IELTS Speaking

gifts

Practice questions

  1. 1.What is a gift you have received that has remained important to you?
  2. 2.How do you usually decide what to give someone?
  3. 3.Do you prefer giving practical gifts or personal ones?
  4. 4.Can a handmade gift be more meaningful than an expensive one? Why?

Model answer

One gift that has stayed with me is a small leather notebook my older sister gave me when I started university. She knew I was nervous about keeping track of assignments and meeting new people, so she chose something practical rather than flashy. On the first page, she wrote a short note reminding me to make room for ideas, not just deadlines. That personal touch made it feel much more meaningful than an ordinary stationery item. I used it to jot down lecture notes, little plans, and even restaurant recommendations from classmates. Although I now take most notes on my phone, I still keep it on my desk. What I appreciate most is that the notebook reflects how well my sister understands me. It was not expensive, but it showed she had paid attention to what I needed. It also became a reminder that support can be expressed in simple ways. To me, that is what makes a gift memorable: the thought behind it, and the way it becomes part of your everyday life.

Target vocabulary

personal touch

A small detail that makes something feel specially chosen or made for someone.

practical

Useful in everyday life.

flashy

Designed to attract attention, often in a showy way.

thoughtful

Showing that someone has considered another person's needs or feelings.

sentimental value

Emotional importance linked to a person, memory, or experience.

keepsake

An object kept because it reminds someone of a person or event.

go to great lengths

To make a considerable effort to do something.

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