IELTS Speaking Part 2 2026 :Describe a Friend From Your Childhood
(Asked on 23 June)
Cue Card
Describe a friend from your childhood.
You should say:
- who this friend is
- how you knew this person
- what you liked about this friend
and explain how you feel about this person now.
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Why This Cue Card Is Important
This is one of the most flexible people topics in IELTS Speaking.
The same ideas can also be used for:
- Describe an old friend
- Describe someone you enjoy spending time with
- Describe a person who made you laugh
- Describe a helpful person
- Describe someone you admire
- Describe a positive person
- Describe an interesting person
- Describe a person you know well
A strong story here can answer multiple cue cards.
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Band 9 Speaking Formula
Friend
↓
How you met
↓
Personality
↓
Shared memory
↓
Current relationship
↓
Feelings now
This structure sounds natural and easy to follow.
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Brainstorming Ideas
Option 1: School Friend
- sat beside you
- played sports together
- studied together
Option 2: Neighbour
- grew up together
- visited each other's homes
- family friends
Option 3: Cousin
- spent holidays together
- attended family gatherings
Option 4: Sports Friend
- cricket teammate
- football teammate
- swimming partner
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Native Band 9 Sample
Oh, straight away, I'd say my mate Arjun. We grew up on the same street, so we were basically joined at the hip as kids.
Honestly, we spent more time outside than at home. We'd kick a ball around, ride our bikes, climb trees, and come up with all sorts of ridiculous ideas. Looking back, it's a miracle neither of us ended up with a broken arm!
What I loved about him was that he was always up for anything. You know those people who never say no to an adventure? That was him. One minute we'd be playing cricket, and the next we'd be trying to build a fort out of old cardboard boxes.
The funniest memory has to be the time we decided to build a treehouse. We were convinced we were master builders or something! In reality, it looked terrible and probably would've collapsed if a strong breeze had hit it. But at the time, we thought it was the coolest thing ever.
These days we don't catch up as often because life's busy and we're both tied up with work and family commitments. However, whenever we do chat, we pick up right where we left off. It never feels awkward.
To be honest, he's one of those mates who'll always have a special place in my heart. Some friendships fade away over time, but ours has stood the test of time, and I'm genuinely grateful for that.
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Female Version
I'd like to talk about my childhood friend Priya.
We first met in primary school when we were around seven years old and quickly became inseparable. We sat together in class, worked on projects together, and even attended dance lessons after school.
What I admired most about her was her positive attitude. No matter what happened, she always found something to smile about. She had a wonderful sense of humour and could make people laugh without even trying.
One memory that stands out is a school talent show where we performed a dance together. We were both incredibly nervous beforehand, but once we stepped onto the stage, everything went smoothly.
Although we now live in different cities, we still stay in touch regularly. Whenever we speak, it feels like we're children again.
She remains one of the most important people in my life, and I feel extremely fortunate to have such a long-lasting friendship.
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High-Level Personality Vocabulary
Easy-going
= relaxed and friendly
Outgoing
= sociable
Quick-witted
= mentally sharp
Dependable
= reliable
Considerate
= caring
Adventurous
= enjoys new experiences
Down-to-earth
= practical and humble
Thoughtful
= kind and attentive
Supportive
= encouraging
Fun-loving
= enjoys life
Loyal
= faithful
Trustworthy
= honest
---
Emotional Vocabulary
Nostalgic
Heart-warming
Comforting
Meaningful
Unforgettable
Memorable
Cherished
Special
Reassuring
Valuable
Enduring
Sentimental
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Native Idioms
Joined at the hip
= extremely close
Thick as thieves
= very close friends
Stand the test of time
= last for years
Through thick and thin
= during good and bad times
Heart of gold
= very kind
Have each other's backs
= support one another
Get on like a house on fire
= become friends quickly
Hit it off immediately
= connect instantly
Hold a special place in my heart
= remain emotionally important
A friend in need is a friend indeed
= true friends help during difficulties
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Native Phrasal Verbs
Grow up together
Hang out
Catch up
Get along
Drift apart
Look back on
Run into
Show up
Stick around
Drop by
Cheer up
Open up
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Band 9 Fillers
Honestly...
To be honest...
Funny enough...
Believe it or not...
Looking back...
The thing is...
I mean...
You know...
What's interesting is...
If I'm not mistaken...
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Story Bank
Use these memories:
Building a treehouse
Learning to ride bicycles
Playing cricket after school
Getting lost during a school trip
Birthday celebrations
Camping trip
School prank
Sports competition
Summer holidays
Movie nights
Science project
School excursion
Cultural festival
Talent show
Winning a competition
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Flexible Sentences
One thing I really admire about him is his ability to...
What sets him apart is...
He's the sort of person who...
That's one of the reasons we clicked.
We've always been able to rely on each other.
He's remained exactly the same in the best possible way.
That's something I've always appreciated about him.
Our friendship has never felt forced.
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Topic Collocations
Childhood companion
Lifelong friendship
Strong bond
Mutual trust
Shared memories
School days
Carefree childhood
Close-knit friendship
Lasting friendship
Long-term relationship
Fond memories
Loyal companion
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Common Band 6 Mistakes
❌ My friend is very good.
✅ He has always been incredibly supportive and dependable.
❌ We played together.
✅ We spent countless afternoons playing cricket in the neighbourhood.
❌ He is funny.
✅ He has a brilliant sense of humour and can lighten the mood instantly.
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Part 3 Follow-Up Questions
Why do some childhood friendships last a long time?
I think shared experiences play a huge role. When people grow up together, they create countless memories that strengthen their bond over time.
Is it easier to make friends as a child or as an adult?
Generally speaking, it's much easier during childhood because children tend to be more open, spontaneous, and less judgmental.
Why do some friendships fade away?
People often move to different cities, develop new priorities, or simply grow in different directions.
Are online friendships real friendships?
Absolutely. If there's trust, communication, and emotional support, online friendships can be just as meaningful as traditional ones.
What qualities make a good friend?
Reliability, honesty, empathy, and a good sense of humour are probably the most important qualities.
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Band 9 Checklist
Before finishing your answer, make sure you include:
✓ Relationship
✓ Personality
✓ One memorable story
✓ Emotion
✓ At least one idiom
✓ One phrasal verb
✓ Current relationship
✓ Personal opinion
✓ Natural ending
✓ Native fillers
Golden Ending
"Some friendships come and go, but this is one of those rare ones that's stood the test of time, and I'm genuinely grateful for it."
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