Speaking Part 2 · ObjectsIn the May–Aug 2026 forecast
Describe a Gift You Gave or Received
In short
“Describe a Gift You Gave or Received” is a common IELTS Speaking Part 2 cue card. You get 1 minute to prepare and should speak for 1–2 minutes, covering all four points below. This page gives you a Band 9 model answer, an idea map so you can make it your own, the Part 3 follow-up questions with answers, and the vocabulary examiners reward.
The task card
Describe a Gift You Gave or Received. You should say:
- •What the gift was
- •Who gave it to you or who you gave it to
- •When you gave or received it
- •And explain why it was special
Band 9 model answer
The gift I'd like to talk about is a scrapbook my younger sister made for me a couple of years ago, for my birthday. I wasn't expecting anything homemade — she's the type who usually just grabs a gift card at the last minute — so when she handed me this thick, slightly battered-looking book, I genuinely had no idea what it was.
When I opened it, I realised she'd put together a sort of history of us growing up together. There were old photos I'd completely forgotten about, cinema tickets, little notes we'd passed each other as kids, even a pressed flower from a holiday we'd been on years ago. She'd written captions next to everything in her terrible handwriting, some of them funny, some of them actually quite touching. It must have taken her weeks. I could tell she'd raided every drawer in the house to track it all down.
I'm not usually someone who gets emotional, but I have to admit I got a bit choked up flicking through it. We'd had a rocky patch a year or so before — the usual sibling stuff, we'd barely been speaking — so the gift felt like her way of saying that none of that mattered, that we had all this history between us. My whole family was watching me open it, and I remember trying very hard to play it cool and failing completely.
The reason it means so much to me — more than any expensive thing anyone's ever bought me — is that you simply can't buy something like that. It wasn't about money at all; it was about the time and thought she'd put in, and the fact that she knew exactly which memories would matter to me. A gadget or a piece of clothing, you use it and eventually forget about it, but that scrapbook I'll keep forever. It actually changed the way I think about giving presents myself. Now I try to give people things that mean something, rather than just spending money to tick a box. I honestly believe the best gifts are the ones that show you've really paid attention to who the other person is, and that's exactly what she did.
So that scrapbook is easily the best gift I've ever received. It's sitting on my shelf right now, and every so often I'll take it down and go through it again, and it never fails to put a smile on my face.
Make it your own: three angles
A handmade or personal gift
Best for the 'thought over money' argument that scores highly in Part 3.
An expensive or long-wished-for gift
Good for excitement and reaction, but link it to meaning rather than price.
A gift you gave to someone else
Lets you show generosity and describe the other person's reaction.
What the examiner is listening for
Say whether you gave or received it early, then save most of your time for why it was meaningful — that's where band-9 evaluative language lives. Use a mix of narrative past tense for the moment itself and present tense for its lasting value, and avoid a flat list of the item's features.
Part 1 warm-up questions
- Do you enjoy giving gifts to people?
- When was the last time you received a gift?
- Do people in your country give gifts often?
- Do you prefer to give or to receive gifts?
Part 3 follow-up questions & answers
Why do people give gifts?
At its heart, gift-giving is a way of showing people you care about them and value the relationship. It's also tied up with social customs — birthdays, weddings, festivals — where giving something is almost expected. But the best gifts go beyond obligation and are a genuine expression of affection.
Are handmade gifts better than bought ones?
I'd say they're more meaningful, generally speaking, because they show real time and effort rather than just money. A handmade gift feels personal and one-of-a-kind. That said, it depends on the person and the skill involved — sometimes a well-chosen bought gift is exactly what someone actually wants, so it isn't a hard rule.
Do you think people spend too much money on gifts these days?
In many cases, yes. There's a lot of social pressure, especially around occasions like Christmas, to spend more than people can really afford, and it's become quite commercialised. I think that's a shame, because it shifts the focus onto price rather than thought, which is the exact opposite of what gift-giving should be about.
Is it difficult to choose gifts for other people?
It can be, definitely, especially for people you don't know that well or who seem to have everything. The key, I think, is to pay attention throughout the year to what someone mentions they like or need. When you know a person well, it's usually much easier because the right idea just comes to you.
What kinds of gifts are popular in your country?
It really depends on the occasion, but common ones would be electronics, clothes and gift vouchers, which let people choose for themselves. For traditional festivals, food and sweets are very popular, and for weddings people often give money, which is seen as practical and helps the couple start their new life together.
Do you think it's the thought that counts, or the value of the gift?
For me it's absolutely the thought. Some of the most memorable gifts I've received cost almost nothing but showed the person really understood me. An expensive gift given without any thought can actually feel quite cold. Of course, most people appreciate a bit of both, but if I had to choose, thoughtfulness wins every time.
How has gift-giving changed compared to the past?
I think it's become more materialistic and convenient. In the past people had less money, so gifts were often homemade or very practical. Now, with online shopping, you can order almost anything with a couple of taps, which is easy but perhaps a bit impersonal. I do think that convenience has taken some of the heart out of it.
Useful vocabulary
| Word / phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| it's the thought that counts | the care behind a gift matters more than its cost |
| one-of-a-kind | unique; the only one of its type |
| to put a lot of thought into | to consider carefully before doing or choosing something |
| to be choked up | to be so emotional that you can hardly speak |
| sentimental value | worth based on personal memories rather than money |
| to treasure something | to value and keep something because it is precious to you |
| to splash out on | to spend a lot of money on something |
| a token of appreciation | a small gift that shows thanks |
| thoughtful | showing care and consideration for other people |
| to tick a box | to do something just to fulfil an obligation |
More cue cards
Describe Something Handmade You Have Made or Received
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