IELTS SPEAKING PART 1 – TOPIC: FRIENDS
1. What do you think makes good friends?
(Answer) Well, there are some specific attributes that make good friends.
(Give a reason for your answer) To me, a good friend should be dependable and sincere who is always willing to do stupid things with you and give you a lot of motivation to overcome fierce times. I usually don’t get on well with over-sensitive or complicated people.
2. Do you keep in contact with friends from your childhood?
(Answer) To be honest, I don’t stay in touch with a lot of my childhood friends.
(Give a reason for your answer) I’m quite an introvert and somehow prudent in relationships, so I just talk to one old friend, Phuong Chau, in whom I can confide. We have known each other since primary school and maintained this special bond till now.
3. What kinds of people do you like to make friends with?
(Answer) I like people who are honest with themselves and others and not pretentious.
Besides, I’m also attracted to those who share a good rapport with everyone but at the same time don’t get afraid to take a stand, who handle stressful situations with humor, who have self-respect but no ego and are willing to explore the world around them.
4. Do you think you are a good friend to others?
(Answer) Well, I hope so.
(Give a reason for your answer) From my perspective, good friends are especially important during times of crisis and turbulence. When my friends go through a hard time, they never failed to cheer me up and helped sail me through both emotional and academic setbacks.
Vocabulary:
attribute [n]: a person that you have met but do not know well
Eg: He gradually lost contact with all his old acquaintances.
get on (well) with [expression]: to have a pleasant relationship with someone; to be friends with someone
Eg: I’ve always gotten on with Amanda—I think she’s very nice.
introvert [n]: someone who is shy, quiet, and prefers to spend time alone rather than often being with other people
Eg: If introverts are easier to socialize, this level will be achieved with less effort and attention than with extraverts.
prudent [adj]: careful and avoiding risks
Eg: It’s always prudent to read a contract carefully before signing it.
confide [v]: to tell something secret or personal to someone who you trust not to tell anyone else
Eg: As sisters, they have always confided in each other.
pretentious [adj]: trying to appear or sound more important or clever than you are, especially in matters of art and literature
Eg: John is a pretentious art critic
rapport [n]: a good understanding of someone and an ability to communicate well with them
Eg: We’d worked together for years and developed a close/good rapport.
take a stand [expression]: to take a position in opposition to someone or something; to oppose or resist someone or something
Eg: The treasurer took a stand, and others agreed.
turbulence [n]: a state of confusion without any order
Eg: The era was characterized by political and cultural turbulence.
setback [n]: something that happens that delays or prevents a process from developing
Eg: There has been a slight/temporary setback in our plans.