Making new friends is a universal experience that most people can relate to. In the IELTS Speaking test, you might be asked to talk about a time when you made a new friend. This topic allows you to showcase your ability to describe personal experiences, emotions, and social interactions in English. Let’s explore how to effectively answer questions related to this topic and maximize your score in the IELTS Speaking test.
Understanding the Topic’s Relevance in IELTS Speaking
Questions about making new friends have appeared in past IELTS Speaking tests and are likely to continue being a popular topic. This subject allows examiners to assess your ability to:
- Describe past experiences
- Express emotions and personal thoughts
- Use a range of vocabulary related to relationships and social interactions
- Demonstrate your grasp of various tenses, particularly past tenses
Part 1: Introduction and Interview
In this section, the examiner may ask general questions about friendship and social interactions. Here are some possible questions and sample answers:
Q: Do you find it easy to make new friends?
A: Generally speaking, I find it relatively easy to make new friends. I’m quite outgoing and enjoy meeting new people. However, I believe that forming deep connections takes time and effort beyond just initial interactions.
Q: How do you usually make new friends?
A: I typically make new friends through shared interests or activities. For instance, I’ve made several friends at my local gym and through a photography club I joined recently. I find that having common ground makes it easier to strike up conversations and build relationships.
Q: What qualities do you look for in a friend?
A: For me, the most important qualities in a friend are trustworthiness and reliability. I value people who are supportive and genuine in their interactions. Additionally, I appreciate friends who have a good sense of humor and can engage in meaningful conversations.
Making new friends
Part 2: Long Turn (Cue Card)
In this section, you’ll be given a cue card with a topic to speak about for 1-2 minutes. Here’s a sample cue card related to making a new friend:
Describe a time when you made a new friend
You should say:
- Who this person is
- Where and how you met them
- What you did together
- And explain why you became friends
Sample Answer:
I’d like to talk about a time when I made a new friend named Sarah. We met about two years ago during a volunteer event at a local animal shelter.
Sarah and I were assigned to the same team, responsible for walking dogs and cleaning kennels. Right from the start, I was impressed by her enthusiasm and genuine love for animals. We struck up a conversation easily, sharing stories about our own pets and discussing our reasons for volunteering.
Throughout the day, we worked closely together, collaborating on tasks and supporting each other when dealing with more challenging dogs. I found Sarah to be not only hardworking but also incredibly kind and patient with the animals.
After the volunteer shift, we decided to grab coffee together. During our chat, we discovered we had many common interests, including a passion for hiking and photography. We exchanged contact information and made plans to go on a hike the following weekend.
I believe we became friends because of our shared values and interests. Sarah’s compassion towards animals and her adventurous spirit really resonated with me. Moreover, her positive attitude and ability to find humor in challenging situations made her great company.
Since that initial meeting, we’ve developed a strong friendship. We continue to volunteer together regularly and have gone on numerous hiking trips. Sarah has become someone I can rely on for both fun adventures and emotional support.
In conclusion, meeting Sarah was a wonderful reminder of how unexpected encounters can lead to meaningful friendships. Our shared experience at the animal shelter laid the foundation for a friendship that I truly value and cherish.
Follow-up Questions:
- How has this friendship impacted your life?
- Have you maintained contact with this friend?
- What challenges did you face in building this friendship?
Part 3: Two-way Discussion
In this section, the examiner will ask more abstract questions related to the topic of friendship. Here are some potential questions and sample answers:
Q: How do you think technology has changed the way people make friends?
A: Technology has undoubtedly revolutionized the way people form and maintain friendships. Social media platforms and online communities have made it possible to connect with individuals from all over the world who share similar interests. This has broadened our social circles and allowed for more diverse friendships.
However, there’s a flip side to this technological influence. While it’s easier to make initial connections, the depth and quality of these friendships can sometimes be questioned. Face-to-face interactions are often limited, which can make it challenging to develop the same level of intimacy and understanding that traditional friendships offer.
Moreover, the convenience of digital communication might lead some people to invest less effort in nurturing real-world relationships. It’s a double-edged sword – technology can both facilitate and hinder genuine friendship formation, depending on how it’s used.
Q: Do you think it’s easier or harder for people to make friends as they get older?
A: In my opinion, making friends often becomes more challenging as people age, for several reasons. Firstly, adults typically have less free time due to work and family commitments, which can limit opportunities for social interactions.
Secondly, as we grow older, we tend to become more set in our ways and may be less open to new experiences or relationships. This can make it harder to form connections with new people.
However, it’s not all negative. With age comes greater self-awareness and a clearer understanding of the qualities we value in friends. This can lead to more meaningful and lasting friendships, even if they are fewer in number.
Additionally, shared life experiences, such as parenthood or career challenges, can create strong bonds between adults. While the quantity of friendships might decrease, the quality and depth of these relationships often increase.
Ultimately, I believe that making friends as an adult requires more conscious effort and intentionality, but can result in deeply rewarding relationships.
Key Vocabulary and Phrases for High Scores
To achieve a high score in your IELTS Speaking test, use a range of sophisticated vocabulary and phrases. Here are some examples:
Strike up a conversation (phrasal verb) – to begin talking to someone
Example: I struck up a conversation with the person sitting next to me on the train.Resonate with (verb) – to have a particular meaning or importance for someone
Example: Her passion for environmental issues really resonated with me.Lay the foundation (idiom) – to create the basis for future development
Example: Our shared experiences laid the foundation for a strong friendship.Double-edged sword (idiom) – something that has both advantages and disadvantages
Example: Social media can be a double-edged sword when it comes to friendships.Set in one’s ways (idiom) – unwilling or unlikely to change one’s habits or attitudes
Example: As people get older, they often become more set in their ways.
Examiner’s Advice
To excel in the IELTS Speaking test when discussing making new friends:
- Use a variety of tenses accurately, especially when describing past events.
- Incorporate idiomatic expressions and sophisticated vocabulary naturally.
- Provide specific examples to support your points.
- Express your thoughts clearly and coherently.
- Show your ability to discuss both personal experiences and broader societal trends.
Remember, practice is key to improving your speaking skills. Regularly engage in conversations about various topics, including friendships and social interactions, to build your confidence and fluency.
For more tips on improving your IELTS Speaking performance, check out our guide on how to describe a time you learned something new in IELTS Speaking.