A couple of years ago, when I graduated from university, my grandmother surprised me with a rather generous monetary gift. She has always been incredibly practical, and rather than buying me a physical trinket that might gather dust on a shelf, she handed me a crisp envelope containing a significant sum of money. She told me it was a contribution towards my transition into the adult world, which I found remarkably thoughtful. At the time, I was juggling the stresses of job hunting and trying to furnish my first rented flat, so the timing could not have been better. I spent a portion of the funds on a high-quality, ergonomic office chair. It was something I had been eyeing for months because my back was suffering from long hours at my makeshift desk. With the remaining cash, I stocked up on some decent kitchenware and a few essentials that made my new living space feel like a proper home. Receiving this gift gave me a profound sense of relief rather than just simple excitement. It took the financial edge off that daunting period of early adulthood, allowing me to focus entirely on my career prospects instead of stressing over household overheads. Beyond the monetary value, it served as a genuine vote of confidence from my grandmother. Knowing that she trusted me to manage the money wisely made me feel capable and mature, reinforcing our bond in a way that a generic store-bought present never could have achieved.
The cue card
Describe a gift of money you received
You should say:
- →Who gave it to you
- →When you received it
- →What you bought with it
- →And explain how you felt about receiving it
One minute to prepare, then speak for one to two minutes.
An object
How to answer this cue card: a one-minute plan
- 1
Note the giver and the specific occasion to ground your story in reality immediately.
- 2
List two distinct items purchased to show how you prioritised your spending effectively.
- 3
Focus your final minute on the emotional impact to ensure a sophisticated ending.
Model answer
Band 8 sample answer
Say it out loud and get a band
Record this card with the AI examiner: one minute of prep, two minutes to speak, then a band for fluency, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation with the words that cost you.
Say it and get a band free →8 words
Useful vocabulary for this cue card
trinket
a small ornament or item of little value
ergonomic
designed for efficiency and comfort in working
makeshift
serving as a temporary substitute for something else
overheads
the regular expenses of operating a living space
daunting
seeming difficult to deal with in prospect
generous
showing a readiness to give more than expected
transition
the process of changing from one state elsewhere
prospects
the possibility or likelihood of some future event
5 questions
Part 3 follow-up questions
- 1What role does society play in shaping our attitudes towards this?
- 2Has the way people view this changed over the years?
- 3How do you think it will develop in the future?
- 4What are the benefits and drawbacks?
- 5Do you think the government should be involved in regulating this area?
Answer each in three to five sentences: position, reason, example, limit. See how to answer IELTS Speaking Part 3.
Frequently asked questions
How should I start the cue card "Describe a gift of money you received"?+
Note the giver and the specific occasion to ground your story in reality immediately.
How long should I speak on an IELTS cue card?+
You get one minute to prepare, then speak for the full two minutes, about 220 to 280 words at a natural pace. The examiner will stop you at two minutes, which is a good sign, not a problem.
How is the cue card scored?+
Part 2 is not scored on its own. Your whole Speaking test gets one band from four criteria: fluency and coherence, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation. The cue card is where the examiner hears whether you can keep going for two minutes.
Can I use this sample answer in the exam?+
Use its structure and vocabulary, not its sentences. Examiners recognise memorised answers and mark fluency down; a shorter answer from your own memory scores higher than a recited one.
Keep practising
More cue cards: an object
- Describe a beanbag chair in your bedroom
- Describe a bedside table you use in your bedroom
- Describe a board game you enjoy playing
- Describe a colourful beach towel you own
- Describe a colourful tie or scarf you wear
- Describe a comfortable armchair or sofa you like
- All 705 IELTS cue cards 2026
- IELTS speaking practice with AI scoring
- IELTS Speaking Part 3 questions and answers
- IELTS Speaking Part 1 questions
- IELTS speaking predictions
- IELTS pronunciation practice
- Get the BandLadder app
© 2026 BandLadder. Written and checked by the BandLadder team. You may quote or cite this page with credit to BandLadder and a link to it; republishing it in full needs our written permission. Content use policy