IELTS Speaking 2025 Part 2&3: Describe a time when someone gave you a gift that you really wanted.

IELTS Speaking Part 2 Cue Card

Describe a time when someone gave you a gift that you really wanted.
You should say:

• What it was

• How you received it

• What you did after receiving it
  And explain how you felt about it

1. Speaking Expressions

• It was something I’d had my eye on… (Là món tôi đã để mắt tới từ lâu…)

• I couldn’t believe my luck when… (Tôi không tin vào vận may khi…)

• He/She surprised me with… (Anh/Chị ấy khiến tôi bất ngờ với…)

• It came as a total surprise… (Món quà hoàn toàn bất ngờ…)

• It meant the world to me… (Nó có ý nghĩa vô cùng với tôi…)

2. Collocations & Ideas

• A long-coveted item (món đồ khao khát từ lâu)

• Wrap it up in beautiful paper (gói trong giấy đẹp)

• Hand-delivered with a note (trao tận tay kèm tấm thiệp)

• Beaming from ear to ear (cười tươi hết cả gương mặt)

• Tear it open eagerly (khui quà háo hức)

• Show it off to friends (khoe với bạn bè)

• Cherish it for years (trân trọng suốt nhiều năm)

3. Sample Answer

It all started last Christmas, when I finally received a long-coveted item: a high-quality noise‑cancelling headphone set. I’d had my eye on this exact model for months because I often work from home and struggle with the city’s traffic noise. I couldn’t believe my luck when my best friend Linh surprised me with a neatly wrap[ped] it up in beautiful paper, complete with a handwritten card.

We were at her apartment on Christmas Eve, and she hand‑delivered it with a note: “For Nirvana in your noisy world.” My heart raced as I tore it open eagerly. Inside was the sleek black headphone case, and when I lifted the lid, the headphones beamed from ear to ear—well, metaphorically speaking! I slipped them on immediately, and the moment I pressed play, the world fell silent except for my favourite lo‑fi playlist.

After receiving the gift, I called my parents to show them off via video call and then showed it off to friends later that night. The next day, I took them with me on my usual motorbike ride to the café. Riding along Nguyen Hue Boulevard, with the engine sounds and street chatter abolished by the headphones, I felt a sense of calm I’d never experienced. Over the following weeks, I cherished it for years, using them daily for online lessons and editing my writing without distractions.

How did I feel? Honestly, it meant the world to me—not only because it solved a real problem, but because Linh had listened to my endless rants about noise and remembered exactly what I needed. Every time I wear them now, I think of her thoughtfulness, and it makes me grateful and deeply touched. That gift wasn’t just a gadget; it was a gesture that reminded me how well she knows me and how much she cares.

IELTS Speaking Part 3

1. Should employees set their own goals?

Expressions:

• To some extent… (Ở một mức độ nào đó…)

• Ownership boosts motivation… (Tự chịu trách nhiệm giúp tăng động lực…)

• They need guidance, though… (Tuy nhiên họ vẫn cần hướng dẫn…)

• It aligns personal and company objectives… (Nó gắn kết mục tiêu cá nhân và công ty…)

Collocations:

• SMART objectives (mục tiêu SMART)

• Regular check‑ins (buổi kiểm tra tiến độ thường xuyên)

• Track progress against milestones (theo dõi tiến độ theo các mốc)

Sample Answer:
To some extent, employees should set their own goals because ownership boosts motivation and helps them feel accountable. However, they need guidance to ensure those goals are realistic and aligned with the company’s strategy. Regular check‑ins and using SMART objectives let both parties track progress against milestones, creating a win‑win situation.

2. How should employers reward their employees?

Expressions:

• On top of monetary bonuses… (Bên cạnh thưởng tiền…)

• Recognition goes a long way… (Sự ghi nhận có giá trị lâu dài…)

• Tailored incentives… (động lực khen thưởng phù hợp cá nhân…)

• A balance of tangible and intangible rewards… (cân bằng khen thưởng hữu hình và vô hình…)

Collocations:

• Performance bonuses (thưởng hiệu suất)

• Professional development opportunities (cơ hội phát triển nghề nghiệp)

• Employee of the month (nhân viên xuất sắc tháng này)

Sample Answer:
On top of monetary bonuses, employers should offer professional development opportunities, such as training or conference attendance. Recognition goes a long way, so programs like Employee of the Month boost morale. A balance of tangible and intangible rewards—from gift vouchers to public praise—ensures everyone feels valued.

3. What kinds of gifts do young people like to receive as rewards?

Expressions:

• From what I’ve seen… (Theo tôi thấy…)

• Tech gadgets are a hit… (Đồ công nghệ rất được ưa chuộng…)

• Experiences matter too… (Trải nghiệm cũng quan trọng…)

• It’s about thoughtfulness over price… (Quan trọng là tấm lòng chứ không phải giá trị…)

Collocations:

• Wireless earbuds (tai nghe không dây)

• Streaming service subscriptions (đăng ký dịch vụ streaming)

• DIY gift boxes (hộp quà tự làm)

Sample Answer:
From what I’ve seen, young people love tech gadgets, like wireless earbuds, but experiences matter too—a food‑tasting tour or a concert ticket can be memorable. Ultimately, it’s about thoughtfulness over price; a DIY gift box customized to their interests often wins hearts.

4. Do you think giving gifts is a good way to show appreciation? Why or why not?

Expressions:

• It certainly can be… (Chắc chắn là có thể…)

• But it’s not the only way… (Nhưng không phải cách duy nhất…)

• The gesture matters most… (Cử chỉ là điều quan trọng nhất…)

• Consistency beats extravagance… (Sự thường xuyên hơn sự xa hoa…)

Collocations:

• Tokens of gratitude (món quà nhỏ tri ân)

• Handwritten notes (thư tay cá nhân)

• Acts of service (hành động giúp đỡ)

Sample Answer:
It certainly can be a meaningful way to show appreciation, especially when the gesture matters most—a simple token of gratitude can make someone’s day. However, it’s not the only way; acts of service or handwritten notes can be just as powerful. Consistency beats extravagance—small, regular expressions of thanks build stronger bonds than one-off lavish gifts.

5. Are expensive gifts always better than simple ones? Why?

Expressions:

• Not necessarily… (Chưa hẳn…)

• Value is subjective… (Giá trị mang tính chủ quan…)

• Meaning outweighs price… (Ý nghĩa quan trọng hơn giá cả…)

• Personalisation makes a difference… (Cá nhân hóa tạo nên khác biệt…)

Collocations:

• Customized presents (quà tặng cá nhân hóa)

• Budget‑friendly options (lựa chọn tiết kiệm)

• Sentimental value (giá trị tinh thần)

Sample Answer:
Not necessarily. Value is subjective—an expensive gift may impress initially, but meaning outweighs price. A budget‑friendly option with sentimental value or personalization often leaves a deeper impact than something costly but generic.