Speaking practice: answer out loud for one minute
What makes someone a good friend?
1:00
12 conversation questions about friendship
- 1What makes someone a good friend?
- 2How did you meet your closest friend?
- 3Is it harder to make friends as an adult?
- 4Can men and women be just friends?
- 5Do you prefer a few close friends or a big group?
- 6Have you ever lost touch with a good friend?
- 7Can you be real friends with someone online?
- 8Should you tell a friend a hard truth?
- 9How do friendships change when people get married or have children?
- 10Can you be friends with your boss or colleagues?
- 11What is the best way to stay in touch with old friends?
- 12What is the nicest thing a friend has done for you?
Useful phrases
- A true friend is someone who...
- We hit it off straight away.
- We drifted apart when...
- I'd rather have... than...
- We've been through a lot together.
- It takes effort to...
- I'd want them to be honest with me.
- We make a point of...
Key vocabulary
- hit it off
- like each other immediately
- drift apart
- slowly become less close
- lose touch
- stop communicating with someone
- acquaintance
- someone you know, but not well
- trustworthy
- someone you can rely on
- have someone's back
- support and protect someone
Sample answer
What makes someone a good friend?
For me, a good friend is someone who's honest with you, even when it's uncomfortable, and who's there when things go wrong. My best friend and I met at university and hit it off straight away. We've been through a lot together. We live in different cities now, but we make a point of calling each other every week.
Practise "Friendship" with a real partner
Questions are easier to remember once you've answered them out loud. Start a live 1-on-1 video call and use this topic to get the conversation going.
Practise this topic liveHow to practise this topic
- Answer each question in at least two or three sentences.
- Try to use two of the useful phrases and one new word in every answer.
- With a partner, ask a follow-up question like "Why?" or "Can you give an example?"
- Alone, record your one-minute answer and listen back for one thing to improve.