Welcome to this comprehensive IELTS Speaking practice session focused on the topic of gifts and gift-giving.
This practice set covers all three parts of the IELTS Speaking test, with approximate timings of 4-5 minutes for Part 1, 3-4 minutes for Part 2, and 4-5 minutes for Part 3.
Part 1: Interview-Style Questions (4-5 minutes)
The examiner will ask you general questions about yourself and familiar topics. Here are practice questions about gifts:
- Do you enjoy giving gifts to others? Why/why not?
- What was the last gift you received from someone?
- Do you prefer to receive or give gifts? Please explain.
- What kind of gifts are popular in your country?
- How do you choose gifts for different people?
- Is there a traditional gift-giving custom in your culture?
- Do you think children should receive gifts on their birthdays?
- What’s the most memorable gift you’ve ever received?
Note: The examiner may ask follow-up questions based on your responses.
Sample Answers (Part 1)
Q: Do you enjoy giving gifts to others?
A: “Yes, I absolutely love giving gifts to others. There’s something special about seeing someone’s face light up when they receive a thoughtful present. I particularly enjoy the process of choosing something that perfectly matches the recipient’s interests or needs.”
Part 2: Individual Long Turn (3-4 minutes)
You will have 1 minute to prepare and 1-2 minutes to speak about this topic:
Describe a meaningful gift you gave to someone.
You should say:
- What the gift was
- Who you gave it to
- Why you chose this particular gift
- How the person reacted when receiving it
Sample Answer (Part 2)
“I’d like to talk about a special gift I gave to my grandmother last year. It was a handmade photo album containing pictures from her childhood through to the present day. I chose this gift because I noticed she often reminisced about the past and shared stories about our family history.
I spent several weeks collecting photographs from various family members and digitally restoring some of the older ones. I arranged them chronologically and included small notes describing each memory. The album had a beautiful leather cover with her name embossed on it.
When she opened it, she was completely speechless at first. Then tears welled up in her eyes as she slowly turned each page. She spent hours showing me each photograph and sharing stories I had never heard before. This reaction made all the effort worthwhile, and the gift became a treasured family heirloom that brings joy to our entire family.”
Part 3: Discussion Questions (4-5 minutes)
- How has gift-giving culture changed in recent years?
- What impact does social media have on gift-giving practices?
- Do you think expensive gifts are more meaningful than handmade ones?
- How do gift-giving customs differ across generations?
- What role do gifts play in maintaining relationships?
- Should companies have policies about gift-giving between colleagues?
- How might gift-giving traditions evolve in the future?
Sample Answer (Part 3)
Q: How has gift-giving culture changed in recent years?
A: “Gift-giving has undergone significant changes, particularly with the rise of digital technology and e-commerce. Nowadays, people often opt for digital gifts like experience vouchers or online subscriptions, moving away from traditional physical presents. Social media has also influenced this shift, creating pressure to give more Instagram-worthy gifts and share the gift-giving moment online. Additionally, there’s a growing awareness of sustainability, leading many to choose eco-friendly gifts or opt for minimalist approaches to gift-giving.”
Join the Discussion
We encourage you to practice these questions and share your responses in the comments below. We will provide brief evaluations to help you improve.
For more speaking practice tests, you can also visit Future Plans Topic.
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