Describe a time when you Received Money as a Gift IELTS Cue Card
IELTS CUE CARD TOPIC
Describe a time when you Received Money as a Gift
You should say:
- When it happened?
- Who gave you the money
- Why he/she gave you the money
- And explain how he used the money
NOTE – The examiner gives you one minute to plan your answer, and to help you prepare for the topic, the examiner provides you with a pencil and a notepad. You’ll have to answer the questions given on the topic for one-to-two minutes
Sample Answer 1
Introduction
It is a gospel truth that gifts play a vital role in our lives. We thrive primarily on them to make our near and dear ones feel special.
Although I have received many presents in my life, I received money as a gift on one occasion.
When did you receive it?
It was the year 2020; the coronavirus was spreading its wings rapidly. Due to that, the administration had no option but to impose a stringent lockdown.
I had my birthday during the lockdown, and since the market was closed, my mother gave me money as a gift because all gift shops were closed during that time.
How did you feel about it?
Initially, I felt upset because my mom planned to gift me the latest iPhone.However, it was not her fault, and I had the money in my hand through which I thought I would buy the best phone post-lockdown.
What did you do with it?
I tried my best to use the gift money prudently. After researching internet various investment options, I invested in a mutual fund.
Due to the corona pandemic, the stock market was down; however, post-lockdown, the stock market experienced a massive surge. The investment I made grew double in six months.
And I purchased the latest iPhone along with the Macbook.
So receiving money as a gift worked like a charm for me. That experience taught me that we need not feel upset when something terrible happens to us because we do not know what lies in the future, and our bad experiences can turn out to be good ones in the long run.
Vocabulary from Sample Answer 1
1. Gospel truth
Meaning: A completely true statement
Sentence: It is a gospel truth a sedentary lifestyle could lead to disastrous repercussions on our physical and mental health. Hence, it is vital to remain active for a worthwhile life.
2. Vital
Meaning: Very important
Sentence: In the modern era internet is a vital resource and our lives pivot around it. It helps us connect freely and easily with no geographical barriers.
3. Stringent
Meaning: Very strict
Sentence: The higher authorities need to adopt stringent yardsticks to undo the environmental damage, otherwise it could lead to disastrous aftermaths not only for the current generation but also for the posterity.
4. Work like a charm
Meaning: Be entirely successful or efficient
Sentence: Last month I repaired my old bicycle. After the necessary servicing, it is working like a charm.
Sample Answer 2
Introduction
A gift in any form always generates a smile whenever we get it. Furthermore, it depicts our significance in other’s life. These days a large variety of gifts is available to give on various occasions, to shower blessings and affection. I have had the fortune of receiving many presents on numerous occasions.
When did you receive it?
My elder brother surprised me on my last birthday by giving me money.
As he was in a dilemma regarding my preference for a present, he decided to give me some money so that I could buy anything of my choice.
What did you do with it?
His initiative made my birthday special when he gave me a packet with cash inside. To my surprise, the money was enough to buy the latest laptop. I was on cloud nine because I badly needed a laptop to start my new project. The next day, I went to the market with my father and bought a brand new Apple Macbook.
How did you feel about it?
The level of my excitement was sky-high. After purchasing the laptop, I clicked a selfie and posted it on Instagram to share my joy and happiness with my near and dear ones.
I gave a wristwatch to my brother as a return gift. This gift brought a paradigm shift in my life because my old one was in dire straits due to wear and tear.
In the end, I think giving money as a gift is prudent because sometimes buying the right present for someone turns out daunting.
Simple Answer 3
Introduction.
There is no denying this conviction that we thrive primarily on gifts to foster our relationships with others. People share their joys by exchanging valuable presents on special occasions. Gifts such as soft toys and boxes of chocolates appeal the most to children.
On the other hand, young people prefer electronic gadgets, so they usually exchange technological devices as gifts. A small section of society gives books and handicrafts as gifts. It’s all about expressing our affection to our near and dear ones. In some families in India, giving money is a tradition that has been running for ages.
Although I have received numerous presents in life, once I received money as a gift.
When did you receive it?
I was about to join the college and was on cloud nine due to excitement. I badly needed a two-wheeler for further studies. Just before joining the college, my grandfather came to our home, and we all family members had a gala time together.
When I told my grandfather that I had to buy a new scooter to study effectively, he immediately gave me cash. The amount he gave was not enough to buy a new scooter,
What did you do with it?
My target was to buy a new scooter as soon as possible my mother gave me the balance amount to buy the two-wheeler of my choice.
.I researched the internet and read reviews of various scooters. Moreover, I discussed my plan with my friend Andrew and based on his suggestion; I bought a Honda Activa.
How did you feel about it?
The overall experience was satisfying. My grandfather and my mother solved my pressing problem by giving me sufficient money to buy a new scooter which helped me to save quality time and energy.
Sample 4
I remember receiving money as a gift on my 14th birthday. It was a special day for me as I had eagerly anticipated the milestone for many years. As in the 14 years, we shift from the 8th to 9th class at the age of 14, and it is a significant time.
My family members greeted me with a surprise birthday cake and gifts. One of the gifts was an envelope with cash inside, which my parents had given me as a gift. At first, I was a little surprised to receive money as a gift as I had been expecting more traditional gifts like clothing, accessories, or electronics.
However, as soon as I saw the amount inside the envelope, I was thrilled. It was a sustainable sum, and I immediately began to think about all the things I could do with it. I spent some time thinking about how to use the money in the most effective way possible.
After some thought, I decided to use the money to purchase a new laptop. As a student, I knew that having a reliable laptop was crucial for my future and would also help me. Also, my old laptop was starting to show signs of wear and tear.
With the money from my birthday gift, I could buy a new laptop that met all my needs and exceeded my expectations. I felt incredibly grateful and fortunate to have received such a generous gift from my parents. It allowed me to purchase a new laptop and taught me the value of money and the importance of making wise financial decisions.
It was a reminder that even small gifts could significantly impact our lives, and I feel very grateful to have such a supportive and loving family. Overall, receiving money as a gift was a very good experience, and it was also shocking, as I hadn’t received it before. It was a gift that I will cherish and remember all my life.
Follow up Questions
Here are some examples of follow-up questions that the examiner might ask during your speaking part 3 related to the cue card “Describe a time when you Received Money as a Gift”.
1. Is it important for children to have the right attitude towards money?
Yes, children must possess the right attitude towards money and its transactions. Children should understand the significance of money, and its effective utilization must start in the budding years. This habit helps in their career when they commence working and earning.
2. What do you think of the saying; love of money is the root of all evil?
The saying love of money is the root of all evil depicts a gospel truth. Love or obsession with money is the primary reason for resentment. It also invites numerous pressing problems in a person’s life, such as insecurity, lack of trust in others, unsatisfied family life, selfish attitude, etc.
3. Is it important to teach children how to manage their pocket money?
Yes, it is highly significant to educate children to effectively utilize their pocket money so that in their adulthood, they understand the significance of money, do not squander it and are skillful at taking care of monetary assets in the future.
4. What kind of occasions require people to send money as gifts?
Occasions such as birthday parties, wedding celebrations, congratulating someone on a baby’s birth, and a few other such instances require people to give money as gifts.
5. In your country, do parents give children money for housework?
In my nation, India, it is not a routine practice for parents to offer money to their children for house chores. Only a small proportion of parents do this to motivate their children, and it is mostly termed as the children’s bounded duty to provide unabated support with household pursuits. However, children get pocket money to buy the eatables of their choice.
6.What kinds of occasions require people to send money as gifts?
Occasions like festivals make people give money as a gift. For example, in India, on Diwali, we exchange money with each other as a gift because if we buy a gift, the other person will like it or not, so people prefer to give money so that they can buy anything. On any person’s birthday, they can give money as a gift so that he can buy a gift, which is the person’s choice.
7.Why do people rarely use cash these days?
These days, people rarely use cash because the system and technology have given us many advantages in using online or UPI payments. So, people now prefer to use their online or Patreon rather than their wallet.
8.When do children begin to comprehend the value of money?
When children are small, they do not comprehend the value of money, but when they grow up as teenagers or experience family issues, they know the value of money and prefer to save money.
9.Is it reasonable and necessary to teach children to save money?
Yes, it is good to teach children about the value of money because if they do not know its exact value, they will waste it on not-very-good things. Parents and teachers should teach students the precise value of money, and they should use it wisely.
10.Should parents reward children with money?
Parents should reward children with money, but only a little money. A very small amount of money is enough for them to buy some snacks, eat, enjoy themselves, and get a reward. However, if parents give too much money to their children, they will just spoil them.
11.What are the advantages and disadvantages of using credit cards?
The advantages of credit cards are that we can buy anything if we have no money in our wallet, go shopping, and buy whatever we want. However, if the bill is too high and it also pays interest on our money, a credit card can be a disadvantage if we cannot pay the bill.
12.Is it good that more people are using digital payments?
Yes, it is good that people are using digital payments nowadays because cash is challenging to manage, or someone can damage it. Online payments are advantageous to people nowadays because people can scan the code and pay through their phones. Sometimes, they also do not have the money they want, as if it were huge, so they can only transfer it through the phone.