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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 a person you recently met again after a long time.

You should say:

• who the person was
• where and how you met him/her
• how you know this person

and explain how you felt about it.

[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.]

Model Answer 1:
Life is like a big journey where we meet many kinds of people at different times and under different circumstances. Sometimes, we remember some of them while we forget about many others. I guess that forgetting about people - whom we don’t see often - is just human nature just like I forgot about the young banker, whom I met a long time ago. Thank you for this interesting topic, and here I'll share the experience of meeting this banker after quite a while.

Very recently, I met this young banker again at a local shopping centre when I went there to buy some regular household stuff. Interestingly, I did not notice him, but rather, it was the young banker (not so young anymore though) who called me from behind. I looked back, but initially, I had no clue who that person could really be! So, I just kept staring at him until he came forward and introduced me as the banker whom I met about 8 years ago at a bank in another city.

Slowly but surely, my memories started to come back to me when he reminded me how I forgot to pick up my bank chequebook and left the city. It was then that I clearly remembered how that young banker fellow at that time called me from his bank and informed me about my lost chequebook. Later on, this kind banker actually took all the pains to mail me my lost chequebook via a courier service.

Anyway, after meeting him again at the shopping centre after such a long time, I felt like he deserved a very special thank from me again for his sincere efforts to send me back my bank chequebook. After meeting the young banker, I learned a very important lesson which was that we should always remember the good deeds of the people if not the people themselves. I didn’t care to remember the banker, but the banker cared to remember me, which proves that he is a genuinely nice, responsible and caring person. And, if we don’t like to get to know a nice, responsible and caring person, that will be unfair!

Model Answer 2:
The person I recently reconnected with after a long time was an old college friend named Sarah, whom I hadn't seen in almost five years. As soon as I looked at this topic, I knew that I would like to talk about Sarah.

Well, Sarah and I were close friends during our college years, sharing classes, late-night study sessions, and the ups and downs of campus life. However, life took us on different paths after graduation, and we lost touch as we pursued our respective careers in different cities.

The unexpected reunion took place at a mutual friend's wedding, which was held in our hometown. It was a joyous celebration, and the venue was filled with laughter, music, and the shared memories of our college days.

Our reunion was a delightful surprise. As we exchanged pleasantries and caught up on the years that had passed, it became evident that both of us were excited to see each other again. The wedding festivities provided a natural context for us to reconnect, and we spent a significant part of the evening reminiscing about college, sharing anecdotes, and updating each other on our lives. Given the shared history and the comfort that comes with reconnecting with an old friend, I believe there's potential for a renewed friendship. We exchanged contact information with promises to catch up more intentionally in the future.

I felt really good meeting with this friend after so many years. The reunion served as a reminder of the value of long-lasting friendships and the joy that comes with reconnecting with someone who has been a meaningful part of one's past. I'm genuinely looking forward to exploring the possibility of rekindling our friendship and creating new memories together.

Idea generation for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:

This topic asks you to describe a person whom you met again after a long time. You should mention who this person is, how and where you met him or her again, how you know this individual from the past, and most importantly, explain how the reunion made you feel. When answering, think about the emotions involved, the nature of your past relationship, and how the encounter unfolded. Here are a few ideas to help you structure your response:

1. Reuniting with a childhood friend at a wedding:
I met my childhood friend Neha at a cousin’s wedding after nearly 15 years. We used to live in the same neighbourhood and went to the same primary school. Seeing her brought back a flood of memories, and we spent hours catching up. It felt nostalgic and heartwarming.

2. Meeting a former teacher at a book fair:
Last year, I ran into my high school literature teacher, Mr. Rahman, at a local book fair. He had inspired my love for English, and it was such a pleasant surprise to see him again. We talked about my current studies, and he was delighted. I felt grateful and proud to show how far I’d come.

3. Running into a college roommate at the airport:
I met my college roommate, Fahim, unexpectedly at the airport while waiting for a delayed flight. We hadn’t spoken since graduation, but the conversation picked up like old times. It reminded me of our strong bond and how much I had missed talking to him.

4. Seeing a former colleague at a conference:
At a professional conference, I saw Rina, a colleague I worked with five years ago. We had been good work friends, and it felt amazing to reconnect. We exchanged contact info and even discussed potential collaborations. It made me feel optimistic and reminded me of past achievements.

5. Reconnecting with a neighbour after moving back:
When I moved back to my hometown, I met my old neighbour Uncle George. He used to share gardening tips with me as a kid. We talked about the neighbourhood changes and his health. It was a bittersweet moment, filled with memories and appreciation for the past.

6. Bumping into a childhood tutor at a café:
I recently met my childhood mathematics tutor, Miss Laila, at a coffee shop. She looked exactly the same and remembered me instantly. We talked about how much I had struggled with algebra and laughed about old study sessions. It was a warm and uplifting experience.

7. Catching up with a school friend during a reunion:
At our school’s 10-year reunion, I met my old friend Kabir. We used to be inseparable but lost touch after high school. Meeting him brought back all the fun and laughter we shared, and we promised to stay in touch this time. It was deeply emotional and joyful.

8. Meeting a distant relative at a family gathering:
During a family get-together, I met my cousin Ayesha after nearly two decades. We used to play together as kids during holidays. Talking to her and having this conversation as both of us being adults felt surreal. I was amazed by how much we had changed and yet connected instantly. It made the event unforgettable.

9. Reconnecting with a university professor during a seminar:
I met my former university mentor, Dr. Karim, at a public seminar on climate change. He guided my final year thesis. He remembered my work and encouraged me to publish it. That interaction boosted my confidence and reminded me of my academic goals.

10. Seeing an old teammate at a sports event:
I met my old basketball teammate Rohan during a community sports tournament. We hadn’t played together in over six years. Watching him play again brought back our team spirit, and we even played a short match together. I felt energised and thrilled to reconnect through our shared passion.

Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:

When describing meeting someone again after a long time, using expressive vocabulary can effectively convey the surprise, the sense of nostalgia, and your emotional response. Thoughtful word choices will help you articulate the reunion's impact and the rekindling of a past connection, making your response both warm and reflective. Here are some relevant words and phrases:

Rekindle: – Relight or revive (something that has been fading or dormant).
Example: It was wonderful to rekindle our friendship after so many years.

Nostalgia: – A sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past, typically for a period or place with happy personal associations.
Example: The reunion filled me with a strong sense of nostalgia for our old school days.

Serendipitous: – Occurring or discovered by chance in a happy or beneficial way.
Example: Our meeting was entirely serendipitous, a truly fortunate coincidence.

A blast from the past: – Someone or something that suddenly reappears and reminds you of an earlier time.
Example: Seeing her again was a complete blast from the past, bringing back so many memories.

Catch up on lost time: – To update each other on what has happened since the last meeting, often after a long interval.
Example: We spent hours trying to catch up on lost time, sharing all our life updates.

Reminisce about old times: – Indulge in enjoyable recollection of past events.
Example: We spent the evening reminiscing about old times and shared adventures.

Unchanged by time: – Remaining the same despite the passage of years.
Example: Despite the years, her cheerful personality seemed completely unchanged by time.

Picked up right where we left off: – Continued a conversation or relationship as if there had been no interruption.
Example: It felt so natural; we picked up right where we left off as if no time had passed.

A flood of memories: – A sudden, overwhelming rush of recollections.
Example: Seeing him again brought back a flood of memories from our childhood.

Deep personal connection: – A strong and meaningful relationship with someone.
Example: Our conversation reaffirmed the deep personal connection we've always shared.

Felt a surge of warmth: – Experienced a sudden, strong feeling of affection, happiness, or comfort.
Example: As soon as I recognized him, I felt a surge of warmth and excitement.

Reaffirmed our bond: – Confirmed and strengthened our relationship or connection.
Example: The reunion beautifully reaffirmed our bond of friendship.

Heartfelt conversation: – A sincere and emotionally genuine discussion.
Example: We had a heartfelt conversation about life's journeys and changes.

A sense of continuity: – A feeling that something continues without interruption, or a feeling of connection to something that happened in the past.
Example: Meeting her again gave me a wonderful sense of continuity with my past.

If you prepare for the topic "Describe a person you recently met again after a long time", you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:

1) Describe an interesting person you have recently met.
2) Describe a person whom you recently met and liked.
3) Describe a person whom you have met just once and want to know more about.
4) Describe a friend from your school or college.
5) Describe a childhood friend you remember well.
6) Describe a situation when you were surprised to see someone. 
 

• IELTS Cue Card
• IELTS Speaking
• Candidate Task Card
• Speaking Part 2

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