Ashore for webTry a mock test
Part 2 cue card · Objects · New for September–December 2026

Describe a gift you would like to buy for your friend.

Describe a gift you would like to buy for your friend.

You should say:

  • ·how you knew your friend
  • ·how long you have known him or her
  • ·how you would choose a gift for him or her

and explain why you would choose that gift for him or her.

One minute to prepare, up to two minutes to talk. Then Part 3 asks the questions below.

Sample answers

Two answers to the same card

Same story, two levels. Both were written by Ashore, then checked against the public band descriptors in a separate pass. The bands are practice estimates, not official IELTS results.

A simpler answer

Checked at band 6.5 · 171 words

I'd like to buy my friend Lin a good insulated travel mug. I first met her at my first office job. We were both new employees, and we had lunch together because we didn't know many people there. We've known each other for about five years now. We don't work in the same place anymore, but we still meet for coffee or dinner most weekends.

I would choose the mug by thinking about her daily routine and what she likes. She takes the bus to work and usually brings tea from home, so a mug that keeps drinks hot would be useful. I would look for one that's easy to clean and doesn't leak in her bag. I know she likes simple things, so I'd choose a plain dark green one rather than something with a bright pattern. I'd also check the size and price before buying it. I think this would be a nice gift because she could use it every day, and it would remind her of our friendship.

  • Set the meeting context · “We were both new employees”
  • Explain the reason · “because she could use it every day”

A stronger answer

Checked at band 7.5 · 211 words

Honestly, I'd like to get my friend Lin an insulated travel mug. I first met her at my first office job, where we were both new employees and didn't know many people. We started having lunch together, and that gave us a chance to talk outside work. We've known each other for about five years now. Although we don't work in the same place anymore, we still catch up over coffee or dinner most weekends.

I'd choose the mug based on her everyday routine rather than just picking something that looks attractive. She takes the bus to work and usually brings tea from home, so keeping it warm during her commute would be genuinely useful. I'd look for a leak-proof design that fits in her bag and is easy to wash, since she'd probably use it daily. She prefers simple things, so I'd go for a plain dark green mug, not one with a bright pattern. I'd also check that it's a comfortable size and within my budget.

I think it's a thoughtful choice because it's practical without feeling impersonal. If she used it regularly, it would make her mornings a little easier, and she'd have something that reminded her of our friendship. That's why I'd choose that gift for her.

  • Relative clause · “where we were both new employees”
  • Contrast selection criteria · “rather than just picking something”
  • Reason plus specific inference · “since she'd probably use it daily”
  • Conditional consequence · “If she used it regularly”
Angles

2 ways to answer it

  1. 1A small camping lantern for a university roommate who goes camping at weekends
  2. 2Good coloured pencils for an old friend who loves drawing but rarely treats herself
Expressions

4 expressions that fit this card

put some thought into
choose or plan something carefully
suit her taste
match what she likes
a personal touch
a detail that makes something feel individual
treat someone to something
buy something enjoyable for someone
Part 3

The questions that follow

After the long turn, Part 3 asks bigger questions on the same theme. Each one comes with two points you can build an answer from.

  1. 1

    When do people normally send gifts to others?

    • ·Birthdays, festivals and expressions of thanks are common occasions for gifts.
    • ·People may also buy something suitable for a friend without waiting for an occasion.
  2. 2

    Is it hard to choose a gift?

    • ·Choosing is easier with knowledge of the person’s interests.
    • ·Noticing everyday comments about needs can help more than choosing by price.
  3. 3

    Will people feel happy when receiving an expensive gift?

    • ·An expensive gift may delight someone or create pressure to reciprocate.
    • ·Usefulness and sincere thought also affect how the gift is received.
  4. 4

    Which do people give on traditional festivals, red envelopes or other kinds of gifts?

    • ·Money is practical because recipients can decide how to use it.
    • ·A chosen gift can show personal knowledge, depending on the relationship and occasion.
Stories

One story, many cards

This card fits this story. Prepare the story once and you can bend it to every card listed with it on the season page.

  • A close friend and a night out

    A friend since school: what they are like, a birthday or a night you spent together, a time you helped them.

Say it out loud and get a band score