IELTS Speaking topic Gift - Sample answer + Vocab

Gifts, Giving gifts - Quà tặng là chủ đề thông dụng thường gặp trong IELTS Speaking part 1. Các bạn sẽ quen thuộc với câu hỏi về quà tặng phổ biến, bạn có nhận được quà hay từng tặng quà, một món quà bạn tặng cho một người bạn....Hãy cùng tham khảo bài học này với cô để luyện thêm nhé.

Xem thêm chủ đề hay khác: IELTS Speaking Chủ đề Conversation - bài mẫu và từ vựng

Speaking part 1 sample answer

Giving gifts

1: When do people give gifts or presents in your country?

Ở đất nước bạn, vào dịp nào mọi người sẽ tặng quà cho nhau?

♦ Câu trả lời mẫu 1: When it comes to some special festivals and special occasions, people usually give gifts, such as birthdays, weddings, Christmas, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day and Father's Day.

♦ Câu trả lời mẫu 2: In our country, there are many occasions to give gifts. We usually send gifts to each as a kind of sincere blessing. And there are some conventional rules for giving gifts. For example, you shouldn't give a clock to somebody, because "sending a clock" has the same pronunciation as "the end of life" in Chinese.

♦ Câu trả lời mẫu 3: Well, Chinese people send gifts on many festivals and occasions: house warming, graduation days, wedding anniversaries. In particular, most gifts are exchanged during the Spring Festival, which is a traditional festival celebrating the Chinese lunar new year.

2. Do you ever take a gift when you visit someone in their home? [Why/Why not?]

Khi đi sang thăm nhà ai đó, bạn có từng mang theo quà tặng không? [Tại sao]

Đối với câu hỏi này, câu trả lời nên là Yes. Sau khi đưa ra câu trả lời Yes, đưa ra các loại quà tặng bạn có thể mang tặng, chỉ cần một hoặc hai ví dụ. Nhưng sau đó đưa lý do giải thích để mở rộng câu trả lời. Có thể đưa ra ví dụ về dịp nào nên tặng quà nào, đối tượng nào.

♦ Câu trả lời mẫu 1: Well, I guess it will be more thoughtful to do so. Most people see it's a kind act if you bring a small gift when visiting someone. It shows that you appreciate being there. Just like an old saying goes "Courtesy demands reciprocity”, which signifies bringing gifts to each other is a good way to sustain the friendship.

♦ Câu trả lời mẫu 2: Definitely! However, it also depends on to whom I send the gifts during visiting. If it is for the elderly people, some healthcare products and multifunctional massagers would be suitable choices. If it is for the young people, they fancy those hi-tech products like iPad, PSP or some latest chic things. Actually, it's the thought that counts.

♦ Câu trả lời mẫu 3: I prefer to send gifts when visiting someone's home. If I have an invitation to a house warming party, I will bring something that can be used to decorate their new home. If I am invited for dinner, I will bring a basket of fruit or home-made food there to show my care and love.

3. When did you last receive a gift? [What was it?]

Lần cuối bạn nhận quà là khi nào? [Đó là món quà gì]

Khi gặp câu hỏi này, thí sinh thường trả lời rất đơn giản và ngắn gọn. Câu trả lời có thể đi theo hướng cái gì (what), khi nào (when), tại sao họ lại tặng quà đó (why).

♦ Câu trả lời mẫu 1: The last gift that I received was a bottle of perfume on my birthday party. Because my boyfriend knows that I am a big fan of it. So far, I have a huge collection of perfumes and hope that they will increase in value some day.

♦ Câu trả lời mẫu 2: The last gift I received on my birthday is the best one I have ever received. it was a handmade birthday card given by my confidante. It was a huge card with pictures of us together and beautiful graphic patterns that she drew. It didn't cost much but I love it because she really put her heart into it when making a memorable gift for my birthday.

♦ Câu trả lời mẫu 3: Speaking of last gift, it is a letter I got from my parents in my first year of university. Considering that I suffered a lot from severe homesickness, they said lots of words to comfort me. It gave a feeling that my parents were with me, giving me the courage and care I needed badly. This gift is of special sentimental value to me.

4. Do you enjoy looking for gifts for people? [Why/Why not?]

Bạn có thích việc lựa chọn quà cho người khác không? [Tại sao?]

Với các câu hỏi tương tự như vậy, thí sinh có thể đưa ra quan điểm của họ từ nhiều góc độ. Đồng thời, nếu thí sính có thể đan xen một cách thích hợp về câu chuyện đi chọn quà của bản thân để tăng sự sống động và chân thực cho câu trả lời.

♦ Câu trả lời mẫu 1: I guess not. It is a waste of time making efforts get the perfect gift. What's more, if the recipient is already wealthy, it will be more difficult to pick up the right present Still, I have little time to consider what they prefer.I am sort of tight-fisted when it refers to the payment.

♦ Câu trả lời mẫu 2: Absolutely, I am really into picking up different gifts for people, my family and closed friends in particular. There is a saying that "It's better to give than to receive."

♦ Câu trả lời mẫu 3: Speaking of looking for gifts for people, it is a good thing. In my view, how much the gift is worth is not important. It is more important that what the sentimental value it has because the sentimental value is something that can't be measured in terms of money.

5. Have you ever sent handmade gifts to others?

Sample 1 (Example + Advantage): Yes, I’ve crafted a few personalized photo albums for my close friends. Specifically, I spend hours arranging pictures and writing captions. The primary advantage of a handmade gift is that it carries a high sentimental value, showing the recipient that you’ve invested genuine time and effort into their present.

Sample 2 (Time + Popularity): I used to make handmade cards when I was a child. While DIY gifts are all the rage on platforms like Pinterest now, I find it quite time-consuming to do as an adult. However, I still believe they are the most heartfelt way to celebrate a special occasion.

6. Do you like giving gifts/presents? [Why/Why not?]

Sample 1 (Example + Advantage): I absolutely love it. For instance, the process of hunting for the perfect item and then wrapping it is very therapeutic for me. The primary advantage is the "helper's high"—the sense of fulfillment I get from making someone else feel appreciated and happy.

Sample 2 (Popularity + Time): Gift-giving is a highly popular love language, and I’m definitely a practitioner. I dedicate a lot of my leisure time to thinking of ways to surprise my loved ones. It’s a powerful tool for socialize-ing and maintaining strong relationships.

7. When do you usually give gifts to others?

Sample 1 (Example + Advantage): I typically give presents during milestone events like birthdays, weddings, or anniversaries. Specifically, I also like giving "just because" gifts. The benefit of an unexpected gift is that it’s often more spontaneous and memorable than a predictable holiday present.

Sample 2 (Time + Popularity): Traditional holidays like Christmas or Lunar New Year are when gift-giving is most prevalent. I spend a lot of time shopping during these seasons. It’s a widely popular tradition that fosters a sense of communal spirit and shared joy.

8. What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?

Sample 1 (Example + Advantage): The best gift I ever received was a vintage camera from my grandfather. Specifically, it was the one he used to document my parents' wedding. The sentimental value is immeasurable, and it has fueled my interest in landscape photography, making it an incredibly meaningful heirloom.

Sample 2 (Time + Popularity): A few years ago, my friends pooled their time and money to organize a surprise trip for me. Surprise experiences are becoming increasingly popular compared to physical items. It was the most unforgettable gift because of the laughter and companionship we shared.

9. What gift have you received recently?

Sample 1 (Example + Advantage): I recently received a pair of high-quality noise-canceling headphones for my birthday. Specifically, they’ve been a lifesaver for my daily routine. The primary advantage is that they help me stay focused in a hectic office environment, significantly boosting my productivity levels.

Sample 2 (Time + Cost): A colleague gave me a budget-friendly succulent plant last week. Although it wasn't costly, it has made my workspace much more aesthetically pleasing. I spend a little time every day watering it, which is a nice, relaxing ritual.

10. What kind of gifts are popular in your country?

Sample 1 (Popularity + Example): Gift hampers containing health supplements or high-end tea are immensely popular, especially for elders. For example, during New Year, these are the sought-after items in every department store. They represent a wish for health and prosperity.

Sample 2 (Time + Cost): Red envelopes containing "lucky money" are the most prevalent gift in my culture. While it might seem costly for the giver, it’s a very practical tradition. It saves time for the giver and allows the recipient the flexibility to buy what they truly want.

It much depends on the receiver. I would divide the subjects into age groups. For the children who are below 12 years old, toys and study stationary would be the best since their main focus is their lesson at school. Raising the age a bit to those teenagers from 18 and below, who, from what I see, now pay more attention to their outlook, should be given some kind of accessories or clothes suitable for them. if they are 20 to lower than 30, it will need some consideration of what suits them, but I would say anything is possible, people just need to focus on the meaning of the presents. And the most sensitive one is the mature ones, who are older than 30 since the giver needs to show respect for the gifts, so not only does it need deliberation but also the value of the presents should be high.

11. What do you give others as gifts?

Sample 1 (Example + Advantage): I often give "experience-based" gifts, like concert tickets or spa vouchers. Specifically, I want to give people a chance to recharge their batteries. The advantage is that experiences create vivid memories that last much longer than a physical object.

Sample 2 (Time + Popularity): Books are my default gift choice. They are highly popular because they cater to almost any interest. I spend a lot of time in bookstores finding titles that I think will be thought-provoking or fascinating for my friends.

12. Do you like to give expensive gifts?

As I have mentioned. I will be willing to do it if the receiver is much older than me because devotion and admiration should lie in the present. For example, on my grandfather's birthday, I bought him an expensive pair of suede loafers, as he loves wearing formal suits going out, also it would be awkward if I had given him only a cake since he could not bear sweets.

13. Have you ever received a gift which you didn’t like?

Unfortunately, I did, but it was when I was 7 or 8 years old, I asked my dad for a remote toy car, but he refused it and gave me a new ballpoint pen instead. It was such a disappointing moment, but later on, I realized it was an ink point and the pen was quite expensive. I think my dad sincerely bought a pen with the wish for me to study properly.

The examiner asks the candidate about him/herself, his/her home, work or studies and other  familiar topics.

Choose gifts

1. What do you consider when choosing a gift?

Sample 1 (Example + Advantage): I usually try to find something that aligns with the recipient's hobbies. To give you an example, if a friend is an avid reader, I’ll look for a limited edition of their favorite novel. The main benefit of this approach is that the gift feels tailor-made and thoughtful rather than generic.

Sample 2 (Time + Popularity): Practicality is widely popular as a criterion for gift-giving nowadays. I spend a significant amount of time researching what the person actually needs. I believe a useful gift is a worthwhile investment because it ensures the item won't just sit on a shelf gathering dust.

2. Can you share an experience of giving a special gift to someone?

Sample 1 (Example + Advantage): Last year, I gave my mother a digital photo frame pre-loaded with hundreds of family memories. Specifically, I included photos from her own childhood. The major draw was seeing her emotional reaction; it was a vivid reminder of our familial bonds and brought us all closer together.

Sample 2 (Time + Cost): I once saved up for a long time to buy my brother a high-end guitar for his graduation. Even though it was quite costly, seeing his face light up was priceless. It was a monumental gift that supported his passion for music, which made the expense totally worth it.

3. Do you think choosing expensive gifts is a good way to express feelings?

Sample 1 (Advantage + Example): Not necessarily. While an expensive gift can show a degree of sacrifice, the main advantage lies in the thoughtfulness behind it. For example, a cheap but meaningful trinket that references an inside joke can be far more moving than a costly piece of jewelry that has no personal connection.

Sample 2 (Popularity + Time): Luxury items are extremely popular as status symbols, but they don't always equate to deep affection. I’ve found that people value the time spent together more than the price tag. Material wealth is fleeting, but a well-chosen, heartfelt gift leaves a lasting impression.

4. Do you think you are good at choosing gifts?

Sample 1 (Advantage + Example): I’d like to think I’m quite adept at it. The benefit of being a good listener is that I pick up on small hints people drop. For instance, if a friend mentions they’ve been feeling lethargic, I might get them a high-quality aromatherapy set to help them unwind.

Sample 2 (Time + Popularity): I’m still working on it, as I often find the process quite nerve-wracking. While "gift guides" are widely popular online, I still spend a vast amount of time second-guessing my choices. I try to be meticulous, but sometimes I struggle to find that "perfect" match.

5. How often do you buy gifts for other people?

Not much to be honest, I only buy gifts for other ones when it is their special day. Or it must be someone who is truly close to me. Other than that, I don't find any reason to do so.

Trên đây là bài học liên quan chủ đề Gifts, các bạn cùng tham khảo và thử áp dụng cho bài thi của mình nhé. 

Còn thêm chủ đề hay nữa, bạn học thêm nha:

IELTS Speaking topic Quiet Place and Public Spaces (Nơi yên tĩnh, nơi nhộn nhịp)