Describe Your Best Friend: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

Who is he/she?
When and how did you two meet?
How do you spend time together?
And explain why you like this person

30 unique answers with expert feedback

What qualities do you think are important in a best friend?

I believe qualities like honesty, loyalty, and kindness are essential in a best friend. They should be someone you can trust and rely on during tough times, just like Bidisha has been for me. A good sense of humor and shared interests also help strengthen the bond.

How do you maintain your friendship over the years?

We maintain our friendship by staying in touch regularly, whether through calls, texts, or meeting up. We also make time for each other despite our busy schedules. Sharing experiences, like watching movies or attending concerts together, helps keep our bond strong.

Have you ever had any disagreements with your best friend?

Yes, like any friendship, we have had disagreements. However, we always communicate openly and resolve our issues quickly. Our mutual respect and understanding help us navigate through conflicts, making our friendship even stronger in the end.

Band 6-7

00:00

Friends play a very important role in a person's life. Here I would like to talk about a friend of mine, whom I met while I was studying in Delhi. His name is Mayank Kumar. He is now pursuing Bachelors of Nursing from IIT Kanpur in New Delhi. It was the time of 2020 when I was living in Delhi. I met him during my study in Akash Institute of Technology. Me and my friend were preparing there for the NEET coaching and we were studying together. He is a person with an egg-headed personality and jack of all trades. He loves to play football and he was very good in studies. He scored almost 90% in his scholarship as we met and we were in the same class. I really like him because of his strong opinions on a problem. Like when I was in a hurry or I was in a problem, he gave me a viable solution for my problem and how to solve those difficulties. Apart from that, he is also a fan of a famous singer, Rajit Singh. He knows how to play the guitar. He also taught me the guitar, what are the different patterns of music you can listen or play by guitar. He is the person that I like the most because of his behavior. He is an ambivalent personality. He speaks a lot when there is a problem or solution raised and nothing, he remains silent. I went with him on a trip to Nainital in a car and we went to the Kanchi Dham. It was a beautiful experience. He is the person I like the most because of his behavior and personality.

Follow up questions

What qualities do you think are important in a best friend?

I believe qualities like loyalty, honesty, and the ability to communicate openly are essential in a best friend. A good friend should also be supportive and understanding, especially during tough times. These traits help build a strong and lasting friendship.

How do you maintain your friendship with Mayank despite busy schedules?

We make it a point to stay in touch regularly through calls and messages. We also try to meet up whenever we can, even if it's just for a short time. Planning trips or study sessions together helps us maintain our bond despite our busy schedules.

Have you ever had any disagreements with your best friend? How did you resolve them?

Yes, we have had disagreements, especially regarding study methods or personal opinions. We usually resolve them by discussing our viewpoints openly and respectfully. This helps us understand each other better and strengthens our friendship.

Band 6-7

00:00

That is a really beautiful question I would say. It gives me nostalgia of the first time I met my best friend. This happened in 2016 when I was changing school and had to move into a new school. So I had this anxiety of meeting new people and finding new friends to be around with. So I met my friend, his name is Utkarsh Rathore. I met him in the bus actually and he happened to sit right beside me. And we didn't even know that we were in the same class. He was talking about games that we play on a console. So I looked at him asking if he was interested in console gaming as well. He said yes of course and guess what, that's how we became friends. Since then we love spending time playing video games with each other. He is someone who has motivated me in bringing up my body to shape. I was not physically healthy back in my childhood. He was the one who promoted gym and physical training as a daily part of my routine. And he is someone who has always looked after me and would check on me from time to time. And a friend, he is the true definition of a good friend. A friend is someone who is always there for you no matter what the situation is. And even after months of not talking to each other, when we catch up, it's like we've talked for so many days. It's like the friendship grows stronger and stronger over here. That's what is beautiful about this bond. Thank you for such a beautiful question.

Follow up questions

What qualities do you value most in your best friend?

I value loyalty, support, and a good sense of humor in my best friend. Utkarsh has always been there for me, encouraging me during tough times and making me laugh when I need it the most. These qualities make our friendship special and enduring.

How has your friendship with Utkarsh changed over the years?

Our friendship has grown deeper over the years. Initially, we bonded over gaming, but as we matured, we started sharing more personal experiences and challenges. We've supported each other through various life changes, which has strengthened our bond.

What activities do you enjoy doing together with your best friend?

We enjoy playing video games, of course, but we also like to go to the gym together, watch movies, and sometimes just hang out and talk. These activities help us relax and maintain our close friendship, making every moment enjoyable.

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Band 6-7

00:00

There are lots of friends which I make since my childhood, but there is one friend who is really close to my heart. He is my best friend named Farhan. When I was 8 years old, he used to meet me in school and also we started teaching in a tuition together. After sometime our bonds get really close. At the first we fight with each other, but then our bond and relationship get strong even better now. When I was 12 years old, we had to shift to another city. Unfortunately, we can't able to contact us for more than 3 years, but due to some reasons I shifted back to the older city in Surat and now we get to practice together. Also, we had a job in the same company. We spend time mostly while attending an event or else we oftenly go to the dinner. Also, I would like to say that he is the most admired and accurate person for me. He always advises me for good. I think I really feel proud whenever I saw him. My grandfather also says a good life lesson that having a great and a good best friend really shows you the true nature of the society. I think that is the reason why I really love him. Although many more friends are here, but he is very unique for me.

Follow up questions

What qualities do you admire most in your best friend?

I admire Farhan's honesty and loyalty the most. He is always there for me, providing support and guidance. His ability to listen and give good advice is something I truly value. Additionally, his positive attitude and determination inspire me to be a better person.

How do you maintain your friendship despite living in different cities?

We maintain our friendship by staying connected through social media and phone calls. Whenever I visit my old city, we make sure to meet up. We also plan trips together and attend events, which helps us keep our bond strong despite the distance.

What activities do you enjoy doing together with your best friend?

We enjoy going out for dinner, attending events, and sometimes just hanging out at home watching movies. We also like to play sports together, which keeps our friendship lively and fun. These activities help us create wonderful memories and strengthen our bond.

Band 6-7

00:00

I have a lot of friends but one of my, I would like to talk about my, one of the closest friend, she is Kiran. She is my best friend. We meet at school, when we were in, we meet at school when we were in 10th class. At that time she was a very introvert kind of person. So I started the conversation. I offer her to, I offer her for lunch and she agreed. Then our conversation starts and she tells me about her family, her interest, her life, just life and all the time we, we spend a lot of time together. We play together, we are going to tuition, we are going to tuition together and we celebrate our birthdays. We attend so many functions together and she is very kind hearted person. She is very intelligent and she is very enthusiastic. So I like her. When we were together I forgot all my worries and she always pampered me for, she always helped me in my bad time. She always pampered me to be positive. So I like her.

Follow up questions

How has your friendship with Kiran evolved over the years?

Our friendship has grown stronger over the years. We have shared many experiences, supported each other through challenges, and celebrated achievements together. We have also learned a lot from each other, which has deepened our bond.

What qualities do you think make Kiran a good friend?

Kiran is kind-hearted, intelligent, and enthusiastic. She is always there to support me during tough times and encourages me to stay positive. Her ability to listen and empathize makes her a great friend, and I truly appreciate her presence in my life.

Can you share a memorable experience you had with Kiran?

One memorable experience was when we went on a school trip together. We had so much fun exploring new places, sharing stories, and laughing. It was a time when we really bonded, and I cherish those memories as they brought us even closer.

Show all 30 answers

Cue 1:Who is he/she?

Begin by introducing your best friend with their name and a brief description of their personality.
Mention any unique traits or qualities that make them special to you.

Example

My best friend is Rahul. He is a very cheerful and outgoing person who always knows how to lighten the mood. One of his unique traits is his ability to make everyone laugh, even in tough situations.

Cue 2:When and how did you two meet?

Describe the circumstances of your first meeting, whether it was at school, college, or any other place.
Share a memorable moment from that day that highlights the beginning of your friendship.

Example

We met in high school during our first year. I remember it was the first day of school, and I was feeling nervous. Rahul approached me during lunch and invited me to join his group. That simple act of kindness made me feel welcome, and we quickly became friends.

Cue 3:How do you spend time together?

Talk about the activities you enjoy doing together, such as hobbies, sports, or outings.
Mention any specific events or experiences that have strengthened your bond.

Example

We spend a lot of time playing cricket together on weekends. We also enjoy watching movies and going out for dinner. One of my favorite memories is when we went on a road trip to the hills last summer; it was an adventure filled with laughter and fun.

Cue 4:And explain why you like this person

Discuss the qualities that you admire in your friend, such as loyalty, support, or humor.
Explain how these qualities have positively impacted your life.

Example

I really like Rahul because he is incredibly supportive. Whenever I face challenges, he is always there to encourage me. His loyalty means a lot to me, and I know I can always count on him, which makes our friendship very special.

Conclusion

Example

In conclusion, my best friend Rahul is not just a companion but a true confidant. Our friendship has enriched my life in many ways, and I am grateful to have someone like him by my side.

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: Avoid Vague Descriptions

Using vague language can make your answer less engaging and informative. It may leave the examiner confused about your relationship with your best friend.

Tip

Use specific examples and details to describe your friend and your experiences together. This will make your answer more vivid and memorable.

2: Don't Rush Your Answer

Speaking too quickly can lead to unclear pronunciation and missed details. It may also make it difficult for the examiner to follow your story.

Tip

Take your time to think about your answer. Speak at a steady pace and pause briefly to collect your thoughts before moving on to the next point.

Neglecting Personal Feelings

Failing to express your feelings about your friend can make your response sound flat and uninteresting. It’s important to convey why this person is special to you.

Tip

Include personal anecdotes and emotions when explaining why you like your friend. This adds depth to your answer and shows your connection.

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Anonymous student Band 7.5

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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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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

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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

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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.