IELTS Speaking 2025 Part 2&3: Describe a Time When You Received Something Without Having to Pay for It 🎁

Describe a Time When You Received Something Without Having to Pay for It 🎁

Suggested Ideas for Each Part

• What the gift was 🎁

  • A book 📖
  • A piece of clothing 👕
  • A free meal at a restaurant 🍽️
  • A souvenir from a friend 🌍

• When you got this gift ⏳

  • On a birthday or special occasion 🎂
  • During a promotion or lucky draw 🍀
  • As a token of appreciation 🙏

• Where you had it 📍

  • At home, school, or work
  • At a store or shopping mall 🏬
  • At an event or festival 🎉

• How you felt about it 😊

  • Excited and grateful
  • Surprised because it was unexpected
  • Happy because it was useful or meaningful

Useful Grammar Structures

1. Past Simple for describing when you received it

   • I got this gift on my birthday. 🎂
   • A friend gave it to me last year. 🎁

2. Present Perfect for its lasting impact

   • I have used this gift for many years.
   • It has become one of my favorite things.

3. Conditionals for hypothetical situations

   • If I hadn’t received this gift, I wouldn’t have known about it.
   • If I get another free gift like this, I’ll be even happier!

Collocations

1. A thoughtful gift 🎁 (món quà đầy ý nghĩa)
2. A pleasant surprise 😲 (một điều bất ngờ thú vị)
3. A token of appreciation 🙏 (một biểu tượng của sự trân trọng)
4. An unexpected gift 🎉 (món quà không ngờ tới)
5. A limited-time promotion 🛍️ (chương trình khuyến mãi có thời hạn)

Full Sample Answer (2 Minutes) 🎤

One time, I received a free book from a bookstore promotion 📖. It happened about a year ago when I went shopping at a local bookstore. I had no idea that they were giving away free books as part of a limited-time promotion 🛍️. When I bought a notebook, the cashier told me that I was eligible for a free book of my choice!

I picked a novel that I had always wanted to read. It was such a pleasant surprise 😲 because I didn’t expect to get anything for free. I remember feeling really lucky and grateful. The book turned out to be amazing, and I still keep it on my shelf. To me, this gift was not just an unexpected bonus but also a motivation to read more. It’s always nice to receive something without having to pay for it!

Part 3: Discussion Questions & Sample Answers

1. Do you like giving gifts? 🎁

Ideas

• It’s a way to show appreciation and love
• Seeing people’s happy reactions is rewarding
• Choosing the perfect gift can be exciting

Collocations

1. Strengthen relationships 🤝 (củng cố mối quan hệ)
2. Bring joy to others 😊 (mang lại niềm vui cho người khác)
3. Put thought into a gift 🎀 (đặt tâm huyết vào món quà)

Sample Answer

Yes, I love giving gifts because it’s a great way to strengthen relationships 🤝 and bring joy to others 😊. I enjoy putting thought into a gift 🎀 to make sure it’s meaningful for the recipient. It makes me happy when I see someone’s reaction to a gift they truly love. Even small gifts can make a big difference in someone’s day!

2. What gifts do parents give to children? 👶🎁

Ideas

• Toys and books for young kids 🧸📚
• Clothes or school supplies for older children
• Money or experiences (e.g., trips, concerts)

Collocations

1. Educational gifts 📚 (món quà mang tính giáo dục)
2. Something practical and useful 🎒 (món quà thực tế và hữu ích)
3. Create lasting memories 📸 (tạo ra những kỷ niệm đáng nhớ)

Sample Answer

Parents often give their children educational gifts 📚 like books and puzzles to help them learn. They also buy something practical and useful 🎒, such as clothes or school supplies. Some parents prefer to give experiences instead of material gifts, like a fun trip or a concert, because these create lasting memories 📸. It depends on the child’s age and interests.

3. What factors do parents consider when choosing a gift for children? 🤔

Ideas

• Age-appropriateness
• Educational value
• Safety and durability

Collocations

1. Suit the child’s age and needs 🎯 (phù hợp với độ tuổi và nhu cầu của trẻ)
2. Something fun yet beneficial 🎮📖 (món quà vừa thú vị vừa có lợi)
3. A well-thought-out gift 🎀 (một món quà được cân nhắc kỹ lưỡng)

Sample Answer

When choosing a gift, parents usually make sure it suits the child’s age and needs 🎯. They also consider whether it’s something fun yet beneficial 🎮📖. For example, they might choose a toy that is both entertaining and educational. Most parents also prefer a well-thought-out gift 🎀 that is safe and long-lasting.

4. What kinds of free gifts do companies give? Why do people feel happy when they receive free gifts? 🎉

Ideas

• Free samples of food, beauty products, or tech gadgets
• Promotional items like keychains and tote bags
• People feel happy because everyone loves free things

Collocations

1. Boost customer engagement 📢 (tăng sự tương tác với khách hàng)
2. A marketing strategy to attract buyers 🛍️ (chiến lược tiếp thị để thu hút người mua)
3. Make customers feel valued ❤️ (khiến khách hàng cảm thấy được trân trọng)

Sample Answer

Companies often give out free samples of food, beauty products, or tech gadgets to boost customer engagement 📢. They also offer promotional items like keychains or tote bags as a marketing strategy to attract buyers 🛍️. People feel happy when they receive free gifts because it makes them feel special and appreciated. It’s a great way for businesses to make customers feel valued ❤️ and increase brand loyalty.

5. Do you think our government should provide free gifts for our citizens? 🎁🏛️

Ideas

• Free essentials (e.g., food, healthcare) are beneficial
• Taxpayer money should be used wisely
• Free things encourage social welfare

Collocations

1. Improve people’s quality of life 🌍 (cải thiện chất lượng cuộc sống của người dân)
2. Government-funded programs 🏛️ (các chương trình do chính phủ tài trợ)
3. A positive social impact 🌱 (tác động tích cực đến xã hội)

Sample Answer

Yes, I think the government should provide free essentials like food, healthcare, and education to improve people’s quality of life 🌍. However, it’s important that government-funded programs 🏛️ are well-managed and use taxpayer money wisely. Free services and support can have a positive social impact 🌱, especially for low-income families. But unnecessary free gifts may not be the best use of resources.