IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe a time when you told a friend an important truth

Describe a time when you told a friend an important truth

You should say:

One minute to prepare, then speak for one to two minutes.

How to plan it in one minute

  1. Identify the specific person and context immediately to anchor your story.
  2. Use chronological order to describe the truth and your emotional state.
  3. Focus on the long-term impact of your honesty to wrap up the answer.

Band 8 model answer

A couple of years ago, I found myself in a rather delicate situation with my close friend, Marcus. We had been flatmates for nearly three years, but he had recently started a business venture that, quite frankly, was heading for a financial cliff. He had invested almost all his savings into a niche retail concept that was clearly failing to gain any traction in our local area. Watching him pour more capital into this sinking ship was painful, but he was so blinded by his initial optimism that he refused to acknowledge the mounting debts. I realised that I had to step in, even though it risked our friendship. One rainy Tuesday evening, I invited him over for a coffee and, with my heart pounding, told him the hard truth: his business model was fundamentally flawed and he needed to pull the plug before he ended up completely destitute. It was critical to speak up because I saw his mental health deteriorating under the pressure of maintaining a facade of success. I knew that if I didn't say anything, he would eventually lose everything, including his flat and his credit rating. Initially, Marcus was quite defensive and even a bit cold, feeling that I was undermining his ambition. However, after a few days of silence, he came back to me. He admitted that my words had been the wake-up call he desperately needed to stop the bleeding. He ended up closing the business, and while it was a tough period, he eventually thanked me for having the courage to be honest when everyone else was just being polite.

268 words, about two minutes at a natural pace. Details are invented; use your own.

Vocabulary from the answer

delicate situation
a circumstance that requires careful handling and tact
financial cliff
a point of imminent and severe monetary collapse
gain traction
to start making progress or become popular
sinking ship
a failing project that cannot be saved
destitute
without the basic necessities of life or money
facade of success
an outward appearance of being successful, though false
undermining
weakening someone's confidence or their authority
stop the bleeding
to prevent a situation from getting much worse

Part 3 questions that follow this card

Answer each in three to five sentences: position, reason, example, limit. See the Part 3 guide.

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Frequently asked questions

How should I start the cue card "Describe a time when you told a friend an important truth"?

Identify the specific person and context immediately to anchor your story.

How long should my answer be?

Speak for the full two minutes, about 220 to 280 words at a natural pace. The examiner will stop you at two minutes, which is a good sign, not a problem.

Can I use this model answer in the exam?

Use its structure and vocabulary, not its sentences. Examiners recognise memorised answers and mark fluency down; a shorter answer from your own memory scores higher than a recited one.

More cue cards: an experience