Part 2 cue card · Objects
Describe something you borrowed from someone
Talk about an item you borrowed and what happened.
Describe something you borrowed from someone
You should say:
- what you borrowed
- who you borrowed it from
- why you needed it
and explain how you felt about borrowing it.
You have one minute to prepare. Then speak for one to two minutes.
Tips for this card
- Explain the situation that created the need.
- Describe any worry or responsibility you felt.
- Say how and when you returned it.
Show a sample answer (try your own first)
Something I borrowed recently was a laptop from my best friend Rafi, about three months ago. My own laptop suddenly stopped working just two weeks before my university application deadline, and the repair shop said it would take at least ten days to fix because they had to order a part. I was really panicking, because I still had to finish my personal statement, fill in online forms and upload scanned documents. When I mentioned it to Rafi, he offered me his laptop straight away, even though he was using it for his own online course. He said he could manage with his phone and the family desktop for a while. To be honest, I felt quite nervous using it. It was much newer and more expensive than mine, so I kept it in its bag whenever I wasn't using it and never ate or drank near it. I also made sure I didn't change any of his settings. I gave it back after nine days, along with a box of sweets from his favourite shop as a thank you. The experience made me realise what a generous friend he is, and I've promised myself I'll do the same for him whenever he needs help.
Part 3 — discussion questions
- Why do some people dislike lending things?
- Are libraries still important now that we have the internet?
- Could sharing items instead of buying them help the environment?
- What should happen if you damage something you borrowed?