What is the best present you have ever received, or given? Gifts are a favourite topic of IELTS examiners. They appear regularly in IELTS Speaking Part 2, and Part 1 often includes questions like “Do you like giving gifts?”
A gift is easy to describe, but a good answer also tells a short story and explains why the gift mattered. Below you will find five gift cue cards with band 7+ sample answers, useful vocabulary, and typical Part 1 and Part 3 questions with answers.
You get a cue card and 1 minute to make notes. Then you speak for 1 to 2 minutes. Cover every point on the card, add a short example or story, and finish with the “explain” part.
Gift cue cards with sample answers
Describe a gift you recently gave to someone.
You should say:
- what the gift was
- who you gave it to
- why you chose it
and explain how the person felt about it.
Sample Answer:
The last gift I gave was a cookery class for my best friend, Tom, on his thirtieth birthday a couple of months ago.
Tom loves food, but he always says he can’t cook anything more complicated than pasta. So instead of buying him another shirt or a bottle of wine, I booked a half-day Italian cooking class for the two of us, where we learned to make fresh pasta and tiramisu from scratch.
I chose it because I wanted to give him an experience rather than an object, and something we could share. He was really surprised when he opened the card, and he said it was the most original gift he had received. The class itself was great fun, and he has since cooked the recipes for his family several times, so I think it was a success.
Describe a gift that you would like to receive in the future.
You should say:
- what the gift is
- who you would like to receive it from
- why you want it
and explain how it would change your life.
Sample Answer:
A gift I would love to receive one day is a professional camera. I have been interested in photography for a few years, but at the moment I only take pictures with my phone.
Ideally, I would receive it from my family, maybe for a special birthday, because a good camera is quite expensive and it is not something I would buy for myself on impulse.
I want it because I travel a lot, and I would like to capture the places I visit in better quality. With a proper camera I could learn to control the light and focus, and maybe even take a photography course. It would turn a casual hobby into a serious one, and who knows, perhaps one day I could sell some of my photos.
Describe a gift you received that was important to you.
You should say:
- what the gift was
- who gave it to you
- when you received it
and explain why it was important to you.
Sample Answer:
A gift that is very important to me is an old watch that my grandfather gave me when I graduated from university.
It is not an expensive brand, but it is the watch he wore every day for over forty years, including on his own wedding day. At my graduation party, he took it off his wrist, put it in my hand and told me that it was now my turn to make good use of my time.
It is important to me because of its sentimental value. My grandfather passed away two years later, so the watch has become a way of keeping him close. I wear it on special occasions, such as job interviews, and it always gives me confidence. I would never sell it for any amount of money.
Describe a gift you would like to buy for a friend.
You should say:
- who the friend is
- what the gift is
- why you would choose it
and explain how you think your friend would feel about it.
Sample Answer:
I would like to buy a weekend trip to Iceland for my friend Laura, who has been my closest friend since primary school.
Laura has always dreamed of seeing the Northern Lights, and she often sends me photos of them from social media. The trip would include flights, two nights in a cabin in the countryside and an evening tour to hunt for the lights.
I would choose it because she has had a very difficult year at work, and she deserves a real break. Of course, it is quite an expensive gift, so I would probably need to save up for a while, or share the cost with a few other friends. I think she would be completely overwhelmed, and I would love to see her face when she opens it.
Describe a handmade gift that you gave or received.
You should say:
- what the gift was
- who made it
- what it was made of
and explain why it was special.
Sample Answer:
A handmade gift I treasure is a knitted blanket that my aunt made for me when I moved into my first flat.
She is an excellent knitter, and she spent several months making it from soft wool in my favourite colours, dark blue and grey. She even added my initials in one corner. When she gave it to me, she said it was to keep me warm in my new home.
It was special because I knew how many hours of work went into it. A shop-bought blanket would have been much easier, but this one was made especially for me, and nobody else in the world has one like it. Every evening, when I curl up on the sofa with it, I think of her.
Useful gift vocabulary for IELTS
These words and phrases will help you talk about presents more naturally:
| Topic | Words and phrases |
|---|---|
| Types of gifts | a handmade gift, a gift voucher, an experience gift, a family heirloom, a souvenir, a token of appreciation |
| Giving gifts | to wrap a present, to surprise someone, to splash out on, to put thought into, to pick out a gift |
| Value | sentimental value, priceless, to treasure, practical, a keepsake, it is the thought that counts |
| Reactions | over the moon, touched, speechless, to be taken aback, grateful |
| Occasions | a birthday, a wedding anniversary, a housewarming, a graduation, a festive season |
IELTS Speaking Part 1: gift questions
Part 1 questions are short and personal. Give a direct answer and add a reason or an example.
1Do you like giving gifts?
Yes, I really do. I enjoy thinking about what would make someone happy, and I love seeing their reaction when they open the present.
2When did you last receive a gift?
Just last month, for my birthday. My colleagues gave me a gift voucher for a bookshop, which was perfect, because I love reading.
3What kind of gifts are popular in your country?
Flowers and chocolates are very common, especially for birthdays. Recently, experience gifts like concert tickets or spa vouchers have also become popular, particularly among young people.
4Have you ever made a gift yourself?
Yes, as a child I made cards and small paintings for my parents. Last year I also made a photo calendar for my grandparents, which they loved.
IELTS Speaking Part 3: gift-giving questions
New to Part 3? See how to give band 7+ answers in Speaking Part 3, with simple and stronger answers compared.
Part 3 questions are about gift-giving in society. Give longer answers with reasons and examples.
1Why do people give gifts?
Mainly to show their love, gratitude or respect. A gift is a way of saying “I care about you” without words. In some cultures, giving gifts is also an important social tradition, for example when you visit someone’s home or do business.
2Is it better to give money or a present?
It depends on the situation. Money is practical, and for big events like weddings it is often what people really need. But I think a carefully chosen present is more personal, because it shows that you have thought about the person.
3Do people spend too much money on gifts nowadays?
I think many people do, especially at Christmas. Shops and advertising create the feeling that a more expensive gift shows more love. In reality, small, thoughtful or handmade gifts often mean much more than expensive ones.
Practise on your own
Choose one of the cue cards above, set a timer for 1 minute to make notes, and then record yourself speaking for 2 minutes. Listen back and check whether you covered every point and used some of the vocabulary from this page. For more topics, see IELTS Speaking Part 2 topics and cue cards with answers.