Describing a special gift you gave to someone is a common topic in IELTS Speaking tests. This theme allows examiners to assess your ability to express personal experiences, emotions, and cultural aspects. Given its relevance to everyday life, it’s likely to appear in future tests. Let’s explore how to tackle this topic effectively across all parts of the IELTS Speaking exam.

Part 1: Introduction and Interview

In this section, the examiner may ask questions like:

1. Do you enjoy giving gifts to others?
2. What was the last gift you gave someone?
3. How do you choose gifts for different people?

Here’s a sample answer for the first question:

Examiner: Do you enjoy giving gifts to others?

Candidate (Band 8-9 response): Absolutely! I find great joy in selecting and presenting gifts to my loved ones. There’s something incredibly rewarding about seeing the look of surprise and happiness on someone’s face when they receive a thoughtful present. I believe gift-giving is a wonderful way to express appreciation and strengthen relationships, which is why I always put a lot of effort into choosing the perfect gift for each person.

Part 2: Long Turn

Here’s a sample cue card related to the topic:

Describe A Special Gift You Gave To Someone
You should say:

• What the gift was
• Who you gave it to
• Why you chose that gift
• How the person reacted when they received it

describe a recent birthday celebration you enjoyed

Sample answer (Band 8-9):

The special gift I’d like to talk about is a handcrafted photo album that I gave to my grandmother for her 80th birthday last year. It was a labor of love that took me several weeks to complete.

I chose this gift because I wanted to create something truly meaningful and personal for my grandmother, who has always been a significant figure in my life. I knew she cherished family memories, so I decided to compile photographs from various stages of her life, including her childhood, marriage, and moments with her children and grandchildren.

The album itself was beautifully bound in leather, and I painstakingly arranged the photos in chronological order. Alongside each picture, I included handwritten anecdotes and memories shared by family members, creating a narrative thread throughout the album.

When my grandmother received the gift, her reaction was absolutely priceless. As she turned each page, her eyes welled up with tears of joy, and she couldn’t stop smiling. She was visibly moved by the effort and thought put into the gift, repeatedly expressing how much it meant to her. It was incredibly heartwarming to see how much happiness a simple, thoughtful gift could bring.

This experience reinforced my belief in the power of personalized gifts. It taught me that the most treasured presents are often those that demonstrate genuine care and understanding of the recipient, rather than monetary value.

Handcrafted photo album gift for grandmother

Follow-up questions:

1. How did you feel while creating this gift?
2. Do you think handmade gifts are more valuable than store-bought ones?

Sample answers:

1. (Band 8-9) Creating this gift was an incredibly fulfilling experience. I felt a deep sense of connection to my family’s history as I worked on the album. It was emotionally charged at times, especially when I came across particularly poignant memories or photographs I hadn’t seen before. The process was also quite meditative and allowed me to reflect on the importance of preserving family stories for future generations.

2. (Band 8-9) While both handmade and store-bought gifts can be meaningful, I believe handmade gifts often hold greater sentimental value. They embody the giver’s time, effort, and personal touch, which can make them feel more intimate and thoughtful. However, the true value of a gift ultimately lies in how well it resonates with the recipient’s interests and needs, regardless of its origin.

Part 3: Two-way Discussion

Examiner: How have gift-giving traditions changed in your country over the years?

Candidate (Band 8-9 response): Gift-giving traditions in my country have undergone significant transformations in recent years. Traditionally, gifts were often practical items or handmade goods that served a specific purpose in the recipient’s life. However, with the rise of consumerism and global influences, there’s been a shift towards more luxurious or branded items.

Additionally, the advent of technology has introduced new forms of gifts, such as digital subscriptions or virtual experiences. This change reflects our society’s increasing digitalization and the changing values of younger generations.

Another notable shift is the growing emphasis on experiential gifts over material possessions. Many people now prefer to give concert tickets, travel packages, or workshop vouchers, valuing shared experiences and memories over physical objects.

Despite these changes, there’s also a resurgence of interest in personalized and handcrafted gifts, possibly as a reaction to mass-produced items. This trend suggests a desire to reconnect with more meaningful and authentic gift-giving practices.

describe a time when someone gave you something you really wanted

Examiner: Do you think the price of a gift matters?

Candidate (Band 8-9 response): The importance of a gift’s price is a nuanced issue that often depends on various factors. While it’s true that the monetary value of a gift can sometimes be seen as a reflection of the giver’s regard for the recipient, I believe that the thought and effort behind the gift are far more significant.

In many cases, an inexpensive but thoughtful gift can be much more appreciated than an expensive one that doesn’t align with the recipient’s interests or needs. The key lies in understanding the person you’re giving the gift to and selecting something that resonates with their personality or current circumstances.

That being said, in certain cultural contexts or professional settings, the price of a gift might carry more weight due to social expectations or etiquette norms. However, even in these situations, it’s crucial to strike a balance between meeting social standards and maintaining authenticity in your gift-giving.

Ultimately, I believe that the most valuable gifts are those that demonstrate genuine care, understanding, and effort, regardless of their price tag. A gift that shows you’ve listened to and remembered something important about the recipient will always be more meaningful than one chosen solely for its high price.

describe a time when you were pleasantly surprised

Key Vocabulary and Phrases for High Scores

1. Labor of love /ˈleɪbər əv lʌv/ (noun phrase): A task done for pleasure, not for reward.
   Example: Creating the photo album was a true labor of love.

2. Priceless /ˈpraɪsləs/ (adjective): Extremely valuable or important.
   Example: Her reaction to the gift was absolutely priceless.

3. Cherish /ˈtʃerɪʃ/ (verb): To hold dear; to care for tenderly.
   Example: She cherished the memories captured in the album.

4. Painstakingly /ˈpeɪnzteɪkɪŋli/ (adverb): With great care and thoroughness.
   Example: I painstakingly arranged each photo in the album.

5. Reinforce /ˌriːɪnˈfɔːrs/ (verb): To strengthen or support.
   Example: This experience reinforced my belief in thoughtful gift-giving.

describe a flower you received as a gift

Examiner’s Advice

To achieve a high score in the IELTS Speaking test when discussing gift-giving:

1. Use a variety of vocabulary: Incorporate descriptive adjectives and specific nouns related to gifts and emotions.

2. Showcase complex sentence structures: Utilize a mix of simple and compound-complex sentences to demonstrate linguistic flexibility.

3. Provide detailed examples: When describing gifts or reactions, include specific details to make your answers more vivid and engaging.

4. Express opinions confidently: In Part 3, don’t hesitate to share your views on gift-giving trends or cultural practices.

5. Practice fluency: Work on speaking smoothly without long pauses, but use appropriate fillers when needed.

6. Develop your ideas: Expand on your initial responses by explaining ‘why’ and ‘how’ to demonstrate critical thinking skills.

Remember, the key to success lies in regular practice and self-reflection. Record yourself answering sample questions and analyze your responses to identify areas for improvement.