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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 6-7

    The person I would like to describe is a colleague named Sarah. We met at our marketing frame about two years ago during a team building event. Initially, I found her competitive nature and assertive personality overwhelming. I thought she was arrogant and dismissive of others' ideas. However, we started working together on projects. I saw her dedication, expertise, and willingness to help. We collaborated on a successful camp again, and I appreciated her creativity and work ethic. Over time, I realized her assertiveness and driven by passion and a desire for excellence. We started discussing shared interests outside the work, and we really finally became good friends. She is a very giving person. Finally, we used to share our things, our family matters, and everything.

    Band 6-7

    The person whom I disliked at the very beginning is currently my best friend. The reason why I disliked him was that I am pretty much against of consuming any sort of alcohol or cigarettes. But when I first saw him, I saw that he was consuming a cigarette. He was actually a friend of mine, he was actually a friend's friend of mine, but when I saw him for the first time, he was smoking cigarette. So I was very much against it. So I took it at the face value and I found out later that you shouldn't go for a person's face value at the very beginning. As it's always been said that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover. So later when I had a conversation with him, spent time with him, the way he had been with me through my ups and down, through my tough tough scenario, like a true true testament of friendship comes at a time when you are really down. And at that moment he was right beside me and his name is Justin. So right now I am very fond of him, rather sitting next to him and giving this IELTS exam.

    Band 6-7

    One of my friends, Solange. I met her when I joined AIMS. AIMS took her after my joining. On my first day I met her and she was a bit arrogant. She is not talking to anyone, not even me as I was from her batch also. But yeah, she was ignoring me. So, I didn't like her at first. But with time, with time, my opinion changed as you know, when we get our shift together, we are working together, we became friends, we started going out. Then with time I realized that we share a lot more common interests, common hobbies. And yeah, we are much more like same, sharing same spirit. So, with time we became friends and I started liking her.

    Band 6-7

    Well, I have this amazing memory of a friend whom I disliked in the beginning, but happened to be the best friend that I can ever get in my entire lifetime. Yeah, it was my friend Nisha. She was from my school. And in the beginning, when I met her, she used to be very zooed, or in other words, I can say that she appeared to me very zooed, very mean. She used to talk to people in a very disrespectful manner, which I thought it to be. But eventually, when I got a chance to speak to her, I sat with her. I got to know that this was her way of speaking to people. And she had a little high tone, the pitch was a little high. But the intent behind that was really good. And she happened to be the most humble, most genuine person I ever met. I met her in the school.

    Band 6-7

    The person that I detested at the start but ended up being friends is my current best friend named Siddhesh. I met him during my school and we were friends since my childhood. While we ended up attending most of the lectures and classes together I did not enjoy his company. I formed an opinion of him that he was very rude and selfish. He used to not help me in my assignments, not help me if I missed my classes and he used to...

    Band 6-7

    Okay, the person I met is my best friend, I met him during my PG days, like he was I think new to, actually he was my junior at that time, so like he want to buy some clothes or something, so for that he came and asked me, asked about where will be the good shop for buying this kind of clothes, so I suggested him one shop, but I think he didn't went there alone because he was the first time at that place, so after that he came to me and he tell the reason and we both go together and we collected his dress, so that was the first time we met and we became friend and then the, actually he is a very good person, but he is little stingy, he has like also his opinions about different, is different from some other changes.

    Band 6-7

    I here I would like to talk about my best friend her name is Sarin. I first met her when I was in my 11th grade. I thought she is very rude and arrogant in nature because her face looked very serious. Later after one week I started to talk with her and I came to know that she's a very fond person with a kind heart and in addition to that she is very enthusiastic in nature. I am grateful to God that I got a friend like her. In addition to that whenever I feel depressed or sad I just ran to her and tell all my problems and she can easily understand me and give me the exact solution and I feel very happy and satisfied whenever I am around her. Moreover I still remember the day when I first met her as I mentioned I thought she is very rude and I did not even think that we will become friends because she is having a rude and arrogant face where we'll think that she is very serious in nature she won't mingle with anyone. Later my class teacher who shuffled our class and I got a chance to sit near to her and we started talking to each other and I came to know that she's a lovable person who's having a kind and sweet heart and in addition to that my parents know her very well and for them she's like mine.

    Band 6-7

    There are ample of people when we meet them in our daily life but today I would like to share one of my experience which I experienced in my school time. So that day I went to school for the first day and there I met a girl she was in my class and we shared a talk but in the first day I find her very rude and not good but after spending some time with her and spending days with her I realized that she is actually a nice person and after some days we started to share a good bonding and we used to play and study together and even we are now best friends and our friendship lasts from last 4 years and she is my one of the most favorite person who actually understands me and supports me in each and everything. So certainly it's sure that sometimes we dislike some person in the first time but after that we when we get to know about them so we share a very good bonding and that's how my experience was.

    Band 6-7

    The person I dislike is the girlfriend of my school friend, one of my best friends. So, when I came to know that they were dating, I disliked this girlfriend. I thought her as a gold digger and a flirty person who will eventually break his heart. But, as the time passed, we were introduced by her. So, we started to hang out, like going for cafe, coffee, going out clubbing, etc. So, with time I realized that the person is actually not a gold digger, but a very genuine, friendly and caring person. So, we started to hang out more. Now that she has moved to a different city, my friend has moved to a different city for career opportunities, we are not able to go out regularly, but we are connected to social media, cell phones, calling, etc.

    Band 6-7

    from other restaurants and I want to talk about a friend of mine his name is Joseph I found his attitude brash and loud initially he was impolite and used abusers as a form of as a term for of endearment I found this deeply offensive as it did not stick well with my morals I also found that he has been borrowing money from people and not returning them it is an immediate red flag in my book however given the low pay that we were paid by our employer we I could understand his circumstances as well over a period of time we started seeing more of each other as we were working at the same place we also started eating together at the same canteen which is where we had we shared common interests over our hate for the food at the canteen eventually we decided to pull in money and order food from outside this was a beneficial arrangement for both of us it also provided a solid foundation of trust and sharing in the relationship eventually it led to more investment and trust nowadays I count him as one of my close friends however he still hasn't changed and is still brash loud and voices his opinion in a distasteful manner however I don't think the surface level qualities should be judged in isolation as people are more than what they seem I think everybody should be given a deeper understanding and not be judged on the first impression they make this is how I that is why I still continue my friendships with Joseph
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