Describe something handmade that you own or have seen
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 something handmade that you own or have seen.
You should say:
- what it is
- who made it
- how you got it
and explain why you like it.
Ready
1 minute to prepare, then 2 minutes to speak. It switches on its own.
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Band 8 sample answer
271 words · about 2 minutes at a natural pace · Phrases from the vocabulary list are highlighted.
I would like to talk about a ceramic teapot that I bought from a potter in a village near Rishton in Uzbekistan. Rishton is famous for its pottery, and my family went there on a day trip two summers ago.
The teapot is rather small, with a rounded shape and a bright turquoise glaze. On the outside, there is a delicate pattern of white and dark blue flowers, and the handle is slightly curved, so it feels comfortable in the hand. The potter, an old man whose family has made ceramics for several generations, explained how he made it. First, he shapes the clay on a wheel, then dries it, and finally paints and fires it in a special oven. He told us that the colours come from natural minerals. I watched him paint a few small flowers on a plate, and it was amazing how steady his hand was. I paid around fifteen dollars, which I thought was very cheap for such skilled work.
I like it for many reasons. First, it is truly beautiful, and every time I use it, I notice some small detail I had missed before. Second, it is one of a kind. Because it's made by hand, there is no other teapot exactly like it, unlike the identical ones you see in supermarkets. Third, it reminds me of a happy day with my family, and of the pride the potter felt in his work. I use it every evening when my parents and I drink tea, and it somehow makes the tea taste better. I would love to go back and buy a full set.
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 |
|---|---|
| handcrafted | made skilfully by hand |
| intricate patterns | very detailed and complex designs |
| painstaking work | work done with great care and effort |
| one of a kind | unique, with no other like it |
| mass-produced | made in large quantities by machines |
| a labour of love | work done for pleasure rather than payment |
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 ceramic bowl from a local potter
- A scarf or sweater knitted by a relative
- A wooden box or carved decoration made by a friend
How to spend the two minutes
- 25 swhat it is
- 25 swho made it
- 25 show you got it
- 45 sand explain why you like it.
Part 3 questions
In the exam these come straight after your talk, on the wider subject: Crafts and mass production. Answer each in 3–4 sentences, with your view, a reason and an example.
- Why are handmade products usually more expensive than factory-made ones?
- Do you think traditional crafts are disappearing in your country?
- Would you prefer to buy something handmade or mass-produced?
- How can governments help people who work in traditional crafts?
- Do young people today have practical skills such as sewing or woodwork?
- What are the advantages of making things yourself?
Keep practicing
More cue cards: Objects
- Describe an electronic device that you would like to have in the future
- Describe something that was broken and that you repaired or had repaired
- Describe a bag that you often use
- Describe a gift you received that was special to you
- Describe an object that brings you luck or that you carry for good luck
- Describe a piece of technology that you use often
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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