A time when you met someone who you became good friends with – IELTS Cue Card

In IELTS Speaking Part 2, also known as cue card or long turn, you have an opportunity to showcase your speaking skills by responding to a specific topic presented on a cue card, like ‘Describe a Time when You Met Someone who You Became Good Friends with’. In this segment, you will have to speak for 1-2 minutes on the given topic, expressing your thoughts, ideas, and opinions.

The significance of effective preparation and practice cannot be overstated when it comes to the IELTS Speaking cue card. Therefore, it is important to practice as many cue card topics as possible and familiarize yourself with various topics using IELTS Speaking practice tests.

Now let us have a look at 3 sample answers on the topic, ‘A time when you met someone who you became good friends with’, from Cambridge IELTS 18 Test 4 as well as some Part 3 questions related to it.

A time when you met someone who you became good friends with – IELTS Cue Card Sample Answer 1

• Who you met?

Usually, people find close friends during school or college days. But I met my best friend, Mimi, in a most unwonted place and later on she became an irreplaceable part of my life.

• When and where did you meet this person?

To be honest, I can never forget that day when I ran into her. It was the orientation day of my first job and I was jittery. Being a fresher, just out of college, I felt self-conscious when I entered the community hall of the office building. I chose a corner seat to avoid interaction with other people who were new joinees like me. As I observed everyone from my bolthole, I saw a girl coming my way. She was exchanging words with almost everyone she was passing and gradually became the center of attention. However, she settled beside me and kept on blabbering till the end of the programme. When we were introduced to our teams, I found out she was on my team. Eventually, during the team lunch, we started conversing and bonded so well that we have become inseparable for the past 15 years.

• What did you think about this person when you first met?

When I first saw Mimi during the induction, I thought that she was an outgoing person, seeing her engage in full-fledged conversations with others. So, I, being an introvert, searching for nooks to hide away from conversations, decided to keep my distance. However, all my efforts were fruitless, as we became best buddies.

• Explain why you think you became good friends with this person.

Even though people say we are poles apart, Mimi’s positive attitude and bubbly personality drew me towards her. We developed a unique “yin and yang” dynamic, where her enthusiasm balanced my more reserved nature, and my calm focus offered a counterpoint to her energy. We learned to appreciate each other’s strengths, and our differences fostered a genuine friendship based on mutual respect and understanding.

A time when you met someone who you became good friends with – IELTS Cue Card Sample Answer 2

• Who you met?

I met Rick in a chance encounter at a coffee shop. It was a quaint cafe in the corner of a quiet street in the bustling city of New York. Just like me, he was there, enjoying his lunch break by himself.

• When and where did you meet this person?

We encountered each other a few months ago, while I was working on a research project at Cornell University. Usually, I refrain from sharing a table with anyone during my breaks to collect my thoughts on the project. However, due to lack of empty space, I approached him to share a seat with me, as he was the only one sitting alone. Though skeptical at first, he understood my dilemma, and we got into a conversation. A researcher himself, Rick, was exploring the possibilities of artificial intelligence and it was quite an intriguing conversation.

• What did you think about this person when you first met?

Rick struck me as someone who was genuinely curious and open-minded. He didn’t shy away from complex topics, and although we were not on the same page on some topics, he listened intently to my responses.

• Explain why you think you became good friends with this person.

At the end of the break, we exchanged our contact information and continued our conversation over several coffee breaks. I found myself drawn to his positive outlook and his willingness to see beyond the limitations of any situation. We developed a mutual respect and understanding and even after 5 years, we are still good friends.

Check Out – My Strategy for IELTS Speaking Part 2 (CUE CARD)

A time when you met someone who you became good friends with – IELTS Cue Card Sample Answer 3

• Who you met?

• When and where did you meet this person?

I met Ruhi during a summer volunteering program in a rural community. It was a hot and humid day, and we were both assigned to take care of the elderly at a community center. We bonded over our shared desire to make a difference, even if it was just in a small way. Over the course of the summer, Ruhi and I spent countless hours together organizing activities, sharing meals, and simply offering companionship to the residents.

• What did you think about this person when you first met?

At first, I was a bit intimidated by her vibrant energy. I’m naturally more reserved, and her bubbly personality seemed to attract a lot of attention. But as we started working together, taking care of the residents, I began to appreciate her genuine warmth and the way she effortlessly made everyone around her feel comfortable. She possessed a rare ability to listen intently and connect with people on a deeper level, regardless of their age or background.

• Explain why you think you became good friends with this person.

Despite the differences in our personalities, we discovered a common language in our compassion and our love for human connection. Even after the program ended, our friendship continued to blossom. We stayed in touch, sharing stories about our lives, celebrating each other’s successes, and offering support during difficult times. I believe her genuine kindness and ability to connect with people are the very reasons why we became such good friends.

Vocabulary You Can Use to Answer IELTS Speaking Part 2 Questions on ‘A time when you met someone who you became good friends with’ 

• unwonted 

Meaning: unaccustomed or unusual

Example: In life, we find unique things in the most unwonted places.

• irreplaceable 

Meaning: impossible to replace if lost or damaged

Example: When his pet died, John cried a lot as he believed it was irreplaceable.

• jittery

Meaning: showing nervousness or fear about something

Example: Seema was jittery since morning due to the board presentation.

• bolthole

Meaning: a place that you can go to when you want to get away from your usual life and escape from other

Example: Ranjan always finds a bolthole for himself to relax.

• blabbering 

Meaning: to talk a lot, especially in a way people find annoying or embarrassing

Example: The blabbering aunties on the bus gave me a headache.

• inseparable 

Meaning: unable to be separated or treated separately

Example: Siblings, who fight a lot over silly matters, are inseparable.

• nook

Meaning: a small space that is hidden or partly sheltered

Example: The shop that you are looking for is at a nook in the last lane.

• keep (my) distance

Meaning: to avoid going near someone or something, or to avoid getting too friendly with people

Example: Meher usually keeps her distance from people who are loud.

• yin and yang

Meaning: opposite forces that form a whole

Example: Kuntal and Jehangir are yin and yang, although they are from different backgrounds.

• chance encounter

Meaning: an unintended meeting of persons unfamiliar to each other.

Example: After the chance encounter in Paris, Krittika never got to meet the stranger in the blue overcoat.

• bustling 

Meaning: full of lively activity

Example: Every street in Delhi is bustling with a vibrant energy.

• refrain 

Meaning: to stop yourself from doing something

Example: Peter refrains from consuming alcohol on Sundays.

• collect (my) thoughts

Meaning: to get control of your feelings and thoughts

Example: Farhan goes to the hidden spot by the riverside to collect his thoughts.

• skeptical 

Meaning: doubting that something is true or useful

Example: My manager is quite skeptical about the new intern who joined the team last month.

• intriguing 

Meaning: very interesting because of being unusual or mysterious

Example: We could not leave the club after the intriguing fight between the model and the bartender.

• on the same page

Meaning: to be thinking in a similar fashion, to have the same amount of knowledge, or to have the same kind of understanding

Example: My brother and I are never on the same page when it comes to sports.

• intimidated 

Meaning: made afraid; frightened

Example: You should not be intimidated by new challenges that come your way.

A time when you met someone who you became good friends with – IELTS Part 3 Follow-Up Questions

• Is friendship important in your culture? How many close friends can you have?

Yes, in my culture, friendship is highly valued. We feel a sense of belonging, find support, and share experiences when we are with our close friends. It is believed, having close friends enriches our lives, helps us navigate challenges, and brings joy and laughter.

People have varying numbers of close friends. Some individuals have just a few incredibly close friends, while others have a larger circle of close confidantes. Ultimately, in my opinion, the quality of the friendships is more important than the quantity.

• What are the important things among good friends?

For me, trust, understanding, and mutual respect are uncompromising factors among good friends. Knowing that I can confide in my friends without judgment and being able to be honest with them is crucial. Secondly, we should appreciate one another’s individualities and support each other’s decisions, even if they are divergent. Thirdly, transparent communication allows friends to share their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Additionally, offering unwavering support through thick and thin strengthens the bond.

• What are some good ways to make friends if one is moving to a new town?

A good way for someone to make friends in a new town is by actively engaging in local community activities, joining clubs, or attending social events. Volunteering and participating in group activities provide opportunities to meet like-minded individuals. In addition, being open, approachable, and initiating conversations with neighbors or colleagues can facilitate the process of forming new connections.

• How important is it for children to have lots of friends at school?

Having friends at school is important for children’s social development. It helps them learn essential interpersonal skills, empathy, and cooperation. However, according to me, the emphasis should be on quality rather than quantity.

• Do you have any friends from a foreign country?

Note: Three same answers are provided for this question from different perspectives for guiding you in a better way.

Sample Answer 1

Yes, I have friends from different countries. These cross-cultural friendships have enriched my perspective, allowing me to learn about diverse cultures, traditions, and global perspectives.

Sample Answer 2

To be frank, I am not very good at making friends even though I am good at maintaining them. Consequently, my social circle primarily consists of people from my local community or those I’ve met through common interests.

Sample Answer 3

While I appreciate cultural diversity, I haven’t had the opportunity to form friendships with individuals from different countries at this point in my life. However, as I am moving to a different country now, I will most likely make some new friends.

• Would you say it is harder for people to make new friends as they get older? 

I believe making new friends can become more challenging as people get older due to various factors, such as established routines, work commitments, and family responsibilities. However, it’s not impossible. I have seen my parents maintaining a few friendships even after all these years.

Vocabulary You Can Use to Answer IELTS Speaking Part 3 Questions on ‘A time when you met someone who you became good friends with’ 

• enrich 

Meaning: to improve the quality of something by adding something else

Example: The lecture by the famous historian enriched our understanding of the Renaissance.

• confidante

Meaning: a person with whom one shares a secret or private matter, trusting them not to repeat it to others

Example: My cousins and my mother are my confidantes.

• uncompromising 

Meaning: unwilling to change your opinions or behaviour

Example: Our CEO is uncompromising in the way he deals with frauds.

• divergent

Meaning: different or becoming different from something else

Example: The travelers are usually confused by the divergent roads in this part of the forest.

• unwavering 

Meaning: never changing or becoming weaker

Example: Although he was not a good son, his parents had unwavering faith in him.

• through thick and thin

Meaning: under all conditions, no matter how challenging or difficult

Example: John and Maria had been through thick and thin and very close friends.

• facilitate 

Meaning: to make (something) easier

Example: The principal hopes adding AI tools to education will facilitate learning.

• empathy

Meaning: the ability to share someone else’s feelings or experiences by imagining what it would be like to be in that person’s situation

Example: Uncle Scrooge lacked empathy and was hated in his community.

We highly believe that the given IELTS cue card topic ‘A time when you met someone who you became good friends with’ with the expert-crafted sample answers would have been of much help!

Make sure that your vocabulary and style of speaking is on point to grab that Band 8+ in the IELTS Speaking test and let us know how this has helped you in your preparation in the comments below!

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