Describe an object that reminds you of a person
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 an object that reminds you of a person.
You should say:
- what the object is
- who it reminds you of
- how you got it
and explain why it reminds you of this person.
Ready
1 minute to prepare, then 2 minutes to speak. It switches on its own.
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Band 8 sample answer
266 words · about 2 minutes at a natural pace · Phrases from the vocabulary list are highlighted.
An object that always reminds me of a person is a blue ceramic mug in my kitchen, which belonged to my best friend, Dilya. We met in the first year of school and were inseparable for more than ten years, until her family moved to Canada two years ago.
The mug is quite big, with a white inside and a deep blue outside, and it has a small crack near the handle. Dilya left it at my house after one of our evenings of studying together, and when she moved, she said I should keep it so that I would always have something of hers. I use it nearly every morning for my tea, and it is the only mug in the house that I never let anyone else use. My family now knows that it is mine.
It reminds me of Dilya in several ways. First of all, it was always in her hand. She was a real tea addict and drank it constantly, even in summer, and I can still picture her sitting at the kitchen table with this mug, complaining about maths homework. Second, it reminds me of the countless conversations we had. We talked about our dreams, our worries and our crushes over cups of tea. Third, the crack in the handle came from a day when we were laughing so hard that she nearly dropped it.
Although we now live in different time zones, we still call each other every week. But whenever I drink from that mug, I feel for a moment as if she is sitting next to me.
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 |
|---|---|
| trigger a memory | cause someone to remember something |
| a token of friendship | a small object that shows affection |
| close to my heart | very important to me emotionally |
| be reminded of | think of someone because of something |
| lose touch | stop being in contact |
| for old times' sake | because of happy memories of the past |
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 book given by a favourite teacher
- A scarf or mug from a friend who moved away
- A tool or recipe book from a parent
How to spend the two minutes
- 25 swhat the object is
- 25 swho it reminds you of
- 25 show you got it
- 45 sand explain why it reminds you of this person.
Part 3 questions
In the exam these come straight after your talk, on the wider subject: Memory and sentimental value. Answer each in 3–4 sentences, with your view, a reason and an example.
- Why do objects sometimes bring back memories more strongly than photographs?
- Do you think people should keep things that belonged to someone who has died?
- How important is it for families to keep traditions and heirlooms?
- Is it healthy to feel attached to objects?
- What kinds of objects do people in your country usually inherit?
- Will digital items replace physical keepsakes in the future?
Keep practicing
More cue cards: Objects
- Describe a bag that you often use
- Describe a plant that you have at home or that you like
- Describe something valuable that you lost
- Describe an object that brings you luck or that you carry for good luck
- Describe a pair of shoes that you like or that are important to you
- Describe a household appliance or machine that you find useful
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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