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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?
Show all 90 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.

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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.

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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.

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Tip

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

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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
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Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

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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
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Reported by

Anonymous student Band 8

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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
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Reported by

Anonymous student Band 6.5

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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
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Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7

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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
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Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

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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 7

Well, in my last birthday, one of my friends gave me a dictionary. I was badly in need of a dictionary because I wanted to learn new words. At the same time, I could not afford a dictionary at that time because I was short of cash. So, it was a pleasant surprise for me when that friend gifted me a dictionary on my birthday. Maybe, just casually, I had told him during our conversation that I plan to purchase a dictionary and that I am saving up money for it. So, he might have taken up the cue from my conversation and it was very thoughtful of him to have given me this gift. I always think that while giving a gift, one should always think about giving something which will really be useful. People give gifts thoughtlessly as if it's just a formality. But if we are really sincere about our gifts, then we will think about what the person needs the most. So, that way it was really something which was a boon to me. I have been using that dictionary for the last couple of months and I have greatly benefited from it. And I have thanked him profusely because of his thoughtful gift. In fact, it was a pleasant surprise when I unpacked the book during my birthday. I would be very grateful to him for this thoughtful gift. And I think I should give him a similar gift when his birthday comes. It's always better to...

Band 7

A few years ago, on my 20th birthday, my elder sister surprised me with something I had secretly wished for months. A professional DSLR camera. I have been passionate about photography since school, always borrowing friends' equipment or using my phone, but I never dared ask my parents for such an expensive gadget because money was tight after my father's income. That evening, after a simple family dinner, she casually handed me a large wrapped box and said, this one's for you. When I tore open the paper and saw the Canon logo, I actually froze for a second. I couldn't believe it was real. I remembered hugging her so tightly that we both almost cried. That gift meant far more than just the object itself. It showed how closely she had noticed my passion and how much effort she had quietly put in without ever mentioning it. That camera has traveled with me to mountains, beaches, and countless family events. Every time I click the shutter, I am reminded of her love and sacrifice. Even now, years later, it remains the most thoughtful present anyone has ever given me.

Band 7

A gift that I received when I was 14, when I just turned 13 actually, was a book by my then best friend called The Perks of Being a Ball Slaver, which to this day continues to be one of my favourite books I have ever had the privilege of reading. This book describes the story of a boy named Charlie, who as he says himself, as he so aptly puts, is a ball slaver, somebody who blends in, somebody who is in the background of life, somebody who doesn't participate. And this book was so monumental in my understanding of myself and so monumental in understanding everything else that goes on around me, because it taught me that trauma could be in different ways. There is a myriad of characters that have so many different personalities, and this book was extremely important in changing the way I looked at the world, changing my perspective of the society. This came at a very right moment for me, I had just turned 13, I was just encountering things that I had never encountered before, and this made me realise that I was not somebody who should not participate in life. I was always socially anxious, and this played such an important role in me telling myself that I could also participate in life, I did not have to be a background character, I did not have to be somebody who just existed without doing anything, and that action is important, participating in life is important, doing things that make you happy is important, and it made me realise that there are a lot of people around you that you love but you don't actually like, and that is the difference that I try to unravel to this day. It told me that love is not something that is only reserved for romantic, there is platonic love, there is love to objects, there is things that, and it gave me an emotional thing.

Band 7

My father had decided to gift me a computer for my 18th birthday and I had no idea that I was receiving one. When I accepted the gift during my party, I was really thrilled because I have always wanted a computer for myself and knowing that I got it without asking them made me feel really thankful. That computer is now incorporated into my daily routine. I use it all the time. It helps me stay focused for my academics and I can also get simple things done in a short time. The scores that I used to get before and now have a significant difference. It shows how efficient the gift is.

Band 7

Good evening everyone. I am really happy to share few words about a very special gift I received from my husband. He gave me a book during our special day. It may seem like a simple present to me. To me it means so much more. Books have a special way of connecting hearts and thoughts. When someone gives you a book, it shows they know your interest, your dream, and the kind of story that inspired you. This gift reflects how well he understands me. My love for learning, reading, and exploring new ideas. Every page of this book reminds me of his thoughtfulness and support. It's not just a gift. It's a symbol of love, care, and encouragement to keep growing. I truly believe the best gifts are those that touch our heart and stay with us for a long time. This book is definitely one of them. Thank you.

Band 7

A gift I have received that I really love is a book called The Pride and Prejudice. It's a special edition of the book, hard paperback. It was gifted by my partner. I had talked about this book to him, how much I had loved it when I first read it as a teenager and I have always re-read it and it was one of the first literary works that really, really affected me. He gave it to me on one of our dates, I think we were celebrating something and the fact that he remembered that I really wanted that particular edition and what it meant to me was really special, it made me very emotional, it was very thoughtful and I was really spellbound when he gave me that. It's very special when someone remembers what you like and what is something that you had just mentioned in passing and then makes the effort to get it for you. It's more of the effort and trying to make the other person happy. It's one of my most prized possessions. I usually am a huge gift giver, I like giving gifts to people but I don't think I have ever expected a lot of gifts for myself, so it was a very pleasant surprise.

Band 7

The best gift I have ever received is a jacket that I had in my cart for years together. I couldn't afford that jacket because it was really expensive. My best friend knew this. I got the gift on the day of my birthday. We were in a cafe sitting when she took out the gift and she gave it to me. I was really excited to open it but not even in my wildest dreams did I know that it was going to be that jacket, my dream jacket. I opened the gift and as soon as I saw it, I couldn't say anything. I was shocked. I was ecstatic. I didn't know what I felt but all I could think about was how grateful I was to have such a friend. I took it out. I came to my senses and I said, thank you so much. I was happy. I was dancing and I was smiling wide. I'm really thankful. I'm really grateful for having such friends. It made me feel, the reason I wanted the jacket was because it, I love jackets. I love jackets and the reason I wanted it was because it would look really good on me. It would make me feel confident and it also made me appreciate how valuable a friendship can be. It was not just about what the gift was. It was about the thought process behind it. It was about the effort and the love that my friend had for me that she went ahead and she purchased that expensive gift only for me. She purchased it to see a smile on my face which makes me feel really loved and really grateful. Additionally, I feel the biggest gift is her.

Band 7

My mother recently gave me an iPad for my 21st birthday. It was a really thoughtful gesture as I never openly told her that I needed an iPad for my studies. However, she observed me and she noticed that I needed it and therefore gave me such a thoughtful gift and it was something that I really wanted as well. It proved to be extremely useful in my studies. My scores have increased a ton. I use it on a daily basis. I take it everywhere from college to even at home when I'm relaxing. It's like a mini TV and I love to watch all my shows on it.

Band 7

I've received a lot of gifts in past four years because, you know, I stay in Delhi so my friends, my family, they send me a lot of stuff. But the most, I'd say, significant or important gift which I received is when I went to my home on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan. Moreover, it was like two years since I visited my hometown so it was more of a nostalgia for me to be there on Raksha Bandhan. On Raksha Bandhan, my youngest sister, she gifted me a silver bracelet. That meant a lot for me. It wasn't just because of the price tag but also because she's just six years old and she thought of gifting me a silver bracelet because in my community, it's a sign of goodness, it's a sign of healthfulness, I believe. And at such a young age, she thought of my success and my health. That really meant a lot for me. You know, actually it was the plan of my mother and her collectively to give me this silver bracelet because of the auspicious nature it shows. And also, they used to call me on a daily basis at night whether I'm wearing it or not. That's also really nice and I believe it's really cute. She talks to me every day and that's really, really significant for me. I love that.

Band 7

So my school friend on my 16th birthday gave me earpods and a wristwatch and that was really surprising for me as I wasn't expecting that. I told him one day in school that I really need them as my earlier earpods were broken and the sound quality was really bad. They were old too and I told him about the same but I never knew that he would give such a gift but it was really a heartfelt experience. I really loved his gift. Then he also gave me a wristwatch. He observed me in the school that I never wore a wristwatch to school and so he thought of giving me one such. It was a really good looking black coloured watch with a bold silver dial and I really loved it. I now wear it to school everyday and of course I use the earpods as well as my tuitions are online so I really use them. I thanked him a lot and this gift was truly close to my heart and of course he is my best friend.
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