We can use the past perfect to show events that happened before a point in a story.
Subj + had + past participle
_ The concert took place on the 6th of January.
I had bought the tickets two days earlier.
When speaking, we can contract the had to ‘d
_ The concert took place on the 6th of January.
I’d bought the tickets two days earlier.
However, in your IELTS Speaking test, I recommend that you use the full form, to make it clear you are using the past perfect.
Part 2 Questions
This is useful to add details to a story in the past, giving extra information about things that happened before the main “action” of the story.
Q: Describe a trip you took
A:
I went to Paris last winter.
I had already booked the flight
and had made a hotel reservation two months earlier.
Q: Describe a time you visited a friend.
A:
I went to see my friend in London last month
I had already phoned him to agree a date to visit.
Q: Describe a time you were late
A:
I remember once,
I went to the cinema with my friend Jack
However, when we got to the cinema
the film had already started,
and the tickets had sold out.