Describing a time when you reconnected with an old friend is a common topic in IELTS Speaking tests. This theme allows examiners to assess your ability to narrate past events, express emotions, and reflect on personal experiences. 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 friendships and staying in touch. Here are some possible questions:
- Do you find it easy to make new friends?
- How do you usually keep in touch with your friends?
- Do you think it’s important to maintain old friendships?
Let’s look at a sample answer for question 3:
Sample Answer (Band 8-9):
“Absolutely, I believe maintaining old friendships is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, these relationships are built on shared history and experiences, which creates a unique bond that’s hard to replicate. Moreover, old friends often provide a sense of continuity in our lives, especially as we navigate through various changes. They can offer valuable perspectives on our personal growth and remind us of our roots. Additionally, there’s a certain comfort in reconnecting with someone who knows your background without needing extensive explanations.”
Part 2: Long Turn
Here’s a potential cue card related to the topic:
Describe a time when you reconnected with an old friend
You should say:
- Who this friend was
- How you lost touch
- How you reconnected
- And explain how you felt about reconnecting with this friend
Sample Answer (Band 6-7):
“I’d like to talk about reconnecting with my high school friend, Sarah. We were best friends during our teenage years but lost touch after graduating. We both moved to different cities for university and got caught up in our new lives.
Last year, I stumbled upon her profile on social media. I was hesitant at first but decided to send her a message. To my surprise, she replied almost immediately, and we started chatting.
We arranged to meet at a local café when she visited my city. I felt nervous and excited about seeing her after so long. When we met, it was like no time had passed. We talked for hours, catching up on our lives and reminiscing about old times.
Reconnecting with Sarah made me feel nostalgic and happy. It was great to revive our friendship and share our experiences from the years we were apart.”
Sample Answer (Band 8-9):
“I’d like to recount the experience of reconnecting with my childhood friend, Alex. We were inseparable during our formative years, but inevitably drifted apart as we pursued our respective career paths in different countries.
Our serendipitous reunion occurred through a mutual acquaintance at a professional conference. The initial awkwardness quickly dissipated as we delved into conversations about our shared memories and current lives.
We made a concerted effort to revive our friendship, scheduling regular video calls and planning visits when possible. It was profoundly gratifying to bridge the gap of time and distance, finding that our core connection remained intact.
This reconnection evoked a myriad of emotions – nostalgia for our carefree childhood days, joy in rediscovering a kindred spirit, and a sense of completeness in reclaiming a part of my personal history. It reinforced the enduring nature of true friendships and the value of maintaining these connections despite life’s inevitable changes.”
Follow-up Questions:
- How has your friendship changed since reconnecting?
- Do you think it’s easier or harder to maintain friendships now compared to in the past?
Sample Answer for Question 1 (Band 8-9):
“Our friendship has evolved significantly since reconnecting. While we still share that fundamental bond from our childhood, we’ve both matured and developed in different ways. Now, our relationship is enriched by our diverse experiences and perspectives. We’ve found a balance between reminiscing about old times and engaging in meaningful discussions about our current lives and future aspirations. This renewed connection has added a new dimension to our friendship, making it more multifaceted and rewarding.”
Part 3: Two-way Discussion
Examiner: Do you think social media has made it easier to reconnect with old friends?
Sample Answer (Band 6-7):
“Yes, I think social media has made it much easier to reconnect with old friends. Platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn allow us to find people we’ve lost touch with. We can see updates about their lives and send messages easily. It’s also easier to maintain connections once we’ve reconnected.”
Sample Answer (Band 8-9):
“Social media has undoubtedly revolutionized the way we reconnect with old friends. These platforms have effectively eliminated many of the barriers that previously made it challenging to locate and reach out to people from our past. They provide a low-pressure environment for initial contact and offer insights into people’s current lives, which can facilitate more meaningful reconnections.
However, it’s important to note that while social media facilitates initial contact, it doesn’t necessarily guarantee the depth or longevity of reconnected relationships. There’s a risk of these connections remaining superficial if not nurtured beyond the digital realm. Additionally, the curated nature of social media profiles might create a false sense of intimacy or knowledge about old friends’ lives.
On balance, I believe social media is a powerful tool for reconnecting, but it should be seen as a starting point rather than a substitute for genuine, offline interactions in rekindling meaningful friendships.”
Key Vocabulary and Phrases
-
Rekindle /riːˈkɪndl/ (verb): revive or renew a relationship
Example: “We managed to rekindle our friendship after years apart.” -
Serendipitous /ˌserənˈdɪpɪtəs/ (adjective): occurring by chance in a happy or beneficial way
Example: “Our reunion was a serendipitous event that happened at a conference.” -
Nostalgia /nɒˈstældʒə/ (noun): a sentimental longing for the past
Example: “Reconnecting with old friends often brings a wave of nostalgia.” -
Drift apart (phrasal verb): to gradually become less close to someone
Example: “We drifted apart after moving to different cities for work.” -
Catch up (phrasal verb): to talk to someone about what has happened since you last met
Example: “We spent hours catching up over coffee.”
[You can find more examples of describing friends in different contexts in this article about describing a friend who made you laugh recently.]
Examiner’s Advice
To excel in this topic:
- Use a variety of tenses accurately to describe past events and current feelings.
- Employ descriptive language to convey emotions and the significance of the reconnection.
- Provide specific details about the friend and the circumstances of losing touch and reconnecting.
- Reflect on the experience and its impact on your life or perspective.
- In Part 3, discuss broader themes related to friendship and societal changes affecting relationships.
Remember, the key to a high score is not just what you say, but how you say it. Practice using complex sentence structures and advanced vocabulary naturally. This guide on describing an old friend you reconnected with offers more detailed strategies and examples to help you prepare effectively.
By following these guidelines and practicing regularly, you’ll be well-prepared to discuss reconnecting with old friends in your IELTS Speaking test, potentially leading to a higher band score.