Discussing handmade gifts is a common topic in IELTS Speaking tests, particularly in Part 2. This theme allows candidates to demonstrate their ability to describe personal experiences, emotions, and cultural aspects related to gift-giving customs.
Part 1: Introduction Questions and Sample Answers
Common questions in Part 1 related to handmade gifts include:
- Do you enjoy making handmade gifts?
- What kinds of handmade gifts are popular in your country?
- Do you think handmade gifts are better than bought ones?
Sample answer (Band 8-9):
“I absolutely derive great pleasure from creating handmade gifts because they allow me to express my creativity and demonstrate thoughtfulness. In my experience, handmade gifts tend to be more meaningful and personal than store-bought items, as they incorporate time, effort, and genuine care.”
Part 2: Cue Card Task
describe an unexpected gift you received
Task Card:
Describe a time when you gave or received a handmade gift
You should say:
- What the gift was
- Who gave it to/received it from
- When this happened
- Why this gift was special
Sample Answer (Band 8-9):
“I’d like to share a meaningful experience about a handmade photo album I received from my closest friend on my 25th birthday. This meticulously crafted gift was particularly touching because she had spent several weeks secretly collecting photographs from various phases of our decade-long friendship.
The album was beautifully decorated with hand-drawn illustrations and contained thoughtfully written captions beneath each photo, chronicling our shared memories. What made it exceptionally special was how she had incorporated small mementos like movie tickets and cafe receipts from our various adventures together.
This gift resonated deeply with me because it embodied the essence of our friendship and demonstrated an incredible level of dedication. The fact that she had invested countless hours into creating something so personal made it infinitely more valuable than any store-bought present.”
describe a special gift you gave to someone
Part 3: Discussion Questions
Q: Why do you think some people prefer handmade gifts over store-bought ones?
Sample Answer (Band 8-9):
“I believe people gravitate towards handmade gifts primarily because they carry emotional significance that mass-produced items simply cannot match. These gifts reflect a deep understanding of the recipient’s preferences and demonstrate a willingness to invest both time and effort. Moreover, handmade gifts often serve as tangible expressions of creativity and personal connection, making them inherently more meaningful in our increasingly digitalized world.”
describe a gift you gave that had special meaning
Key Vocabulary and Expressions
- Meticulously crafted /məˈtɪkjʊləsli krɑːftɪd/ (adj.): created with extreme attention to detail
- Thoughtfully curated /ˈθɔːtfʊli kjʊˈreɪtɪd/ (adj.): carefully selected and arranged
- Labor of love (idiom): work done for pleasure rather than money
- Pour one’s heart into (phrasal verb): to do something with complete devotion
- Personalized touch (noun phrase): unique personal element added to something
Examiner’s Tips
- Use specific details to make your description vivid and engaging
- Incorporate a range of advanced vocabulary naturally
- Maintain coherence throughout your response
- Express genuine emotions and personal connection to the topic
- Use appropriate tenses consistently
Remember to practice these structures regularly to achieve fluency and confidence in your speaking test.