The IELTS Speaking test aims to assess a range of skills, including your ability to communicate opinions and information on everyday topics and common experiences, including the ability to narrate events and tell stories. In this article, we’ll specifically tackle how to “Describe a situation when you helped a friend,” a common topic in the IELTS Speaking exam. This article will be organized into several parts to offer a comprehensive guide for tackling this cue card topic.
I. Introduction
The IELTS Speaking test consists of three parts:
- Part 1 – Introduction and Interview
- Part 2 – Long Turn
- Part 3 – Two-way Discussion
An IELTS Speaking Examiner will evaluate you based on four criteria: Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and Pronunciation. The topic “Describe a situation when you helped a friend” is quite common in Part 2 of the Speaking test. In this part, you need to speak on a given topic for one to two minutes. The Examiner then asks one or two questions on the same topic to wrap up this section.
II. Main Content
Part 1: Introduction and Interview
In this section, Examiners typically ask you general questions about yourself. Here are common questions they might ask, along with a sample response:
Q: Do you often help your friends?
A: Yes, I do. I believe that helping friends is an essential part of maintaining strong and supportive relationships. Whenever someone around me needs assistance, I try my best to be there for them.
Part 2: Long Turn
Cue Card
Describe a situation when you helped a friend.
You should say:
- Who you helped
- Why they needed help
- How you helped them
- And explain how this made you feel
Sample Answer
One situation that stands out where I helped a friend involves my best friend, John. About a year ago, he was going through a tough time because he had just lost his job. This situation was particularly hard for him as he was the main breadwinner in his family and was under a lot of pressure.
John needed help not just financially, but also emotionally and practically. He was feeling quite helpless and demotivated. I remember one evening, I invited him over to my place for dinner. Over the meal, I offered him a listening ear and reassured him that he could get through this tough phase.
The following day, I helped him update his CV and write cover letters for various job applications. Additionally, I contacted a few friends in my network who worked in his field to see if they knew of any openings. Within a month, he had multiple job interviews lined up and eventually secured a position that he was thrilled about.
Helping John during this difficult period was incredibly rewarding for me. It strengthened our friendship and reminded me how important it is to support those we care about. The gratitude and relief I saw in John’s eyes were invaluable.
Follow-up Questions and Suggested Answers:
Q: How did John react when you offered your help?
A: John was extremely grateful and relieved. He mentioned that he felt a weight lifted off his shoulders knowing that he had someone to rely on.
Q: Do you think you learned anything from this experience?
A: Definitely. It taught me the value of empathy and the impact small acts of kindness can have on someone’s life. It also reinforced the idea that being there for a friend in need can make a significant difference.
Part 3: Two-way Discussion
In this part, the Examiner will ask more abstract questions related to the topic of helping friends. Here are some example questions and answers:
Discussion Questions:
Q: Why do you think it’s important to help friends?
A: Helping friends builds stronger relationships and creates a supportive network. It fosters a sense of community and mutual respect, which can be empowering for both the helper and the person receiving help.
Q: Are there any occasions when not helping a friend might be justified?
A: Yes, there are. For example, if helping a friend compromises your own well-being or is enabling negative behavior, it might be best to step back. It’s important to set boundaries while still being supportive.
Q: How can people in communities support each other more effectively?
A: Communities can support each other by cultivating a culture of open communication, empathy, and collective responsibility. Regular community events and forums can provide platforms for individuals to share their troubles and offer help to one another.
III. Key Vocabulary and Sentence Structures
Important Vocabulary:
- Empathy – /ˈempəTHē/ – The ability to understand and share the feelings of another.
- Example: “Empathy plays a significant role in forming strong friendships.”
- Supportive – /səˈpôrdiv/ – Providing encouragement or emotional help.
- Example: “Being a supportive friend can help people navigate difficult times.”
- Reassure – /ˌrēəˈSHo͝or/ – To say or do something to remove the doubts and fears of someone.
- Example: “I reassured him that he could overcome this challenge.”
- Network – /ˈnetˌwərk/ – A group or system of interconnected people or things.
- Example: “I contacted people in my network to find job openings for him.”
- Gratitude – /ˈɡradəˌt(y)o͞od/ – The quality of being thankful.
- Example: “He expressed his gratitude for the support I offered.”
Sample Sentence Structures:
- Complex Sentences: “Helping John during this difficult period was incredibly rewarding for me because it strengthened our friendship and reminded me how important it is to support those we care about.”
- Conditionals: “If helping a friend compromises your own well-being, it might be best to step back.”
- Passive Voice: “His CV was updated and cover letters were written with my help.”
IV. Examiner Advice on Preparation
To achieve a high score in the IELTS Speaking test, it’s vital to practice regularly and familiarize yourself with a variety of topics. Here are some tips:
- Practice Fluency: Speak out loud on different topics without pausing too much.
- Expand Vocabulary: Learn and practice using a wide range of vocabulary relevant to different topics.
- Use Complex Structures: Incorporate various sentence structures, including complex sentences and conditionals.
- Seek Feedback: Record yourself and seek feedback from IELTS tutors or native speakers.
- Stay Calm: Stay calm and composed during the test to ensure you articulate your thoughts clearly.
For more example topics and practice, you can explore articles such as Describe a person who is very friendly, Describe a time when you were inspired by a book or movie, or Describe a person who is very resourceful in solving problems.
Remember, preparation is the key to success in the IELTS Speaking exam. Practice consistently, and do not hesitate to seek help when needed. Good luck!