Mastering the Art of Describing: How to Ace the IELTS Speaking Task on Receiving Help from a Friend

The topic of describing a time you received help from a friend is a common one in IELTS Speaking tests. It allows examiners to assess your ability to narrate personal experiences, express gratitude, and discuss interpersonal relationships. This topic has appeared frequently in past IELTS exams and is likely to continue being a popular choice for future tests. Let’s explore how to excel in this speaking task across all parts of the IELTS Speaking test.

Part 1: Introduction and Interview

In Part 1, the examiner may ask general questions about friendship and helping others. Here are some potential questions and sample answers:

1. Do you often help your friends?

   Band 6-7 Answer:
   “Yes, I try to help my friends whenever I can. It’s important to support each other.”

   Band 8-9 Answer:
   “Absolutely. I firmly believe in the importance of mutual support in friendships. Whenever a friend is in need, I make it a priority to offer my assistance, whether it’s emotional support or practical help.”

2. In what ways do people usually help their friends?

   Band 6-7 Answer:
   “People often help their friends by listening to their problems, giving advice, or helping with tasks like moving house.”

   Band 8-9 Answer:
   “There’s a wide spectrum of ways people assist their friends. It can range from offering emotional support through active listening and providing a shoulder to cry on, to more tangible forms of assistance such as helping with academic work, lending money in times of financial stress, or even pitching in with physical tasks like home renovations or relocations.”

Friends helping each other

“Describe a person who you are happy to know” can be another interesting topic that might come up in this part of the test. Being prepared for such related topics can help you perform better overall.

Part 2: Long Turn

Here’s a sample cue card for this topic:

Describe A Time You Received Help From A Friend

You should say:
- Who the friend was
- What kind of help you received
- Why you needed help
- How you felt about the help

Band 6-7 Answer:

“I’d like to talk about a time my friend Sarah helped me. It was last year when I was struggling with a difficult project at work. I needed help because the deadline was approaching, and I was feeling overwhelmed. Sarah, who’s good at organizing things, offered to assist me. She helped me break down the project into smaller tasks and create a timeline. I felt really grateful for her help. It made a big difference, and I managed to complete the project on time.”

Band 8-9 Answer:

“I’d like to recount a particularly memorable instance when my friend Alex came to my rescue. It was during my final year of university, and I was grappling with a complex research paper in environmental science. The looming deadline and the sheer volume of data I needed to analyze had left me feeling utterly overwhelmed.

Alex, who has always been exceptionally adept at data analysis and scientific writing, generously offered his expertise. He went above and beyond by not only helping me make sense of the statistical data but also providing invaluable insights into structuring my arguments more effectively.

His assistance was a godsend because this paper was crucial for my graduation, and I was at my wit’s end trying to navigate through the intricate subject matter. Alex’s help was not just about the technicalities; he also provided much-needed moral support, boosting my confidence when I was on the verge of giving up.

I felt immensely grateful and thoroughly humbled by Alex’s selflessness. His support reinvigorated my passion for the subject and reminded me of the true value of friendship. This experience deepened our bond and left me with a profound appreciation for having such a dependable friend in my life.”

Two friends studying together, one helping the other with a challenging research paper.

Follow-up questions:

1. How did this experience affect your friendship?

   Band 6-7 Answer:
   “This experience made our friendship stronger. I felt I could rely on Sarah more after that.”

   Band 8-9 Answer:
   “This experience profoundly strengthened our bond. It fostered a deeper sense of trust and mutual respect between us. Alex’s willingness to help me in my time of need demonstrated the depth of our friendship, and it made me more inclined to reciprocate such support in the future.”

2. Do you think it’s important to repay help from friends?

   Band 6-7 Answer:
   “Yes, I think it’s important to repay help. It shows you appreciate what they did for you.”

   Band 8-9 Answer:
   “While I believe that true friendship isn’t about keeping score, I do think it’s crucial to reciprocate kindness. It’s not necessarily about repaying in kind, but rather about cultivating a relationship of mutual support and care. Expressing gratitude and being there for your friends when they need you helps maintain a healthy balance in the friendship and reinforces the bond you share.”

Part 3: Two-way Discussion

In this part, the examiner might ask more abstract questions related to friendship and helping others. Here are some potential questions and sample answers:

1. How has technology changed the way friends help each other?

   Band 6-7 Answer:
   “Technology has made it easier for friends to help each other. We can now send messages or make video calls anytime, which makes it simple to offer support or advice.”

   Band 8-9 Answer:
   “Technology has revolutionized the dynamics of mutual assistance among friends. It has transcended geographical barriers, enabling us to offer instantaneous support regardless of distance. Social media platforms and messaging apps have created an environment of constant connectivity, allowing friends to share resources, offer advice, or provide emotional support at any time. Moreover, crowdfunding platforms have made it possible for friends to rally financial support for each other in times of need. However, it’s worth noting that while technology has expanded our capacity to help, it may sometimes lack the personal touch of face-to-face interactions.”

2. Do you think people are less willing to help others nowadays compared to in the past?

   Band 6-7 Answer:
   “I don’t think people are less willing to help. Maybe they’re just busier now, so it might seem like they help less.”

   Band 8-9 Answer:
   “I don’t believe people are inherently less willing to help; rather, the nature of assistance has evolved. In our fast-paced, individualistic societies, people might appear less inclined to offer help due to time constraints or fear of intruding. However, we’ve seen remarkable examples of collective action and mutual aid, especially during crises. The rise of volunteering platforms and social initiatives suggests that the desire to help is still strong, but it’s often channeled through different avenues. What’s changed is perhaps the spontaneity of help – it’s become more organized and, in some ways, more efficient.”

People connecting and supporting each other in an online support group.

Key Vocabulary and Phrases for High Scores

1. Come to one’s rescue /kʌm tuː wʌnz ˈreskjuː/ (idiom): To help someone who is in a difficult situation.
   Example: “When I lost my job, my best friend came to my rescue by offering me a temporary position at his company.”
2. Go above and beyond /ɡəʊ əˈbʌv ənd bɪˈjɒnd/ (phrasal verb): To do more than is expected or required.
   Example: “My friend went above and beyond by not only helping me move but also organizing my new apartment.”
3. At one’s wit’s end /æt wʌnz wɪts end/ (idiom): To be very worried or upset and unsure what to do.
   Example: “I was at my wit’s end trying to finish the project, but my friend’s help turned everything around.”
4. Reciprocate /rɪˈsɪprəkeɪt/ (verb): To respond to an action by making a corresponding one.
   Example: “After receiving so much help from my friend, I was eager to reciprocate when she needed assistance.”
5. Foster /ˈfɒstə/ (verb): To encourage the development of something.
   Example: “This experience fostered a deeper sense of trust between us.”

“Describe a time you received good news” can be another topic where you might use similar vocabulary and structures to express positive emotions and experiences.

Examiner’s Advice

To score high in this speaking task:

1. Be specific: Provide detailed examples and avoid generic statements.
2. Use a range of vocabulary: Incorporate idioms and advanced vocabulary appropriately.
3. Maintain fluency: Practice speaking without long pauses or hesitations.
4. Show reflection: Discuss how the experience affected you or changed your perspective.
5. Vary your sentence structures: Use a mix of simple and complex sentences.

Remember, the key to success in IELTS Speaking is practice. “Describe a challenging project you recently completed” can be an excellent topic to practice these skills further, as it shares similar themes of overcoming difficulties and personal growth.

By following these guidelines and practicing regularly, you can significantly improve your performance in the IELTS Speaking test, particularly when describing experiences of receiving help from friends.