MONEY AS A GIFT

IELTS Speaking Part 2 – Instructions

• You will have 1 minute to think and make notes on the topic.

• The examiner will give you paper and a pencil for note-making.

• Then, you must speak continuously for 1–2 minutes on the topic.

• Usually, this is around 10–12 sentences spoken naturally..

Band 7 Answer

One time I received money as a gift was on my 18th birthday. My uncle, who lives in another city, couldn’t attend the party, so he sent me an envelope with a birthday card and some cash inside.

He told me I could use it for anything I wanted — maybe to buy something useful or just enjoy myself. At first, I was a bit surprised because I usually receive things like clothes or books, but I appreciated the flexibility. I ended up buying a smartwatch that I had been wanting for a long time.

I felt happy and thankful, not just for the money, but also because it showed he cared even though he couldn’t be there in person. Receiving money as a gift gave me the freedom to choose something I really liked, which made it even more special.

Band 8 Answer

A memorable time I received money as a gift was after I graduated from high school. My grandparents gave me an envelope with a generous amount of cash as a graduation gift, along with a heartfelt note saying they were proud of me and wanted to support my next chapter in life.

Rather than giving me a specific item, they believed I would make better use of the money based on my needs. I decided to save part of it for university expenses, like books and transportation, and used the rest to buy a new phone, which was something I truly needed at the time.

I felt genuinely grateful, not only because the money was helpful, but also because it showed their trust in me. It made me feel more responsible, as I wanted to spend it wisely and not take their support for granted.

In my opinion, money can be a very thoughtful gift when it’s given with good intentions and when the receiver is mature enough to use it well.