If you are preparing for your upcoming exam, you might be asked to describe an argument two of your friends had, as this has become a frequently appearing topic in the recent IELTS Speaking Part 2 cue cards. In this comprehensive guide, we provide a Band 9 model answer, a Band 7 version, and a deep dive into the vocabulary and grammar needed to impress your examiner.

The Cue Card

Describe an argument two of your friends had.
You should say:
• When and where it happened
• Who was involved
• What the argument was about
• And explain how you felt about it and what the outcome was.

Band 9 Sample Answer

To be perfectly honest, I’m generally someone who tries to steer clear of conflict, but I vividly remember a rather heated disagreement that broke out between two of my closest friends, Liam and Sarah, about six months ago. We were sitting in a cozy little café—actually, it’s a place where I go to relax quite often—planning a group road trip for the summer. Everything was going swimmingly until we hit the topic of the destination. Liam, who is an adrenaline junkie, was dead set on a rugged camping trip in the northern highlands, whereas Sarah, who prefers the finer things in life, was adamant about booking a luxury villa by the coast. What started as a minor difference of opinion quickly escalated into a full-blown argument. Sarah felt that Liam was being inconsiderate of everyone’s comfort, while Liam accused Sarah of being “too high-maintenance” and sucking the adventure out of the holiday. The atmosphere became incredibly tense, and for a moment, I honestly thought the trip would be scrapped altogether. I found myself in the awkward position of being the mediator, trying to acknowledge both of their points without taking sides. It was quite draining to witness because they are usually like two peas in a pod. Eventually, after about an hour of back-and-forth, they both realized they were being a bit childish. They reached a compromise where we’d spend three days hiking and camping, followed by a long weekend at a nice boutique hotel. It was a massive relief to see them shake hands and move past it, and looking back, I think it actually strengthened their friendship because they learned how to navigate a serious disagreement without letting it ruin their bond.

Band 7 Sample Answer

I would like to talk about a time when two of my friends had a big argument. This happened last year when we were at my house studying for our final exams. My friends, Mark and John, started arguing about a group project we were working on. Mark thought that we should spend more time on the research part, but John wanted to start writing the report immediately because he was worried about the deadline. They started shouting at each other, and it was very uncomfortable for me to watch. Mark said John was being too impatient, and John said Mark was wasting too much time. I felt very stressed because I didn’t want them to be angry with each other, and I also wanted to finish our work. I tried to calm them down by suggesting that we split the tasks. Finally, they stopped arguing and agreed to spend one more day on research before starting the writing. I was glad when it was over because the tension in the room was very high. Since then, they have been more careful about how they talk to each other during group work. It taught me that it is important to listen to other people’s opinions even when you are under a lot of pressure.

How the Band 9 Answer Scores Top Marks

Fluency and Coherence

The Band 9 response flows naturally with a logical progression of events. The speaker uses sophisticated discourse markers and linking phrases such as “to be perfectly honest,” “everything was going swimmingly until,” and “eventually, after about an hour of back-and-forth.” These phrases help the listener follow the narrative without effort. The speaker also avoids repetitive fillers, using natural pauses that mirror a real-life conversation rather than a memorized script. This level of fluency is exactly what is taught in the IELTS English Speaking Course to help students reach the highest bands.

Lexical Resource

The vocabulary used is both precise and idiomatic. Phrases like “steer clear of conflict,” “adrenaline junkie,” “dead set on,” and “like two peas in a pod” demonstrate a high-level command of English. Instead of saying the argument was “bad,” the speaker uses “heated disagreement” and “full-blown argument.” This variety of expression shows the examiner that the candidate can convey subtle nuances in meaning. Using such topic-specific vocabulary is a key strategy mentioned in our IELTS Speaking Tips.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy

The answer showcases a wide range of complex structures. For instance, the use of a conditional in “I honestly thought the trip would be scrapped altogether” and the past perfect in “they both realized they were being a bit childish” shows control over time frames. The speaker also uses relative clauses like “Liam, who is an adrenaline junkie,” which adds descriptive detail without starting a new sentence. The grammar is error-free, contributing to the overall professional tone of the response.

Pronunciation

While the text doesn’t show sound, a Band 9 performance would involve natural intonation to emphasize key points. For example, stressing the word “adamant” or “draining” helps convey the emotional weight of the story. The speaker would also use contractions like “I’m” and “it’s” to maintain a natural, spoken rhythm, which is essential for a high score in this criterion.

Vocabulary and Idioms to Use

Grammar Structures That Boost Your Band Score

• Third Conditional for Regret: “If I hadn’t intervened, the argument might have ended their friendship.”
• Relative Clauses for Detail: “My friend Sarah, who is usually very calm, was the one who started shouting.”
• Past Continuous for Context: “We were having a lovely dinner when the argument suddenly broke out.”
• Passive Voice for Focus: “The decision was finally made after hours of intense discussion.”
• It-Clauses for Emphasis: “It was the way he said it, rather than what he said, that caused the problem.”
• Present Perfect for Impact: “They have since resolved their issues and are closer than ever.”
• Modals of Deduction: “They must have been feeling very stressed at the time.”

Part 3 Follow-up Questions

Why do you think friends sometimes argue?

In my view, disagreements among friends are almost inevitable because no two people have identical perspectives or priorities. Often, these conflicts stem from a lack of communication or a simple misunderstanding of intentions. For instance, when friends are under pressure—perhaps due to work or personal issues—they might be less patient and more prone to taking offense. Furthermore, as people grow and evolve, their values might shift, which can lead to friction if their friends don’t adapt to those changes. However, I believe that a healthy amount of disagreement can actually be beneficial, as it allows friends to express their true feelings and establish clearer boundaries, much like when you might have asked someone for advice to resolve a personal dilemma.

Is it better to have an argument in public or in private?

Without a doubt, it is far better to settle differences in private. Arguing in public often leads to unnecessary embarrassment for everyone involved and can make onlookers feel extremely uncomfortable. When an argument happens in front of others, people are often more concerned with “saving face” or “winning” the debate rather than actually resolving the underlying issue. In a private setting, individuals are more likely to be honest and vulnerable, which is essential for reaching a genuine resolution. Public displays of anger can also damage one’s reputation, making it seem as though they lack emotional intelligence or self-control. Therefore, taking a moment to step aside or wait until you are alone is always the more mature approach.

How has technology changed the way people argue?

Technology has fundamentally altered the landscape of human conflict, and not necessarily for the better. Nowadays, many arguments take place over text messages or social media platforms, which lacks the nuance of face-to-face interaction. Without tone of voice or body language, it is incredibly easy to misinterpret a comment as being hostile when it wasn’t intended to be. This often leads to a “keyboard warrior” mentality where people say things online that they would never dream of saying in person. On the flip side, technology also allows for a “paper trail” of an argument, which can make it harder for people to move on as the hurtful words are permanently recorded. It’s a far cry from the days when an argument would be settled with a handshake and forgotten.

Do you think older people argue less than younger people?

Generally speaking, I would say that older individuals tend to have fewer arguments, largely due to their life experience and emotional maturity. As people age, they often realize that many things simply aren’t worth the energy of a conflict. They become more adept at choosing their battles and are usually more willing to compromise. Younger people, on the other hand, are often still navigating their identities and may be more impulsive or idealistic, which can lead to more frequent clashes of opinion. That being said, personality plays a huge role; some people remain argumentative throughout their lives, while some youngsters are naturally peace-seekers. It’s more about individual temperament and the wisdom gained through experience than just a number.

What is the best way to resolve a disagreement between friends?

The cornerstone of resolving any disagreement is active listening. It’s crucial to give the other person the floor and truly try to understand their perspective without interrupting or becoming defensive. Once both parties feel heard, it’s much easier to find common ground. I also think that taking a “cooling-off period” is vital; if tempers are flaring, it’s best to step away and revisit the conversation when everyone is calmer. Using “I” statements instead of “you” statements—for example, saying “I felt hurt when…” instead of “You were mean when…”—can prevent the other person from feeling attacked. Ultimately, the goal should be to preserve the friendship rather than to prove who is right or wrong.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Being Too Vague: Don’t just say “they argued about a trip.” Explain the specific points of contention (e.g., luxury vs. budget) to show your vocabulary range.
• Losing the Narrative: Make sure you answer all the bullet points on the cue card. If you forget to explain how you felt, you might lose marks for task response.
• Over-using “Argue”: Repeatedly using the word “argue” or “argument” can be repetitive. Use synonyms like “clash,” “disagreement,” “dispute,” or “quarrel.”
• Sounding Like a Script: Avoid using overly formal phrases that don’t fit a personal story. This is a speaking test, so it should sound like a natural conversation.
• Focusing Only on the Argument: Remember to describe the resolution. The examiner wants to see if you can describe the outcome and the feelings involved.
• Grammar Slips in Past Tense: Since you are describing a past event, be very careful with your past tense verbs. Mixing up “was” and “were” is a common error that can lower your score.

Practice Tips for This Cue Card

• Record Yourself: Use your phone to record a 2-minute answer. Listen back and check if you used a variety of adjectives and if your transitions were smooth.
• Mind Map the Story: Before you speak, spend your 1 minute of preparation time jotting down keywords for the “who,” “where,” “what,” and “outcome.”
• Focus on Emotions: Practice using words that describe feelings, such as “awkward,” “tense,” “relieved,” or “apprehensive.”
• Use a Timer: Ensure you can speak for at least 90 seconds. If you find yourself finishing too early, add more descriptive details about the setting or the people involved.
• Peer Feedback: If possible, practice with a partner and ask them if your story was easy to follow and if your vocabulary sounded natural.

Mastering the ability to describe an argument two of your friends had requires a blend of storytelling skills and high-level language. By focusing on specific details and using the idiomatic expressions provided in this guide, you will be well on your way to achieving your target score. For more in-depth preparation, consider exploring our IELTS English Speaking Course or check out the latest Speaking Topics for 2026 on IELTS.org.