IELTS Speaking part 1 | Friends

If you are a teenager, it is likely that most of your friends are the same age but if you are older your friends may be from a wider age group.

Think about the following –

1. What age are the friends you have and why?
2. Do you have anything in common with older/younger people?
3. Do you prefer to have a prefer to have friends older or younger than you?

Examples

As I am university all of my friends are pretty much the same age. I do have a few friends that are in the year above me, so they are a little older. I don’t think I would have that much in common with people that were much older than me plus most of my time is spent with people my own age now.

I have quite a mixture of friends of different ages really. I quite like spending time with friends who are a little older as I find them more interesting. They have more life experience than the friends I have my own age and I can always turn to them for advice. Some people may think that there is a generation gap, but I don’t think so, we have many of the same interests.

Have something in common (phrase) – to share the same interests or have similar characteristics – ‘I didn’t think Mary and John had anything in common, but they talked all evening.

Generation gap – UK /dʒen.əˈreɪ.ʃən ˌɡæp/ US /dʒen.əˈreɪ.ʃən ˌɡæp/ – a situation in which older and younger people do not understand each other because of their different experiences, opinions, habits and behaviour.

For most people this answer probably would have been at weekends but due to the present COVID pandemic it is likely that you meet up with friends far less than in the past. Unfortunately, COVID will and is mentioned a lot in responses to questions now.

Have a look at these questions –

1. When do you usually meet your friends? (Why?)
2. Do you meet with your friends less now than before?
3. Do you hope to see your friends more in the future?

Examples

During the week I am usually too busy to meet my friends as I have a lot of work commitments and may have to work overtime some evenings. Usually, we meet at the weekends and catch up over a coffee and go for something to eat.

 Well, before the COVID 19 outbreak I used to meet my friends regularly through the week and at weekends. But now I can’t meet them face to face as there are not supposed to be any social gatherings so playing football is out of the question and there are no bars open so we can’t meet for a beer.

Commitment (Noun) (c) – UK  /kəˈmɪt.mənt/ US /kəˈmɪt.mənt/ – something that you must do or deal with that takes up your time –‘I can’t play football this weekend as I have family commitments’.

Overtime – (Noun) (u) – UK /ˈəʊ.və.taɪm/ US  /ˈoʊ.vɚ.taɪm/ – (the time spent working) – after the usual time needed or expected in a job.

Out of the question (phrase) – an event that cannot possibly take place/happen

Depending on where you live at the moment this may have been a long time ago.

Think about the following questions –

1. How often do you usually like to meet your friends?
2. What do you like to do when you meet your friends?

Examples

As I mentioned, there are restrictions now on people meeting up, so I haven’t seen my friends in ages. I used to meet my friends a couple of times a week to play football and then we would usually go for a couple of beers afterwards. Now I have to keep in touch  using WhatsApp  or Facebook messenger.

The last time I saw my friends was in November last year. The lockdown was lifted and five of us decided to go for a celebratory meal to catch up.  It was great to see each other as we usually meet once a week and go for a meal as we like to try out new restaurants and it is a great way spend time together, over a meal. Hopefully, we can meet up again soon.

Restriction (Noun) (c or u) – UK  /rɪˈstrɪk.ʃən/ US /rɪˈstrɪk.ʃən/ – an official limit on something

Ages (slang) – to not see someone/something in a very long time

Lockdown – (Noun) (c or u) – UK /ˈlɒk.daʊn/ US /ˈlɑːk.daʊn/ – a period of time in which people are not allowed to leave their homes or travel freely, because of a dangerous disease

Celebratory – (adj) – UK /ˌsel.əˈbreɪ.tər.i/ US /ˌsel.əˈbreɪ.t̬ɚ.i/ – celebrating an important event or special occasion

There are many reasons why friends can be important. Friends can help you when you need advice and be there for you when you need support.

1. Do you ask your friends for advice?
2. How can your friends be supportive?
3. What things can you share with your friends?

Examples

My friends are important to me in many ways, but I can count the number of close friends I have on one hand.  I have three friends that I would really call close and I can rely on them if I need some advice or a shoulder to cry on. They can offer me a lot of support if I have some problems at work or may be a problem with my relationship. I can speak to them about anything and would rather discuss some things with my friends than with my parents.

 I think friends are important to me for a number of reasons. First, they can be a source of comfort if I have a problem. As the saying goes ‘ a friend in need, is a friend indeed. Also, companionship is important. We can spend time together and do the things we enjoy, for example, I meet a couple of friends each week to go hiking.

Count something (on the fingers) of one hand (phrase) – something that happens rarely or not very often

A shoulder to cry on (phrase) – someone who is willing to listen to your problems and give you sympathy, support, and encouragement

A friend in need is a friend indeed – (idiom) – used to say that a friend who will help someone when help is needed is a true friend

Companionship – UK /kəmˈpæn.jən.ʃɪp/ US /kəmˈpæn.jən.ʃɪp/ – the enjoyment of spending time with other people