Describe a Time When You Told Your Friend an Important Truth | IELTS Cue Card | Sep–Dec 2025 | 8 Band Sample
•Who your friend is
•What the truth was
•What was your friend’s reaction
•And explain why you think it was important to tell your friend the truth
Vocab/Idioms
1. Strong as steel → very powerful or tough.
2. Thick and thin → good and bad times.
3. Not up to the mark → below standard.
4. Sugar-coated lies → lies told in a sweet way to avoid hurting someone.
5. Sigh of relief → feeling relaxed after stress or worry ends.
6. Works like a charm → very effective
Well, to begin with, I strongly believe that honesty is the backbone of every relationship, and a true friend is someone who dares to speak the truth even if it sounds bitter.
If I talk about whom I told an important truth, it was my bosom friend Raj. We have known each other since our school days, and our bond is as strong as steel . Frankly speaking, he is pure gold by heart and is always ready to lend a helping hand and stand by me through thick and thin.
Now, when it comes to the truth, I still remember that during college days, he was preparing for a singing competition. To be very honest , his performance was not up to the mark. Instead of praising him falsely, I told him that he needed to practice more and improve his pitch. I knew it might hurt him, but it was necessary.
At first, he was a bit upset because nobody likes to hear criticism. However, after a while, he realized that I was speaking for his own good. He worked hard, polished his skills, and in the end, he performed wonderfully on stage. Later, he even thanked me for my honest opinion.
The key reason why it was crucial is because true friendship is built on trust, not on sugar-coated lies. If I had hidden the truth, he might not have improved. Honestly, telling him the reality gave me a sigh of relief, and it also strengthened our bond
All in all, I can say that being truthful may sometimes feel difficult, but in the long run, it works like a charm and helps to nurture a healthy relationship.
Follow-ups
1. Do you think we should tell the truth at all times?
To be honest, I don’t think it is possible to speak the truth in every situation. Sometimes a white lie can save someone’s feelings. For example, if a friend cooks food that doesn’t taste good, it’s better to appreciate their effort rather than hurt them.
2. How do you know when others are telling lies?
Frankly speaking, I can often judge from people’s eyes or facial expressions. They may avoid direct eye contact or look nervous. For instance, when my classmate lied about completing homework, his shaky voice made it obvious.
3. Sometimes people should tell lies. Do you agree?
Honestly, I believe that telling lies is sometimes necessary for maintaining peace and harmony. For example, if a doctor hides the seriousness of an illness to keep the patient hopeful, it can actually benefit their recovery. So, lies are acceptable when they serve a good purpose.
4. Do you think it’s more important to win a game or follow the rules in sports?
In my view, following rules is far more important than winning. Rules maintain fairness and true sportsmanship. For instance, famous players like Sachin Tendulkar are respected not only for winning but also for their honesty on the field.