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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.
Show all 104 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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    Tip

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

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    All Answers

    Here are all the answers by real-users practicing speaking for IELTS Cue Cards on our IELTS Prep App.

    Band 7

    I would like to talk about one of my current best friend Arjun, who actually didn't like at all when I first met him. We were classmates in high school and from the very beginning he seemed very loud and overconfident to me. He used to interpret others in group discussion and always tried to take the lead, which made me feel annoyed and a bit uncomfortable around him. The turning point came when we were paired together for a science project. At first I thought it would be a disaster, but as we started working, I realized that he was not trying to show off, he just had a lot of enthusiasm. He was actually very supportive and encouraged me to share my ideas during that time. We spent many hours together researching and creating our presentation, and I got to see a completely different side of him. Eventually we became really close. He turned out to be kind-hearted, funny and very reliable. What I initially saw as arrogance was actually his way of hiding his nervousness and trying to make a good impression. Now I am really glad that I got the chance to know him better. He has helped me become more confident and we have shared many great memories over the years. I think this experience taught me not to judge people too quickly because sometimes first impressions can be completely wrong.

    Band 7

    The first person who comes to mind when I'm given this topic about whom do I dislike the most, whom did I dislike the most at first and what changed my opinion is most definitely my roommate of three years now. I initially had a very negative impression of her when I first met her because she was very loud, bubbly and outspoken, the complete opposite of what I am as a person and I felt like we weren't a good match and that we wouldn't bond as well. So when we started living together, I realised that she's actually a very honest and empathetic person, she'll help you out no matter what you want, whenever you need her, she's always there for you and those are the qualities which make a good roommate and I slowly realised that she affected a positive change in my life as well. I had a shift in my personality and I went from this recluse, introverted person into a very helpful and outspoken individual and I would certainly attribute those qualities to her and I would say that she's the reason why I turned out to be like this. My initial impression of her was of disdain, reason being she was very energetic and I thought that she would suck out all my energy and I'm someone who has a very limited social battery. So I did not feel like I wanted her to enter into my sacred space which is my room and turn it upside down which is why initially I had that negative impression.

    Band 7

    If I have to describe a person I disliked at first but then ended up being friends with, it would be my colleague or I can say my senior, Dr. Arishpreet Kaur. When I was doing my PhD, I met her in the lab and I felt that she had a very bossy attitude and she behaved with me like I am her servant but later on I realized how good a person she is, how helpful she is and she made me learn many new things. She made me experience the class and she made me experience the practicals and how to upload a paper. She is the cornerstone of the lab where I learned most of the things and she keeps on motivating me, she keeps on inspiring me with her hardworking attitude. Although she was mother of two, her dedication was awe-inspiring. It was her that I didn't like at first sight but then ended up being friends with and we are very good friends now. I go every weekend to her place, I met her daughters, they all are very lovely. She has instilled very good sanskars in them, I guess.

    Band 7

    I'd like to talk about a person I initially disliked but eventually became good friends with. His name is Arjun and he was my classmate during my first year at university. I first met him on the very first day of classes. We were assigned to the same project and that's when I had my first impression of him. Honestly, I didn't like him at all in the beginning because he came across as arrogant and overly confident. He would dominate group discussions, interrupt others mid-sentence and seemed unwilling to listen to anyone else's ideas. To me, he hooked like someone who just wanted to show off his intelligence rather than genuinely contribute as a team member. However, as the semester went on, I gradually began to see a different side of him. While working on our project, I noticed that he was actually very hardworking and deeply committed. He wasn't trying to belittle anyone, he just had a very direct way of communicating, which initially felt rude to me. Over time, I realized that beneath his seemingly proud exterior, he was a very reliable and caring friend. Now, we share a strong bond and I often rely on him for both academic and personal support. Looking back, I feel that my initial dislike was based more on understanding his personality than on who he truly was. So, in short, my opinion of Arjun changed because I got to know him better and understood his intentions. This experience taught me that first impressions can be misleading and it's always worth giving people a chance before a judgment.

    Band 7

    So this person is now my best friend, which is funny because I never thought we'd be friends in the first place. I first saw her in a big card. There was this inauguration ceremony from our school for the toppers and she was one of them. She had scored full marks in mathematics and she got this big prize. I always looked up to her. I didn't dislike her but I was jealous in a way because she was very pretty, she had a great friend circle and she also scored well in every exam. Then we were placed in the same class in 11th grade and then for a dance practice we actually made a group where due to mutuals we came in contact and that's when I started to know her personality. That's when I started to like her personality and how we matched. She is a very fun, cheerful, optimistic person who also has goals for herself which made me more into the friendship. She is just a person you can rely on and you know that she won't spread your opinions anywhere and that's when I realised how bad of a good best friend that I've been in my life because I've had a bad experience before and now she's my best friend and I talk to her every day.

    Band 7

    I would like to talk about my friend and colleague Kanika who is a senior cabin crew member in my airline. When I first met her, I felt that she is very rigid and she is very, I can say, very egoistic. But after some time when I talked to her, I felt that she is very professional, she is very confident and calm in nature. Later on I got to know that she had some personal issues because of that she was like that. So in terms of personality, she is very confident and calm and professionally always handles a stressful situation with a smile, which is something I really admire. She has smart appearances of medium height and always carries herself at work. She is extremely skilled, she has excellent communication skills and she knows how to lead a team effectively. For example, once she had a very difficult flight with some challenging passengers, but she stayed composed and guided the entire crew on how to manage the situation. Because of her leadership, everything went smoothly. I admire her because she is supportive, now reliable and inspiring. She motivates me to do better and reminds me that staying calm and positive makes a huge difference. That's why I would like to work with her more often in the future and hope to see her soon.

    Band 7

    Okay, the person I disliked at first but ended up being friends with is my best friend Meghna. I met her during my college first year, during the orientation day and I have seen her briefly and the way I observed her, the way I saw her speaking to others, I felt like she was bossy and was kind of rude in a way, so I didn't add the interest, she didn't piqued my interest, so I just left. I thought she was an arrogant lady but after some time, to be precise, during my second year exams, I started noticing her and found out that she wasn't actually bossy but she was actually confident in what she says that made her look like she is bossy and arrogant but she wasn't. And then we started talking and I came to know that we share a lot of common interest and I started being friends with her and it reminded me of the quote that says, don't judge a book by its cover. And eventually we became best friends and today when I look back, I do feel like she was one of the best decisions I made and if I hadn't made friends with her and didn't give a try to know about her, I would have lost a very good friend of mine. She is right now one among the people who understands me better and tries to help me go through or overcome things that is difficult for me and she is able to handle me better than anyone else when I am during my anxious period and yeah, she is one of the best friends I have in my circle right now.

    Band 7

    So a person that I disliked at first but ended up being friends with is my best friend apparently. I met her for the first time in 4th grade and at that time I personally thought that she was very arrogant and rude. Also I saw her fighting with a person from our class and that's when I made a conception about her that she is very rude. But then after some days all my friends were absent so I was sitting alone and she came and sat next to me and then we started talking. I realized that she is not that bad. In fact she was pretty good and one of the most funniest person I have ever met. So that's when we started talking and now we have been friends for 10 years and I love her. I absolutely have really nice feelings for her and I think she is the best person who is alive. She is a sweetheart and I genuinely like her very much now.

    Band 7

    I would like to talk about my classmate, Vivi. When I first met her at the school, I honestly didn't like her very much. She was quite outspoken in class and often interrupted other people while they were speaking. To me, she seemed a bit arrogant and I thought she just wanted to show off her knowledge. However, later when we were put together in the same group for a project that gave me a chance to work with her more closely, I discovered that she wasn't arrogant at all. She was just really enthusiastic and full of ideas. She also turned out to be very supportive and always making sure everyone in the group was included. As time went by, we started talking more outside of class and I realized we had a lot of things in common, especially in terms of music and sports. Eventually, we became good friends and now I really appreciate her confidence and energy.

    Band 7

    One person I initially disliked but later became good friends with is my college mate and also my class fellow Akbar. I first met him during my post graduate days at JNU, Jaipur when we were assigned to same group project. At the beginning I honestly found him quite arrogant, he seemed overly confident, interrupted people frequently and I felt he was not willing to listen to others opinions. Because of that I tried to avoid interacting with him whenever possible. However, once we actually started working together, my perspective changed. I realized that he was not arrogant, he was just very passionate about his ideas and sometimes expressed them too strongly. Over time I noticed that he was also incredibly hardworking and supportive. For example, when I was struggling with the part of the project, he stayed late to help me out. Gradually my initial dislike turned into respect and eventually friendship. Now we share a very positive relationship and I have learned that first impressions can often be misleading. This experience also taught me to be more open minded and patient with people. Because sometimes the qualities we dislike at first are the same ones that make them valuable friends later on.
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