Describe a time when you lent something to someone you know.
This test has appeared in 3 seasons
- Sep–Dec/2023
- May–Aug/2023
- Jan–Apr/2023
Reported by test takers Forecast only
Part 1
The examiner asks about you and two familiar topics. About 4–5 minutes.
Work or study
- Do you work, or are you a student? (Why?)
- Why did you choose that job or that subject? (Tell me more about that.)
- What do you enjoy most about it? (Why?)
- Is there anything you would like to change about it? (Why?)
Rain
- Does it rain much where you live? (Why is that?)
- What do you like to do on rainy days? (Tell me more about that.)
- Did you enjoy playing in the rain when you were a child? (Why is that?)
- Do you prefer rainy days or sunny days? (Why is that?)
Friends
- Do you prefer having a few close friends or lots of friends? (Why is that?)
- What do you usually do with your friends? (Tell me more about that.)
- Are you still in touch with your childhood friends? (Why is that?)
- Do you think it is easy to make new friends as an adult? (Why is that?)
Part 2
One minute to prepare, then speak for one to two minutes.
Describe a time when you lent something to someone you know.
You should say:
- what you lent
- who you lent it to
- why they needed it
and explain how you felt about lending it.
Follow-up question after your talk: Did you get it back in good condition? / Would you lend that thing to the same person again?
Part 3
A broader, more abstract discussion of the Part 2 topic. About 4–5 minutes.
lending things between friends and neighbours
- Can you explain why some people feel uncomfortable lending their belongings?
- In general, what should people do when something they lent is returned damaged?
- What could be done about arguments that start when borrowed things are not returned?
sharing rather than owning
- Can you describe the kinds of things people prefer to borrow instead of buying?
- In general, how common is it for neighbours in your area to share equipment?
- Can you speculate on how services that let people share cars and tools will grow in the future?
Test titles follow test-taker reports and each season's forecasts — IELTS does not publish its papers. "Reported" means someone reported meeting this topic in a dated test. The questions are written by us in the format of the real test.