Describe when someone gave you something you really wanted /a gift your received: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

Who gave it to you?
What was the thing?
When you received it?
Why you needed it?
How you felt about it?

14 unique answers with expert feedback

How did receiving the Kindle impact your reading habits?

Receiving the Kindle significantly enhanced my reading habits. I could carry multiple books at once, which made it easier to read more often. I explored various genres and authors, and it truly deepened my love for reading.

Have you given any memorable gifts to others?

Yes, I once gifted my best friend a personalized journal for her birthday. She loved writing, and I thought it would inspire her creativity. Seeing her reaction was priceless, and it felt great to give something meaningful.

What other gifts have you received that were special to you?

Another special gift was a handmade scrapbook from my sister on my graduation. It was filled with memories and messages from family and friends. It meant a lot to me because it showed how much effort she put into it, making it truly unique.

Band 6-7

00:00

I would like to share about my new mobile phone which was gifted by my father I got it I got it recently in the month of October 2024 actually I need a mobile phone very needed because as a student juggling classes studying exams my phone allows me to organize and connect I use it for everything from managing my daily schedule to accessing academic resources online it is a compact tool that keeps my life on track I primarily utilize my mobile for browsing internet when I am preparing for my exams and to grasp new topics from internet this flexibility saves a lot of time compared to digging up with laptops aside I give my significant time to social media platforms like such as Instagram etc. it's a great way for me to unwind while staying in touch with friends relatives family members and colleagues moreover keeping up with a current affair

Follow up questions

How do you feel about receiving gifts from family?

Receiving gifts from family members, like my mobile phone, makes me feel appreciated and loved. It shows that they understand my needs and support my goals, which strengthens our bond.

What other gifts have you received that were meaningful to you?

Aside from my mobile phone, I received a laptop from my parents for my studies. It was crucial for my academic success, allowing me to complete assignments and conduct research efficiently.

How do you choose gifts for your friends or family?

When choosing gifts, I consider the recipient's interests and needs. I try to find something practical or meaningful, like books for my friends who love reading or gadgets for tech enthusiasts.

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.

Band 6-7

00:00

There are various occasions when I got gift from my loved ones specially my family and friends on various occasions but here I would like to share a gift which I really want and I received on my 21st birthday and it was a laptop. It was an Apple MacBook M1 chip laptop which is fully equipped with backlight keyboard and it is a really amazing companion for coders as it has a Motorola chip and a fast working processor. So it is beneficial for me in various ways. It was gifted by my father as I was pursuing BTech in Computer Science and Engineering so it turned to be as beneficial for me. I was really curious about the gift and how to use the laptop for using and becoming more powerful in using techniques. I generally navigate to the YouTube and I also use that laptop in various occasions especially during some coding seminars. I also worked on the laptop to make various kinds of projects during my degree and it helped me a lot to make websites as it is compatible for mobile development too. So I downloaded Android Studio which is one of the popular Android using software. So I like the gift and I thank

Follow up questions

How did receiving the laptop impact your studies?

Receiving the laptop significantly enhanced my studies. It allowed me to work on coding projects more efficiently and access online resources easily. The powerful processor helped me run complex software like Android Studio, which was crucial for my coursework in Computer Science.

What other gifts have you received that were meaningful to you?

I've received several meaningful gifts, such as a camera from my mother, which sparked my interest in photography. Additionally, my friends have gifted me books that inspired me and helped me grow personally and academically. Each gift holds a special memory and significance.

How do you feel about giving gifts to others?

I believe giving gifts is a wonderful way to express love and appreciation. I enjoy selecting thoughtful gifts for my friends and family, as it strengthens our bonds. I often consider their interests and needs to ensure the gift is meaningful and useful to them.

Band 6-7

00:00

My brother gave a watch to me on my birthday and I required it because I'm a very punctual person who always want to do the things on time and he understands that for which I'm really happy and glad that he is always concerned about me and I was very happy to see my present which I badly needed and I received it on the occasion of my birthday what else could be the perfect time to get something which is very much necessary and essential for you and you are receiving the same from your family member I cherish such gifts and presents and God bless to such family members who are always there for their loved ones and taking care of them that watch is very close to my heart and very important part of my daily life and a significant accessory

Follow up questions

How do you feel about receiving gifts from family members?

Receiving gifts from family members makes me feel loved and appreciated. It shows that they understand my needs and care about my happiness. Gifts like the watch from my brother strengthen our bond and remind me of the support I have in my life.

What other gifts have you received that were meaningful to you?

I have received several meaningful gifts, such as a book from my sister that inspired me to pursue my passion for writing. Each gift holds a special memory and reflects the thoughtfulness of the giver, making them significant in my life.

Do you think it's better to give or receive gifts?

I believe both giving and receiving gifts are important. Giving brings joy and satisfaction, knowing you can make someone happy. Receiving gifts, especially from loved ones, makes you feel valued and cared for. It's a beautiful exchange of affection.

Band 6-7

00:00

The most precious gift which I had ever got was a cricket bat which my mother gave it to me when I was 12 years old or in my middle school. When I had recently started going to the sports, cricket classes in the evening and the coach had asked me to bring a bat or cricket kit. I had argued with my mother for a long time that I wanted a bat. I had expressed my feelings and desire for a cricket bat. But my mother was not convinced that I should have a cricket bat. She told me that she would give me the bat when I would score good marks in my upcoming exams which were going to be in 1 or 2 months I guess. For the cricket bat, I studied really hard for that examination. I started practicing and eventually I got very good marks more than what my mother had anticipated. So, usually my mother had to buy me that gift. It was so precious for me that I still have it at my home, saved and preserved. Although I don't use it right now or I haven't used it in a long time, but I have still stored it and kept it because it was my first gift which I really wanted and my mother had got it for me.

Follow up questions

How did you feel when you received the cricket bat?

I felt incredibly happy and proud when I received the cricket bat. It was a symbol of my hard work and dedication. Knowing that my mother believed in me and rewarded my efforts made the gift even more special.

Do you think gifts have a significant impact on relationships?

Yes, I believe gifts can strengthen relationships. They show thoughtfulness and appreciation. In my case, my mother's gift motivated me to perform well in my studies, which brought us closer together and created a lasting memory.

Have you ever given a meaningful gift to someone else?

Yes, I once gave my younger brother a bicycle for his birthday. I saved up for months to buy it. Seeing his joy and excitement when he received it was incredibly rewarding, and it made me realize the importance of giving meaningful gifts.

Show all 14 answers

Cue 1:Who gave it to you?

Begin by introducing the person who gave you the gift, mentioning your relationship with them.
Share a brief background about why this person is significant to you.

Example

The gift was given to me by my younger sister, Priya. She has always been my closest companion and knows me better than anyone else.

Cue 2:What was the thing?

Clearly describe the gift you received, including its name and any special features.
Explain why this particular item was something you really wanted.

Example

The gift was a beautiful leather backpack that I had been eyeing for months. It was stylish and perfect for my college needs, with enough space for my books and laptop.

Cue 3:When you received it?

Mention the occasion or event during which you received the gift.
Provide a timeline to give context, such as the month or year.

Example

I received it on my birthday last year, which made the moment even more special as I had been hinting at wanting it for a while.

Cue 4:Why you needed it?

Explain the practical reasons for wanting the gift, such as utility or necessity.
Share any emotional reasons that made the gift more significant.

Example

I needed the backpack for my daily college commute, as my old bag was falling apart. It also represented my sister's understanding of my needs and style.

Cue 5:How you felt about it?

Describe your emotional reaction upon receiving the gift.
Share how this gift impacted your relationship with the giver.

Example

I felt incredibly grateful and happy when I unwrapped it. It made me realize how thoughtful my sister is, and it strengthened our bond even more.

Conclusion

Summarize the importance of the gift in your life.
Reflect on how this experience has influenced your views on giving and receiving gifts.

Example

In conclusion, this gift was not just a backpack; it was a symbol of love and understanding. It taught me the value of thoughtful gifts and how they can strengthen relationships.

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: Lack of Detail in Responses

Providing vague answers can make your response less engaging and informative. It's important to give specific details to create a vivid picture for the examiner.

Tip

Use descriptive language and include specific examples about the gift, such as its appearance, significance, and your feelings.

2: Ignoring the Cues

Failing to address all the cues can lead to an incomplete answer. Each cue is designed to guide your response and ensure you cover all aspects of the topic.

Tip

Make sure to answer each cue in order, providing a clear and structured response that flows logically.

Overly Simple Language

Using very basic language can limit your score. It's important to demonstrate a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures to impress the examiner.

Tip

Practice using varied vocabulary and complex sentences to express your thoughts more clearly and effectively.