Speaking Part 1 — Topic Guide
IELTS Speaking: Friends
How you met your friends, what you do together, and what makes a good friend.
6
Part 1 Questions
6
Part 2 Cue Cards
20–30 s
Per Answer
Part 1 Common Questions
The examiner may ask any of these in a real exam. Aim for 20–30 seconds per answer — give a direct response and add one specific example or reason.
- Do you prefer having a small circle of close friends or a large group?
- How do you usually keep in touch with your friends?
- Have you kept in touch with your childhood friends?
- How did you meet your closest friends?
- What qualities do you value most in a friend?
- Do you find it easy to make new friends?
Part 1 tip: Don't give one-word answers. Use the question word to structure
your reply — if asked "Do you enjoy…?", answer "Yes, I do, because…" and add a brief example.
Aim for 2–3 sentences.
Part 2 Cue Cards on Friends
These Part 2 prompts are linked to the Friends topic. You get 1 minute to prepare, then speak for 1–2 minutes.
Describe a polite person you know
who this person is
how you know them
Describe a time you helped someone
who you helped
how you helped them
Describe a person who persuaded you to do something
who the person is
what they persuaded you to do
Describe a time when you encouraged someone to do something they did not want to do
who the person was
what you encouraged them to do
Describe a time when you helped someone you did not know
who the person was
where and when it happened
Describe a person you know who is very adventurous
who this person is
what adventurous things they do or have done