Last Updated on August 8, 2025
A cue card for the question “Describe something you taught to your friend” can be found in this IELTS speaking blog. The three sections of the IELTS Speaking test are the introduction, the cue card round, and the follow-up discussion round. You will have 11 to 15 minutes to showcase your communication abilities. We’ve included three model responses for this IELTS Speaking Cue Card along with Part 3 follow-up questions to help you come up with ideas and improve your fluency.
Describe something you taught to your friend/relative
You should say:
- What you taught him/her
- When it was
- How you taught it
- And explain how your friend responded to it
Model Answer 1: Pasta- Describe something you taught to your friend/relative
Introduction
Among the things I’ve shown a relative is how to prepare a simple and satisfying pasta dish. I view cooking as an indispensable life skill, and I was delighted to show her how.
What you showed him/her
I showed my friend how to prepare creamy white-sauce pasta with a few basic ingredients—penne, butter, milk, garlic, and a mix of herbs. Because she was used to ordering takeaway, the idea of cooking from scratch was entirely unfamiliar to her.
When it was
It took place amid the 2020 pandemic lockdown. Being roommates, we had to cook at home in lieu of the closed restaurants. That’s when she asked me to show her how to do something simple.
The way in which you instructed it
First, we brought a pot of water to a boil before I demonstrated the crucial role of salt in it. I showed her each stage of the process—sautéing the garlic, crafting the roux, adding the milk gradually and seasoning it precisely. The two of us worked side by side, and whenever she overlooked a step, I guided her with a light hand.
Your friend’s reaction to it
She was immensely content with herself. She also snapped photos of the pasta and sent them to her family. Ever since then, she has gone on to try other dishes as well.
Conclusion
It felt so rewarding to watch her learn something practical while, at the same time, build confidence in the kitchen.
Model Answer 2: Describe something you taught to your friend/relative
Introduction
I’m incredibly proud of having taught one of my closest friends how to swim. For him, it was a major accomplishment, given how profound his fear of water was.
What you taught him/her
I showed him how to float and taught the fundamentals of basic strokes such as freestyle and backstroke. He had never been enrolled in swimming classes and kept clear of pools altogether.
When it was
That summer break in 2022 is when we enrolled in the same swimming club. Growing up, I had long swum, so I believed I could help him work past his fear.
How you taught it
First, I worked to ease his unease by having him simply stand in the shallow end. We did breathing drills and worked on floating on his back. Steadily, I guided him through the strokes and included timed laps. We needed patience, yet we practiced together every morning for two weeks.
The way your friend reacted to it
At the start, he was timid and uneasy. Little by little, with my steady encouragement, he began to enjoy the sessions. By the end of the second week, he was able to cross the pool’s length unsupported. He was ecstatic!
Conclusion
Guiding him through the process of learning to swim proved to deepen our friendship and leave me feeling immensely satisfied. It further underscored for me how patient perseverance can be so rewarding.
Model Answer 3: Describe something you taught to your friend/relative
Introduction
One day I helped my friend learn to use Microsoft Excel for data analysis, and that skillset proved to be invaluable for his college project.
What you explained to him or her
I showed him how to build spreadsheets, apply formulas, build pivot tables, and convert data into charts. Having no prior experience with Excel, he was finding his assignment a challenge.
When it was
It took place during the final semester of university. He was enrolled in the research project, yet the vast quantity of data he had to handle proved overwhelming.
The way you taught it.
We settled into the library and collaborated on his project side by side. I illustrated each function with real-life examples. I also had him dive into practice by giving him small exercises, which went a long way toward helping him become familiar with the tool.
Your friend’s response
He thanked me and stated that it was among the most practical skills he had ever learned. Ultimately, he also helped a classmate wrestle with her data. It was gratifying to realise the knowledge I imparted had continued to ripple outward.
Conclusion
The experience prompted me to realise that even a fragment of technical knowledge, delivered at precisely the right moment, can have a profound influence on both an individual’s academic and professional trajectories.
Follow-up Questions: Describe something you taught to your friend/relative
Follow-up questions for “I’ll tell you about something I recently taught my friend” are shown below. During the test, this discussion goes on for roughly four to five minutes and delves into ideas tied to the cue card topic.
1. Should one share knowledge with others?
Sure, passing on knowledge fortifies communities and enables people to feel empowered. At the same time, it deepens your own comprehension of the subject.
2. Do you believe that teachers inevitably teach better than friends?
Not necessarily. On occasion, friends can offer more laid-back explanations that are easier to comprehend. Although teachers are formally trained, peer learning can be just as effective.
3. Which qualities does an effective teacher or trainer need?
An effective teacher needs to be patient, express ideas clearly, offer support, and adjust to learners’ individual progress.
4. What factors cause some people to dislike teaching others?
For some, a lack of confidence in their own knowledge or a dread of being questioned can discourage them from sharing it. Some might have neither the patience nor the inclination to teach.
5. Do you find you learn best with a teacher or with a friend?
I am most comfortable absorbing knowledge from either source. Teachers give structure, but friends make the process more relaxed and enjoyable. That entirely relates to the subject and the circumstances.
IELTS Cue Card Topics:
Here is a list of other IELTS Cue Card topics that you can follow, as a guide for how to structure your answer:
- Describe a Historical Building You Have Been To
- Describe a Book That You Read Many Times
- Describe an Item of Clothing Someone Gave You
- Describe an Invention That Is Useful In Daily Life
- Describe a Place Where There Was a Lot of Noise
IELTS Vocabulary List – “Describe something you taught to your friend/relative”
Here’s a list of useful vocabulary and phrases that you can use in your answer to improve lexical resource scores.
Tip: Use 3–5 of these words naturally in your answer to boost your Band score for Vocabulary
| Word / Phrase | Meaning / Usage |
| Instructed | Gave formal or informal teaching |
| Demonstrated | Showed how something works through action |
| Walked someone through | Explained something step-by-step |
| Hands-on learning | Learning by doing, not just theory |
| Learning curve | The process of learning something new, often gradually |
| Picked it up quickly | Learned something fast |
| Trial and error | Learning by making mistakes and correcting them |
| Break it down | Simplify something complex |
| Conceptual clarity | Clear understanding of an idea |
| Mutual learning | When both people learn during the teaching process |
| Encouraged/motivated | Supported or pushed someone to keep trying |
| Practical skill | A useful, applicable skill in daily life or work |
| Struggled initially | Faced difficulties at the beginning |
| Patient and persistent | Showed calmness and kept trying despite difficulties |
| Knowledge transfer | Sharing knowledge from one person to another |
Conclusion
Study the sample responses for the cue card “Describe an item you have taught your friend” to more effectively craft answers of your own. Recalling an actual incident in which you assisted someone in acquiring a new skill will ensure your answer comes across more naturally. Moreover, you can get a feel for the kinds of follow-up questions that commonly appear in the exam.
Looking for more individualized assistance with IELTS? Schedule your free 1:1 session with Admissify’s IELTS specialists now and receive a tailored study plan to help you ace your exam.
FAQs
Through my best friend’s guidance and example, I learned to remain calm and think optimistically in difficult situations.
I would tell them that you’re dependable, great to hang out with, and perpetually ready to lend a helping hand.
Watch your pace, work in concrete examples, and make sure they feel at ease asking questions.
I love to pick up practical skills and life lessons directly drawn from their experiences.
As a dynamic social media content strategist and storyteller, Bhaskarjyoti blends creativity with data-driven precision to turn aspirations into action. With a keen understanding of what today’s students seek, he has redefined how study-abroad dreams are communicated, combining global trends with grounded Indian values. He also works across student guides, scholarship explainers, university deep-dives, and thought pieces, making study-abroad content both insightful and accessible. Always curious, always evolving – he believes that great content is not just about reach, but about impact. And that the right story, told the right way, can change a life.
