Gift – one of the common topics, frequently appearing in real-life Speaking exams. To smoothly respond to questions in the IELTS Speaking Part 1 Gifts section, you need to present thoughtful ideas and employ relevant vocabulary to score well. Refer to the sample IELTS Speaking Part 1 Gifts with a band score of 7.5+, prepared by the Essay King team below for guidance!
1. Have you ever sent handmade gifts to others?
Yeah, I’ve sent handmade gifts to people before. It’s a fun way to show you care, and it can be extra special ’cause you put your time and love into it. I remember I used to give my close friends handmade scrunchies on their birthdays. The scrunchies made their day.
scrunchie (noun): a piece of elastic (= material that stretches) covered in often brightly colored cloth that is used to hold long hair at the back of the head
make someone’s day (idiom): to make someone feel very happy
2. Have you ever received a great gift?
Absolutely, I’ve received some fantastic gifts. One that stands out was a handmade scrapbook my friends put together for my birthday back in high school. It was filled with all our crazy memories, photos, and sweet messages. That gift meant the world to me.
stand out (phrasal verb): to be very noticeable
put together (phrasal verb): to put the parts of something in the correct places and join them to each other
fill someone/something with something (phrasal verb): to cause a person, place, or period of time to have a lot of something
mean the world to someone (idiom): to be extremely important to someone
3. How do you often choose a gift?
Picking a gift can be tricky, but I usually think about the person’s interests and what might make them happy. Sometimes I ask their friends or family for ideas if I’m stumped. It’s easier for me to choose gifts for girls. I have no idea what guys usually like.
tricky (adj): difficult to deal with and needing careful attention or skill
4. Do you think you are good at choosing gifts?
I’m not too shabby at choosing gifts. However, I’m not great at the job either since I tend to go for the safest and most conventional gift options. Sometimes I think my gifts don’t have that surprising factor. But it’s the thought that counts, right? I’m working on being more creative with my gift choices, though.
not so shabby/not too shabby (idiom): used for saying that something is good
go for something (phrasal verb): to choose something
conventional (adj): traditional and ordinary
it’s the thought that counts (idiom): used to say that good or kind intentions are the most important thing, even if what you do or give someone is not perfect
Carefully refer to materials for effective self-preparation for the IELTS Speaking test at home!