When it comes to IELTS Speaking, describing social events where you made new friends is a popular topic that often appears in exams. This theme allows candidates to showcase their ability to narrate personal experiences while demonstrating their language skills. Let’s explore how to effectively tackle this topic and maximize your score.
Part 1: Introduction and Interview
In this section, the examiner may ask general questions about friendship and social events. Here are some common questions you might encounter:
- Do you enjoy meeting new people?
- How do you usually make new friends?
- What kind of social events do you like to attend?
Let’s look at a sample answer for the first question:
Examiner: Do you enjoy meeting new people?
Band 6-7 Answer:
Yes, I do enjoy meeting new people. It’s always interesting to talk to someone new and learn about their experiences. I find that meeting new people helps me broaden my horizons and sometimes leads to new friendships.
Band 8-9 Answer:
Absolutely, I find meeting new people to be both exhilarating and enriching. There’s something inherently fascinating about encountering diverse perspectives and life stories. Each new acquaintance offers a unique opportunity to expand my worldview and potentially forge lasting connections. I particularly relish the challenge of finding common ground with individuals from different backgrounds, as it often leads to the most unexpected and rewarding friendships.
Part 2: Long Turn
Here’s a sample cue card related to the topic:
Describe an event where you made a new friend
You should say:
- What the event was
- Where and when it took place
- Who you met and became friends with
- And explain why you became friends with this person
Band 6-7 Answer:
I’d like to talk about a music festival I attended last summer where I made a new friend. It was a three-day event that took place in a large park in my city. There were multiple stages with different genres of music, and thousands of people attended.
On the second day of the festival, I was waiting in line for food when I started chatting with the person next to me. Her name was Sarah, and we quickly realized we had similar taste in music. We ended up spending the rest of the day together, going from stage to stage to watch different performances.
We became friends because we had a lot in common. Not only did we enjoy the same type of music, but we also shared similar views on various topics we discussed throughout the day. Sarah was very friendly and easy to talk to, which made the conversation flow naturally.
After the festival, we exchanged contact information and have kept in touch since then. We’ve even attended a couple more concerts together. It was a pleasant surprise to make such a good friend at an event where I wasn’t expecting to meet anyone new.
Band 8-9 Answer:
I’d be delighted to share an experience about a serendipitous friendship that blossomed at a thought-provoking TEDx conference I attended last autumn. This intellectually stimulating event took place at a prestigious university in the heart of London, spanning an entire weekend filled with captivating talks and interactive workshops.
It was during a break-out session on sustainable innovation that I struck up a conversation with an intriguing individual named Alex. We found ourselves engrossed in a lively debate about the potential of renewable energy technologies, and I was immediately drawn to Alex’s insightful perspectives and infectious enthusiasm.
As the conference progressed, Alex and I gravitated towards each other during breaks and networking sessions. We discovered a shared passion for environmental causes and a mutual interest in cutting-edge technologies. What truly cemented our friendship, however, was our complementary approaches to problem-solving – while I tend to be more analytical and data-driven, Alex brings a creative and out-of-the-box thinking style to the table.
This synergy in our intellectual pursuits, combined with our aligned values and effortless rapport, laid the foundation for a meaningful friendship. Since the conference, we’ve collaborated on several sustainability projects and continue to challenge and inspire each other. This unexpected encounter serves as a testament to the power of intellectual curiosity and open-mindedness in forging lasting connections.
Audience engaged at TEDx conference
Examiner: How important do you think shared interests are in forming friendships?
Band 6-7 Answer:
I believe shared interests are quite important in forming friendships. When people have common hobbies or passions, it gives them something to talk about and do together. This can help build a strong foundation for a friendship. However, I also think that having some differences can make friendships interesting and help people learn from each other.
Band 8-9 Answer:
While shared interests undoubtedly play a pivotal role in the formation of friendships, I believe their importance is nuanced and multifaceted. Common ground certainly provides an initial catalyst for connection, offering a comfortable starting point for conversation and shared experiences. However, I would argue that the true essence of a lasting friendship lies in the alignment of values and complementarity of personalities rather than merely shared hobbies.
In my experience, some of the most enriching friendships have been with individuals whose interests diverge significantly from my own. These relationships have challenged my perspectives, broadened my horizons, and fostered personal growth. The key, I believe, lies in maintaining an open mind and a genuine curiosity about others’ passions, even when they differ from our own.
Ultimately, while shared interests can serve as a valuable bridge in forming initial connections, the depth and longevity of a friendship often hinge on more fundamental factors such as mutual respect, trust, and the ability to support one another through life’s ups and downs.
Part 3: Two-way Discussion
Examiner: In what ways has technology changed how people make friends?
Band 6-7 Answer:
Technology has definitely changed how people make friends these days. Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram make it easier to connect with people who have similar interests, even if they’re far away. Online forums and gaming communities also allow people to meet others who share their hobbies. However, this can sometimes lead to less face-to-face interaction, which might affect the depth of friendships.
Band 8-9 Answer:
Technology has revolutionized the landscape of friendship formation in myriad ways. Social media platforms and online communities have dramatically expanded our potential social circles, transcending geographical boundaries and allowing us to connect with like-minded individuals across the globe. This unprecedented access to diverse perspectives and cultures has enriched our social experiences and broadened our horizons.
However, this technological shift has also introduced new complexities. The ease of online communication has, in some cases, led to a proliferation of superficial connections at the expense of deeper, more meaningful relationships. The curated nature of online personas can create unrealistic expectations and hinder authentic interactions.
Moreover, the algorithm-driven nature of many social platforms can create echo chambers, potentially limiting exposure to diverse viewpoints and reinforcing existing biases. This phenomenon presents both challenges and opportunities in terms of how we navigate and cultivate friendships in the digital age.
Ultimately, while technology has undoubtedly facilitated new avenues for connection, it has also necessitated a more mindful approach to friendship formation. The key lies in leveraging these tools to enhance, rather than replace, traditional forms of social interaction, striking a balance between online and offline relationships to foster genuine, multifaceted connections.
Social media connecting diverse individuals
Key Vocabulary and Phrases for High Scores
Serendipitous (adjective) /ˌserənˈdɪpɪtəs/ – occurring or discovered by chance in a happy or beneficial way
Example: Our meeting at the conference was a serendipitous event that led to a great friendship.To strike up a conversation (phrasal verb) – to begin talking to someone you do not know
Example: I struck up a conversation with the person sitting next to me on the plane.Synergy (noun) /ˈsɪnədʒi/ – the interaction or cooperation of two or more organizations, substances, or other agents to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects
Example: There was a great synergy between our ideas, which led to a successful project.To gravitate towards (phrasal verb) – to be attracted to or move towards someone or something
Example: People with similar interests often gravitate towards each other at social events.Intellectually stimulating (adjective phrase) – providing mental engagement and excitement
Example: The debate was intellectually stimulating, challenging our preconceived notions.
Examiner’s Advice
To achieve a high score in the IELTS Speaking test, particularly when discussing making new friends at events:
- Use a variety of descriptive language to bring your experience to life.
- Incorporate advanced vocabulary and idiomatic expressions naturally into your responses.
- Provide specific examples and details to support your points.
- Demonstrate your ability to discuss abstract ideas, especially in Part 3.
- Practice speaking fluently and coherently for 2 minutes for the Part 2 long turn.
- Show your capacity to analyze situations from different perspectives.
Remember, the key to success lies not just in memorizing answers, but in developing the ability to communicate effectively and spontaneously on a wide range of topics.
describe a time when you felt proud of a close friend can be another interesting topic to explore in your IELTS Speaking preparation. It allows you to demonstrate your ability to describe emotions and personal relationships, which are valuable skills for achieving a high score.