Cue Cards Samples with band 8 answers
A friend of your family you remember from your childhood - Cue Card # 482
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IELTS Speaking Part 2: Individual Long Run - 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 a friend of your family you remember from your childhood.
You should say:
- who the person was
- how your family knew this person
- how often this person visited your family
and explain why you remember 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:
Introduction:
In my childhood, I was lucky to be surrounded by a lot of family friends who were like family to us. Among them, one person who stood out was Aunt Sophia, a close friend of my mother. She was one of the most caring and compassionate people I've ever met, and her presence in our lives has had a profound impact on me. I feel lucky to have the opportunity here to talk about this person.
Who the person was:
Aunt Sophia was a close friend of my mother. They had met at a charity event and hit it off instantly. From that day on, they became inseparable friends and Aunt Sophia became a part of our family.
How your family knew this person:
As I mentioned, my mother met Aunt Sophia and her husband Mr Smith at a charity event. From there, they became friends and Aunt Sophia started visiting our house often. She was always there for us, whether it was to celebrate special occasions or to help us during difficult times.
How often this person visited your family:
Aunt Sophia used to visit us once every two weeks. She would come to our house and spend the day with us. We would have lunch together and spend the afternoon talking and playing games. She was always interested in what was happening in our lives and would listen patiently to everything we had to say.
And explain why you remember this person:
Aunt Sophia was one of the kindest people I've ever met. She had a heart of gold and always had a smile on her face. She was also a great listener and was always there for us when we needed someone to talk to. Her visits were always something we looked forward to and her absence was felt deeply whenever she couldn't make it. She taught me the value of kindness, compassion and generosity, and I will always remember her as an important part of my childhood.
Model Answer 2: [Band 9 Sample Answer]
When I was growing up various friends of the family came and went, local shopkeepers were friendly but perhaps not truly ‘friends’ in the real sense of the word; neighbours were good fun but then moved away. The person I can think of was around throughout my childhood, albeit intermittently. I’m going to talk about who this person was and then I’ll explain why this person made such a strong impression on me I remember them still.
When I was growing up, I lived in a fairly suburban area. Once a year, for two weeks of the summer holidays, we’d all pile into the family car and drive for what seemed to me like an eternity to the English countryside of the far north – Northumberland. It was on a mixed sheep/ cattle and arable farm, and our cottage was attached to the shepherd’s permanent home. He lived there with his wife and kept chickens at the end of his garden. The person who I want to tell you about is the shepherd. His name was Ronnie Shipley and to me, as a child, he was a magical figure.
Because we holidayed there every year throughout my childhood, he got to know me and my whole family really well. His own children had long ago grown up and left home, and I think he liked having enthusiastic youngsters around who idolised him and were interested in his work. He would take us with him to feed the hens and show us where we could find the secretive diamond-backed adders in his garden. On one memorable occasion, he even sat me on the back of a wonderfully tame but enormous Hereford bull. They are actually incredibly docile cattle, but I was still very impressed that I was able to do this.
Because he lived in Northumberland, and we lived down in the south of England just outside London hundreds of miles away, in fact, he never did visit our house. That seems a shame now I look back, but he loved his home in the north, and couldn’t see the point in visiting anywhere else.
As to why I remember this person, well he was such a wonderful magical figure from my childhood. It was as if he inhabited a parallel universe. He taught me to appreciate the countryside and the great outdoors. He was patient and kind with his time. I remember him pointing out stars in the night sky – things that I could never see at home because of the light pollution from the urban area I lived in. He must have taken a bit of a shine to our family, as he always welcomed us with warmth and genuine affection.
It’s funny, I was incredibly fond of Mr Shipley as I was growing up, but I took his attention and generosity a bit for granted, I think that’s easy to do when you are small. Now I’m older and wiser (hopefully) I think he is even more remarkable. We were just one of many families he must have met over the years and yet he always made us feel special. He was a remarkable man and a great friend to all our family. I feel really blessed to have met him, and his legacy endures in very real ways.
[ Written by - Lucy Marris (2016): Careers Adviser (UK), TEFL teacher (Vietnam) ]
Sample Answer 3:
It is indeed an interesting topic as it gives me a wonderful opportunity to revisit my precious childhood memories, involving my loving family and the people close to its members. Today, I would like to talk about one such person who was really a good friend of my family, especially, my father.
The person, I am talking about, was an old taxi driver. Of course, when I say that he was an old taxi driver, I don’t necessarily mean that he was as old as a senior citizen or something. Rather, what I meant is that he was older than my father. Now, I am not sure when or how my father exactly met this taxi driver, but I remember meeting him or talking to him for the first when he had come to pick me and my father up in order to take us to a doctor.
But, after meeting him on that day, I actually kind of started to like him since he somehow made me forget about my stomach pain with his pleasant personality. Not to mention, since that day, this ever-smiling taxi driver, with his nicely groomed beard, has visited my home on numerous occasions, not only as a taxi driver to transport us to places but also as a family friend.
In fact, he used to visit my family at least once a week, either just to say hello to them or to offer them some fresh fruits or vegetables from his farms. By the way, this hard-working taxi driver didn’t just use to drive a taxi to earn his living but also by growing fresh fruits and vegetables on his farmlands.
I remember this person, mainly because he used to offer me all kinds of goodies and fresh fruits, just like a loving grandfather would give to his grandchildren. I remember him also because he had taken me to many interesting places, which a child would like to go to out of childish curiosity, in his taxi.
Idea generation for this Candidate Task Card / Cue Card topic:
Here are some possible people you could talk about when describing a family friend from your childhood. Each example briefly addresses the supporting questions, helping you build a complete and well-structured answer.
1. Mr. Thompson – Neighbourhood family friend:
Mr. Thompson was our friendly next-door neighbour. He and my father worked in the same company, and they became close over time. He used to visit us every weekend and bring cookies or small toys for me. I remember him because he was always kind, full of stories, and treated me like his own child.
2. Aunt Lisa – My mum’s university friend:
Aunt Lisa wasn’t a relative but was always considered part of the family. She and my mum had been best friends since college and stayed in touch even after getting married. She used to visit during school holidays and always brought handmade gifts. I remember her warmth and the way she always encouraged me to pursue drawing.
3. Uncle Naveed – My father’s childhood friend:
Uncle Naveed was my father’s best friend since childhood. Though he lived in a different city, he visited during major holidays and festivals. I remember how excited I was every time he visited because he used to play cricket with us and tell exciting stories from his youth.
4. Miss Clara – Family friend and babysitter:
Miss Clara was a close family friend who often looked after me when my parents were away. She was my mum’s colleague and used to visit us frequently. I remember her clearly because she taught me how to bake my first cake and always helped me with my homework in a fun way.
5. Mr. Rahman – Family friend and storyteller:
Mr. Rahman was an old family friend who had retired from teaching. He visited us a few times each month. He had a gift for storytelling, and I remember him for the fascinating tales he used to tell us after dinner, usually about his life in the village or historical events.
6. Jenny – My parents’ business partner’s daughter:
Jenny was the daughter of my dad’s business partner, and our families often spent weekends together. We played a lot and shared many childhood memories. I remember her because we were like siblings for years, and she played a huge part in my early social life.
7. Sister Rosa – My grandmother’s best friend:
Sister Rosa was my grandmother’s long-time friend who lived nearby. She would visit us every Friday for tea. I remember her cheerful laughter and the little hand-sewn dolls she used to gift me, making her visits feel magical.
Part 3 – Two-way discussion:
Discussion Topic: Friendship
Q. What do you think makes someone a good friend to a whole family?
Q. Do you think we meet different kinds of friends at different stages of our lives? In what ways are these types of friends different?
Q. How easy is it to make friends with people from a different age group?
Discussion Topic: Influence of friends
Q. Do you think it is possible to be friends with someone if you never meet them in person? Is this real friendship?
Q. What kind of influence can friends have on our lives?
Q. How important would you say it is to have friends from different cultures?
The Answer to these Part 3 Questions can be found in Speaking Test - Sample 87: Part 3
Vocabulary for this Candidate Task Card / Cue Card topic:
Describing a family friend from your childhood gives you a chance to talk about past relationships, emotions, and memorable experiences. To express your ideas effectively and naturally, it's helpful to use vocabulary that relates to personal connection, childhood memories, and interactions. Below are some useful and moderately advanced words and expressions to help you speak confidently on this topic:
Family acquaintance – Someone known to the family but not a relative.
Close-knit – Having strong relationships and a tight bond.
Fond memories – Pleasant and warm recollections from the past.
Visit regularly – To come by frequently or on a scheduled basis.
Trustworthy – Someone who can be relied upon.
Nostalgic – Feeling a sentimental longing for the past.
Family gatherings – Events where family members and friends come together.
Mentor figure – Someone older who gives guidance and advice.
Respectable – Someone who is admired and seen as honourable.
Lively personality – Someone who is cheerful, energetic, and full of spirit.
Supportive presence – Someone who offers encouragement and emotional help.
Storyteller – Someone who tells engaging or interesting stories, often remembered by children.
Old friend of the family – A friend who has known the family for many years.
Positive influence – Someone whose presence or actions positively affect others.
Neighbourhood friend – A friend who lives nearby and is familiar to the family.
Childhood companion – A person who shared your early years and experiences.
Lasting impression – A strong memory or emotional impact that remains over time.
If you prepare for the topic "Describe a friend of your family you remember from your childhood", you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe a friend from your childhood.
2) Describe someone who you remember from your childhood.
3) Describe someone whom you admire a lot.
4) Describe a memorable childhood experience
5) Describe someone who has played an important part in your life.
6) Describe someone who influenced you in your childhood.
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