The cue card
Describe something you own that is very important to you.
You should say:
- what it is
- how you got it
- how long you have had it
and explain why it is so important to you.
You have one minute to make notes, then speak for one to two minutes.
Band 8–9 sample answer
Written by Abroadway as a model of natural, high-band speaking (not an official IELTS sample).
Something I own that's very precious to me is a nakshi kantha, which is a traditional embroidered quilt from Bangladesh. Mine is made of several layers of soft old cotton saris stitched together, and the top is covered in tiny running stitches that form patterns: a lotus in the centre, fish and peacocks around it, and a border of curling vines along the edges.
It was made by my paternal grandmother, who lived in a village in Rajshahi district. As far as I know, she started sewing it when I was born, working on it a little at a time in the afternoons once she'd finished her household chores. According to my father, it took her nearly three years to complete, and she gave it to me on my fifth birthday. I obviously didn't appreciate it at the time; I think I was far more excited about a toy car I got that year.
So I've had it for about fifteen years now. For a long time it just lay on my bed as an ordinary blanket, but after my grandmother passed away, my mother suggested I should stop using it every day to protect it. Now it's kept carefully folded in my cupboard, and I only take it out in winter or when I'm feeling a bit low.
The reason it means so much to me is that it's the only thing I have that was made entirely by her hands, specifically for me. Whenever I look at the stitches, I can almost picture her sitting on the veranda with her glasses perched on the tip of her nose. It also connects me to a craft that's slowly dying out, since hardly anyone in my family knows how to make one any more. If my home were ever on fire, that quilt is honestly the first thing I'd grab.
Useful phrases from this answer
- a little at a time
- slowly, doing small parts on different occasions
- passed away
- died (a polite way to say it)
- feeling a bit low
- feeling slightly sad or unhappy
- dying out
- slowly disappearing until nothing is left
- a physical link
- a real object that connects you to a person, place or time
- hold on to their roots
- keep a connection with the place and culture they come from
- cut down on
- reduce the amount of something
- basic necessities
- things people need to live, such as food, clothes and shelter
Part 3 follow-up questions and answers
Why do people keep objects that have sentimental value?
Mainly because objects act as a physical link to people, places or periods of our lives that we can't get back. A grandparent's watch or an old letter can bring back memories far more vividly than simply thinking about the past, so throwing it away can feel almost like losing part of that person. There's also an element of identity involved; the things we keep tell a story about who we are and where we come from. I'd argue that's especially true for families who have moved from villages to cities, or from one country to another, because those objects help them hold on to their roots.
Do young people value their possessions differently from older people?
To some extent, yes. Older people, at least in my experience, tend to value durability and memories; they'll keep a radio or a piece of furniture for decades and repair it rather than replace it. Many of them grew up when money was tighter, so wasting things feels wrong to them. Young people, by contrast, seem to value possessions more for their function or for what they say about them socially, like having the latest phone or trainers, and they're quicker to replace things. That said, I wouldn't generalise too much. Plenty of young people are deeply attached to particular objects, and some deliberately buy second-hand.
Do people today own more things than they really need?
In better-off households, I'd say they definitely do. If you look inside many middle-class homes, you'll find wardrobes full of clothes that are rarely worn, old gadgets that have been replaced but never thrown away, and kitchen appliances used once or twice. A lot of this comes from how easy and cheap buying has become, along with constant advertising telling us we need something new. However, it's worth remembering that this isn't true for everyone. Many families, both in Bangladesh and elsewhere, still struggle to afford basic necessities, so the problem of excess really belongs to a particular, more comfortable section of society.
Why do some people feel happier when they own fewer things?
I think it's largely about freedom and focus. When you own less, there's less to clean, organise, repair and worry about, so both your home and your mind feel less cluttered. People who cut down on possessions often say they've started spending their money on experiences instead, such as travel or time with friends, which seem to bring longer-lasting satisfaction than objects do. There's also a sense of control, because you're no longer chasing the next purchase. Having said that, I suspect this works best for people who already have enough. If you're struggling to meet your basic needs, owning fewer things is hardly a lifestyle choice.
Will people own fewer things in the future, for example by renting or sharing them?
I think it's quite likely for certain kinds of items, though probably not for everything. We've already seen many people stop buying music and films and switch to streaming, and ride-sharing apps mean some city-dwellers no longer feel the need to own a car or a motorbike. It's easy to imagine that spreading to things like tools, formal clothes or expensive equipment that we only use occasionally. On the other hand, people are often attached to the idea of ownership, especially when it comes to homes, and in many cultures owning property is linked to security and status. So I'd predict a gradual shift in cities rather than a complete transformation.
Practise this cue card out loud
Free, no account needed. Use Chrome or Edge with a microphone; you'll get a band estimate for fluency, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation.
Want the technique behind a strong Part 2? Read the free Speaking lessons.