Part 2 Cue Card
Describe an old friend you had lost contact with and recently reconnected
You should say:
- Who he/she is
- Why you lost contact
- How you got in contact again
- And explain how you felt after getting in contact again
You will have one to two minutes to talk about this topic.
Part 3 Discussion Questions
- Is it better to have a lot of friends than just a few friends?
- Would having just a few friends limit your horizons?
- Do you think you are good at maintaining good relationships with others?
- Why do old friends lose touch with each other?
- Why do people need to make new friends?
- Why do we have to give up some old friends?
See the topic before you speak
Use the images as idea prompts. Describe what you notice, connect it to your experience, then answer the real question.


Model answers, heard side by side
Start with the simpler answer, switch bands to hear how the same task can be developed, then record a personal response. These are teaching examples, not official answers or score guarantees.
Part 2 — Model Answer
Part 2 cue-card response
I recently reconnected with an old friend called Sam. We were at school together and used to play on the same football team. After we left school we lost contact because we went to different towns for work and both got busy with new jobs and family life. I found him by searching on a social media site and sent a short message. He answered and we arranged a quick phone call. After talking I felt happy and a bit surprised; it was nice to hear his voice again and to remember the good times we had.
I reconnected with an old friend called Maria, who used to be my flatmate at university. We shared a room in second year and we got on well; she’s originally from Portugal and loved cooking. After graduation we gradually lost touch because she moved abroad for work and I stayed behind, and our routines changed a lot. We also made new social circles so messaging faded and months became years. Recently I found her on social media when a mutual friend liked one of her photos, and I sent a casual message asking how she was. She replied quickly and we arranged a video call the following week to catch up properly, swapping stories about jobs and family. On the call I felt a mixture of surprise and warmth; it was like time had folded and the old rapport was still there. Reconnecting made me realise how much we’d both changed and yet how certain shared memories stay vivid, and it also prompted me to be more intentional about keeping in touch with others. We even cooked the same recipe during the call, laughing at how we both added too much garlic. We've promised to meet in person next summer when she visits my city.
Part 3 — Model Answers
Is it better to have a lot of friends than just a few friends?
I think it depends. Having a lot of friends is fun for parties and social events, but having just a few close friends gives you deeper support. Some people prefer many acquaintances; others like a small circle. Both ways can be good.
It really depends on what you want from friendships. A larger circle can give you variety, different perspectives and more opportunities, whereas a small number of close friends usually means stronger emotional support and trust. Many people find a balance works best: a handful of close confidants and a wider group they see occasionally.
Would having just a few friends limit your horizons?
Having only a few friends can sometimes limit you because you meet fewer opinions and experiences. But deep friendships can still open your mind if you talk a lot and try new things together. It depends on how open you are.
A small circle could narrow your exposure if everyone shares the same background or interests, but it doesn't have to. Close friends can stretch your horizons if they challenge you and introduce new ideas. If you want variety, you can still seek out new contacts through work, hobbies or travel to broaden your perspective.
Do you think you are good at maintaining good relationships with others?
I try to keep in touch with family and a few friends. I’m usually reliable, but I sometimes forget to message people when I’m busy. I think I’m okay but I could be better at calling more often.
Overall I’d say I’m reasonably good, though not perfect. I make a point of scheduling regular catch-ups, sending quick messages and being reliable when someone needs help. That said, work and family sometimes get in the way, so I’ve started setting reminders and treating friendships as a priority rather than something that happens by chance.
Why do old friends lose touch with each other?
Old friends lose touch for simple reasons: moving away, busy jobs, different families and interests. Sometimes people just drift apart and there is no big argument, it just happens slowly.
There are several common reasons. Major life transitions — moving cities, getting married, changing jobs — alter routines and priorities, so contact can drop off. Also, friendships require effort and as people’s values or interests shift, some relationships naturally fade. Nowadays, technology makes it easier to stay in contact, but it can also create the illusion of connection without real closeness.
Why do people need to make new friends?
People make new friends to have fun, to get support, and because life changes. When you move to a new place you need new people to talk to. New friends can help you settle in.
People form new friendships for many reasons: to expand their social network, to find support at different life stages, or to access new opportunities such as work or hobbies. New friends can also introduce fresh ideas and challenge you intellectually, which is important for personal growth and wellbeing.
Why do we have to give up some old friends?
We sometimes have to give up old friends because we grow apart or their behaviour becomes hurtful. If someone is toxic or dishonest it’s better to move on. It’s sad but necessary sometimes.
Letting go of certain friendships is often a natural part of life. People change and priorities shift, and sometimes relationships become one-sided or even damaging. In such cases stepping back is an important act of self-care. Equally, some friendships simply run their course and it’s healthier to accept that rather than force something that no longer fits.
How to answer Describe an old friend you had lost contact with and recently reconnected IELTS Speaking questions
For the Describe an old friend you had lost contact with and recently reconnected cue card, use the preparation minute to build a route through the talk. Choose a clear subject, add two specific moments or details and end with why it matters. Then use the linked Part 3 questions to practise broader explanation and comparison.
Cue-card prompts:
- Who he/she is
- Why you lost contact
- How you got in contact again
- And explain how you felt after getting in contact again
- Opening: identify the person, place, object or event.
- Development: describe two details or moments in a logical order.
- Extension: explain a reason, result, comparison or problem.
- Reflection: finish with why the subject is memorable or important.
Question-by-question approach
| Practice question | Useful answer move |
|---|---|
| Is it better to have a lot of friends than just a few friends? | Answer directly, give a reason and add one natural personal detail. |
| Would having just a few friends limit your horizons? | Give a direct answer, one reason and a short example without memorising a script. |
| Do you think you are good at maintaining good relationships with others? | State a likely view, explain the reason and add one condition or example. |
| Why do old friends lose touch with each other? | Answer with one main cause, then support it with a concrete example. |
Vocabulary focus
Useful language already demonstrated in the model answers includes use precise words from your own answer. Learn the meaning and a natural word partnership, then use each item in a different answer instead of copying a complete script.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Giving a memorised response that only partly answers the question.
- Adding difficult vocabulary without checking meaning or collocation.
- Restarting after every error instead of correcting briefly and continuing.
- Reading the model answer before recording your own first attempt.
Describe an old friend you had lost contact with and recently reconnected practice FAQ
How should I use the Describe an old friend you had lost contact with and recently reconnected cue card preparation minute?
Write keywords for an opening, two or three details and a final reflection. Do not try to write complete sentences.
Do I have to cover every cue-card bullet?
The prompts help you organise the talk. Covering them is useful, but a coherent one-to-two-minute response matters more than mechanically ticking off each line.
How are Part 3 questions connected to Part 2?
They develop the same broad theme through reasons, comparisons, social effects or future possibilities, so answers normally need more explanation than Part 1.