Cue Cards Samples with band 8 answers
Describe a present or gift someone gave you - Cue Card # 718
- Details
- Last Updated: Saturday, 31 May 2025 15:14
- Written by IELTS Mentor
- Hits: 40628
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 present or gift that someone gave you that you really liked.
You should say:
- what kind of present/gift it was
- who gave it to you
- why he/she gave it to you
and explain why you liked it so much.
[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:
I love receiving gifts. Who doesn’t? Besides, exchanging gifts among ourselves is a great tradition in my part of the world whether there is an occasion for it or not. Anyway, I have been lucky to receive several gifts in my life, but today, I would like to talk about a gift which I liked a bit more than others.
The gift, I received, was a T-shirt, a polo T-shirt to be exact, when I was attending my university. Now, everybody in my family knew how much I actually liked to wear T-shirts. In fact, a perfect-looking t-shirt, made of cotton fabric, and blue jeans were my staple dress whether I was going to meet my boss in his office for a formal meeting or enjoying some football at a stadium with my friends.
However, even though, nobody really had anything against my T-shirt-wearing habits, my youngest uncle didn’t really like it that much. Of course, I could understand very well, why he didn’t like me wearing a T-shirt 24/7, and it was because he thought that only juvenile persons would usually like to wear a T-shirt and jeans. But, I was waiting for a big surprise on my 21st birthday when I found out that a beautiful looking, maroon colour t-shirt, made by the world-famous Polo company, was handed to me as a gift by none other than my youngest uncle! Besides, I felt like my uncle actually had read my mind because, in fact, I had looked for such a beautiful t-shirt of that particular colour for a long time. To be honest, that gift was like a “dream come true” to me!
Well, I liked the gift so much because it was a perfect colour. Besides, it was made of 100 per cent, good quality cotton fabric. So naturally, it was very comfortable to wear. Finally, the gift was so special to me because it was presented to me by a person who always had underestimated my preference for dress, especially, my preference for wearing a T-shirt.
Model Answer 2:
One of the most cherished gifts I've received was a handcrafted leather journal, a thoughtful present from my best friend on my birthday. This gift was not just an item; it became a repository for memories, thoughts, and reflections. For this topic, I would like to talk about it.
The gift was a beautifully crafted leather journal, bound in a rustic yet elegant cover. Its pages were made of high-quality paper that begged to be written on, and it exuded a timeless charm that set it apart from ordinary notebooks.
This special present came from my best friend, Sarah. Knowing my love for writing and my penchant for collecting memories, she selected this unique journal as a birthday gift. Sarah and I share a deep bond, and she wanted to give me something that resonated with my passion for expressing thoughts on paper.
Sarah and I had often discussed our shared interest in journaling. She recognized that I preferred the tangible experience of writing over digital note-taking and saw the journal as a perfect embodiment of that preference. The occasion of my birthday provided her with the ideal opportunity to surprise me with a gift that was both personal and reflective of our friendship.
This leather journal became an extension of myself. Its tactile cover and the faint scent of leather made every writing session an immersive experience. The fact that it came from my best friend, who understood and appreciated my passion for writing, added immense sentimental value. Each page became a canvas for my thoughts, and over time, it transformed into a keepsake filled with memories, sketches, and personal reflections.
What made this gift even more special was the thoughtfulness behind it. It wasn't just a generic present; it was a carefully chosen item that reflected my personality and interests.
Idea generation for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
This topic asks you to describe a gift or present that you received and truly liked. You need to mention what kind of present it was, who gave it to you, the occasion or reason behind giving the gift, and most importantly, explain why you liked it so much. Here are a few ideas to help you develop your own response:
1. A fountain pen from my father:
My father gifted me a high-quality fountain pen when I passed my final school exams. It was a sleek black pen with a gold nib. He gave it to encourage my writing habit and celebrate my achievement. I liked it because it was both elegant and meaningful.
2. A handmade scrapbook from a friend:
On my birthday, one of my closest friends gave me a scrapbook filled with our shared memories. It had pictures, notes, and even small souvenirs from trips we took together. I liked it because it showed the time, effort, and love she put into creating something so personal.
3. A wristwatch from my uncle:
My uncle gave me a stylish wristwatch as a graduation gift. It had a minimalist design and came with a leather strap. I liked it because it was a symbol of growing up and becoming more responsible, and I still wear it to important events.
4. A Kindle from my sister:
As someone who loves to read, receiving a Kindle from my sister was a dream come true. She gave it to me before I left for university so I wouldn’t have to carry heavy books. I liked it because it made reading convenient and thoughtful of her.
5. A traditional shawl from my grandmother:
My grandmother gave me a beautifully embroidered shawl that she had made herself. It was warm, colourful, and had intricate patterns. I liked it not just for how it looked but because it carried her love and care in every thread.
6. A guitar from my cousin:
Knowing I had an interest in music, my cousin gifted me a guitar on my 18th birthday. It was my first real instrument and inspired me to learn seriously. I liked it because it helped me discover a new passion and express myself creatively.
7. A perfume set from a colleague:
One of my office colleagues gifted me a luxurious perfume set during a secret Santa exchange. It came in a lovely box with three different fragrances. I liked it because it felt classy and made me feel confident whenever I wore it.
8. A leather wallet from a friend:
A close friend gave me a leather wallet as a gift for getting my first job. It was sleek, practical, and exactly my style. I liked it because it marked an important milestone in my life and came from someone who truly supported me.
9. A book collection from my teacher:
When I left school, my English teacher gave me a set of classic novels as a farewell gift. She knew I loved literature and encouraged me to keep reading. I liked the gift because it showed her belief in my potential and love for learning.
10. A cooking appliance from my mother:
When I moved to a new city for work, my mother gave me a multi-purpose cooking appliance. It was compact and extremely useful for preparing quick meals. I liked it because it was practical and reminded me of her care every time I used it.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
When describing a well-liked gift, using expressive vocabulary can effectively convey its nature, the thoughtfulness of the giver, and your personal appreciation. Thoughtful word choices will help you articulate why it resonated with you and the lasting joy it brings, making your response both warm and engaging. Here are some relevant words and phrases:
Cherished: – Regarded with deep affection; hold dear.
Example: It's a truly cherished gift that holds immense sentimental value for me.
Thoughtful: – Showing consideration for the needs of other people.
Example: It was such a thoughtful gesture, showing they really know my preferences.
Invaluable: – Extremely useful; indispensable.
Example: This particular gift has proven to be absolutely invaluable in my daily life.
Sentimental value: – Importance based on personal feelings rather than material worth.
Example: The item's sentimental value far outweighs its monetary cost.
Perfectly encapsulated: – Fully expressed or embodied an idea or quality.
Example: The gift perfectly encapsulated my interests and personality.
A pleasant surprise: – Something good that happens unexpectedly.
Example: It came as a completely pleasant surprise, lifting my spirits.
Beyond my expectations: – Much better or more than what I had anticipated.
Example: The quality and utility of the gift were truly beyond my expectations.
Reflected their understanding: – Showed that the giver had a good grasp of my preferences or needs.
Example: It really reflected their understanding of my hobbies and passions.
Lifted my spirits: – Made me feel happier or more hopeful.
Example: Receiving it truly lifted my spirits during a challenging period.
A constant reminder of: – Something that continuously brings to mind a particular person or event.
Example: It serves as a constant reminder of our friendship and that special occasion.
Utmost appreciation: – The greatest possible gratitude or recognition.
Example: I felt the utmost appreciation for their generosity and thoughtfulness.
Brought immense joy: – Caused a very great feeling of happiness.
Example: It immediately brought immense joy, brightening my entire day.
A testament to our bond: – Clear proof or evidence of the strength of our relationship.
Example: I view it as a testament to our strong and enduring bond.
Practical and beautiful: – Combining usefulness with aesthetic appeal.
Example: What I liked most was that it was both practical and beautiful, a rare combination.
If you prepare for the topic "Describe a present or gift that someone gave you that you really liked", you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe the best gift/present that you have ever received.
2) Describe a gift that you received on your birthday.
3) Describe something you own which is very important to you.
4) Describe a gift that you gave to someone.
5) Describe an expensive gift that someone once gave to you.
6) Describe an item of clothing that you once received as a gift.
7) Describe a gift item that took you a long time to find that you gave to a friend.
Report