arrow back icon Top Answers

Describe something you received for free.: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

  • What was it?
  • When and from whom did you receive it?
  • How did you feel?
Show all 127 answers

Cue 1:What was it?

  • Begin by clearly stating what the item or service was that you received for free.
  • Provide a brief description of its significance or usefulness to you.

Example

I received a beautiful handmade scarf from my grandmother. It was made from soft wool and had intricate patterns that reflected our cultural heritage.

Cue 2:When and from whom did you receive it?

  • Mention the occasion or event during which you received the item.
  • Specify who gave it to you and their relationship to you.

Example

I received the scarf last winter during my birthday celebration. My grandmother, who is very dear to me, gifted it to me as a surprise.

Cue 3:How did you feel?

  • Share your emotional response upon receiving the gift.
  • Explain why this feeling was significant to you.

Example

I felt incredibly touched and grateful when I received the scarf. It reminded me of the love and care my grandmother puts into everything she makes, making it even more special.

Conclusion

  • Summarize the importance of the gift in your life.
  • Reflect on how receiving this free item impacted your relationship with the giver.

Example

In conclusion, receiving the scarf from my grandmother not only warmed me physically during the cold months but also strengthened our bond. It serves as a constant reminder of her love and our family traditions.

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: Giving Vague Answers

Avoid being too general or vague in your response. Specific details make your answer more engaging and memorable. Vague answers can lead to a lack of clarity.

bulb icon

Tip

Include specific details about the item you received, such as its appearance, purpose, and significance to you.

2: Neglecting Emotional Impact

Failing to express your feelings can make your answer less impactful. Emotions help to connect with the listener and make your story more relatable.

bulb icon

Tip

Share how receiving the item made you feel at the moment and how it affects you now, using descriptive language.

Ignoring the Context

Not providing context about when and from whom you received the item can leave your answer feeling incomplete. Context adds depth to your story.

bulb icon

Tip

Clearly explain the situation surrounding the gift, including the occasion and the relationship with the giver.

calendar icon

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
anonymous person icon

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

location icon

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
anonymous person icon

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 8

location icon

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
anonymous person icon

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 6.5

location icon

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
anonymous person icon

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7

location icon

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
anonymous person icon

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

location icon

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.

All Answers

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

Band 8

One memorable thing I received for free was a collector's edition of Ruskin Bond's short stories, which I unexpectedly won during a literary conclave in New Delhi last year. I had attended the event simply to listen to panel discussions on contemporary Indian fiction, but towards the end, there was a lucky draw, and to my astonishment, my name was announced. The organizers handed me this exquisite boxed set, and to my sheer delight, every volume was personally signed by Ruskin Bond. The collection itself was stunning. Each book had embossed covers with intricate illustrations of the hills of Missouri where the author lives. Moreover, the books were placed in a finely polished wooden case that gave the entire gift a touch of elegance. Furthermore, inside the box was a small handwritten note from Bond thanking readers for keeping storytelling alive, which made the gesture feel deeply personal. Receiving it filled me with an overwhelming sense of joy and gratitude. As an avid lover of literature, I considered it far more than a material gift. It felt like a symbolic token of creative inspiration. In essence, that unexpected reward reminded me how small serendipitous moments can reignite one's passion for art and learning.

Band 8

I would like to talk about a complimentary item that I received quite unexpectedly. A premium leather-bound diary that was given to me during a professional seminar I attended last year. So, the event was organized by a renowned educational institution and at the registrar's desk, every participant was presented with a gift bag. Among the usual items such as brochure and pens, there was an elegantly crafted diary which immediately caught my attention. The quality of the material, the smooth texture of the pages and a minimalistic design made it feel more like a luxury product than a simple giveaway. I found it particularly useful as I often prefer to jot down ideas, reminders and reflections by hand rather than relying solely on digital devices. Receiving it at no cost not only saved me from purchasing one but also motivated me to maintain a more structured routine in terms of planning and goal setting. What made it even more memorable was the fact that it was not just a material gift but also a symbolic gesture of professionalism and thoughtfulness. On the part of the organizers, it reminded me that sometimes small complimentary items can carry immense practical as well as sentimental value.

Band 8

When I was a young child, my beloved grandfather gifted me a soft, adorable panda toy that became my most cherished companion the moment I was instantly captivated by its beautiful black and white fur button size and gentle smile. This panda wasn't just a toy, it was a symbol of my grandfather's love and affection. I would carry this special toy everywhere, to school, on family vacations, to relatives' house. Every adventure became more exciting with my panda by my side, and I would spend countless hours playing, imagining incredible stories, and creating magical worlds together. The toy became my constant friend, providing comfort during uncertain moments and bringing joy to my childhood. Whenever I hugged the panda, I could almost feel my grandfather's warm embrace and hear his loving voice. Even now, years later, this toy remains a treasured possession, presenting not just a childhood memory but the beautiful, unbreakable bond I shared with my grandfather. The panda toy is a tangible reminder of his love, kindness, and the precious moments we shared during my childhood.

Band 7

I would like to talk about a useful item that I received for free a few months ago. It was a pair of high quality earphones that I got a gift when I purchased a new mobile. The store was running a special offer when there was giving free accessories along with certain models. I wasn't expecting anything extra. So when this sales person handed me the earphones, I was quite surprised and happy. There were wireless buds from a well known brand and the brand quality was really impressive. Usually such earphones are quite expensive. So getting them for free felt like a great deal. When I reached home, I tried them immediately and the sound quality was excellent. They had a strong bass, clear vocals and also noise cancellation which made the listening experience very smooth. I use them almost everyday now. Whether I am travelling, going for a walk or watching videos, they are very comfortable and the battery life lasts for many hours. Receiving these earphones for free made me realize how promotional offers can add values to purchase. It was unexpected but it turns out to be extremely useful. In fact, sometimes feel the free earphones were just as exciting as the phone itself. Overall this free item was memorable because it was practical, high quality and something I still use daily. It definitely made my shopping experience more satisfying.

Band 7

Firstly, the gift that I had received was a handmade photo frame. I received it from my girlfriend three years ago. It was on Valentine's Day when she came to my home and she handed me this gift. When she gave it to me, I was overjoyed. I was a bit overwhelmed because I do not usually receive many gifts. It was also during the first few months of our relationship, so I was not expecting anything. But this gesture from her really touched my heart and I could not express how I felt in that moment. But I have thanked her many times later. This gift is very special to me and it's still in my room. I have hung it up for everyone to see and I have put a photo of us together inside it. That photo was taken near Christmas and I love that photo. Under the frame that she built very meticulously, very carefully with her hands, I think she could not have given me a better gift. Moreover, I think the amount of effort that she put into it is what makes it so special for me. I cannot imagine what she must have felt when she saw the look of joy on my face when I received that gift. And it was an incredible moment for me as well.

Band 7

Last summer, I was surfing through the H&M website in order to buy a very good perfume. As there was an upcoming function in my family, I really liked the perfume and the scent. So, I got one of my favorite scent and the fragrance was really good, so I ordered it online. I received my order five days later and I was surprised and felt happy instantly. I looked at my product because with a very good fragrance, I even got a free gift from H&M with a note saying that I have been gifted because of being a loyal customer to them. This is a token of appreciation and love they are providing to me. So, in the free gift, I got a face serum which was actually needed in my daily routine. It's a really good product with a glossy appearance and very importantly, it is oil-free and non-sticky. So, it is very light-weighted and I usually use it in my daily routine as well as it enhances my glow and my confidence. One of the best gifts I have ever received from a company which I would never forget. I really felt happy after receiving the gift. I was so overwhelmed in a positive way that I ordered more 2-3 products because I am a huge fan of H&M. They are someone who really appreciates their customers and thanks them for giving them profits as well and buying their products.

Band 7

So, the thing that I want to describe, which I received for free, is one of the books that I wanted for the longest time ever. It is a book called Orbital by Samantha Harvey, which I wanted to read for a long time. And I received it from my friends on Books and Roses Day. Not specifically Books and Roses Day, but a few days after that. The story behind it is basically that on the Books and Roses Day, I got two roses from my two friends, who read quite a bit, and I feel very lucky to have friends who read, so I wanted to show them that I'm really grateful to have them as my friends. And I got them flowers on that day, but I was pretty sad that I didn't receive any. It would have been very amazing if I would have gotten some flowers on that same day as well. That would have made me feel very much better. But eventually I let it go. A few days later, I received the book Orbital by Samantha Harvey, which I mentioned to one of my friends that I wanted to read, probably two weeks ago. I was really glad that he remembered it, and that they thought about getting me a book instead of flowers, which was definitely a better gift. It made me feel like a very consequential person in their life, and I also felt very moved by that gesture.

Band 7

One memorable thing I received for free was a small potted plant from a community event in my city. I had gone there casually with a friend, and at the entrance, volunteers were handling out plants to promote environmental awareness. I wasn't expecting anything, so receiving it felt like a pleasant surprise. I got this previous month in October as it was an autumn season. The plant was a tiny money plant with bright green leaves neatly placed in a biodegradable pot. I appreciated it because it symbolized a thoughtful initiative and encouraged people to add a little greenery to their homes. I took it home and placed it near my study table, where it still grows slowly and gradually. Every time I look at it, I am reminded of how small gestures can make a big difference. This free gift not only added beauty to my room but also inspired me to start caring for more plants in my surroundings. So this was quite a memorable and quite a beauty product, beauty gift for me as it requires a lot of happiness and blissful situation to handle such kind of memorable things as it was helping environment to make a really healthy and living kind of situation.

Band 7

One of the most memorable things I received for free was a set of books from my school library. A few months ago, our school organized a reading competition and I took part just for fun. To my surprise, I won second place and the prize was a collection of motivational books. What made it special was that I don't expect anything in returns. The books were beautifully packed and they included titles relevant to personal growth and time management. As a result, they really inspired me to read more regularly and improve my habits. Apart from that, I also received a free fitness band during a promotional event at a shopping mall. Although it was not very expensive, it was quite useful because it helped me track my steps and sleep patterns. Overall, receiving these free items made me feel happy and valued.

Band 7

So a gift I received very recently was a French press from one of my friends. I have always been a coffee lover and I take very keen interest in collecting different kinds of coffees, coffee machines, different ways of making coffee like a French press, a mocha pot. I have also got a South Indian coffee filter and I have been longing for a French press for quite some time now. So I celebrate Bhai Fota, that is Bhai Dooj every year. Although I do not have brothers, I have three very dear friends who come to my place and I celebrate Bhai Fota with them. So one of these friend turned brothers gifted me a French press on Bhai Fota this year and I wasn't expecting it at all because I had possibly mentioned it in passing sometime that you know I really want to get a French press and you know French presses are expensive. So I had not hoped that somebody would get me a French press and I was in fact planning on saving up some money to buy myself one. But when I opened the gift wrap and I saw it's a French press, it was an exhilarating feeling. I cannot put into words how elated I felt and at the same time how emotional I felt that you know my friend had remembered something so insignificant to anybody else you know and had remembered to get that for me as a gift on Bhai Fota. So it was extremely special and a very warm feeling.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
ielts logo

Get the IELTS Prep App

Star rating icon

4.2

1M+ Installs

 app download banner image

Get the app link on your phone

+91

Or download app from

google play storeapp store
master ielts speaking ad