IELTS Speaking Part 2 · People
Describe a close friend you have known for a long time
Describe a close friend you have known for a long time
You should say:
- who this person is
- how you first met them
- what activities you do together
and explain why this friendship is important to you
How to plan your answer
Use your 1 minute to jot down key words for each point, not full sentences.
- 1
who this person is
Talk about my childhood friend, Mark, who is an architect now.
- 2
how you first met them
Met on the first day of primary school after sharing a desk.
- 3
what activities you do together
Enjoy playing weekend basketball, grabbing coffee, and going on outdoor hiking trips.
- 4
and explain why this friendship is important to you
Vital because he offers honest advice and has supported me through thick and thin.
Sample answer
about 248 words · 2 minutesI would like to talk about my close friend, Mark, whom I have known for over fifteen years. We first met on our very first day of primary school when we were just six years old. The teacher paired us up to share a wooden desk at the back of the classroom, and although we were both quite shy initially, we quickly bonded over a shared love for drawing comic characters. Since then, we have been virtually inseparable. Nowadays, even though we both have busy work schedules—he works as an architect and I am in sales—we still make an effort to hang out regularly. On weekends, we often meet up at a local park to play casual basketball, or simply grab a cup of coffee to catch up on each other's lives. During long holiday weekends, we love going on outdoor hiking trips to unplug from modern life and clear our minds. This friendship is incredibly important to me for several reasons. Firstly, because we grew up together, Mark understands my background and personal values better than almost anyone else. I can always count on him for honest advice, even when it is hard to hear. Secondly, he has been a steady source of support through both high points and difficult periods in my life. Having a trusted friend who knows you inside out gives me a real sense of security and comfort, and I am truly grateful that our bond has remained strong for so many years.
A teaching example, not a script to memorise. Say it in your own words.
Useful phrases
virtually inseparable
My sister and her best friend were virtually inseparable throughout high school.
catch up on each other's lives
We met for dinner to catch up on each other's lives after months apart.
unplug from modern life
Camping in the mountains is a great way to unplug from modern life.
count on him for
I know I can always count on him for help when things go wrong.
knows you inside out
She has been my mentor for so long that she knows my working style inside out.
Common mistakes
I know him since ten years.
I have known him for ten years.
Use present perfect with 'for' to describe a continuous duration up to now.
We met us at primary school.
We met at primary school.
The verb 'meet' does not require a reflexive pronoun in English.
He gives me good advices.
He gives me good advice.
The noun 'advice' is uncountable in English and cannot be made plural.
Tips for a higher band
- Use present perfect and past simple correctly to demonstrate accurate tense control when describing past events and ongoing states.
- Incorporate natural idiomatic phrases like 'inside out' or 'catch up' to boost your lexical resource score.
- Maintain a steady, conversational rhythm without rushing to ensure natural speech flow and clear pronunciation.
Part 3 follow-up questions
After Part 2 the examiner may ask deeper questions on the same theme.
- How do childhood friendships differ from friendships formed in adulthood?
- Is it common for people to keep in touch with old friends as they grow older?
- What qualities are most important for maintaining a long-lasting friendship?
Now try this cue card
1 minute to prepare, up to 2 minutes to speak, then a band estimate and tips for each criterion.
Practice estimate, not an official IELTS score.