Describe an item of clothing that someone gave you.: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

What was it?
Who gave it? When & why did this person give it?
How did you feel?

38 unique answers with expert feedback

What other gifts have you received from friends?

I've received various gifts from friends, including jewelry and books. Each gift holds a special memory, like a bracelet from my childhood friend that symbolizes our long-lasting friendship. These gifts remind me of the thoughtfulness and love that my friends have for me.

How do you feel about giving gifts to others?

I love giving gifts to others! It brings me joy to see their reactions and to know that I've made them happy. I believe that thoughtful gifts can strengthen relationships, and I always try to choose something meaningful that reflects the recipient's personality or interests.

Do you think clothing gifts are more meaningful than other types?

Yes, I think clothing gifts can be very meaningful because they are personal and often reflect the recipient's style. A well-chosen piece of clothing can show that the giver understands the recipient's taste and preferences, making it a thoughtful gesture.

Band 7

00:00

The piece of clothing which is very special to me was this beautiful Anarkali suit which was gifted to me by my mother last year on my birthday. It is a very special Anarkali dress with a v-neck and half sleeves and a beautiful full flares around it. I was filled with joy as the surprise was very special to me. In addition to that I have used it in my Kathak classes and other programs as well. As it is in black color and I also love black color, it was very beautiful and it is one of the items which I will always cherish.

Follow up questions

What other clothing items do you cherish?

Apart from the Anarkali suit, I cherish a few other items like a denim jacket my best friend gave me and a traditional saree from my grandmother. Each of these pieces holds sentimental value and reminds me of special moments and people in my life.

How do you feel when you wear this Anarkali suit?

Wearing the Anarkali suit makes me feel elegant and confident. It reminds me of my mother's love and the special occasion of my birthday. I feel a sense of pride when I wear it, especially during performances in my Kathak classes.

Do you think clothing can have emotional significance?

Absolutely! Clothing can carry memories and emotions. Items like the Anarkali suit can remind us of special people, occasions, or experiences. They can evoke feelings of happiness, nostalgia, and connection to our loved ones.

IELTS Cue Cards asked last week

Reported by Leap students who gave IELTS

Describe your favourite food at a traditional festival or a special event in your country

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

Pitampura Test Centre, New Delhi

Answer

I like to taste different types of cuisine. Here I would like to talk about my favorite dish at my traditional festival of Onam which is Sadya. Sadya is popular in my city. We are experimenting these cuisines on Onam festival day. Onam is a famous festival in my city. All family members get together in my home and we make a delicious Sadya. There are many ingredients includes that Sadya. Moreover, we make a big feast that day as well as we create a lot of memories together and we wear that day the traditional dress called Sari and men wear the Dhotis. That festival is really important to us because the whole day we are conducting different kinds of games at our homes and all the family members came together. It's a memorable day in my life. This is the festival. We are making the Sambar and Aviyal. These all the kinds of foods are making with the vegetables.

Talk about a toy you liked in your childhood

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 8

Sector 34 Test Centre, Chandigarh

Answer

The toy which I liked in my childhood was a panda doll, which makes me pleasant and makes me more blush. The pandas are the most beautiful creatures of the world, which looks gigantic and has pooshy cheeks and they are like stars in the clouds and they dream in me. Furthermore, these have been given by my father. My father is a very very beautiful artistic person, who makes me think of that. Every day you will face every difficulties and make you suffer and move forward. Pandas are always seen in Japanese countries. It is my lifelong dream to visit a Japanese country and click a photo with the original pandas, which makes sounds better.

Describe a time you were in a place where you didn't know the local language

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 6.5

Whitefield Test Center, Bengaluru

Answer

As India is a very large country full of diversity, so there are many places which have their own language and speak their native language. The place which I visited and I didn't know about their language was Leladakh, which is about 300 km away from my hometown and it is a very good place as it consists of different kind of trees, animals and have many scenic views and I visited over there last year in summers as it was the best time to visit because it has many, it was cold over there and we had summers in our area so it was the best time to visit over there and I went over there with my whole family.

Describe a time when your friend damaged something you owned

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7

Begumpet Test Centre, Hyderabad

Answer

When I was a kid, I had a little pencil box which had these four buttons which gave the pencil box an operative use. When you press the button, the box would open up. When you press the second button, a little part of it would slide out. Basically it was just a little electronical and a fun thing to have and I owned it when I was in 6th. One day after break, I was standing and talking there with one of my friends and another friend of mine was running through the hallway and accidentally she pushed my shoulder and my pencil box hit the ground and it broke into multiple pieces to the point that it was not functional anymore.

Describe a book you recently read

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

CBD Belapur Test Centre, Navi Mumbai

Answer

It Ends With Us is a book I read recently. It's by the author Colleen Hoare. It's mainly a story about two teenagers, Atlas and Lily, and how they just handle their life going through high school, adolescence, and just domestic violence at home. Both of them come from very, very different families. However, they have one common determining factor between them, which is domestic violence. The abuse that they've seen their moms go through is just insane, and they connect through that on a different level. They're actually in the same high school, but they never speak to each other until Atlas actually crashes into an empty house next to Lily's villa. When Atlas is homeless and he doesn't have anywhere to go, he just comes and breaks into the house next to Lily's, and Lily helps him with all the daily necessities like clothes and food, medicines and stuff. Furthermore, their friendship blossoms into love, but it doesn't really fructify as Atlas has to leave. This book really gave me a lot of knowledge about domestic abuse and how to deal with it.

I enjoy both! Buying clothes for myself allows me to choose exactly what I want, but receiving clothes as gifts adds a personal touch. It feels special when someone picks something out for me, especially if it's something I wanted.

Show all 38 answers

Cue 1:What was it?

Begin by describing the item of clothing in detail, including its type, color, and any unique features.
Mention how you came to possess this item and its significance to you.

Example

The item of clothing I received was a beautiful blue kurta. It had intricate white embroidery on the sleeves and a comfortable fit, making it perfect for festive occasions.

Cue 2:Who gave it? When & why did this person give it?

Identify the person who gifted you the clothing and explain your relationship with them.
Provide context about when and why they decided to give you this item, such as a special occasion or a personal reason.

Example

My aunt gave me this kurta during Diwali last year. She wanted me to have something special to wear for the celebrations, as she knows how much I love traditional attire.

Cue 3:How did you feel?

Share your emotional response upon receiving the gift and how it made you feel about the giver.
Reflect on any memories or thoughts that the item evokes when you wear it.

Example

I felt incredibly touched and grateful when I received the kurta. It reminded me of the close bond I share with my aunt, and wearing it during Diwali made the celebrations even more special.

Conclusion

Summarize your overall feelings about the gift and its importance in your life.
Mention how this item of clothing represents your relationship with the giver.

Example

In conclusion, this blue kurta is not just a piece of clothing for me; it represents love and tradition in my family. Every time I wear it, I feel a sense of connection to my roots and cherished memories with my aunt.

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: Vague Descriptions

Using vague language can make your answer less engaging and informative. Avoid general terms that do not provide a clear picture of the clothing item.

Tip

Be specific about the item, including its color, style, and any unique features that make it special.

2: Neglecting Emotional Impact

Failing to express your feelings about receiving the item can make your response less personal and relatable. Emotions add depth to your story.

Tip

Share how the gift made you feel, whether it was happiness, nostalgia, or gratitude, to connect with the listener.

Ignoring Context and Story

Not providing context about the giver and the occasion can lead to a disjointed answer. Context helps the listener understand the significance of the item.