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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'll be talking about is one of my close friends and a great advisor till date. His name is Faish Shaikh. We met during my first semester of an architecture degree when we both got admitted. I scored the highest in my college and he was the second most runner up. And the first day I saw him he was in my classroom. We were doing an activity and we were paired up in a group together. I had this image of him that he was very egoistic, very selfish and he didn't like listening to the opinions of the people. But slowly as we were put to a lot of group projects, a lot of duo projects, I got to know that he had a sense of responsibility and he knew how he could frame his ideas and he was definitely not egoistic. But later on after some time when we became more close, he helped me in a lot of my difficult situations. He guided me through a lot of things and till date we are in connect with each other and we like to solve the design problems or any life problems related. And I can still say that the first impression I had of him is totally different from what the impression I have of him right now. Because I was like you can't tell a book by its cover and that's what my first mistake was. But later on I realized that how good of a genuine friend he is and that's how our bond remains.

    Band 6-7

    Well, in this fast-paced era, we met a lot of people in our life. Some become memorable events that we are never able to forget. Similarly, today, I am going to talk about a person whom I initially disliked when we first met, but I don't know what happened, but there was something strong about that. We became very good friends. Well, it is none other than my bosom buddy, Dilpreet Singh. He is a very, very funny person. Along with this, he is full of energy, going around to the people, helping them all the time. Well, this wasn't my thought in the beginning. I thought he was a little too mean to the people and not very good in talking skills and all that. Well, we met in my high school days while I shifted from another school to my school where I met him. The main thing I liked about him was he was quite funny and was fond of things. The main point was that we were two peas in one pod. We shared genuinely same interests regarding everything. Not even one thing was different about us, but in the starting, I thought that he was trying to compete against me, the things I am trying to do, he wants to do as well. He was just making up a competition between us, so I thought that he is trying to be mean with me as I am a new kid, but later I got to know that he was having the same interests as mine. So, after we talked, it became very good. According to me, talking is the best stage from where I get to know about him. All in all, he is the person I disliked at first, but ended up being friends with.

    Band 6-7

    Firstly, I disliked one of my best friend now. She is Dilna. First time we are not good friend. I don't like her because she is very rude personality. When we met in our bigger life, she was my roommate. But first time we are not talk to each other. We have lots of problems in our room. That time I am not like her. She was very cruel and she was not open minded person. That's why I am not like her. Once upon a time we are not talk to each other in our room. But after that we talk to each other. At a point time we are very close to each other. Now she is my best friend. Now we are talk to every day and we are sharing lots of things. I can share anything with her without any prejudices. She is very good listener. I can share any problems with her and she stand with me in my up and downs. She can share lots of experience and she give me lots of suggestions in my problems. That suggestions is sometimes very helpful for me. When I realize that she is very good listener.

    Band 6-7

    So this person that I'm going to talk about is the BTS member called Jun. So I used to think that people who are very handsome are usually very rude to people because they know that they have beauty of all the world. And then later when I started watching his videos and discovered that he is a very kind and childless person and that changed my perspective about him that oh my god I was so wrong about him and I started liking him more and more and then I fell in love with this person and now I keep watching him everyday, not daily basis but whenever I feel sad, whenever I feel happy I would listen to his songs, I would read about him, what is unique about him and all the stuff. And this has taught me that looks has nothing to do with your character, very different from what others think.

    Band 6-7

    So, I met my best friend Anna in grade 10th and it's been a course of four years together for now this year and how I met her was like I told you, we met in school and my first experience with her was I thought that she was very rude because I had heard rumors that she was very mean and she was an egoistic person. So, I had formed an opinion about her in my mind on the first day of my grade 10th that she was a horrible person and she had a gang of five friends. So, I've always thought of them as the rowdies and horrible bullies of our class and the first time I talked to her was when my teacher had made us sit together for a group project and we usually have to sit according to our roll numbers and roll numbers are set according to alphabets. So, after her letter was mine unfortunately. So, we both sat together that day and we started discussing about the topic and I was very rude towards her because I thought she was rude too. So, I didn't want to be humiliated and embarrassed in front of everyone. So, I also acted rude to her that day but later she texted me that same day when I went home telling whether we could come on a meet for some time and yeah we started talking from that day onwards and haven't stopped until then. So, remember do not judge the book by its cover because what's on the outside is not necessarily what's in the inside and she proved it wrong.

    Band 6-7

    The person was basically one of my classmates and I met him in my school bus for the first time and after that in my class. I generally did not like him because he used to stammer a lot and secondly he was a bit clingy like he used to always like to stick and I ended up with him as a good friend because he was a gentle man. He always helped me when I used to stay absent and he used to always keep me updated and he always took care of me. He always showed me a different affectionate and a different caring which changed my thought to give him a chance to be friends and after that we became good friends and started hanging out together and I started learning why he was like that and why he used to behave like that. So later I thought that it was my mistake to judge him by the outer cover. I should definitely not do that. I should first understand the inner part and I should decide whether the person is good or bad. It was my fault. I got this clarity after being good friends with him.

    Band 6-7

    During the time I was in 6th standard, I shifted to a new school, so making friends was a big thing for me. And during my first day, I met this guy, and he seemed so bully type, so I just tried to stay away from him. As the days passed by, I get to know him more, and I came to know about how he makes problem with the teachers and students in his class, and that really made me hate him. But after a year or so, I came to know that his parents died in a car accident. So that just changed my whole perspective about him, and I came to realize that this might be the thing why he is so attention-seeking towards everyone. He does create problems to get the attention of everyone and be self-centered. So, at that time, I hated him, but after then, I started to help him about his fault. And we both worked together, and now he is a good man, I believe.

    Band 6-7

    So this person is my best friend. Her name is Anit. I met her in my college. The first day that I met her, I found her very irritating and very annoying. But then, due to some lecture or something, I don't remember. I don't remember anything. I don't remember anything. I don't remember anything. Anit is the person that I disliked at the first time but ended up being best friends right now. I met her in my college. On our first day, we were sitting right across each other and we were giving each other angry look. So then, after that... Anit is the person that I disliked at the first time I met her and then we ended up being best friends. I met her in my college. We used to sit across each other but never spoke. We used to give a hate look to each other. But then, because of some exam, we had to sit next to each other and then we had this rapport. We used to talk continuously. Our teachers used to shout at us. But then, we ended up being best friends. I am still in touch with her. She is the go-to person for me. I have any problem, I just go to her. She stays also next to my building. So, we keep meeting each other. So, it's been 10 years and we are still best friends. That's it.

    Band 6-7

    When I initially met the CEO of my previous company, I felt he was kind of arrogant and rude because the way he spoke to my other colleagues, I was a bit scared to even go close to him. He seemed very irritated at times. But when I started working closely with him, I understood that he really appreciates people who really work hard. And I was one of those people in the company who used to work overtime and give their all to the work. And he really appreciated that. He even gave me an award which was called the Superstar Award. While handing that recognition to me, he said that I am probably one of the most hardworking person he has ever seen. And I was absolutely amazed by those words because I have never heard any good things coming out of his mouth for quite a few while. It was surprising for me and also gave me a lot of confidence on my work. Eventually I started liking him and we had a good bond.

    Band 6-7

    The person I disliked at first was my school teacher. When I was a child and I was 5 to 10 years old, at that time he was very strict and he wouldn't take any responsibility of child in his school and he's not convincing, he's always failed to convince his students and knowledge about the subject was also not good and he just took a strict action about the students but as as if come to knowledge he was having lack of knowledge about the subject and he did something and he say something everything was mismatching at those days that was that that is the thing we hated him so much but after days goes on after days went on he become very humble and
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