IELTS Speaking Part 2: Describe a Gift You Gave Someone

Now, I'm going to give you a topic to talk about.

I'd like you to describe a gift you gave someone.

You have one minute to prepare, and you can make notes.

Great, I know exactly what to talk about.

Right, your time's up. Please begin now.

I'd like to talk about a present I gave my grandfather.

It was for his eightieth birthday, last spring.

Finding the right gift for him was really difficult.

He always says he doesn't need anything!

So I spent weeks looking in shops and online,

but nothing felt personal enough.

Then one evening, I found a box of old photos!

That's when I had the idea for a photo book!

I scanned about two hundred pictures from his life,

from his childhood right up to his grandchildren.

I also asked every relative to write him a short message.

Some of them took ages to reply, which was stressful!

In the end, the book was ready two days before the party.

When he opened it, he went completely silent.

Then he started crying, and so did everyone else.

He told me it was the best present he'd ever received.

Looking back, I learned that the best gifts aren't expensive.

They show that you've really been paying attention.

What a lovely idea. Does he still look at the book?

Every single day! He shows it to all his visitors.

And do you prefer giving or receiving presents?

Giving, definitely. Seeing someone's reaction is the best part.

Thank you. That's the end of part two.