📖 Key Vocabulary — Pre-teach Before Class
Introduce or review these words with students before starting the lesson so they can use them during speaking practice.
1to hit it offto like someone immediately after meeting them
2to have a lot in commonto share similar interests or experiences with someone
3a close-knit groupa small group of people with strong, supportive bonds
4to keep in touchto continue communicating with someone regularly
5to drift apartto gradually become less close to someone over time
6to fall out with someoneto have a disagreement that damages a friendship
7to make upto become friends again after an argument
8to hold a grudgeto stay angry or resentful at someone for a long time
9reliableable to be trusted to do what is expected
10to confide in someoneto tell someone a personal secret or worry
11a shoulder to cry ona person who offers comfort during difficult times
12loyaltyfirm support and faithfulness to a friend
13to let someone downto fail to meet someone's expectations
14an acquaintancea person you know slightly but not closely
15to grow apartto gradually become less similar or close to someone
16superficiallacking depth or genuine sincerity
17to open up to someoneto share private feelings honestly with someone
18mutual respecta shared feeling of admiration between two people
19to patch things upto resolve a conflict and restore a relationship
20a bonda close connection or shared feeling between people
✍️ Vocabulary Practice — Fill in the Blank
Complete each sentence below with the correct word or phrase from the 20 vocabulary words above. Use each word only once.
▼
a bond
a close-knit group
a shoulder to cry on
an acquaintance
loyalty
mutual respect
reliable
superficial
to confide in someone
to drift apart
to fall out with someone
to grow apart
to have a lot in common
to hit it off
to hold a grudge
to keep in touch
to let someone down
to make up
to open up to someone
to patch things up
- She's not exactly a close friend, more like from my old workplace we occasionally message.
- He felt terrible because he didn't want on such an important day for the whole team.
- It's common for childhood friends once they start pursuing different careers and lifestyles.
- During difficult times, it really helps you deeply trust, rather than keeping everything inside.
- True friendship is usually built on trust and rather than convenience or shared interests.
- When her parents divorced, her best friend became throughout the hard times that followed.
- It's rare with someone so quickly, but that's exactly what happened when Lan met her new neighbour.
- Even after moving abroad, she promised with her childhood friends through weekly video calls.
- The students living in the dormitory formed that supported each other throughout their years at university.
- Some online friendships can feel because they lack the emotional depth of face-to-face contact.
- After the argument, they met for coffee before it damaged their friendship any further.
- After a week of silence, the sisters finally decided and forget about the argument.
- Even though they grew up in different countries, the two friends seem , sharing everything from music taste to humour.
- It's healthier to talk things through calmly than against a friend for years.
- Sharing so many experiences together on that trip created that neither of them ever forgot.
- Their long friendship survives mainly because of honesty and between both people.
- A good friend should always be , especially when you need help urgently.
- It's natural for old friends after one of them moves to another city for work.
- It's easy over something as small as forgetting a birthday or missing a phone call.
- It took months before she felt comfortable enough about her family problems.
1.an acquaintance
2.to let someone down
3.to grow apart
4.to confide in someone
5.loyalty
6.a shoulder to cry on
7.to hit it off
8.to keep in touch
9.a close-knit group
10.superficial
11.to patch things up
12.to make up
13.to have a lot in common
14.to hold a grudge
15.a bond
16.mutual respect
17.reliable
18.to drift apart
19.to fall out with someone
20.to open up to someone
🕐 0'–10': Warm-up & Opening Question
Purpose
Help everyone relax, get comfortable speaking, and activate ideas.
Teacher asks👉 "What makes someone a good friend, in your opinion?"
Follow-up questions- Do you have a best friend? What makes them special?
- Is it easy to make new friends as an adult?
➡ Each student answers briefly (about 1 minute); the teacher asks 1–2 short follow-ups to keep it natural.
🗣️ 10'–45': IELTS Speaking – Part 2 Practice
Format: 1 minute preparation · 2 minutes speaking per student. Students choose or are assigned ONE of the topics below:
Topic 1
Describe a close friend you have known for a long time.
You should say:
- How you first met this person
- What you like most about them
- What you usually do together
- And explain why your friendship has lasted so long
Topic 2
Describe a time you had a disagreement with a friend.
You should say:
- What the disagreement was about
- Why you and your friend disagreed
- How the situation was eventually resolved
- And explain how the experience affected your friendship
Topic 3
Describe a person who helped you through a difficult time.
You should say:
- Who this person was
- What the difficult situation was
- What they did to help you
- And explain how their support made you feel
➡ Timing suggestion: 1 minute for preparation, then start speaking.
💬 45'–55': Follow-up Discussion (Part 3 style)
The teacher chooses questions related to the topics above, for example:
Making & Keeping Friends
- Why do some people find it harder to make friends than others?
- How has technology changed the way people make new friends?
- Do you think friendships formed in childhood are stronger than those made as adults?
Online vs In-Person Relationships
- Can online friendships be as meaningful as face-to-face ones?
- What are the risks of relying too much on social media to stay connected with friends?
- Should people make more effort to see friends in person rather than just messaging them?
to keep in touch – to continue communicating with someone regularly
to drift apart – to gradually become less close to someone over time
loyalty – firm support and faithfulness to a friend
a bond – a close connection or shared feeling between people
➡ Students discuss briefly; the teacher adds ideas, vocabulary, and useful structures.
🌟 55'–60': Wrap-up & Closing
- Quick recap of interesting or strong answers.
- One student summarizes what they learned today.
- Thank the teacher for joining.