I had expected because although we were classmates and knew of each other, we had never talked to each other or made an effort to become friends. However, this gesture really stood out to me and I came to know that he is a benevolent person beneath all of the rumors and his facade that he puts on. This really made me open up to him and we became good friends. We played together, we did projects together, and also organized events, which made me grow closer to him and he is still one of my greatest friends to this day.

Follow up questions

What qualities did you find admirable in Ehman after becoming friends?

After becoming friends with Ehman, I admired his leadership skills, kindness, and ability to motivate others. He was not just academically talented but also had a great sense of humor and was always willing to help his classmates, which made him a great friend.

How did your friendship with Ehman change your perspective on him?

My friendship with Ehman changed my perspective significantly. I realized that my initial judgment was based on assumptions. Getting to know him revealed his true character, which was warm and supportive, contrasting with the arrogant image I had of him.

Can you describe a memorable experience you had with Ehman as friends?

One memorable experience was when we organized a charity event together. It was a lot of work, but we had so much fun planning it. We learned to collaborate effectively, and seeing the positive impact we made on the community brought us even closer as friends.

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Band 6-7

00:00

A person I disliked at first but ended up being friends with is my best friend now. His name is Lucky. I met him in school during grade 10. He was a new admission. I had heard about him before from mutual friends and all I've heard was that he had a bad image and was involved in many fights. After he joined school, I noticed that he didn't get engaged in studying and always ended up getting bad grades. But I didn't care a lot about it. One day I saw him outside of school with elderly people. He behaved really well with them and wasn't at all rude like everyone had described him. So I got interested as I'm a curious person and I decided to find out more about him. So first I talked to my cousin about him and she explained to me that everybody's opinion is different about everyone and she gave me an example of her friends having a different opinion about her at first. Also she told me to get to know about him more so I decided to do so. I tried to talk to him the next day in school but as always he behaved rude but I didn't give up and got to know him more. Also I helped him with his studies by tutoring him. Now we are best friends and I'm glad that I decided to learn more about him. He has a great personality and also understands me a lot and I look up to him always.

Follow up questions

What qualities did you find appealing in Lucky after getting to know him?

After getting to know Lucky, I found his kindness and respect for others very appealing. He treats everyone well, regardless of their age or background. His ability to understand me and support me during tough times also made me appreciate him more as a friend.

How did your perception of Lucky change over time?

Initially, I saw Lucky as a troublemaker based on others' opinions. However, as I got to know him, I realized he was misunderstood. His behavior with elderly people showed his true character, and I learned that people can have different sides that aren't always visible at first.

What advice would you give someone who dislikes a person without knowing them well?

I would advise them to keep an open mind and try to get to know the person better before forming an opinion. It's important to understand that first impressions can be misleading, and everyone has their own story that shapes their behavior.

Band 6-7

00:00

So, this person, a person that I disliked at first but ended up being friends with is my current best friend. She is different, she used to be different and she is different now. We met in the college during the first or second week of the admission. I disliked about her, the thing I disliked about her is that she was an introvert, even I was an introvert, but until and unless you go and talk to her, she used to not talk to anybody. I was the one who made an approach to talk to her and be friends with her, but she didn't like me at first, in the beginning she used to tell, I am not interested in being friends with anyone, this was the line that she told in the beginning, but then I kept on talking to her, I asked her notes, I asked her any silly questions and then she was like, okay, now I can't get rid of her, then she became my friend and now we are best friends and it's been like 3 years since we have been friends, she has been through my thick and thin and I have seen her every phases, like in the 3 years what and all has happened, I have gone through with her, so I am happy that I ended up being friends with her than staying like enemies, I am happy that we are best friends right now and I would love to continue this friendship with her.

Follow up questions

What qualities did you discover in her that made you want to be friends?

As I got to know her better, I discovered that she was incredibly kind and supportive. Despite her introverted nature, she had a great sense of humor and was always there for me during tough times. These qualities made me appreciate her and want to build a friendship.

How did your friendship change both of you over time?

Our friendship helped both of us come out of our shells. We became more open and social, which allowed us to meet new people and build a larger circle of friends. It also taught us the value of patience and understanding in relationships.

What activities do you enjoy doing together now?

We enjoy going to the movies, studying together, and exploring new cafes. We also love having deep conversations about life and our future. These activities have strengthened our bond and created many cherished memories.

Show all 17 answers

Cue 1:Who the person is?

Introduce the person by name and describe your relationship with them.
Mention any relevant background information that helps to understand who they are.

Example

The person I initially disliked is named Rohan. He was my classmate in college, and we were both part of the same study group for our engineering course.

Cue 2:When and where you met him/her?

Specify the time and place where you first met this person.
Provide context about the situation that brought you together.

Example

I first met Rohan during our first semester at university, in a crowded lecture hall. We were both attending an introductory class on computer science, and it was a bit overwhelming for all of us.

Cue 3:Why you disliked this person at first?

Clearly explain the reasons for your initial dislike.
Share specific incidents or traits that contributed to your feelings.

Example

At first, I found Rohan to be quite arrogant. He often interrupted others during discussions and seemed to think he was better than everyone else. This behavior really annoyed me, and I felt he was not a team player.

Cue 4:And explain how your opinion of him/her changed and why.

Describe the turning point that changed your perception of this person.
Explain how you got to know them better and what positive traits you discovered.

Example

Over time, I had to work closely with Rohan on a group project. As we collaborated, I discovered that he was actually very knowledgeable and passionate about the subject. He was also willing to help others, which made me appreciate him more. I realized that his confidence was just a way of expressing his enthusiasm for learning.

Conclusion

Example

In conclusion, my initial dislike for Rohan transformed into a strong friendship as I got to know him better. This experience taught me the importance of looking beyond first impressions and understanding people more deeply.

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. Candidates often fail to provide specific details about the person or the situation, which can lead to a lack of clarity.

Tip

Include specific examples and anecdotes about the person and your initial feelings to create a vivid picture for the examiner.

2: Don't Overemphasize Negativity

Focusing too much on negative feelings can create a one-sided narrative. Candidates may dwell on their initial dislike without explaining the positive changes that occurred later.

Tip

Balance your response by discussing both your initial dislike and the qualities that led to your friendship, highlighting personal growth.

Neglecting the 'Why' Factor

Failing to explain why your opinion changed can leave your answer incomplete. Candidates often skip this crucial part, making it hard for the examiner to understand the transformation.

Tip

Clearly articulate the reasons behind your change of heart, emphasizing specific interactions or experiences that influenced your perspective.

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