IELTS Speaking 2025 Part 2&3: Describe a gift you have received that was important to you

Describe a gift you have received that was important to you

Suggested ideas for each part

• Who gave it to you and for what occasion
  🎂 Birthday gift from a close friend
  🎓 Graduation gift from parents
  ✈️ Farewell gift from a teacher before studying abroad

• What it looks like
  ⌚ A stylish wristwatch
  📖 A beautifully designed notebook
  📸 A digital camera with a sleek black design

• How you use it
  ⏳ Wear it every day to keep track of time
  ✍️ Write my thoughts and experiences in it
  📷 Capture special moments while traveling

• Why it is important to you
  💖 Holds sentimental value and reminds me of the giver
  🌟 Symbolizes a milestone in my life
  🔄 Has practical use in daily life

Useful grammar structures

1. Past simple: Last year, my best friend gave me a meaningful gift.
2. Present perfect: I have been using this gift for over a year.
3. Relative clauses: The gift that my parents gave me was truly special.
4. Conditional sentence (Type 2): If I lost this gift, I would feel really sad.
5. Passive voice: The watch was carefully chosen by my father.

Collocations

1. Thoughtful gift 🎁 (món quà đầy ý nghĩa)
2. Sentimental value 💖 (giá trị tình cảm)
3. Treasure something forever 🔒 (trân trọng mãi mãi)
4. Symbolic meaning ✨ (ý nghĩa biểu tượng)
5. A constant reminder 🔄 (lời nhắc nhở thường xuyên)
6. Hold a special place in my heart ❤️ (chiếm một vị trí đặc biệt trong tim)

Full spoken sample (~2 minutes)

One of the most meaningful gifts I have ever received was a beautiful leather-bound notebook 📖. It was given to me by my best friend on my 18th birthday 🎂, right before I left my hometown to study in another city. At first, I thought it was just a normal notebook, but when I opened it, I was amazed to see that she had written a heartfelt letter on the first few pages. It was filled with our shared memories, funny moments, and words of encouragement, which made me incredibly emotional.

The notebook has a classic and elegant design. Its cover is made of high-quality brown leather, giving it a sophisticated look. Inside, the pages are thick and smooth, making it perfect for writing. It also has a small ribbon bookmark, which helps me keep track of my notes.

I have been using this notebook for the past few years to jot down my thoughts, experiences, and even some poetry whenever I feel inspired. It has become like a personal diary to me. Every time I feel down or miss my friend, I read the letter she wrote, and it immediately lifts my spirits.

This gift holds a lot of sentimental value 💖 because it reminds me of our strong friendship. It is not just a regular notebook, but a symbolic ✨ reminder of our bond. Unlike expensive gifts, this one was made with love and thoughtfulness, which makes it even more special. If I lost it, I would feel devastated because I treasure 🔒 it so much. To this day, it still holds a special place in my heart ❤️, and I know I will keep it forever.

Part 3: Discussion Questions

1. Why do we usually give gifts to children to praise their studies, but not to children for sports awards?

Ideas

• 🎓 Academic success is seen as more important in many cultures
• 🏆 Sports achievements are often seen as hobbies rather than serious achievements
• 📚 Parents believe that academic rewards motivate children to study harder

Collocations

1. Academic excellence 🎓 (thành tích học tập xuất sắc)
2. Encourage good study habits 📖 (khuyến khích thói quen học tập tốt)
3. Overlook sports achievements 🏅 (bỏ qua thành tích thể thao)

Sample answer

In many cultures, parents and teachers tend to reward children for academic excellence 🎓 because education is considered the key to success. Gifts, such as books or stationery, are often used to encourage good study habits 📖. On the other hand, sports achievements are sometimes overlooked 🏅 because they are seen as hobbies rather than essential skills for the future. However, I think both academic and sports achievements deserve recognition because they both require dedication and hard work.

2. In what situations do you think it is good or bad to give gifts to children?

Ideas

• 🎉 Good: For birthdays, achievements, or to show appreciation
• 💰 Bad: When used as a bribe or when given too frequently
• 🤗 Non-material gifts (like time, experiences) are often better

Collocations

1. A token of appreciation 🎁 (dấu hiệu của sự trân trọng)
2. Spoil children with gifts 🎀 (làm hư trẻ bằng quà cáp)
3. Materialistic mindset 💰 (tư tưởng vật chất hóa)

Sample answer

I believe giving gifts to children can be a great way to show appreciation 🎁, especially for birthdays or special achievements. A well-thought-out present can motivate them and make them feel loved. However, if parents spoil children with gifts 🎀 too often or use presents to replace quality time, it might lead to a materialistic mindset 💰, where children value things more than relationships. That’s why I think the best gifts are sometimes experiences, like a family trip or a meaningful conversation.

3. Do men and women have different preferences when choosing gifts?

Ideas

• 🎀 Women tend to prefer sentimental or personal gifts
• 🎩 Men often like practical gifts, such as gadgets or watches
• 💞 Personalized gifts are becoming more popular for both genders

Collocations

1. Sentimental gifts 💖 (quà tặng mang giá trị tình cảm)
2. Practical gifts 🔧 (quà tặng thực tế)
3. Personalized presents 🎨 (quà cá nhân hóa)

Sample answer

In general, I think men and women may have different preferences when it comes to gifts. Women often appreciate sentimental gifts 💖, like jewelry with a personal message or a scrapbook filled with memories. On the other hand, men usually prefer practical gifts 🔧, such as a high-quality watch or the latest tech gadget. However, nowadays, more people enjoy personalized presents 🎨, like custom-made accessories or engraved items, because they add a special touch.

4. How has the tradition of giving gifts changed compared to the past?

Ideas

• 📱 More people shop online for gifts now
• 🌍 People prefer meaningful experiences over material gifts
• 🎁 Traditional handmade gifts are becoming rare

Collocations

1. Online shopping trends 🛒 (xu hướng mua sắm trực tuyến)
2. Gift-giving culture 🎁 (văn hóa tặng quà)
3. Meaningful experiences ✈️ (trải nghiệm có ý nghĩa)

Sample answer

The gift-giving culture 🎁 has changed a lot over time. In the past, people often gave handmade or practical gifts, like clothing or homemade food. However, nowadays, with online shopping trends 🛒, it’s easier to buy a wide range of gifts from anywhere in the world. Additionally, people now prefer meaningful experiences ✈️, such as concert tickets or travel packages, instead of material presents. This shift shows that people value memories and shared moments more than physical objects.