Describe a watch or a piece of jewellery that you own
Try the card on the exam timer first, then read the band-8 sample answer and the Part 3 questions that follow it.
Practice it like the exam
Describe a watch or a piece of jewellery that you own.
You should say:
- what it looks like
- how you got it
- when you wear it
and explain what it means to you.
Ready
1 minute to prepare, then 2 minutes to speak. It switches on its own.
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Band 8 sample answer
284 words · about 2 minutes at a natural pace · Phrases from the vocabulary list are highlighted.
I would like to describe a silver bracelet that my grandmother gave me when I turned sixteen. It is quite thin and delicate, with small round links, and in the middle there is a tiny charm in the shape of a bird.
She gave it to me at a family dinner, wrapped in a piece of white silk. She told me that the bracelet had been a present from her mother on her sixteenth birthday, and that it was a family tradition for it to be passed on to the girls when they became young adults. Since then, it has been my most treasured piece of jewellery. It is not valuable in terms of money, but it is very pretty, and the silver has kept its shine because my grandmother always cleaned it carefully. The charm has a little engraving on the back, which says a few words in Russian that mean be free, like a bird.
I wear it nearly every day, although I take it off when I play sports or wash dishes because I'm afraid of breaking it. I particularly put it on for important occasions, like exams, interviews or family celebrations, as it makes me feel calm and confident, a bit like a lucky charm.
What it means to me is hard to put into words. For me, it is a link between the women in my family, from my great-grandmother to my grandmother to me. It reminds me that I am part of a story that began before I was born. It also carries the message of freedom, which my grandmother wanted me to remember. I hope that I'll have a daughter or niece to give it to someday.
What to notice
- It takes the points on the card in order, so the examiner can follow it.
- Each point gets a specific detail or a short story, which is what keeps a talk going for two minutes.
- The "explain" line at the end gets the most time, because that is where you give an opinion and show your range of language.
We wrote this answer for practice; it does not come from IELTS. Take its structure and phrases and tell your own story, because examiners notice memorised answers.
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Useful vocabulary
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| a delicate chain | a thin and fine necklace or bracelet |
| engraved | having words cut into the surface |
| a status symbol | an object showing wealth or success |
| reliable | can be trusted to work properly |
| an accessory | an extra item worn to complete an outfit |
| a family tradition | something done regularly by a family over time |
Plan it in one minute
Choose what to talk about in the first ten seconds, then write two or three key words for each point. Full sentences take too long to write and to read back.
Who or what you could talk about
- A watch you received for graduating
- A ring or bracelet from a grandmother
- A simple necklace you bought yourself with your first salary
How to spend the two minutes
- 25 swhat it looks like
- 25 show you got it
- 25 swhen you wear it
- 45 sand explain what it means to you.
Part 3 questions
In the exam these come straight after your talk, on the wider subject: Fashion accessories and status. Answer each in 3–4 sentences, with your view, a reason and an example.
- Why do people wear jewellery and watches?
- Do you think expensive jewellery is a waste of money?
- Do men and women in your country wear different kinds of accessories?
- Are watches still necessary now that everyone has a phone?
- How do people show their social status through what they wear?
- Why is gold so valuable in many cultures?
Keep practicing
More cue cards: Objects
- Describe a bicycle, car or other vehicle that you have used regularly
- Describe something that you borrowed from someone
- Describe a plant that you have at home or that you like
- Describe an object that reminds you of a person
- Describe a painting, sculpture or other piece of art that you like
- Describe a photograph that is special to you
Part 1 topics on the same subject
Frequently asked questions
How should I describe an object in an IELTS cue card?
Say what it is and how you got it, then talk about how you use it and one moment when it mattered. Objects run out of description fast, so the story around the object is what fills the two minutes.
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