Of course! Talking about a school friend is a very common and high-potential topic for IELTS Speaking Part 2. Here’s a complete guide to help you structure your answer, with a sample answer, key vocabulary, and tips for a higher score.

Part 2 Cue Card

Describe a school friend you remember well.

You should say:

• Who this person is
• How you first met
• What you used to do together
• And explain why you remember this person so well.

How to Structure Your Answer (A 4-Part Approach)

A good answer tells a short, clear story. You can structure it like this:

1. Introduction (Who & When): Start by clearly stating who the friend is and when you were at school together. This immediately answers the first two bullet points.
2. The Story (How you met & What you did): This is the main body of your talk. Describe how you became friends and give specific examples of things you did together. Use past tenses here.
3. The "Why" (Why you remember them): This is the most important part for a high score. Don't just say "because he was nice." Explain the impact they had on you. Did they teach you something? Did they help you through a tough time? Did they introduce you to a new hobby? This shows deep reflection.
4. Conclusion (A brief summary): End with a final sentence to wrap up your thoughts.

Sample Answer (Band 8-9 Level)

(Let's imagine the friend is a boy named Leo, and you were in high school.)

"Well, I'd like to talk about a school friend named Leo, who I was incredibly close with during my final two years of high school. We were in the same class, and he was one of those people who just had a really positive and energetic vibe about him.

I first met him on the very first day of grade 11. I remember feeling quite nervous and a bit lost in a new classroom, and he was the one who just turned around, gave me a big smile, and asked me if I knew where the textbooks were. We started chatting and realized we both loved the same bands and were terrible at math. From that day on, we became inseparable.

What we used to do together... honestly, it was a pretty typical mix of school life and teenage fun. We'd spend most of our breaks just wandering around the school grounds, complaining about the latest homework assignment or our teachers. We also formed a pretty terrible band for the school talent show – I played the guitar terribly and he just sang off-key, but we had an absolute blast. Beyond school, we spent a lot of our weekends going to concerts or just hanging out at each other's houses, listening to music and talking about our dreams for the future.

The reason I remember him so well is that he was a true friend during a pretty pivotal time in my life. I was quite shy and lacked confidence back then, but Leo was the complete opposite. He was incredibly outgoing and always encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone. For instance, he pushed me to try out for the school debate team, which I was terrified of, but it ended up being one of the best experiences I had. He taught me the value of having a bit of courage and not to be afraid of making mistakes. Even though we've both moved on to different universities and live in different cities now, the lessons I learned from him about friendship and self-belief have stayed with me, and I'll always be grateful for that."

Key Vocabulary & Phrases (To Elevate Your Answer)

Here are some words and phrases from the sample answer, categorized for easy use.

Describing the Person:

• Incredibly close with: very good friends.
• Positive and energetic vibe: a good, lively feeling.
• Outgoing: friendly and sociable.
• Inseparable: always together.
• Loyal: faithful and supportive.
• Witty: funny and clever.

Meeting & Activities:

• Became friends: started a friendship.
• We had a lot in common: we shared similar interests.
• Wandering around: walking without a specific destination.
• Complaining about: expressing dissatisfaction.
• Formed a band: started a musical group.
• Had an absolute blast: had a fantastic time (idiom).
• Stepping out of my comfort zone: trying new things that make you nervous.

Why You Remember Them (The Impact):

• A pivotal time: a very important and crucial period.
• Lacked confidence: was not self-assured.
• Encouraged me: gave me support and motivation.
• Pushed me to: made me do something I was hesitant about.
• Taught me the value of: showed me how important something is.
• Lessons have stayed with me: I still remember and use what I learned.
• **Grateful for thankful for.

Tips for a Higher Score

1. Be Specific: Instead of "we played games," say "we used to play basketball after school every Tuesday and Thursday." Specific details make your story more vivid and believable.
2. Show, Don't Just Tell: Don't just say "he was nice." Show it with an example. "He was the one who helped me study for my final exams when I was ready to give up." This demonstrates the quality.
3. Use a Range of Tenses: Use past simple for finished actions (we met, we played), past continuous for ongoing actions in the past (I was feeling nervous), and present perfect if it has a connection to now (we've remained friends).
4. Connect Your Ideas: Use linking words and phrases to make your answer flow smoothly. Examples:
   • To add a point: Furthermore, moreover, besides, what's more...
   • To give an example: For instance, for example, to give you an idea...
   • To show a result: As a result, because of that, which meant that...
   • To contrast: However, on the other hand, despite that...
5. Be Natural and Enthusiastic: Smile, use some intonation, and sound like you're genuinely reminiscing. The examiner wants to hear a person, not a robot. Your passion for the topic will come through.

Good luck with your IELTS preparation! You can do it.