Cue Cards Samples with band 8 answers
Describe one of your friends - Cue Card # 388
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IELTS Speaking Part 2: IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card.
[The topic for your talk will be written on a card which the examiner will hand over to you. Read it carefully and then make some brief notes.]
Describe one of your friends.
You should say:
- how you met
- how long you two have known each other
- how you spend time together
and explain why you like this person.
[Instruction: You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you are going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]
[Examiner: All right? Remember you have one to two minutes for this, so don't worry if I stop you. I'll tell you when the time is up. Can you start speaking now, please?]
Model Answer 1:
Stuart is undoubtedly my best friend according to every definition I can fathom for the term "best buddy"! He is 24 years old and a handsome fellow. His smile (both genuine and rouge) is worth a million dollars! Once I heard that if you can stay silent for a long time with a friend and yet feel comfortable being so, probably he/she is your best friend, and that’s exactly what Stuart is. For this topic, I would like to talk about this friend.
I met him one summer evening in our school playground while both of us were waiting to practice football but could not do so due to the heavy rain. So instead, we started a conversation. We found out that we had many things in common. That was the beginning of our friendship though we took time to become friends.
We have been friends for more than 7 years now. After our friendship began, I enjoyed his company from every perspective. He stays with me through thick and thin and is always the one person with whom I can share anything and everything. He is a good listener and one of the most talented persons I have ever met. He never hesitates to tell me the truth in an unapologetically blunt manner and never hesitates to stop me when I am wrong!
Our friendship started and remained so strong mostly because of our many common interests. We often discuss the books we read, criticise the movies we watch and praise a beautiful piece of artwork we enjoy. We are both interested in computer games and we often play together. These days we are learning Spanish and taking a graphics design course together.
Sometimes I share things with him that I cannot share with anyone else, and I get advice without being judged. This is the best part of our friendship and probably the main reason our friendship is still so strong. He celebrates my successes genuinely, we know each other in and out and we can talk about everything no matter how nonsense it is. This is also a reason I like him so much as a genuine friend.
Model Answer 2:
Introduction:
Thank you for this nice topic. Here, I'd like to talk about one of my close friends, Emma, whom I met at university. We've been friends for over two years now, and she has become one of my closest friends.
How you met:
We met in our first year at university, during an orientation event organized by the university. Emma and I were in the same group, and we ended up having a great time together. We were both nervous about starting university, and having someone to talk to who was going through the same thing was really comforting.
How long you have known each other:
We have known each other for more than two years now. During this time, she has always been a supporting friend to me whom I could rely on and trust.
How you spend time together:
We spend a lot of time together, whether it's studying for exams or just hanging out. Emma and I both enjoy going shopping and we often go together. We also enjoy watching movies and TV shows and often have movie nights at her place. On weekends, we sometimes go to concerts or other events in the city.
And explain why you like her:
I really admire Emma's positive attitude and energy. She's always smiling and has a way of making me feel better when I'm feeling down. She's also incredibly supportive and always there to listen if I need to talk. Emma has a great sense of humour and we always end up laughing a lot when we're together. I feel really lucky to have her as a friend.
Idea generation for this Candidate task card / Cue card topic:
Talking about a friend gives you the chance to share personal experiences and highlight the values that matter most in your friendships. Below are several ideas about different types of friendships. Each one includes details that address all parts of the topic and can help you build a thoughtful and well-rounded response.
1. Childhood best friend:
I met my friend Leo in primary school during a drawing competition. We’ve known each other for over 15 years now. We often meet up to play video games, go cycling, or just hang out over coffee. I really like him because he’s supportive, funny, and always listens when I need to talk.
2. University roommate:
I met Rachel during my first year at university when we were assigned the same dorm. We've been friends for about 5 years. We study together, go out for walks, and watch movies on weekends. I admire her because she’s incredibly disciplined and always encourages me to stay focused.
3. Colleague-turned-friend:
I met my friend Ahmed at work when we collaborated on a marketing project. We’ve known each other for 3 years now. After work, we sometimes grab dinner or go for runs in the park. I appreciate his honesty and the way he can turn any stressful day into something manageable.
4. Friend from an online course:
I got to know Jenny through an online graphic design course. We’ve known each other for around two years. Though we live in different countries, we chat regularly and work on creative projects together. I like her because she’s open-minded, creative, and always shares constructive feedback.
5. Friend from a volunteer group:
I met Carlos at a local community centre where we both volunteered to teach underprivileged children. We've known each other for four years. We usually meet during weekend classes or fundraising events. I respect him deeply for his dedication and kindness towards others.
6. Friend from a sports club:
I met my friend Akira at a tennis club in my city. We’ve been friends for over two years now. We play tennis every weekend and sometimes go hiking together. What I like most is his sense of humour and his ability to stay calm even under pressure.
7. A friend from high school:
I met Sofia during a group project in high school. We’ve stayed in touch for more than a decade now. We often catch up over the phone or meet during holidays. I enjoy our friendship because she’s trustworthy and we have so many shared memories.
8. A travel companion turned friend:
I met Liam on a group tour to Bali. We clicked instantly and have stayed in touch for three years. We plan short trips together whenever we can. I like him for his adventurous spirit and how easy it is to talk to him about anything.
Model Answer 3:
Thank you very much for this excellent topic. For this, I’d like to talk about my closest friend, Ayaan - someone who’s been more like a brother than just a friend to me.
We first met during the first week of high school. I still remember walking into a crowded classroom, feeling a little overwhelmed and nervous. The seat next to Ayaan was the only one left, so I sat down, and he immediately greeted me with the warmest smile. Within minutes, we were talking about our shared love for comic books and football, and from that moment on, we became inseparable.
That was almost ten years ago, and our friendship has only grown stronger since then. Even though we’ve taken different academic paths - he’s studying architecture while I’m in business - we’ve always managed to stay connected. We speak almost every day and catch up in person whenever our schedules allow.
We spend most of our time doing things we both enjoy. Whether it’s grabbing a coffee at our favourite café, going for long evening walks to talk about life, or watching movies together, we always find ways to relax and laugh. What I appreciate most is that our conversations can range from silly and light-hearted to incredibly deep and thoughtful. During exam season or tough times in life, we’ve always had each other's back.
What I truly admire about Ayaan is his sense of loyalty and calmness. No matter how chaotic things get, he has this quiet strength and positivity that grounds people around him - including me. He listens without judgment and always gives honest advice, which I really value. Over the years, we’ve shared so many memories, from late-night study sessions to travelling together during our gap year, and I can honestly say I wouldn’t be the person I am today without his friendship.
Sample Answer 4:
This is absolutely a great opportunity for me to explain my friendship with "Erik", who is one of my close friends. I must say I am thankful to you for the opportunity you have given me to talk about my friend Erik.
I believe friends make our lives more meaningful and enjoyable. And some buddies step forward to teach us how special they are in our lives. Erik is such a friend, and I consider him my best buddy.
I have known him since my school days. We went to the same school, played football in the evening in our local playground, stood shoulder to shoulder in adversity, shared our meals, and helped each other in our studies. Over time, we became the birds of a feather. We still are inseparable and find comfort even in our silence, which accordingly to many a symbol of a great bond among friends. I guess I met him one day in our school when we were having lunch in our school cafeteria. Our friendship is now more than a decade old!
We have recently finished our graduation - I am from Science major while Eric is from Arts major. We love to talk about our personal issues; he is the only person I can share absolutely anything and everything. We often play chess, enjoy movies, visit different places, debate our political differences and share our thoughts about our career plans. There are times when he advises me on how to deal with obstacles and stresses and he often says "Hole tight, buddy, every cloud has a silver lining".
Best friends always stick together and become more like brothers than friends. I am absolutely convinced that Erik has already proven that he will support me in any way possible and help me out of any grave situation. He is the kind of friend someone can have only once or twice in life. No doubt his influence in my life is paramount and he will always be my best friend. And this is why I like him so much, and cherish our friendship a lot.
Part 3 - Two-way Discussion:
Discussion topics: Qualities of friends
Q. What do you think are the most important qualities for friends to have?
Q. Which are more important to people, their family or their friends? Why?
Q. What do you think causes friendships to break up?
Topic: Other relationships
Q. What other types of relationship, apart from friends or family, are important in people’s lives today?
Q. Have relationships with neighbours where you live changed in recent years? How?
Q. How important do you think it is for a person to spend some time alone? Why/Why not?
Click here for the answer to these Part 3: Two-way Discussion Questions
Vocabulary for this Candidate Task Card / Cue Card topic:
Describing a friend in your IELTS Speaking Test requires vocabulary that helps convey your personal bond, shared experiences, and what makes the person special to you. Below is a list of useful vocabulary and phrases related to friendship, personality traits, and emotional connections:
Lifelong friend – A person you have known and been close to for a long time.
Like-minded – Someone who shares your interests or attitudes.
Supportive – Always ready to help or encourage you.
Companionship – The pleasant feeling of being with someone you like.
Bond – A strong connection between two people.
Mutual understanding – A shared knowledge or empathy between friends.
Good sense of humour – The ability to make others laugh in a clever or pleasant way.
Non-judgmental – Accepting others without criticizing or judging them.
Confide in – To share your personal thoughts or secrets with someone you trust.
Go way back – To have known someone for a very long time.
Shoulder to lean on – Someone who provides comfort and support during tough times.
Spend quality time – To enjoy meaningful time with someone.
Trustworthy – Someone who is honest and dependable.
Get along with – To have a friendly relationship with someone.
Shared interests – Hobbies or passions that both people enjoy.
True friend – A friend who sticks by you in good times and bad.
Empathetic – Able to understand and share the feelings of others.
Uplifting – Making someone feel happier or more hopeful.
Inseparable – Very close; always together.
Similar Cue Card Topics
Your ability to talk about this Cue Card would enable you to talk about the following Cue Cards as well:
1) Describe a friend you like to spend time with.
2) Describe a friend you like.
3) Describe a friend you have.
4) Describe your best friend.
5) Describe a friend you can rely on.
6) Describe a helpful friend you have.
7) Describe a friend from your school or college.
8) Describe someone you like to spend time with.
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