80. Topic: A Valuable Friendship
– Question 80: Describe a close friend who is important to you.
– You should say:
– Who is your friend, and how did you meet?
– What qualities or characteristics do you admire in them?
– How has this friendship impacted your life?
– Can you share a memorable experience with this friend?
Model answer by Lifestyle Training Centre
Friendships, they say, are the family we choose for ourselves. One of the most valuable friendships in my life is with my close friend, Ravi, whom I met during my first year of university. Fate seemed to bring us together during a particularly daunting group project, and what started as a simple academic collaboration blossomed into a lifelong bond.
Ravi is a jack of all trades—incredibly intelligent, empathetic, and, above all, dependable. One quality I deeply admire in him is his unwavering optimism. He has this knack for seeing the silver lining in every cloud, no matter how stormy life gets. His humour, too, is contagious. Even in the most stressful situations, he has a way of breaking the ice with his witty remarks, instantly lightening the atmosphere.
This friendship has been a cornerstone of my life. Ravi has been my go-to person through thick and thin. Whether it’s brainstorming ideas for my projects, lending a listening ear during personal setbacks, or simply sharing a cup of coffee while chatting about life, his presence has always been a source of comfort and encouragement. His influence has undoubtedly shaped me into a more confident and positive individual.
One memorable experience I had with Ravi was during a spontaneous road trip to a nearby hill station. Neither of us was particularly good at navigation, and as luck would have it, we got hopelessly lost. Instead of panicking, Ravi turned it into an adventure. We stumbled upon a beautiful, secluded waterfall, where we spent hours soaking in the serenity and laughing at our misadventure. It was one of those serendipitous moments that left an indelible mark on my memory.
To me, Ravi is more than just a friend—he’s a kindred spirit, someone who has taught me the true meaning of loyalty, resilience, and shared joy. If I were to count my blessings, his friendship would undoubtedly top the list. Life without him would certainly be a little less colourful and a lot less meaningful.
List of vocabulary used:
- Family we choose for ourselves – A phrase meaning that friendships can be as important and supportive as family.
- Daunting – Intimidating, causing fear or anxiety.
- Blossomed – Developed or grew into something positive or beautiful over time.
- Jack of all trades – A person who is skilled in many different areas.
- Empathetic – Able to understand and share the feelings of others.
- Dependable – Reliable, trustworthy, and able to be counted on.
- Unwavering – Firm and resolute, not changing or hesitating.
- Optimism – The tendency to look on the bright side of things and expect the best.
- Silver lining – A hopeful or positive aspect in an otherwise difficult or negative situation.
- Contagious – Able to spread quickly from one person to another, often used to describe emotions or energy.
- Breaking the ice – Making people feel more comfortable in a social situation by starting a conversation or action.
- Witty – Clever and quick in speech or writing, often humorous.
- Cornerstone – An essential or fundamental part of something, often the base or foundation.
- Go-to person – A person who is relied upon for help, advice, or support in times of need.
- Thick and thin – In all circumstances, whether good or bad.
- Brainstorming – The process of generating ideas and solutions through discussion or creative thinking.
- Listening ear – Someone who is willing to listen attentively and sympathetically to your concerns.
- Setbacks – Difficulties or problems that delay progress or success.
- Serenity – Calmness, peacefulness, and tranquillity.
- Misadventure – An unfortunate or unsuccessful event or experience.
- Serendipitous – Occurring by chance in a happy or beneficial way.
- Indelible – Impossible to forget or remove; lasting.
- Kindred spirit – Someone who shares similar feelings, thoughts, or interests with another person.
- Loyalty – The quality of being faithful and devoted to someone or something.
- Resilience – The ability to recover or bounce back from challenges or adversity.
- Shared joy – Happiness experienced together with someone else.
- Blessings – Gifts or benefits in life that are appreciated and bring gratitude.
- Undoubtedly – Without a doubt; certainly.
- Colourful – Full of variety, life, or interest; vibrant.
- Meaningful – Having significance or importance, often emotionally or personally.
Idioms and Phrases
- Family we choose for ourselves – Friends who become as important as family.
- Fate seemed to bring us together – It feels like destiny led to this meeting or connection.
- Blossomed into a lifelong bond – Developed into a long-lasting and deep relationship.
- Jack of all trades – Someone who is skilled in many areas, though not necessarily an expert in one.
- Unwavering optimism – Constantly staying positive and hopeful, no matter the situation.
- Silver lining – A hopeful or positive aspect in a difficult situation.
- Breaking the ice – Making people feel more comfortable, especially in awkward situations.
- Go-to person – Someone you rely on for help, advice, or support.
- Through thick and thin – Supporting someone during both good and bad times.
- Lending a listening ear – Offering someone your attention and understanding when they need to talk.
- A source of comfort and encouragement – Someone who provides emotional support and motivation.
- A cornerstone of my life – An essential and foundational part of one’s life.
- Shaped me into a more confident and positive individual – Influenced and helped me grow as a person.
- Spontaneous road trip – An unplanned and impromptu journey or trip.
- Hopelessly lost – Completely lost, without a sense of direction.
- Turned it into an adventure – Made a difficult or challenging situation fun and exciting.
- Serendipitous moments – Happy, unexpected moments that occur by chance.
- Left an indelible mark – Made a lasting impression.
- Kindred spirit – A person with whom one shares a deep, innate connection or understanding.
- True meaning of loyalty, resilience, and shared joy – The real essence of being loyal, strong in adversity, and enjoying life together.
- Top the list – Be the most important or significant item.
IELTS Speaking Task Topics
Click on any topic to explore more!
Names
Learn about the importance of names and their cultural significance.
Study / Job
Discuss various aspects of studying and working in different fields.
Hometown
Explore the charm of your hometown and its unique features.
Accommodation
Understand various types of accommodation and living situations.
Weather
Learn about how weather influences daily life and activities.
Time
Discuss the concept of time, its importance, and time management.
Television
Talk about the role of television in modern entertainment.
Museum
Discuss the cultural importance of museums and historical exhibits.
Holidays
Explore the significance of holidays and different celebrations.
Films
Learn about the impact of films on culture and society.
Leisure Time
Discuss how leisure activities impact personal well-being.
Sport
Talk about the role of sports in health, entertainment, and culture.
Vegetables and Fruits
Discuss the health benefits and importance of fresh produce.
Maths
Explore the role of mathematics in various aspects of life.
Sky
Discuss the beauty and scientific significance of the sky.
Clothes and Fashion
Explore how clothing reflects culture and personal expression.
Weekend
Discuss the importance of weekends and ways people relax.
Reading
Learn about the importance of reading and various reading habits.
Sleep
Explore how sleep impacts physical and mental well-being.
Trees and Plants
Discuss the environmental and health benefits of plants.
Newspaper
Discuss the evolving role of newspapers in the digital age.
Text Messages
Explore the role of text messaging in modern communication.
Memorizing
Learn techniques for improving memory and memorization.
Traveling
Discuss the importance and impact of traveling in modern society.
Letters or Emails
Explore the differences and significance of letters vs. emails.
Swimming
Discuss the benefits of swimming for health and fitness.
Snacks
Explore the role of snacks in daily nutrition and lifestyle.
Photography
Discuss photography’s cultural and artistic significance.
Help
Talk about the importance of offering and receiving help.
History
Discuss historical events and their impact on modern society.
Handwriting
Explore the significance of handwriting in education and culture.
Music
Learn about the influence of music on emotions and society.
Colours
Discuss how colours affect perception and mood.
Teachers
Explore the role of teachers in shaping students’ futures.
Being Alone
Talk about the experience and benefits of spending time alone.
Teamwork
Learn the importance of teamwork in professional and social contexts.
Countryside
Explore the charm and benefits of living in the countryside.
Social Media
Discuss the impact of social media on society and relationships.
Friends
Explore the importance of friendships in life.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Talk about the future of AI and its role in society.
Climate Change
Discuss the causes and consequences of climate change.
Sustainable Transportation
Explore ways to make transportation more environmentally friendly.
Space Exploration
Learn about the latest advancements in space exploration.
Shopping
Explore how shopping influences culture and the economy.
Modern Technology
Discuss how modern technology is reshaping society.
Technology
Learn about the role of technology in everyday life.
Sustainable Living
Explore ways to live sustainably for the future of the planet.
Globalisation
Learn about the effects of globalisation on society and economies.
Global Warming
Discuss the causes, effects, and solutions to global warming.
Gender Equality
Explore the importance of gender equality in modern society.
Health and Fitness
Discuss the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Renewable Energy
Learn about renewable energy sources and their impact on the environment.
Cultural Traditions in Kerala
Explore the unique cultural traditions of Kerala, your hometown.
Cultural Traditions in Your Country
Learn about the cultural traditions in your country.
Education System
Discuss the education system in your country and its effectiveness.
Traditional Cuisine
Explore the significance of traditional cuisines in your culture.
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