Cue Card

Describe a handmade present you received

You should say:

• What it was
• What it was like
• When you received it
• Who gave it to you
• And how you felt about the present

Sample Part 3 Questions

1. Do you like handmade presents or presents bought from a shop?
2. Who do you think would be better at making gifts, boys or girls?
3. Is it popular to give handmade presents to others in your country?
4. Do you think expensive gifts are always more valuable than cheap ones?

Sample Cue Card Answer

I'm holding a small, intricately carved wooden box in my hand, and every time I open it, I'm taken back to my grandmother's workshop. She made this box for me when I was a teenager, and it's a masterpiece of precision and love. The lid is adorned with a delicate pattern of interlocking flowers, each one carefully carved into the wood. It's a beautiful example of her patience and skill.

What I love most about this box is the story behind it. My grandmother was a talented woodworker, and she spent hours in her workshop, creating beautiful pieces of furniture and decorative items. She made this box specifically for me, using a piece of wood she had been saving for years. Every time I look at it, I'm reminded of her love and dedication.

The box itself is small, but it's incredibly detailed. The wood is smooth to the touch, and the lid opens with a satisfying click. It's the perfect size for storing small treasures, like jewelry or keepsakes. But for me, it's so much more than just a box. It's a connection to my grandmother, and a reminder of the love and care she put into every piece she created.

As I look at the box, I'm struck by the imperfections. The wood is not perfectly smooth, and the carvings are not uniform. But that's what makes it so beautiful. It's a handmade piece, created with love and care, rather than mass-produced in a factory. It's a reminder that imperfections are what make something truly special.

I've had this box for years, and it's been with me through all sorts of ups and downs. It's a constant reminder of my grandmother's love, and the importance of taking the time to create something truly special. In a world of mass-produced, disposable items, this box is a breath of fresh air. It's a testament to the power of handmade craftsmanship, and the love that goes into every stitch, every carve, and every detail.

Cue Card Answer Key Phrases and Idioms

a labor of love

something that is made with great care and attention to detail, often over a long period of time

The handmade box was a labor of love, taking my grandmother weeks to complete.

a connection to

a feeling of being linked or associated with something or someone

The box is a connection to my grandmother, reminding me of her love and dedication.

imperfections are what make something special

the idea that small flaws or imperfections can make something more unique and valuable

The imperfections in the box are what make it truly special, a reminder that handmade is often better than mass-produced.

Sample Part 3 Answers

Do you like handmade presents or presents bought from a shop? I have to say, I'm a big fan of handmade presents. There's just something special about receiving a gift that someone has taken the time to create with their own hands. I think it's because handmade presents often have a personal touch that you just can't replicate with a store-bought gift. For example, I once received a handmade photo album from my best friend, and it was filled with pictures of all the amazing memories we'd shared together. The fact that she had taken the time to carefully select each photo and arrange them in a beautiful album made the gift feel so much more meaningful. Plus, handmade presents often have a unique character that you just can't find in a store.

Who do you think would be better at making gifts, boys or girls? I don't think it's necessarily about who's better at making gifts, boys or girls. I think it really depends on the individual person and their interests and skills. That being said, I do think that girls are often encouraged to explore their creative side from a young age, whether it's through arts and crafts or sewing and baking. As a result, many girls develop a strong foundation in skills that are really useful for making gifts, like attention to detail and creativity. But at the same time, I've seen plenty of guys who are incredibly talented at making gifts, whether it's woodworking or cooking. Ultimately, I think the most important thing is that the person making the gift is putting thought and effort into it, regardless of whether they're a boy or a girl.

Is it popular to give handmade presents to others in your country? In the US, I think handmade presents are definitely becoming more popular, especially among younger people. There's a growing movement towards supporting local artisans and makers, and people are starting to appreciate the value of unique, handmade items. Plus, with the rise of social media, it's easier than ever to share ideas and inspiration for handmade gifts, which has helped to fuel the trend. That being said, I think store-bought gifts are still the norm for many people, especially during holidays like Christmas or birthdays. But I've noticed that more and more people are starting to opt for handmade gifts, whether it's a knitted scarf or a painting, and I think that's a really positive trend.

Do you think expensive gifts are always more valuable than cheap ones? I don't think that expensive gifts are always more valuable than cheap ones. In fact, I think that the value of a gift often has very little to do with its price tag. What really matters is the thought and effort that goes into the gift, as well as the relationship between the giver and the receiver. For example, I once received a beautiful handmade coupon book from my little sister, filled with promises to do things like cook me dinner or walk my dog. It was essentially worthless in monetary terms, but it was one of the most valuable gifts I've ever received because it showed that my sister was thinking of me and willing to put in the effort to create something special just for me. On the other hand, I've received expensive gifts in the past that have felt completely impersonal and lacking in thought, and those gifts have ended up meaning very little to me.

Part 3 Key Phrases and Idioms

personal touch

a unique or special quality that makes something more meaningful or appealing

I think it's because handmade presents often have a personal touch that you just can't replicate with a store-bought gift.

replicate

to copy or reproduce something exactly

I think it's because handmade presents often have a personal touch that you just can't replicate with a store-bought gift.

attention to detail

the ability to notice and pay attention to small details

girls are often encouraged to explore their creative side from a young age... which helps them develop a strong foundation in skills that are really useful for making gifts, like attention to detail and creativity.

fuel the trend

to give energy or momentum to a particular idea or movement

with the rise of social media, it's easier than ever to share ideas and inspiration for handmade gifts, which has helped to fuel the trend.

opt for

to choose or select something, often as a preference

I've noticed that more and more people are starting to opt for handmade gifts, whether it's a knitted scarf or a painting.

price tag

the price or cost of something

What really matters is the thought and effort that goes into the gift, as well as the relationship between the giver and the receiver, not the price tag.

essentially worthless

having little or no value

It was essentially worthless in monetary terms, but it was one of the most valuable gifts I've received.