Cue Cards Samples with band 8 answers
Describe a friend you like to spend time with - Cue Card # 19
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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 friend with whom you like to spend time with.
You should say:
- when and how you met
- how often you meet this friend
- what kind of personality your friend has
and explain why you like to spend time with 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:
He was my childhood friend - the best childhood friend should I say - but I lost him about 10 years ago when his father had to leave our home town to live in another big city in order to carry on the job he was holding. Since then, I haven’t really seen him until, of course, one day I met him about a couple of years ago at a local market where I live. I could barely recognize him after more than 10 years as he had become a “big man” in his mid-20s by then.
After meeting Ivan, my childhood friend, with whom I got along nicely until the day he left our home town, we both wanted to visit each other as often as possible in an effort to renew our friendship. Having a reserved personality, Ivan told me that he didn’t really have many friends except me and a few others from his college.
I meet him at least twice a month. As we live in different towns which are at least 60 km apart - we can not meet as frequently as we would love to. However, this distance does not deter us from visiting each other and spending some quality time that we both enjoy.
I like spending time with Ivan mainly because he is very serious about his life and career. Besides, I could trust him like a brother with my life since my childhood as he would never reveal our “secrets” (friends have “secrets”. Don’t they?). In fact, he treats me more like a brother than a friend, since he doesn’t have any siblings, advising me at every opportunity to take good care of my elderly parents, which I really appreciate. Finally, I like to spend time with Ivan because he appreciates and understands the value of my time, and not too many people would befriend him because of his introverted personality (even though he is a great person once you get to know him).
Model Answer 2:
Introduction:
Thank you for allowing me to talk about a friend I truly enjoy spending time with. Well, I've several good friends, but today I'd like to describe my friend "Olivia", who has become an important part of my life over the years.
When and how you met:
I first met Olivia about six years ago during my university orientation week. We were both standing in line to register for the same course, and we struck up a conversation almost immediately. It felt so natural as if we had known each other for years. Our shared interests in literature and travel bonded us from the very beginning.
How often you meet this friend:
Even though we are now working professionals and have busy schedules, we still make it a point to meet at least once every week. Sometimes, we grab coffee together, watch a movie, or simply take a walk in the park and catch up on each other’s lives. We also plan short weekend trips every few months, which keeps our friendship vibrant.
What kind of personality your friend has:
Olivia is one of the most genuine and easygoing people I have ever met. She has a very cheerful and optimistic personality, which makes her a delight to be around. She’s also a great listener, and she never judges anyone. Her sense of humour is infectious, and no matter how stressed I am, I always leave our meetings feeling lighter and happier.
And explain why you like to spend time with this friend:
I love spending time with Olivia because she brings out the best in me. She encourages me to pursue my passions and reminds me not to take life too seriously. Our conversations are always meaningful, whether we are discussing our dreams or just laughing about silly things. Her positive energy, kindness, and sincerity make her a truly special friend, and I feel very fortunate to have her in my life.
Sample Answer 3:
I like to spend time with Steven who is a genuine friend of mine. I met him in primary school when I was only 9 or 10. After that, our intimacy developed and we became best friends. I am so glad to be able to talk about Steven whom I really like to spend my time with.
One day - perhaps we were in grade three - he forgot to bring his biology book to school, and I helped him with my one. We talked for a long after our classes and our friendship started to begin. We went to high school together but we got admitted to two different universities. Since we are studying in the same city now, we can meet each other and spend time together whenever we want.
We are yet to finish our graduation and both of us are busy with our own stuff but whenever we get vacations, we spend time together. Since we live in the same town, we visit each other's house and thus we meet at least twice - but sometimes more than that - a month.
He is a kind-hearted person who helps people and always wishes the best for others. He is also a very talented person and is studying mathematics at the university. Sometimes he explains some complex mathematical theories in easy and interesting ways which helps me a lot in my studies. He is passionate about reading books and often shares his books with me. We often exchange our thoughts about the books we read.
I like to spend time with him because we have many common interests. I never feel bored spending time with him. Since we have been friends for a long time, we understand each other very well. A good friend always extends helping hands when we are in need, and Steven does it always for me. We do so much fun stuff together and we help each other in our studies. Good friendship, understanding and common interests make us close friends and those are the primary reasons I like to spend time with him so much.
Idea generation for this Candidate task card / Cue card topic:
When describing a friend you enjoy spending time with, it is helpful to think about the nature of your friendship, how you met, and the qualities that make your friend special. Below are a few ideas that can guide you while developing your answer:
1. Childhood best friend:
I met my best friend Liam in primary school when we were around six years old. We meet at least twice a month now. He has a very friendly, loyal, and optimistic personality. I love spending time with him because he always supports me and we have many shared memories from childhood.
2. University roommate:
I first met my friend Anna when we were assigned to the same dormitory at university. We often catch up once a week. She is outgoing, funny, and an excellent listener. I enjoy our time together because we share a passion for books and always encourage each other to achieve more.
3. Colleague turned friend:
I became friends with David after working together on a big project at work. We try to meet up for coffee at least twice a month. David is intelligent, practical, and very motivating. I like spending time with him because our conversations are both inspiring and entertaining.
4. Neighbourhood friend:
My neighbour Sophie and I met during a community event around five years ago. We meet every weekend for walks. She is very caring, cheerful, and empathetic. I love spending time with her because she always makes me feel positive and valued.
5. Travel buddy:
I met my friend Marco while backpacking through Europe. We stay in touch and travel together at least once a year. Marco is adventurous, spontaneous, and easy-going. Spending time with him is always fun because we both enjoy exploring new places and cultures.
6. Cousin who became a close friend:
My cousin Emily and I grew closer during family gatherings when we were teenagers. We meet frequently, especially during holidays. She is kind, supportive, and always full of creative ideas. I enjoy her company because she understands me better than anyone else.
7. Friend from a sports club:
I met Ethan at a local football club where we both played on weekends. We meet almost every weekend for practice. He is highly energetic, determined, and passionate about fitness. I love spending time with him because he keeps me motivated to stay active and healthy.
8. Friend from an online community:
I met Rachel through an online photography community. Although we live in different cities, we meet in person a few times a year. She is creative, friendly, and very supportive. I love meeting her because we share the same passion and often collaborate on creative projects together.
Sample Answer 4:
I met this person who later became my friend in a yoga and meditation class. It was quite "a chance" that this person who goes by the name "Gajender" sat beside me during the class. Today, I will talk about this friend of mine with whom I like to spend time and do interesting stuff.
After these classes, it has been quite a regular thing that we spend time together, almost every weekend. Yet another reason why I like spending time with Gajender is the humorous character that he possesses.
I always find him in a jubilant mood even though he has gone through some troublesome experiences in life. He lost his only son and that too at the young age of 25. I must say, he is one of the people who has really made a positive impression on my mind and has contributed a lot to the way I have started looking at life. I consider him a good person and a good friend who has a soft and kind heart and who views the world through a lens of optimism and inspiration.
The reason why I like spending time with him is the positive vibes that I feel from him. He is one of the people - among a very tiny number of people I met in my life - who has a very positive attitude towards life no matter what. The aura of optimism and hope he kindles around him makes people view the world in such a positive way that it can transform lives for good. I also like to spend time with him because he is witty, positive and humorous which makes our time together enjoyable and exciting.
[ Written by - Neeraj ]
Follow-up Questions:
Q. Is friendship important in your culture?
Answer: Yes, friendship holds a very important place in our culture. Friends are often considered an extension of family, and strong friendships are built on trust, loyalty, and shared experiences.
Q. Do you have any friends from a foreign country?
1st Possible Answer: Unfortunately, I don’t, but I really hope to make new acquaintances and meet people from overseas. In this way, I am convinced that I’ll become more broad-minded and tolerant.
2nd Possible Answer: Actually I do. I live and study in England; so I have met many people from different countries even from different continents. I really like consorting with them because we can swap opinions, make helpful and substantial conversations and learn new things about culture, customs and religion. In addition, we can travel to each other’s country and accomplish dreams and desires that otherwise might be unachievable. Last but not least, we can immerse ourselves in a new language and gain more knowledge.
Q. What are the differences between real-life friends and pen friends?
Answer: Real-life friends are people I interact with in person and share daily experiences with, while pen friends are those I mostly communicate with through letters, emails, or online messages. Although both kinds of friendships can be meaningful, real-life friends usually share more personal moments face-to-face.
Tips for answering this cue card topic:
This cue card/ candidate task card should be an easy topic for you to answer. You should already know a lot about a friend you'd like to talk about. Topics like 'Describe a museum' need some brainstorming, remembering things about a museum and then organising answers for the topic, but when you are asked to talk about a friend, you already know a lot about what you need to talk about. All you need to do is focus on the questions asked and then answer them in detail.
For this topic, tell the name of a friend. Remember that you have picked a friend to talk about which means she/he is somewhat special to you. Talk about "for how long you two have been friends?", "how you met him/her?" and "how did your friendship start". Then say "the stuff you two do together", "reasons you like him/her", "the type of person he/she is" and finally the reason you like to spend time with him so much".
Following are some hints for the questions asked in this cue card topic.
When and how you two met:
Answer from your own experience. If you are out of ideas, you can say:
» You met him/her at the school/college/university.
» He/she is your neighbour and you two met on a family occasion.
» You met him/her in a playground/stadium while you were playing/ enjoying a sports competition.
» You met him/her at a relative’s house.
» You met him/her in a situation when she/he needed help and you were there to help him/her.
» You met him/her in a situation when you desperately needed some help and he/she was there to help you.
» You two met at a shopping mall/auditorium/park or even on a train/ aeroplane.
» Sometimes friendship starts from minor disagreement and fight. You can mention that you had a disagreement about something but later, you two become close buddies.
» A friend can be an online friend whom you have never met. In this scenario, your friendship can start from an online chat room or from a social networking platform.
How often do you meet?
To answer this question you need to focus on the previous question and its context. If you talk about a friend who lives in the same street you live in or if she/he studies/works with you, then you probably meet him daily. If you pick a friend from your hometown where you no longer live, then your meeting frequency would be 2 to 3 times a year or so. For online friends whom you have never met, simply say that you two have never met in person but you talk/chat over the internet almost every week.
What kind of personality your friend has:
For this question, say that he/she is very friendly, helpful and caring and values your friendship. For his/her personality, say that she/he is talented, creative and has an attractive personality. Also, mention that she/he is understanding and well-behaved.
For an online friend, mentioning personality is not easy as you might have never met him/her. In this case, say that s/he is caring and has a positive attitude and his/her opinion on different issues seems very positive and constructive. Mention something she/he does for the benefit of others and you are passionate about some of his activities and interests.
Why do you like spending time with this particular person?
Naturally, people like to spend time with people who share common interests and have positive attitudes. So you should mention what common interests you two have and what you do together (for online friends, say the topics you discuss and share). Also, you can say that you have learned many positive things from him/her and you two have a great understanding. Finally, say that s/he is a good friend who is ready to support you no matter what and has already advised you or helped you on different issues.
Part 3: Detailed Discussion:
Q. How important is friendship in your culture? How many close friends can you have?
Answer: Friendship is really important in my culture, and I think that it should be of paramount importance in all cultures worldwide. Our friends are our siblings and they are the people we choose to have in our lives. Moreover, a friend is a person you can call whenever you are sad, happy, angry, excited and so on. We should take into account that many people in different countries consider their pals to be more valuable than their family. As far as I’m concerned, I believe that someone can have two or three close friends.
Tip: This is just a personal opinion about the number of friends someone can have. It's up to you and your experience.
Q. What are some important qualities that should be maintained among good friends?[Why?]
Answer: First and foremost, people should take into account that friendship is a sacred notion in someone’s life and a two-way street as well. Friends should invest in real feelings and there are some virtues that are crucial. For example, true friends must be honest with each other, compassionate, be there when needed, affectionate, tender and supportive to mention but a few. Every friendship has its ups and downs but when emotions are real any hindrance can be eliminated. To conclude, a wise and useful phrase that comes to my mind is “A friend in need is a friend indeed”.
Q. In your opinion, what are the differences between real-life friends and pen friends?
Answer: The difference is significant because in the first case, there are stronger bonds. For pen friends, the existing ties are loose. The former, are the people whom we see in the flesh and blood, share our sad and happy moments, spend time with, have frequent contacts and share some intrinsic moments. The latter, are people who correspond with each other and it could be considered as a kind of distant relationship. Furthermore, a real friend is able to be with you whenever you need him/her, while for a penfriend, this is not feasible.
Q. In your opinion, are friends more important than family?[Why/ Why not?]
Answer: That’s a really difficult question to answer. It is widely accepted that parents are the people with whom we are connected by blood and they are also our closest relatives. Friends, on the other hand, are just some people we come across during our lifespan and it’s our choice whether we will keep them in our life or not. But, as I mentioned earlier, there are some who consider that friendship is more important than family and the reasons for this may differ. From my point of view, I would argue that family and friends should be equally important in someone’s life because a fulfilling and complete life consists of both family and sidekicks. I believe life without a family is like a tree in the desert and life without a friend is death without a witness!
Tips: You can say that "family and friends are equally important in someone's life", or "the family is more important than friends" and even "friends are more important". In either case, cite arguments and examples and state your personal opinion.
Q. Do you think it's better to have a few close friends or many acquaintances?
Answer: Personally, I believe it's better to have a few close friends rather than many acquaintances. Close friends offer genuine support, trust, and a deeper emotional connection, which is hard to find with a large circle of casual acquaintances. With close friends, you can truly be yourself, share personal experiences, and rely on them during difficult times. While having acquaintances can be useful in expanding your social network, I think real happiness and emotional security come from meaningful and loyal friendships.
Q. Do you think friendships are different at different stages of life?
Answer: Yes, I believe it. In my opinion, friendships tend to evolve as people move through different stages of life. For example, during childhood, friendships are often based on shared activities and simple enjoyment. In teenage years, friends become a huge part of personal identity and emotional support. As adults, friendships might be based more on common values, professional goals, or life experiences. Later in life, friendships often become deeper and more meaningful, focusing on emotional support and companionship rather than frequent socializing. Each stage brings its own kind of importance to friendships.
[ Part 3 answers are written by - Mary, UK, Economist with Main Field of Studies in Business Economics]
Vocabulary for this Candidate Task Card / Cue Card topic:
When talking about a friend you enjoy spending time with, using the right vocabulary will help you express the relationship, their personality traits, and your feelings more clearly. Below are some useful words and phrases you can use:
Companionship – A close and friendly relationship with someone.
Bond – A strong connection or relationship.
Trustworthy – Someone you can rely on completely.
Supportive – Providing encouragement or emotional help.
Light-hearted – Cheerful and without serious intentions.
Down-to-earth – Practical and realistic; not pretentious.
Reliable – Someone you can depend on.
Loyal – Faithful and devoted in friendship.
Sense of humour – The ability to laugh at things and see the funny side.
Empathetic – Someone who understands and shares the feelings of others.
Shared interests – Hobbies or activities that two people enjoy together.
Good listener – Someone who listens carefully and attentively.
Mutual respect – Respect that two people feel for each other equally.
Inspiring – Someone who motivates you to be better.
Unforgettable memories – Memories that are deeply cherished and remembered.
Catch up – To meet someone and share news after a period of time apart.
Trust and understanding – Essential elements in any strong friendship.
Spending quality time – Enjoying meaningful moments together.
Confide in – To share personal thoughts or problems with someone you trust.
Cheerful company – Being with someone who lifts your spirits.
Your preparation for this cue card topic should help you answer the following topics as well:
1. Describe a childhood friend you remember well.
2. Describe a friend from your hometown.
3. Describe one of your online friends.
4. Describe an activity you do with your friends.
5. Describe a friend you often like to spend time with.
6. Describe a friend who helped you once.
7. Describe a friend whom you helped.
8. Describe a friend from your college/university.
9. Describe a friend whom you met accidentally.
10. Describe one of your friends.
11. Describe your best friend.
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