IELTS Speaking 2025 Part 1: Borrowing and Lending

1. Have you borrowed books from others?

• Useful expressions:
  • “I remember borrowing a book from…”
  • “It was a great experience because…”
  • “I prefer borrowing rather than buying because…”
• Grammar structure: Present Perfect & Past Simple to talk about past experiences and general habits.
• Sample answer:
  Yes, I have borrowed books from my friends and even from the library many times. I remember borrowing a book from my best friend last year – it was a novel by Agatha Christie. It was a great experience because I didn’t have to buy the book, and we got to discuss the story afterward. I prefer borrowing rather than buying because it saves money and allows me to read a variety of books without cluttering my space.

2. Have you borrowed money from others?

• Useful expressions:
  • “I try to avoid borrowing money, but there have been times when…”
  • “I only borrow when it’s absolutely necessary, such as…”
  • “It’s important to pay people back on time because…”
• Grammar structure: Present Perfect & Past Simple for past actions and Present Simple for general opinions.
• Sample answer:
  I try to avoid borrowing money, but there have been times when I needed a little help. For example, once I forgot my wallet at home and had to borrow some cash from a friend for lunch. I only borrow when it’s absolutely necessary, such as emergencies or unexpected expenses. It’s important to pay people back on time because it helps maintain trust and good relationships.

3. Do you like to lend things to others?

• Useful expressions:
  • “I don’t mind lending things to my close friends, but…”
  • “It depends on the item and the person I’m lending it to…”
  • “I believe in helping others, but I also expect them to take care of my things…”
• Grammar structure: Present Simple & Conditional (would/wouldn’t) for general habits and hypothetical situations.
• Sample answer:
  I don’t mind lending things to my close friends, but I’m a bit cautious when it comes to expensive or sentimental items. It depends on the item and the person I’m lending it to. If I know they are responsible, I have no problem letting them borrow something. I believe in helping others, but I also expect them to take care of my things, so I usually lend only to people I trust.

4. How do you feel when people don’t return things they’ve borrowed from you?

• Useful expressions:
  • “It’s really frustrating when…”
  • “I understand that sometimes people forget, but…”
  • “If it happens too often, I might stop lending things to them…”
• Grammar structure: Present Simple & Present Continuous to describe emotions and actions.
• Sample answer:
  It’s really frustrating when people don’t return things they’ve borrowed, especially if it’s something important. I understand that sometimes people forget, but I think they should at least let me know if they need more time. If it happens too often, I might stop lending things to them because it feels unfair when I trust someone and they don’t respect that.