In the IELTS Speaking test, one of the most common topics you might encounter is to describe a time you made promise to someone. This prompt requires you to reflect on a personal experience where you gave your word and, more importantly, whether you followed through on that commitment. In this comprehensive guide, we provide a Band 9 model answer, a Band 7 alternative, and detailed breakdowns of the vocabulary and grammar needed to excel in this part of the exam.

The Cue Card

Describe a time you made promise to someone. You should say:
• When and where it happened
• Who you made the promise to
• What the promise was
• And explain why it was significant or memorable to you.

Band 9 Sample Answer

To be perfectly honest, I’ve always considered myself a man of my word, but there was one particular instance about three years ago that really tested my resolve. It happened during my younger brother’s final year of high school. We were sitting in our living room back home, and he was feeling incredibly overwhelmed by the sheer volume of university applications and entrance exams he had to tackle. Seeing him so stressed out, I made a solemn promise that if he managed to get into his top-choice university, I would take him on a week-long hiking trip to the Swiss Alps, which had been a dream of his for as long as I can remember. At the time, I was quite caught up in my own career, working long hours at a tech startup, so I didn’t fully realize the logistical nightmare I was setting myself up for. However, fast forward six months, and he received his acceptance letter. I knew then that I couldn’t possibly go back on my word, even though I was swamped with a major project launch at work. I had to pull out all the stops to arrange the time off and organize the itinerary. This promise was incredibly significant because it wasn’t just about a holiday; it was about validating his hard work and showing him that I supported his ambitions. It taught me a lot about the weight of our words and the importance of following through on commitments, especially to family. If I hadn’t kept that promise, I think it would have seriously dented the trust between us, so fulfilling it was immensely rewarding for both of us.

Band 7 Sample Answer

I would like to talk about a time I made a promise to my best friend, Sarah. This happened about a year ago when she was moving to a new apartment. She was very worried because she had a lot of heavy furniture and didn’t have much money to hire professional movers. I promised her that I would spend my entire Saturday helping her move everything and that I would bring my car to help transport the smaller boxes. I remember this promise clearly because on that Saturday, I actually woke up with a bit of a headache and really wanted to stay in bed. However, I knew that Sarah was counting on me, and I didn’t want to let her down. I ended up going anyway, and we spent about eight hours carrying boxes up and down three flights of stairs. It was very tiring, but she was so grateful at the end of the day. This experience was memorable because it showed me how important it is to be a reliable friend. Even though it was a small thing compared to bigger life events, keeping my word made our friendship stronger. I think making promises is easy, but keeping them when you are tired or busy is what really matters.

How the Band 9 Answer Scores Top Marks

Fluency and Coherence

The Band 9 answer flows naturally without any noticeable effort or hesitation. The speaker uses a variety of discourse markers and cohesive devices to link ideas seamlessly. For example, phrases like “To be perfectly honest” and “fast forward six months” help to set the stage and move the narrative along chronologically. The speaker also uses “however” and “even though” to contrast different parts of the story, ensuring the listener can follow the logic of the narrative without confusion. This level of coherence is essential for a high score, as it demonstrates the ability to speak at length without losing the thread of the argument. You can find more strategies for this in our IELTS Speaking Tips.

Lexical Resource

The vocabulary used in the Band 9 answer is both sophisticated and precise. Instead of saying “I always keep my promises,” the speaker uses the idiomatic expression “man of my word.” Other high-level phrases include “tested my resolve,” “solemn promise,” “logistical nightmare,” and “pull out all the stops.” These are not just “big words” for the sake of it; they are used accurately within the context of the story to convey specific nuances of meaning. This demonstrates a wide range of vocabulary and an ability to use idiomatic language naturally, which is a hallmark of a Band 9 performance.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy

The response showcases a high level of grammatical flexibility. The speaker uses complex sentence structures, including conditional sentences (“If I hadn’t kept that promise, I think it would have…”), relative clauses (“which had been a dream of his”), and various verb tenses to indicate different time frames (past continuous, past perfect, and present perfect). The use of the third conditional at the end of the response is particularly impressive, as it shows the speaker can reflect on hypothetical outcomes with accuracy. For more on these structures, take a look at our IELTS English Speaking Course.

Pronunciation

While the text doesn’t show pronunciation, a Band 9 speaker would use intonation and word stress to emphasize key points. For instance, putting emphasis on “solemn” or “nightmare” helps to convey the emotional weight of the story. The pace is steady—neither too fast nor too slow—and the speaker uses natural pauses to allow the examiner to digest the information. Mastering these subtle aspects of speech is key to reaching the highest bands in the General Overview of IELTS Speaking Test.

Vocabulary and Idioms to Use

Grammar Structures That Boost Your Band Score

• Third Conditional for Reflection: “If I hadn’t kept that promise, I would have felt incredibly guilty.”
• Past Perfect for Background Info: “I had already booked the flights before he even received his results.”
• Cleft Sentences for Emphasis: “What I found most difficult was finding the time to organize the trip.”
• Modal Verbs for Past Obligation: “I knew I had to fulfill my commitment regardless of the cost.”
• Relative Clauses for Detail: “The trip, which we had planned for months, was finally happening.”
• Present Perfect for Current Impact: “Making that promise has actually made our relationship much stronger.”
• Used to/Would for Past Habits: “When we were younger, I would often make promises I couldn’t keep.”
• Passive Voice for Formality: “A promise was made that could not be easily broken.”

Part 3 Follow-up Questions

Why do some people find it hard to keep promises?

I believe there are a couple of main reasons for this. Firstly, some individuals are simply prone to over-committing; they want to please everyone in the moment, so they say ‘yes’ without truly considering their schedule or resources. This often leads to them being spread too thin and eventually failing to deliver. Secondly, I think modern life is incredibly fast-paced and unpredictable. Unexpected work demands or personal emergencies can arise, making it logistically impossible to follow through on a prior commitment. However, while these reasons are understandable, consistently failing to keep one’s word can lead to a breakdown in trust, which is quite difficult to repair. It’s often better to under-promise and over-deliver.

Should parents make promises to their children?

In my opinion, parents should be extremely cautious when making promises to their children. Kids have a remarkable memory for commitments made by their parents, and a broken promise can feel like a major betrayal of trust at a young age. On the one hand, promises can be a great motivational tool, encouraging children to work hard or behave well. On the other hand, if a parent frequently goes back on their word, it teaches the child that verbal commitments aren’t particularly meaningful. Therefore, it’s vital for parents to only make promises they are 100% certain they can keep, thereby modeling integrity and reliability for their children. This is a key aspect of IELTS Speaking: Behaviour & Patience.

How do promises affect business relationships?

In the corporate world, promises—often in the form of contracts or verbal agreements—are the bedrock of professional relationships. If a company promises a client a specific delivery date and fails to meet it, it doesn’t just lose that one sale; it damages its overall reputation and brand image. Reliability is a currency in business. When partners or clients know they can take your word to the bank, it fosters long-term loyalty and smoother collaborations. Conversely, a history of empty promises can lead to litigation and a toxic professional environment. Essentially, keeping promises in business is about maintaining credibility and ensuring the sustainability of the enterprise.

Is it ever okay to break a promise?

That’s a tricky ethical question, but I would say yes, there are certain extreme circumstances where breaking a promise is the lesser of two evils. For instance, if keeping a promise would cause significant harm to someone or involve doing something illegal, then it is morally imperative to break it. If I promised to keep a friend’s secret, but that secret involved them being in physical danger, my priority would be their safety over the promise. Additionally, major life upheavals like a sudden illness or a family tragedy can make it impossible to fulfill certain commitments. In such cases, the key is to communicate as early as possible and offer a sincere apology.

Why is trust so important in a friendship?

Trust is the fundamental glue that holds any friendship together. Without it, the relationship becomes superficial and lacks the emotional safety required for true intimacy. When you trust a friend, you feel comfortable being vulnerable, sharing your secrets, and relying on them during tough times. Promises play a huge role in building this trust; every time a friend keeps their word, it reinforces the belief that they are dependable. If trust is broken, perhaps by a betrayed confidence or a series of broken promises, the friendship often withers because the foundation of mutual respect has been compromised. Ultimately, a friend you can’t trust is more of an acquaintance than a true companion.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Being Too Vague: Avoid saying “I made a promise and it was good.” Be specific about the “who, what, and when” to give your story depth.
• Repeating the Word “Promise”: Use synonyms like “commitment,” “word,” “vow,” or “agreement” to show lexical range.
• Ignoring the “Why”: The last bullet point (why it was significant) is often where you can show off your best grammar and vocabulary. Don’t rush through it.
• Lying Unconvincingly: While you can invent a story, make sure it sounds realistic. If you talk about promising to buy a private jet, the examiner might find it hard to believe, which can affect your fluency.
• Over-complicating Grammar: Don’t try to use a “third conditional” if you aren’t sure how to form it. Accuracy is just as important as range.
• Forgetting the Narrative Flow: Ensure your story has a beginning (the situation), a middle (the promise and the challenge), and an end (the result and reflection).

Practice Tips for This Cue Card

• Record Yourself: Speak for exactly two minutes on this topic and listen back to check for hesitations or repetitive vocabulary.
• Mind Map Your Story: Before you speak, spend 1 minute jotting down keywords for each bullet point to ensure you cover everything.
• Practice Transitions: Use phrases like “Moving on to…” or “As for why it was so memorable…” to transition between bullet points.
• Focus on Tenses: Since this is a past experience, pay close attention to your use of past simple and past perfect.
• Read Sample Answers Aloud: Practice reading our Band 9 answer to get a feel for the natural rhythm and intonation of a high-scoring candidate. For more practice, see IELTS Speaking Topics Jan–Apr 2026.

In conclusion, being able to describe a promise you made to someone is a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate your storytelling abilities and your command of English. By focusing on specific details and using a range of idiomatic language, you can significantly boost your score. For more in-depth preparation and to receive feedback on your speaking, we highly recommend enrolling in our IELTS English Speaking Course. You can also find more information on the official IELTS website to stay updated on the latest test formats and requirements.