Cue Cards Samples with band 8 answers
A gift you would like to buy for your friend - Cue Card # 758
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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 gift you would like to buy for your friend.
You should say:
- what gift you would like to buy
- whom you would like to give this gift
- why you would like to buy a gift for this friend
and explain why you would choose this gift for this friend.
[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:
Introduction:
Thank you so much for this topic that allows me to talk about a gift that I would like to give to one of my friends. Well, choosing the perfect gift involves a thoughtful consideration of the recipient's preferences and interests, and that is why it is not always easy. But I know what this friend of mine would like, and that is why, I would love to buy a personalised travel journal for this friend.
What gift you would like to buy:
I would like to purchase a beautifully crafted travel journal that allows my friend to document their journeys, memories, and reflections during their adventures. The diary would have his name and contact details printed on the cover page along with a picture of a world map, a plane and a camel in a desert.
Whom you would like to give this gift:
This gift would be for a friend who shares a passion for exploring new places, experiencing diverse cultures, and creating lasting memories through travel. Her name is Jenny and she is a very close friend of mine.
Why you would like to buy a gift for this friend:
Jenny has given me at least three to four gifts this year alone. So this is my turn to give her something beautiful that she would like.
And explain why you would choose this gift for this friend:
This personalised travel journal would be adorned with a world map cover, inspiring a sense of wanderlust. Inside, there would be sections for daily reflections, places visited, local cuisines tried, and even pockets to store mementoes like tickets or postcards. The idea is to provide a platform for my friend to not only document their travels but also to relive those moments whenever they flip through the pages.
Choosing a travel journal aligns with my friend's adventurous spirit and allows them to cherish their experiences tangibly and artistically. It's a gift that combines practicality with sentimentality, making it a thoughtful and meaningful choice for a friend who finds joy in exploring the beauty our world has to offer.
Model Answer 2:
A very good friend of mine has recently bought a nice gift for me, and it is not the first time that he has done so. But, unfortunately, I have yet to buy any kind of gifts for this good friend of mine, whom I have known since my high school years, so it is time that I also reciprocate the good deed by buying a nice gift for him this time. As for the reason why I would like to buy a gift for this friend, I just want to express my gratitude to him through this good act for whatever he has done for me over the years since we became friends a long time ago.
Of course, the challenge here is that I didn’t know what sort of gifts I should really buy for this friend. I have already tried to become a “detective” to find exactly what kinds of things he likes or prefers, but unfortunately, he has left me with little clues, if any at all, so far. Besides, what makes it even more challenging for me is that this friend of mine has very good taste in the things that he uses, and I just can’t buy him some kind of common or average “gifts”. So, keeping all these challenging factors before me, I have finally decided that I am going to buy a nice mountain bike - an expensive mountain bike that is - for him even though he already has one.
Now, I am not too sure how exactly he is going to react after receiving this gift since he already owns a bike like this. But I still would choose this gift for him because he surely has a “thing” for mountain bikes, given how well he really takes care of them. I would choose this gift for him, not only because he has certain “weaknesses” in expensive things, but also to show that as a friend, I do know what he prefers and what he doesn’t.
Idea generation for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
Buying a gift for a friend is a thoughtful way to show appreciation and strengthen the bond between you. Choosing the right gift depends on your friend's personality, interests, and needs. Here are some ideas for describing a gift you might like to buy for your friend:
1. Customised Jewellery:
I would like to buy a customised necklace for my best friend. She loves jewellery, and I know she would appreciate something personal and unique. I would give her this gift because she’s always been there for me through thick and thin, and I want to show my gratitude. I would choose this gift because it would have a special meaning, as I would personalise it with her initials or a meaningful symbol that represents our friendship.
2. A Travel Backpack:
I would like to buy a high-quality travel backpack for my close friend who loves to travel. She’s always going on adventures and exploring new places, so this gift would be both practical and thoughtful. I would choose this gift because it would help her organise her travel essentials, and it would show that I support her passion for travelling. The backpack would be durable, stylish, and functional, making it the perfect travel companion.
3. A Book Collection:
I would love to buy a collection of my friend’s favourite books as a gift. She is an avid reader and always discusses new books with me. I would give her this gift to show appreciation for our shared love of reading and to inspire her to continue exploring new stories. I would choose a mix of classic novels, contemporary works, and a few new releases she hasn’t read yet, making it a thoughtful and personal gift.
4. A Personalised Planner:
I would buy a personalised planner for my friend who is very organised and loves staying on top of things. She’s always writing down her goals and tasks, so this gift would be perfect for her. I would choose this gift because it would help her stay organised, and the customisation would add a personal touch. I would have her name or a motivational quote engraved on the cover, making it not only useful but also inspiring for her every day.
5. A Spa Day Package:
I would buy a spa day package for my friend who has been feeling stressed lately. She works long hours and rarely takes time for herself, so I would want to give her the gift of relaxation. I would choose this gift because it would allow her to unwind, recharge, and take care of herself. It’s something she would never think to treat herself to, and it would be a perfect way to show her that she deserves some pampering.
6. A Cooking Class:
I would love to buy a cooking class experience for my friend who enjoys cooking but wants to improve her skills. I know she would appreciate learning new techniques and recipes from a professional chef. I would give her this gift because it combines both fun and learning. I would choose this gift to show that I support her passion for cooking and want to help her explore new culinary horizons while having a great time together.
7. A Fitness Tracker:
I would buy a fitness tracker for my friend who is passionate about health and fitness. She loves to track her workouts and progress, and I know this would be an excellent gift for her. I would choose this gift because it would help her stay motivated and achieve her fitness goals. The fitness tracker would also allow her to monitor her sleep, heart rate, and overall wellness, making it a practical and thoughtful gift.
8. A Weekend Getaway:
I would buy my friend a weekend getaway to a destination she’s always wanted to visit. She has been feeling overwhelmed by work and needs a break, so this gift would be a great way for her to relax and recharge. I would choose this gift because it’s something we can enjoy together, creating memories and experiencing new adventures. It would be a gift of quality time and relaxation, showing her how much I value our friendship.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
When describing a gift you'd like to buy for a friend, using thoughtful vocabulary can help convey the sincerity behind your choice and the depth of your friendship. Carefully selected words and phrases will allow you to express the sentiment of the gift and why it's a perfect fit for your friend, enriching your overall response. Here are some relevant words and phrases to help you talk more fluently to score higher:
Thoughtful present: – A gift given after careful consideration of the recipient's preferences or needs.
Example: I'd love to buy her a thoughtful present that truly reflects her passions.
Personalised item: – An object that has been customised with initials, a name, or a special design for a specific person.
Example: I think a personalised item would make the gift extra special.
Sentimental value: – Importance based on personal feelings rather than material worth.
Example: I want to choose something that will hold sentimental value for him.
Commemorate an occasion: – To mark or celebrate an important event or anniversary.
Example: I want to buy a gift to commemorate her graduation from university.
Show my appreciation: – To express gratitude or thanks.
Example: It's a way to show my appreciation for all her support over the years.
Tailored to their interests: – Specifically designed or chosen to suit their hobbies and passions.
Example: I'm looking for something that's perfectly tailored to their interests in photography.
Symbolises our friendship: – Represents the bond and connection shared between friends.
Example: I'd choose something that symbolises our friendship and shared memories.
A gesture of goodwill: – An act intended to show friendly intentions or a desire for peace.
Example: It's less about the cost and more about it being a gesture of goodwill.
Something they wouldn't buy themselves: – An item that the person might desire but would not purchase for themselves due to cost or perceived luxury.
Example: I want to get her something she wouldn't buy herself, a real treat.
Reflects their personality: – Shows characteristics or traits of the person.
Example: The gift should ideally reflect their unique personality and style.
A memorable keepsake: – An item kept as a reminder of a person or event.
Example: I want to give him a memorable keepsake from our travels together.
If you prepare for the topic "Describe a gift you would like to buy for your friend", you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe a gift that you recently gave to someone.
2) Describe a handmade gift you gave to a friend or a relative.
3) Describe a present or gift that you gave to someone.
4) Describe a gift that you received that was important to you.
5) Describe a time when you received an unexpected gift.
6) Describe a birthday gift you received that you liked.
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