Of course! Describing a gift is a very common topic in IELTS Speaking Part 2. The key to a high score is not just what you describe, but how you describe it—using rich vocabulary, varied sentence structures, and adding personal details and emotions.

Here is a comprehensive guide to help you answer this question effectively, including a sample answer, key vocabulary, and tips.

The IELTS Speaking Part 2 Cue Card

Describe a gift you gave someone. You should say:

• What the gift was
• Who you gave it to
• Why you chose that particular gift
• And explain how the person reacted to it.

Sample Answer (Band 8-9 Level)

"I'd like to talk about a gift I gave to my best friend, Leo, on his 25th birthday. It wasn't something expensive, but it was deeply personal and meaningful, which I think made it special.

The gift was a custom-made leather-bound journal. It wasn't just any notebook; on the front cover, his initials, 'L.P.', were embossed in gold. Inside, I had spent weeks filling it with little notes, memories, and doodles. I wrote down inside jokes we've had since we were kids, pasted in old movie ticket stubs from films we'd seen together, and even included a handwritten list of 'Top 10 Adventures We Still Need to Have'. It was essentially a scrapbook of our entire friendship.

I chose this gift because I felt that Leo was at a bit of a crossroads in his life. He had just graduated and was starting his first 'real' job, and I knew he was feeling a bit overwhelmed. I wanted to give him something that would remind him of the carefree times and the solid foundation of our friendship, no matter how busy or stressful his new life became. It was a way of saying, 'Hey, I'm here, and our past and our future are still connected.'

The reaction was absolutely priceless. When he opened it, he was silent for a good minute, just flipping through the pages. I could see his eyes welling up a little. He then looked at me and said, 'This is the most thoughtful gift anyone has ever given me.' He spent the rest of the evening reading it out loud to our other friends, laughing and pointing out all the little details. It wasn't just a gift; it became a conversation piece and a cherished keepsake. To this day, he still tells me it's one of his most treasured possessions."

Breakdown of the Sample Answer (Why it's a high-band answer)

• Clear Structure: The answer follows the cue card perfectly.
  • What: A custom-made leather-bound journal.
  • Who: My best friend, Leo.
  • Why: To remind him of our friendship during a stressful time.
  • Reaction: He was deeply moved, teary-eyed, and cherished it.
• Rich Vocabulary & Idioms:
  • Deeply personal and meaningful
  • Custom-made, embossed in gold
  • Scrapbook of our entire friendship
  • At a crossroads in his life
  • Overwhelmed, carefree times, solid foundation
  • Priceless reaction, eyes welling up, thoughtful gift, cherished keepsake, treasured possessions
• Varied Sentence Structures:
  • Simple sentences: "He then looked at me and said..."
  • Compound sentences: "I wanted to give him something that would remind him..., and it was a way of saying..."
  • Complex sentences: "I had spent weeks filling it with little notes, memories, and doodles, which I thought made it special."
• Personal Anecdotes & Emotion: The story is not generic. The inclusion of specific details like movie ticket stubs, inside jokes, and Top 10 Adventures makes it vivid and believable. The description of his emotional reaction (eyes welling up) shows the impact of the gift.
• Fluency and Coherence: The story flows naturally from one point to the next with good linking words (because, so, when, to this day).

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

Here are some categorized words and phrases you can use to build your own answer.

Types of Gifts

• Handmade: A knitted scarf, a painting, a wooden photo frame.
• Sentimental: A photo album, a piece of jewellery from a family member, a handwritten letter.
• Practical: A gadget (e.g., a smartwatch, noise-cancelling headphones), a high-quality backpack, a cookbook.
• Experience-based: Concert tickets, a weekend trip voucher, a reservation at a fancy restaurant.
• Homemade: A batch of cookies, a jar of homemade jam, a knitted beanie.

Verbs for Giving & Receiving

• Give: Present, offer, bestow upon (formal), hand over.
• Receive: Get, be given, be presented with, unwrap.
• Reaction: Be over the moon, be thrilled to bits, be touched, be deeply moved, be taken aback, burst into tears (of joy), light up, beam with joy.

Adjectives to Describe the Gift

• Sentimental: Heartfelt, meaningful, precious, cherished, treasured.
• Practical: Useful, handy, convenient, functional, high-quality, state-of-the-art.
• Aesthetic: Beautiful, elegant, stylish, exquisite, intricate, unique, bespoke, custom-made.
• General: Thoughtful, generous, perfect, ideal, unforgettable.

Useful Linking Words

• To add information: Furthermore, Moreover, In addition, Not only... but also...
• To show reason: Because, Since, As, The reason I chose... was that...
• To show result: As a result, Consequently, Therefore, That's why...
• To give an example: For instance, For example, Such as...

Tips for Your Answer

1. Choose a Real Story: It's much easier to talk about something real. Your emotions and specific details will make your answer more natural and convincing.
2. Don't Focus on Price: The value of a gift is rarely about its cost. A simple, heartfelt gift is often more interesting to talk about than an expensive one.
3. Tell a Mini-Story: Structure your answer like a short story with a beginning (what/who), a middle (why), and an end (reaction).
4. Describe the Details: Don't just say "it was a photo album." Describe what was in it (old photos, captions, tickets). This is what makes your answer stand out.
5. Explain the "Why" Clearly: This is the most important part. Explain your motivation. Why did this person need this gift? What did it represent? This shows depth of thought.
6. Practice Speaking, Not Just Reciting: Record yourself saying your answer. Check your fluency, pronunciation, and timing. Aim to speak for 1.5 to 2 minutes.