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Describe an item of clothing that you like to wear

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

Part 2 · Candidate task card

Describe an item of clothing that you like to wear.

You should say:

  • what it is
  • where you got it
  • when you wear it

and explain why you like wearing it.

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1 minute to prepare, then 2 minutes to speak. It switches on its own.

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Band 8 sample answer

273 words · about 2 minutes at a natural pace · Phrases from the vocabulary list are highlighted.

The item of clothing that I like to wear most is a dark green knitted sweater that my aunt made for me three winters ago. She knits beautifully, and when I told her once that I could never find a sweater that was warm enough, she decided to make one specially for me.

It is a loose, thick sweater with a high collar and a simple pattern on the chest. The wool is soft and does not itch, which is rare. She chose the colour because she thought it matched my eyes, although I am not sure about that. I wear it whenever the weather gets cold, which in my city means from October to March. I put it on to go to university, to walk in the park with friends and sometimes even at home when the heating is not working properly. It goes with jeans and trousers, so I can wear it with almost anything, and I can dress it up with a shirt underneath.

There are several reasons why I like it. Firstly, it is extremely comfortable and warm. Even when it is minus ten outside, I feel perfectly fine. Secondly, it is very well made, and after three years, it still looks almost new. Thirdly, it has a personal value for me. Every time I wear it, I think of my aunt sitting in her armchair, knitting patiently for several weeks. In a world where people buy cheap clothes and throw them away after one season, I find it special to own something that was made by hand with love. I plan to keep it for many more years.

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

PhraseMeaning
a perfect fitclothes that are exactly the right size
versatileable to be used in many ways or situations
dress up or downwear something suitable for both formal and casual occasions
well madeproduced with good quality
go out of fashionstop being popular
a timeless stylea look that never seems old-fashioned

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 jacket, coat or sweater you wear in winter
  • A pair of trainers or boots
  • A traditional garment given to you by a relative

How to spend the two minutes

  1. 25 swhat it is
  2. 25 swhere you got it
  3. 25 swhen you wear it
  4. 45 sand explain why you like wearing it.

Part 3 questions

In the exam these come straight after your talk, on the wider subject: Clothes and fashion. Answer each in 3–4 sentences, with your view, a reason and an example.

  1. How important is fashion to young people in your country?
  2. Do you think people judge others by the way they dress?
  3. Why do some people spend a lot of money on designer clothes?
  4. Should schools and workplaces have a dress code?
  5. How has fast fashion affected the environment?
  6. Do traditional clothes still matter in modern society?

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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