Describe a time when you received money as a gift.: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

  • When it happened?
  • Who gave you the money?
  • Why he/she gave you the money?
  • And explain how he used the money.

Band 6-7

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Okay, so when I was getting married and there was the event and in our final marriage ceremony event there were a lot of guests which they gave us money in envelopes and that is a tradition that is that is a tradition in my society by that way they give blessings to the bride and bridegroom and that money I have counted that it reached at least one lakh rupees and me and my wife we went on a honeymoon and there we have used that money and the rest of the money that we have saved we have utilized in the in the expenses which we which we incurred on our marriage so that's how it helped in honeymoon and also in managing the expenses that's how I received the money as a gift and I really like that

Follow up questions


How did you feel about receiving money as a wedding gift?
I felt really grateful and happy to receive money as a gift. It was a significant amount, and it made me feel supported by our friends and family. It also relieved some financial pressure from the wedding expenses, allowing us to enjoy our honeymoon without worrying too much about money.

What other gifts did you receive at your wedding?
In addition to money, we received various gifts such as household items, kitchen appliances, and some personalized gifts from close friends and family. Each gift had its own significance, and they all contributed to starting our new life together.

Do you think money is a better gift than physical items?
I believe money can be a better gift in certain situations, especially for weddings. It allows the couple to use it according to their needs, whether for a honeymoon or settling into their new home. However, physical gifts can also hold sentimental value, so it really depends on the context.

Band 6-7

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When I was studying my third standard, during my summer vacation, I visited my grandparents house as a field, as a holiday trip. So after completing my time over there, like spending time over there, while I'm coming back from there, my grandparents gave me 100 rupees as a token of gift. I have never got any money as a present, and that was my first time. So I was really very happy. And even though it is just 100 rupees, but it is more than that, I felt like I'm so rich and I'm super excited and I started thinking what to do with the money. So I have really lot of plans to spend the money by chilling with friends, to buy chocolates and everything. Later, after I went back home, I started thinking what to do with that money. But I have spent it, but finally, I have stored that money in my kitty bank. That was my first time I have started saving money and that was my mother's idea. So from then onwards, from every time I visited my grandparents house, they used to give me some money and I used to store them in the kitty bank. And with that money, after one year, it became 500 rupees and I have spent that money for the welfare of very poor people by donating blankets for them. So that gave me a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. And for that satisfaction and that happiness.

Follow up questions


How did receiving money as a gift impact your view on saving?
Receiving that 100 rupees made me realize the importance of saving. It was my first experience with money, and I learned that saving can lead to greater things, like being able to help others. It motivated me to save more whenever I received money in the future.

What other gifts have you received that were meaningful to you?
Aside from money, I've received books and toys that were very special to me. Each gift carried a memory, especially those from my grandparents. They always chose gifts that reflected my interests, making them even more meaningful.

How do you feel about giving money as a gift to others?
I think giving money as a gift can be very practical, especially for younger people who may not know what they want. It allows them to choose something they truly want or need. I feel good when I can help others with money, just like my grandparents did for me.

Band 6-7

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The one time I received money was four years back from my paternal grandmother who happened to give me who happened to give me ten thousand as part of my birthday and as I was a cricketer and a gym enthusiast back then I used that money wisely first of all I used around 5,000 to get myself new gym shoes for my workouts and my running and with the remaining 5,000 I went to the cricket store I got myself a new set of gloves and and a bat along with it and I'm really thankful moreover I'm thankful for her for lending me money and I don't feel like it's lending me money because she gave it out of love therefore I can say that I put the money to good use

Follow up questions


How did you feel when you received that money as a gift?
I felt really grateful and excited when I received the money. It was a generous gift from my grandmother, and it made me feel loved and appreciated. Knowing that she supported my interests in fitness and cricket made it even more special.

Have you ever given money as a gift to someone else?
Yes, I have given money as a gift to my younger cousin on her birthday. I thought it would be a good way for her to choose something she really wanted. I believe giving money allows the recipient to have the freedom to buy what they truly need or desire.

Do you think receiving money as a gift is better than receiving a physical gift?
I think it depends on the person and the occasion. Money gives the recipient the flexibility to choose what they want, which can be very practical. However, a physical gift can carry sentimental value and show that the giver put thought into it. Both have their merits.

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Band 6

00:00

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00:00

Who doesn't love to receive money as gifts? And this one particular time that I would like to talk about when I received gifts in the form of money is on my birthday two years back. It was my 23rd birthday and we had invited guests from all across the city and family members as well. So we did cut cake, exchange gifts and when it came to these three particular family members of mine three of my aunts, they all gave me money. In total it was around 8,000 rupees, around 2,500 rupees coming from each of my aunts. And that really brought a smile on my face because since I was growing and I had some job in my hand who doesn't love to receive money as gifts, right? So they gave me money because they were out of ideas as to what to give to me because I had changes in my likings and when it came to gifts, so they decided that it would be wise enough to give cash so that I could make choices of my own as to what to buy for myself. And what I did with the money is that I didn't really go up and start buying stuff for me. I decided to save it and used some of that money, a fraction of it to invest in mutual funds so that I could cater my future self when I required money for emergencies.

Follow up questions


How do you feel about receiving money instead of physical gifts?
I actually prefer receiving money because it gives me the freedom to choose what I want. Physical gifts can sometimes be thoughtful, but they may not always align with my current interests or needs. Money allows me to make decisions that suit me best.

What are some of the things you would consider buying with cash gifts?
With cash gifts, I usually think about investing in experiences or items that I truly need. For example, I might buy books, tech gadgets, or even save for travel. Recently, I've also been focusing on investing in mutual funds to secure my financial future.

Do you think it's common for people to give money as gifts? Why or why not?
Yes, I believe it's quite common, especially among family members. People often find it challenging to choose the perfect gift, and giving money allows the recipient to select something they genuinely want or need. It’s practical and often appreciated.
Show all 4 answers

Cue 1:When it happened?

  • Mention the specific occasion or event when you received the money.
  • Provide a brief context about your life at that time.

Example

It was during my college graduation in June 2022. My family had gathered to celebrate this significant milestone in my life.


Cue 2:Who gave you the money?

  • Identify the person who gifted you the money and your relationship with them.
  • Share a little about their significance in your life.

Example

My grandmother gave me the money. She has always been my biggest supporter, attending every important event in my life.


Cue 3:Why he/she gave you the money?

  • Explain the reason behind the gift, whether it was for a specific purpose or just a gesture of love.
  • Reflect on the emotions or thoughts expressed by the giver.

Example

She gave me the money as a graduation gift, wishing me success in my future endeavors. She told me to use it wisely for my further studies.


Cue 4:And explain how you used the money.

  • Describe how you decided to spend or save the money.
  • Share the impact of this decision on your life or studies.

Example

I used the money to enroll in a professional course that would enhance my skills. This investment has helped me secure a better job opportunity.


Conclusion

  • Summarize the significance of the gift and its impact on your life.
  • Express gratitude towards the giver and reflect on the importance of such gestures.

Example

Receiving that money from my grandmother not only helped me financially but also motivated me to pursue my dreams. I am truly grateful for her support and love.


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 Vague About Details

Candidates often give unclear or general answers without specific details. This can make the response less engaging and informative.

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Tip

Provide specific details about when the gift was received, who gave it, and the occasion to make your answer more vivid.


2: Neglecting Emotional Impact

Failing to express how the gift made you feel can lead to a flat response. Emotions add depth to your story.

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Tip

Share your feelings about receiving the money and how it affected your relationship with the giver to create a more compelling narrative.


Ignoring the Usage of Money

Not explaining how you used the money can leave your answer incomplete. It’s important to show the impact of the gift.

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Tip

Clearly describe what you did with the money and why you chose to use it that way to provide a complete picture.


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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 one time I received money was four years back from my paternal grandmother who happened to give me who happened to give me ten thousand as part of my birthday and as I was a cricketer and a gym enthusiast back then I used that money wisely first of all I used around 5,000 to get myself new gym shoes for my workouts and my running and with the remaining 5,000 I went to the cricket store I got myself a new set of gloves and and a bat along with it and I'm really thankful moreover I'm thankful for her for lending me money and I don't feel like it's lending me money because she gave it out of love therefore I can say that I put the money to good use

Band 6-7

Okay, so when I was getting married and there was the event and in our final marriage ceremony event there were a lot of guests which they gave us money in envelopes and that is a tradition that is that is a tradition in my society by that way they give blessings to the bride and bridegroom and that money I have counted that it reached at least one lakh rupees and me and my wife we went on a honeymoon and there we have used that money and the rest of the money that we have saved we have utilized in the in the expenses which we which we incurred on our marriage so that's how it helped in honeymoon and also in managing the expenses that's how I received the money as a gift and I really like that

Band 6-7

When I was studying my third standard, during my summer vacation, I visited my grandparents house as a field, as a holiday trip. So after completing my time over there, like spending time over there, while I'm coming back from there, my grandparents gave me 100 rupees as a token of gift. I have never got any money as a present, and that was my first time. So I was really very happy. And even though it is just 100 rupees, but it is more than that, I felt like I'm so rich and I'm super excited and I started thinking what to do with the money. So I have really lot of plans to spend the money by chilling with friends, to buy chocolates and everything. Later, after I went back home, I started thinking what to do with that money. But I have spent it, but finally, I have stored that money in my kitty bank. That was my first time I have started saving money and that was my mother's idea. So from then onwards, from every time I visited my grandparents house, they used to give me some money and I used to store them in the kitty bank. And with that money, after one year, it became 500 rupees and I have spent that money for the welfare of very poor people by donating blankets for them. So that gave me a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. And for that satisfaction and that happiness.

Band 6

Who doesn't love to receive money as gifts? And this one particular time that I would like to talk about when I received gifts in the form of money is on my birthday two years back. It was my 23rd birthday and we had invited guests from all across the city and family members as well. So we did cut cake, exchange gifts and when it came to these three particular family members of mine three of my aunts, they all gave me money. In total it was around 8,000 rupees, around 2,500 rupees coming from each of my aunts. And that really brought a smile on my face because since I was growing and I had some job in my hand who doesn't love to receive money as gifts, right? So they gave me money because they were out of ideas as to what to give to me because I had changes in my likings and when it came to gifts, so they decided that it would be wise enough to give cash so that I could make choices of my own as to what to buy for myself. And what I did with the money is that I didn't really go up and start buying stuff for me. I decided to save it and used some of that money, a fraction of it to invest in mutual funds so that I could cater my future self when I required money for emergencies.
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