# Describe a close friend: IELTS Speaking sample answers

Speaking Part 2 - People

Describe a close friend.

You should say:
- who this friend is
- how long you have known each other
- what you usually do together
- and explain why you are close to this person

Source: Sample answers and examiner notes are written by Testmigo.

## Band 7 sample

I'd like to talk about my friend Sofia. She's a colleague, or actually she was a colleague, because she changed jobs last year, but we've stayed really close. We've known each other for about five years now. We met on my first day at my old company, when she was the person who had to train me, and I remember she was very patient even though I asked a lot of stupid questions.

At first we only had lunch together, but then we found out we both like hiking, so we started going to the mountains at the weekends. Now that's our main thing. About once a month we choose a new trail, take the early bus out of the city and spend the whole day walking and talking. Apart from that, we cook dinner at each other's flats quite often, and we also went on holiday together to the seaside last summer, which was great fun.

Why are we so close? I think the main reason is that we have been through some difficult times together. For example, two years ago I lost my job when the company had problems, and I was really worried about money. Sofia helped me to update my CV, she sent me job adverts every day, and she even made interview practice with me. I don't think I would get my current job without her help. And it's not one-sided, because when her father was ill, I tried to support her as much as I could.

Also, we're quite similar in personality. We're both quite organised and a bit shy at first, so we just understand each other without explaining too much.

**Examiner notes.** This Band 7 answer gives a full picture of the friendship with a strong supporting example about losing a job, which makes the explanation convincing. Phrases like "our main thing", "been through some difficult times" and "one-sided" are used naturally. There is a conditional error in "I don't think I would get my current job without her help" (rather than "would have got"), a collocation error in "made interview practice with me" (rather than "practised interviews"), and "quite" is repeated three times. For Band 8, the speaker would show more precise, idiomatic vocabulary and more accurate control of complex grammar.

The Band 8 sample is free with an account on the [topic page](https://testmigo.com/ielts/speaking/topics/describe-a-close-friend).

## Common questions

### How long should an IELTS Speaking Part 2 answer be?

You get one minute to prepare and then speak for up to two minutes; the examiner stops you at two. Aim to keep talking for the full time, which is usually 220 to 300 words.

### Can I use these sample answers in my test?

No. Examiners are trained to spot memorised answers, and a learned script is marked down. Use the samples to see what each band does, then answer in your own words.