Last Updated on September 9, 2024
IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System. More than 10,000 students take IELTS in order to demonstrate their Englush proficiency and get admission, work opportunities, or PR abroad.
The IELTS exam comprises 3 sections: Listening, Reading, and writing. Candidates first have to take the Listening test, followed by Reading and Writing. No breaks are allowed between the tests, meaning each must be taken one after the other.
The IELTS exam lasts for around three hours, with 60 minutes dedicated to reading and writing each and 11-14 minutes for the speaking round. The speaking round, also known as the cue card round, is considered one of the most challenging rounds by many candidates.
For the IELTS Cue Card round, candidates are given a topic on which they must speak for almost 2 minutes. Around 1 minute is allotted for preparation of the same. In this blog, we will help you to prepare for the IELTS Cue card round on the topic “Describe a Time When Someone Gave You Something.”
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How to Answer Describe a time when someone gave you something IELTS Cue Card
As the cue card section starts, you will be handed a cue card with a topic and some guidelines. You’ll have one minute to prepare your response and then will be asked to speak for up to two minutes.
Cue Card/Topic: Describe a Time When Someone Gave You Something, you should say
- What was the thing?
- When was it?
- Why you needed it?
- How did you feel about it?
The best way to answer a cue card question is by breaking it into smaller pieces:
- Introduction: Describe your experience
- key highlights
- and conclusion.
Here’s how you can answer the topic “Describe When Someone Gave You Something”
Introduction:
- Briefly introduce the gift and the context.
- Mention who gave it to you.
- State why you wanted it so much.
Describing Your Experience:
- Detail the moment you received the gift.
- Describe your immediate reaction.
- Explain the significance of the gift to you.
Key Highlights:
- Highlight specific features or aspects of the gift.
- Discuss why it was important or valuable to you.
- Share any memories or emotions associated with the gift.d.
Conclusion:
- Summarise how the gift impacted you.
- Talk about your feelings towards the person who gave it to you.
- Conclude with a final thought on why this gift remains close to your heart.
Following this structure ensures your response is clear, organized, and within the two-minute limit.
Model Answer 1: Describe a time when someone gave you something
Introduction ( Covers: What was the thing?)
- A few years ago, my elder sister, Riya, gave me a mobile phone I had longed for.
- It was a surprise gift on my 19th birthday. I wanted this mobile phone for my content creation and school projects.
- The moment I saw it, I felt a rush of adrenaline. I was overwhelmed by gratitude in the next moment.
Describing Your Experience/Opinion/Interest ( Covers: When it was?)
- On my birthday, we had a small family gathering at our home in Bangalore.
- After cutting the cake, my sister Riya handed me a wrapped box with excitement in her eyes.
- I couldn’t believe my eyes as I unwrapped the gift and saw the mobile phone.
- I had been saving up for this mobile phone, but she knew how much I needed it and decided to surprise me.
Key Highlights ( Covers: Why you needed it?)
- The mobile phone was sleek, moonlight colored, and the latest model with all the features I needed for my studies and hobbies.
- It had a fast processor, plenty of storage, and excellent battery backup.
- This was essential for my content creation career, which is my hobby, as well as for my school.
- Receiving this mobile phone meant I could finally work efficiently without relying on my old, broken mobile phone.
Conclusion (Covers: How did you feel about it?)
- This gift significantly impacted my academic and personal life.
- It made my studies more enjoyable and less stressful, allowing me to explore my interests further.
- I felt incredibly grateful to my sister Riya for understanding my needs and supporting me in such a meaningful way.
- To this day, the mobile phone remains one of the best gifts I’ve ever received, reminding me of my sister’s thoughtfulness and generosity.
Model Answer 2: Describe a time when someone gave you something
Introduction (Covers: What was the thing?)
- Last year, my best friend, Naina, gave me a Fitbit that I had been wanting for months.
- It was a special gift for my 18th birthday. I had been eyeing this Fitbit to help me keep track of my fitness goals and stay organized.
- When I received it, I felt thrilled and sincerely appreciated her efforts.
Describing Your Experience/Opinion/Interest (Covers: When it was?)
- On my birthday, Naina organized a surprise party at my house in Delhi as she knew it was my comfort place.
- After the initial celebrations, she handed me a beautifully wrapped box.
- As I unwrapped the gift and saw the Fitbit, I was overjoyed.
- I had mentioned wanting this watch a few times, but I never expected her to get it for me. I was overwhelmed by her efforts.
Key Highlights ( Covers: Why you needed it?)
- The Fitbit was a sleek, black model with various useful features.
- I needed it to help me stay on top of my fitness goals, as I had been working hard to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
- It could track my steps, monitor my heart rate, and even receive notifications from my phone, which was crucial for my daily runs and workouts.
- This smartwatch meant I could easily monitor my progress and stay organized, making it an invaluable tool for managing my fitness and busy schedule.
Conclusion (Covers: How did you feel about it?)
- This gift greatly enhanced my daily routine and motivated me to achieve my fitness goals.
- I felt incredibly grateful to Priya for her thoughtful and generous gesture.
- The smartwatch helped me stay organized and reminded me of Priya’s friendship and understanding.
- To this day, it stands out as one of the most meaningful gifts I’ve ever received.
Model Answer 3: Describe a time when someone gave you something
Introduction (Covers: What was the thing?)
- Two years ago, my cousin Amisha, gifted me a handmade clay coaster. I saw a ceramic coaster online and wanted it. But it was too expensive. So I could not get it. I shared this disappointment with my cousin as well.
- On my 20th birthday, Amisha gave me a similar coaster, except she handcrafted it for me from scratch.
- It was a surprise present for my 20th birthday.
- Receiving it made me feel ecstatic and deeply valued.
Describing Your Experience/Opinion/Interest (Covers: When it was?)
- On my birthday, my family organized a small celebration at our home in Himachal.
- After dinner, Amisha handed me a medium-sized, wrapped box with a knowing smile.
- As I unwrapped it and saw the coaster, I was overwhelmed with joy.
- I often talked about wanting that coaster, but I never imagined she would make one for me.
Key Highlights (Covers: Why you needed it?)
- The coaster was even better than the one I saw online, which had a glossy finish.
- The coaster was a beautiful heart-shaped thing with little clay hearts on the inside.
- I found it extremely beautiful and wanted it to be an aesthetic piece in my room.
- The fact that Amisha kept it in mind and made me a similar piece moved my heart.
Conclusion (Covers: How did you feel about it?)
- This gift profoundly impacted my life, inspiring me to follow my musical ambitions.
- I felt incredibly grateful to Amisha for her thoughtful and encouraging gesture.
- The coaster helped me strengthen my bond with my cousin.
- It remains one of the most cherished gifts I have ever received, constantly reminding me of her support and how much I mean to her.
Other Cue Card:
Describe Your First Day At School IELTS Cue Card
Describe a Risk You Have Taken Which Had a Positive Result
Describe a Person Who Encouraged You To Achieve Your Goal
Describe When Someone Gave You Something You Wanted
Follow-Up Questions: Describe a Time When Someone Gave You Something
Question 1: Do you like to be surprised?
The answer to this question depends on the situation. For the most part, I like surprises, especially when they are on my birthday. I also like surprises when people put their thoughts and effort into it. However, at times, I don’t like surprises. For instance, once, I returned home from college after an exhausting day. At home, my sister had made a greeting card for me as it was my birthday. I was irritated because of my day, and her surprise overwhelmed me. I shoved her card away and asked her to leave me alone. However, I felt terrible later and tried making up to her.
So, as I said, the answer to this question is subjective.
Question 2: According to you, what do you think is the most surprising thing about you?
The most surprising thing about me is my optimistic outlook towards life. I recently faced a crisis and realized that I am highly optimistic. It’s also my optimism that has helped me get through many challenging situations in my life.
Question 3: Have you ever surprised anyone in your family?
Yes, I surprised my mother last year on her birthday. I, along with my sister, planned a surprise for her. We decorated the house and baked a cake for her. When she returned home from work, we threw a surprise party for her in the evening. It was evident that she enjoyed the surprise, especially the cake.
Aakriti Kumari is a passionate content writer who finds solace in the world of books. An avid reader from a young age, she has cultivated a deep love for the written word. When she’s not crafting compelling content, you can find her lost in the pages of a captivating novel. Aakriti shares her literary adventures and book recommendations on her Instagram account, @aakthereader, dedicated to her love of reading. With a keen eye for detail and a gift for storytelling, she brings words to life, inviting readers on a journey through her writing.
