Describe an argument two of your friends had IELTS cue card

IELTS Speaking Part 2: IELTS Cue Card

Describe an argument two of your friends had.

You should say
When it happened?
What it was about?
How it was solved?
How you felt about it?

Note: You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you are going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.

Model Answers and follow up questions to describe an argument two of your friends had IELTS cue card:

Model answer 1:

Introduction:
Well, it is not uncommon to see people arguing when their idea’s and beliefs do not match. It results in debate even on very minor issues.

When it happened?
Let me share one such incident when my friends got into a heated argument that took place when we working on a group assignment.

What it was about?
Actually, when I was in grade 10th and as a part of the film, the assessment we had to work on a group project.

We four friends had to work on a science topic of our choice and complete it in one week time. We had to make a working model to demonstrate write an analytical report and also give a presentation on the given date. Since the work was too much rather than managing and distributing equally two members of our team started arguing with each other.

They were not willing to accept each other’s idea of the choice of topic for the assignment. Both were thinking they are right the other one is wrong. In fact, they started accusing and blaming each other for being part of the same team. Soon the verbal fight turned into a real fight and at this point my other friend and I intervened.

How it was solved?
We stopped them and requested to stop this nonsense as if we are not going to work together we could never complete the work in time. In fact, we rejected the ideas of both of them as they were extremely time-consuming. We sat in the canteen arm ordered cold drinks.

How you felt about it?
Once my friends calmed down we requested them to feel sorry for each other and start focusing on work. Though it did not easily convince them but finally they agreed and we all were happy now.

Conclusion:
Overall, it was the time when my friends got into a fierce argument.

Model Answer 2:

Introduction:

• Arguments have become an essential part of our life because they help us to clarify our thoughts.
• Arguments change people’s points of view or persuade people to a particular action or behaviour.

When it happened?

• Today I would like to talk about the time when my two friends argued with each other.
• It happened about three to four years ago during twelfth class.
• I was a student of the science stream.
• Every day, our chemistry teacher did the new experiment, and she explained it to us step by step.

What it was about?

• Two of my friends were very fond of experiments. They were always trying to do experiments in different ways.
• They used to watch different videos for the same experiments.
• One day, our teacher decided to do a competition between them.
• She told them to make soap in a minimum time.
• The teacher thought they use the same method that she taught to them, but they selected different methods that they watched on the internet.
• Firstly, they explained their process to the teacher. Both methods were accurate, but they started arguing with each other for their ways because they thought their soap making process was better but was taking less time from one another.
• They did an argument with each other for fifteen minutes.

How it was solved?

• The teacher strictly warned them to stopped making arguments, focus on their work and gave proof that their idea is better than each other.
• Approximately after one hour, both completed their process.
• The teacher examined their result and declared both were winner because they made soap.

How you felt about it?

• I was afraid that this argument might affect their friendship, but I felt happy when the teacher declared both of them the winner.

Conclusion:

• Then they realized that they did the argument for wrong things because one thing could be made through different methods, so without seeing any result, we could not declare that my idea is better than another.

Model Answer 3:

Introduction:

• Arguments are a very common part of life.
• But I think most arguments can still be avoided.

When it happened?

• Recently, India faced the second coronavirus wave.
• As the numbers were rising, my friends and I were discussing whether a lockdown should be imposed.

What it was about?

• One of my friends, Ravi believed that a stringent lockdown was the only solution to bring down the cases.
• He was very adamant that lockdown should be imposed without any delay.
• However, one of my other friends, Vishal believed that lockdowns don’t help.
• He said that lockdowns lead to huge loss to the economy and under no circumstances
• governments should go for a lockdown or a curfew.
• At first, it started out in a very calm manner.
• We were all discussing the issue, but eventually only they were the ones talking and we just sat there listening.
• They both started with facts and counters.
• As the argument continued, both of their voices went up.
• We told them to calm down, but at this point, they were so engrossed that they didn’t listen.
• Eventually, they came down to personal attacks rather than talking about the need for a lockdown.

How it was solved?

• Actually later we came to know that Ravi had lost his uncle due to coronavirus and he
• sincerely believed that he could have been saved if the government had announced a lockdown.
• Vishal was adamant because his family had suffered huge losses in the last lockdown.
• They had been both affected by the issue personally and that’s why they were so emotional about it.
• In the end, we told them that their discussion would not have any impact on the matter
• so it was a moot point arguing about it.

How you felt about it?

• But, on that day, I also thought that it would be a very difficult decision for the government to take.

Conclusion:

• The real end to the argument when the cases rose sharply and eventually the government was forced to impose a lockdown.

IELTS Speaking Part 3 : Follow up Questions

Here some examples of follow up questions that you may asked during your speaking part 3 by examiner related to cue card “describe an argument two of your friends had”.

1. Do you think arguments are important?
Arguments have become an essential part of our life because they help us to clarify our thoughts. Arguments change people’s points of view or persuade people to a particular action or behaviour.
OR
Yes, arguments are definitely important because they make us know about the other side of
the issues. Arguments happen when we are adamant about something but at the same time,
we fail to understand the other side. When we argue we learn about what others think.

2. What do family members generally argue about?
Families often argue about topics related to major and even minor events. Such as selecting a holiday destination. sibling argues for their clothes and other accessories. Older adults are mostly arguing for politician parties, mean which is good.
OR
I think arguments happened over small issues like what should be made for dinner or what
movie should be watched to big issues like how children should be raised, how should money
be spent, marriage decisions, and so on. In case, there is a family business there may also be
arguments on how the business should be run. In the end, family members can argue over
anything and everything.

3. Is it easier for you to have arguments with your friends or your family members?
A parent’s job is to look out for you and keep you safe. Remember that they don’t want to make things difficult for you. but they want to make sure that you understand their perspective. So it hard to argue with parents because they have much experience and do not continue the argument with them for a long time. On the other hand. arguments with friends are easy because we are a similar age group. and most have a similar thinking level.
OR
I think it’s easier for me to have arguments with friends because after having the argument I
get the time and space to think about the issue. So, after thinking about it I generally
apologise if I think I am wrong or I just apologise for arguing even if I feel I am right. This ends
the issue. On the other hand, with family, I don’t get the space. So, sometimes the arguments
continue for days.

4. Do you think people should change the way they think when they have arguments?
Arguments means — where tension starts to rise. responses start to get personal. and you go around in circles without getting anywhere. I think people should change the way they feel when they have arguments. People should listen to another person properly before putting his/her points in front of him/her. People should speak in a very decent way so that they do not cross their limits and reach a particular conclusion.
OR
I think arguments happen because of two main reasons. Firstly, people are unable to control
their emotions and they say things they wouldn’t normally. Secondly, they happen because
people have very strong opinions about something. So, I think instead of proving oneself right,
people should definitely try to listen to other’s point of view in arguments.

5. If two people argue, do you think a third person should be involved in the settlement?
I think the third person should not interfere in two person’s discussion. He should be involved only when the situation goes out of control or when someone requests a third person to help him/her.
OR
Yes, I think a third person can bring in the much needed objectivity because the people
involved in the argument become emotional about the issue. Sometimes a third person’s
involvement can bring a quick resolution, otherwise arguments can go on for days.

6. Why do you think people are stubborn and unwilling to change?
stubbornness means having or showing dogged/ purposeful determination not to change one’s attitude on something. especially in spite of good/ strong arguments or reasons to do so. Sometimes a person may be stubborn because they know that stubbornness helps them get what they want. Such kind people have a resolute adherence to their own ideas and opinions. Also. they have a strong resistance to change. especially when others want to change them.
OR
I think people are egoistic and they feel that they will lose if they listen to the other person.
Moreover, they come to believe or practice something because of their past experiences and
that’s why they are emotionally involved with the issue.

7. Do you think you are stubborn?
The word stubborn is not written in my dictionary. but I think One should be a little bit stubborn. Otherwise. they may lose many things which will never come back. I change myself according to the situation.
OR
Yes, I think it’s one of my big drawbacks. I have very strong opinions about certain things and
that’s why I am stubborn. However, I am trying to change this part about me and listen more
to others.

8. Will you be willing to change?
well. I change from time to time because it is good for us to keep updated. According to the situation and proper evidence. I change my perspective. and I accept my mistake if I am wrong.
OR
Yes, as I said before I am trying to change but it is harder done than said. It would take time
but it is definitely possible.

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Credits :

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