Last Updated on August 1, 2025
“Describe something you taught to your friend” is a common prompt in the IELTS Speaking test. This guide provides sample answers, key vocabulary, common follow-up questions for Part 3, and an explanation of what this topic assesses. This cue card helps test your ability to describe a vivid teaching experience, use narrative language, and explain how the process impacted both you and your friend.
Learn how to answer “Describe something you taught to your friend” with IELTS sample answers, Band 9 vocabulary, tips, follow-up questions & structure.
Cue Card Topic Breakdown
You will have:
- 1 minute to prepare
- 1–2 minutes to speak
Describing Something You Taught to Your Friend
You should say:
- What it was you taught
- When you taught it
- How you taught it
- And how your friend reacted to learning it
Why This Cue Card Matters
This cue card helps examiners assess your ability to:
- Tell personal stories with fluency and coherence.
- Use descriptive language to recount a teaching interaction.
- Express your reactions and feelings about helping someone learn.
- Organize your thoughts into a clear narrative.
Sample Answer 1: Describing Something You Taught to Your Friend
What it was you taught?
I am thinking of a thing I taught to my friend, which was how to cook a basic Indian meal, specifically dal (lentil soup) and rice. My friend had recently moved out of home and was struggling with cooking anything beyond instant noodles.
When you taught it?
I taught her this about six months ago. She invited me over to her new apartment one Saturday afternoon, feeling a bit helpless in her kitchen, and that’s when I offered to help.
How you taught it?
I taught it to her in a very hands-on way. First, I explained the importance of fresh ingredients and how to pick good lentils. Then, I demonstrated each step slowly, from washing the dal to tempering the spices, explaining the ‘why’ behind each action. I let her do most of the chopping and stirring herself, correcting her gently when needed. We went through the process step-by-step, making sure she understood the sequence and the basic techniques. I also gave her a simple written recipe to follow later.
And how your friend reacted to learning it?
My friend was very enthusiastic and grateful. Initially, she was a little intimidated by the process, thinking Indian cooking was very complex. But as she started seeing the dish come together, her confidence grew. When we finally tasted the dal, she was so proud of herself for having made something delicious from scratch. She immediately felt more capable in the kitchen and kept thanking me profusely. It really boosted her confidence in cooking.
Sample Answer 2: Describing Something You Taught to Your Friend
What it was you taught?
This was a thing I taught to my friend: how to use some features of a photo editing software, specifically Adobe Photoshop. He wanted to improve his photography skills and edit his pictures more professionally.
When you taught it?
I taught him this roughly one year back. We spent several evenings after work at my place, going through the basics and some advanced techniques.
How you taught it?
I taught him in a very practical, screen-sharing approach. First, I showed him the interface and basic tools like cropping and color correction. Then, I moved on to more complex layers and masking techniques. I used his own photos as examples, which made it more relevant for him. I would demonstrate a step, then have him try it immediately on his laptop. I also pointed him to good online resources and keyboard shortcuts to speed up his workflow. It was less about lectures and more about direct application.
And how your friend reacted to learning it?
He was absolutely thrilled. My friend was initially a bit overwhelmed by the software’s complexity, but he was also very eager to learn. As he started to see the improvements in his photos, his excitement grew. He was very appreciative of my patience and clear explanations. He’s now quite proficient and often edits photos for our group events, even better than before. He says it opened up a whole new creative outlet for him.
Sample Answer 3: Describing Something You Taught to Your Friend
What it was you taught?
I will speak about a thing I taught to my friend, which was how to improve her public speaking skills. She had to give a very important presentation at work and was feeling extremely nervous about it.
When you taught it?
I coached her on this about three months ago, over several sessions in the weeks leading up to her presentation. We spent quite a bit of time together.
How you taught it?
I taught her through a combination of theory and practice. First, I shared some basic principles of effective public speaking, like structuring a presentation, making eye contact, and using vocal variety. Then, I had her practice her speech repeatedly, acting as her audience. I gave her constructive feedback on her delivery, body language, and pacing. We even recorded her practice sessions so she could see herself and identify areas for improvement. I also helped her brainstorm ways to manage her anxiety, like deep breathing.
What about how your friend reacted to learning it?
She was incredibly relieved and thankful. My friend started very anxious and lacking confidence, but with each practice session, her nervousness decreased, and her delivery became smoother. She told me that my guidance made a huge difference in how she approached the presentation. After she successfully delivered her speech at work, she called me immediately, very excited and proud of herself. She said my help was invaluable and it empowered her greatly.
Sample Answer 4: Introducing My Friend to Basic Guitar Chords
What it was you taught?
The thing I taught to my friend was how to play basic guitar chords and a simple song. He had just bought a guitar and was really keen to learn but didn’t know where to start.
When you taught it?
I taught him this last winter, mostly during our weekend hangouts. We’d spend an hour or so each time, just working on the guitar.
How you taught it?
I taught him patiently, starting with the very fundamentals. First, I showed him how to hold the guitar properly and how to position his fingers on the fretboard for simple chords like G, C, and D. I emphasized the importance of pressing firmly and strumming cleanly. We broke down the chords into individual finger placements. Then, once he could manage a few chords, I showed him how to switch between them smoothly and taught him a very simple strumming pattern for a well-known song. It was all about repetition and muscle memory.
And how your friend reacted to learning it?
He was absolutely thrilled and very dedicated. My friend was initially clumsy, as expected, and his fingers hurt, but he was incredibly motivated. He was amazed at how quickly he could play parts of a song, even if it was just a few chords. He found it very satisfying. He practiced diligently between our sessions and was always excited to show me his progress. He’s now much more confident and continues to learn new songs on his own, which makes me happy to see.
Follow-Up Questions (IELTS Part 3): Describing Something You Taught to Your Friend
What are the benefits of teaching others?
Teaching others offers many benefits. It solidifies your own understanding of a topic, as explaining it to someone else often reveals gaps in your knowledge. It also develops patience, communication skills, and empathy. Furthermore, it’s very rewarding to see someone grow and succeed because of your help.
Do you think it’s easy to be a teacher?
No, I do not think it is easy to be a teacher. It requires immense patience, adaptability, and the ability to explain complex ideas in simple ways. Teachers need to understand different learning styles, manage diverse personalities, and constantly motivate their students, which can be very challenging and demanding.
What qualities should a good teacher have?
A good teacher should have several qualities. Patience is essential, as is a deep understanding of their subject matter. They should be clear communicators, able to simplify concepts. Empathy and understanding are important to connect with students. Motivation, enthusiasm, and a genuine desire to help others learn are also very crucial.
Do people in your country like to teach others?
Yes, I think generally people in my country like to teach others, especially within families and among friends. There is a strong cultural value placed on sharing knowledge and helping those who are learning. Elders often teach younger generations, and friends commonly share skills like cooking, crafts, or practical knowledge.
Vocabulary to Use for This Cue Card
| Word/Phrase | Meaning | Example Sentence |
| Hands-on way | Practical, by doing rather than just observing | I taught her cooking in a very hands-on way, letting her do the work. |
| Intimidated | Frightened or nervous about something or someone | She was a little intimidated by Indian cooking at first. |
| Profusely | To a great extent; in large amounts | She kept thanking me profusely for my help. |
| Proficient | Skilled at something; able to do something well | He’s now quite proficient in using photo editing software. |
| Constructive feedback | Helpful and useful criticism or advice | I gave her constructive feedback on her public speaking delivery. |
| Vocal variety | Changes in pitch, volume, and pace when speaking | Using vocal variety makes a presentation more engaging. |
| Empowered | Made stronger and more confident | Her success in the presentation greatly empowered her. |
| Fundamentals | Basic or essential principles | We started with the very fundamentals of playing the guitar. |
| Muscle memory | The ability to reproduce a particular movement without conscious thought, acquired as a result of practice | Learning guitar chords relies a lot on developing muscle memory. |
| Enthusiastic | Having or showing intense and eager enjoyment, interest, or approval | My friend was very enthusiastic about learning the new skill. |
Final Thoughts
This IELTS cue card is an excellent chance to show your skill in using descriptive language and creating a narrative using your voice. Do not forget to give a clear impression to the examiner by telling what you taught, your teaching method, and the outcome for your friend. You will be scoring well with a well-described answer!
IELTS Cue Card Topics:
- 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
FAQs
What kind of thing can I talk about teaching?
You can talk about anything you taught: a skill (like cooking, coding, playing an instrument), a hobby (like photography, a sport), a concept (like a math problem, a historical event), or even a life lesson.
Should I only focus on my role as a teacher?
No, while your role is central, it is also important to describe your friend’s learning process, their challenges, and their reactions. This makes the narrative more complete and engaging.
How can I make my description of the teaching process more vivid?
Use specific verbs and adverbs to describe your actions and your friend’s reactions. Mention the tools or methods you used. Describe any difficulties you both faced and how you overcame them.
Do I need to mention exact dates or times?
No, approximate times (“a few months ago,” “last year,” “over several weekends”) are perfectly fine. The focus is on the experience itself.
Is it okay if my friend struggled a lot to learn what I taught?
Yes, it’s absolutely fine. Learning often involves struggle. Describing their initial difficulties and how they eventually succeeded (with your help) can make your story more compelling and demonstrate your patience as a teacher.
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.
