Describe a Time When You Told Your Friend an Important Truth : IELTS Cue Card

One segment of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) includes cue card speaking on a given topic. Candidates must frame their answers concisely to address every part of the question. In this particular blog, we will discuss 'Describe a Time When You Told Your Friend an Important Truth'

Your answer must touch on the following aspects:

• Explain who your friend is
• Deliberate on what the 'truth' is
• Elaborate on how your friend reacted to the truth
• Conclude the answer with your reasoning of why it was crucial to admit the truth to your friend

Describe an incident where you told your friend a vital truth: Question 1 

The concept of truth and honesty albeit seems easy in theory. Yet sometimes, when it's time to speak the truth and be transparent, it can demand great courage. It's the fear of not knowing what reaction you might receive when you say what you know is true. Worse, not knowing what repercussions you may have to deal with makes being honest challenging. 

Recently, life put me in a position where lying felt more effortless, yet, I could not. 

Lying to my best friend is not something that would have allowed me to have a sound sleep. She and I have been a close part of each other's lives since we were toddlers. I owe my honesty to her at every step of the way. 

Ever since we were young, we had done everything together – from going to the same school to having the same group of friends. While I had initially told her that I would continue my higher education alongside her, the reality was slightly different. 

She desired to apply to the universities in town because she did not want to move away from home. On the other hand, I was keen on leading my higher education abroad. I had been applying to prime universities in both the UK and the US, yet I hadn't told her so.

But it was the moment of truth, now. I couldn't lead her on, allowing her to make plans of studying together, going to fests, and hustling for exams together. It would have made her incredibly sad later.

Thankfully, when I told her what I truly wanted, she understood and supported me. Sometimes, the repercussions of being honest are not as dire as one would think!

Tentative Band Score: 5

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Describe a Time When You Told Your Friend an Important Truth: Question 2

Is hiding the truth from your friend okay?

Friendships are reliant on the basic tenets of trust and honesty. If two people keep their true feelings at bay, they are unlikely to forge any meaningful bond. Most surface-level relationships may survive on hidden truths and casual lying, not lifelong friendships. 

Lies and deceit at any time, in any relationship, may cause destruction. One aspect of lying also includes hiding the truth, which is not better than blatantly lying.

This reminds me of an incident that occurred last month. 

One of my close friends from college and I had met for dinner and drinks on a Saturday night. That night we reminisced about our past, about the time we studied in college, celebrated our wins, and nursed our losses together. She also talked about a boy she was friends with back in the time and continued to be close with.

At this point, I felt it was vital for her to know the complete truth about him. So, I told her how I had heard him badmouthing about her to his other friends several times in the past. I also admitted to her that being a quiet and shy person deterred me from ever confronting him about what he had been saying.

She felt hurt, considering she had no idea about any of this. Eventually, she was grateful I told her the truth. After all, who would want to be friends with someone who was always so disrespectful behind their back?

In the end, my one moment of utmost truthfulness allowed her to see the reality about someone she deemed close. Everyone needs to be completely aware of the kind of people they're surrounded with, and I was glad that I could open up to her about what I knew!

Tentative Band Score: 5.5

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