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IELTSTM CUE CARD

Describe An Occasion When You Lost Something: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

Updated on Nov 13, 2024, 05:42

Overview

In IELTS Speaking, cue cards prompt you to speak about a specific topic for up to two minutes. They are designed to assess your ability to express yourself fluently and coherently.

 

Today, we will discuss the topic "Describe An Occasion When You Lost Something". Think about a time when you lost an important item. Describe what it was, when and where it happened, how you searched for it, and what you felt during that experience.

 

Throughout this page, we'll explore detailed sample answers for this topic. These examples will help you understand how to structure your response effectively.

 

Cue Card/Topic: Describe An Occasion When You Lost Something

You should say

  • What you lost?
  • When and where you lost it?
  • What you did to find it?
  • Explain how you felt about it?
Sample Answer 1

Introduction ( Covers: What you lost?)

 

  • I once lost my wallet during a crowded festival.
  • The wallet contained all my essential items like cash, ID cards, and credit cards.
  • It was a crucial part of my daily routine, and losing it caused significant inconvenience.

 

Icon Bonus Insight

Use personal experiences to make your answers memorable and engaging. Sharing real stories adds depth and authenticity to your responses.

Learn how to incorporate personal stories in our IELTS course.

 

Describing Your Experience/Opinion/Interest  ( Covers: When and where you lost it?)

 

  • This happened last year during the Diwali celebrations in Mumbai.
  • The streets were filled with people, lights, and loud music, creating a very festive but chaotic atmosphere.
  • I realised my wallet was missing when I tried to buy some sweets from a street vendor.

 

Key Highlights ( Covers: What you did to find it?)

 

  • I retraced my steps immediately, starting from the vendor and moving back to the places I had visited earlier.
  • I asked around, hoping someone might have found it and turned it in.
  • I also reported the loss to the local police station, providing details in case it was handed in.

 

Conclusion (Covers: Explain how you felt about it?)

 

  • Initially, I felt a mix of panic and frustration, worrying about the loss of my essential items.
  • Despite my efforts, I couldn't find the wallet, which taught me a valuable lesson about being more careful with my belongings.
  • Eventually, I took steps to replace my ID cards and cancel my credit cards, but the experience left me more cautious and aware of my surroundings.
Sample Answer 2

Introduction  (Covers: What you lost?)

 

  • I once lost my mobile phone during a busy day in Chennai.
  • The phone contained all my contacts, important messages, and photos.
  • Losing it was a major inconvenience and left me feeling quite stressed.

 

Describing Your Experience/Opinion/Interest (Covers: When and where you lost it?)

 

  • This happened a few months ago when I was visiting a crowded shopping mall with my friends.
  • The mall was packed with people, and we were moving from shop to shop, enjoying the day.
  • I noticed my phone was missing when we stopped for lunch at the food court.

 

Icon Mini Tip

Master paraphrasing to avoid repeating the same words or phrases. Restating ideas in different ways shows flexibility in your language skills.

Practise paraphrasing effectively in our IELTS Learn it Yourself course!

 

Key Highlights ( Covers: What you did to find it?)

 

  • I immediately retraced my steps, going back to each shop we had visited to ask if anyone had found a lost phone.
  • I asked the mall’s security staff for assistance and left my contact details in case someone handed it in.
  • I also tried calling my phone, hoping someone might pick up and help return it to me.

 

Conclusion (Covers: Explain how you felt about it?)

 

  • Initially, I felt a wave of panic and helplessness, worried about the personal information stored on the phone.
  • Despite my best efforts, the phone was not found, and I had to come to terms with the loss.
  • This experience taught me to be more vigilant and ensure my belongings are secure, especially in crowded places.
Sample Answer 3

Introduction (Covers: What you lost?)

 

  • I once lost my backpack during a hectic day at the railway station.
  • The backpack contained my laptop, some important documents, and personal items.
  • Losing it was quite a shock and created a lot of trouble for me.

 

Describing Your Experience/Opinion/Interest (Covers: When and where you lost it?)

 

  • This happened last summer when I was travelling from Delhi to Pune by train.
  • The station was extremely crowded, and everyone was rushing to catch their trains.
  • I realised my backpack was missing when I reached my compartment and couldn’t find it in my luggage.

 

Key Highlights  (Covers: What you did to find it?)

 

  • I immediately informed the railway staff and checked the lost and found office.
  • I retraced my steps from the entrance to the platform, asking the vendors and fellow passengers if they had seen my bag.
  • I also filed a report at the local police station, giving them a detailed description of the backpack and its contents.

 

Icon Quick Tip

Use phrases like “as a result” or “consequently” to show cause and effect. Connecting ideas logically adds clarity and coherence to your answers.

Practise using cause-and-effect language in our IELTS course!

 

Conclusion (Covers: Explain how you felt about it?)

 

  • Initially, I felt a mix of anxiety and frustration, worried about the loss of my laptop and important documents.
  • Despite all efforts, the backpack was not recovered, which taught me the importance of being vigilant with my belongings.
  • Eventually, I had to replace the lost items and take extra precautions in the future to avoid similar incidents.

When the cue card section begins, the examiner will hand you a cue card with a topic and some prompts. You’ll have one minute to prepare your response and then speak for up to two minutes.

 

The best way to answer a cue card is to break it down into smaller pieces: introduction, describing your experience, key highlights, and conclusion. To structure your response effectively, you can explore various tips and tricks for the IELTS speaking test.

 

Here’s how you can approach the topic "Describe An Occasion When You Lost Something”:

 

Introduction:

 

  • Mention the specific occasion and time when you lost something important.
  • Briefly introduce what you lost and its significance to you. 
  • State the importance of the lost item

 

Describing Your Experience:

 

  • Explain why the location was significant.
  • Describe your initial reaction.
  • Share the significance of the lost item.

 

Key Highlights:

 

  • Describe the noisy environment and its impact on your experience.
  • Mention the activities around you that contributed to the noise.
  • Highlight any specific challenges you faced.

 

Conclusion:

 

  • Reflect on how the loss affected your plans and emotions.
  • Comment on any lessons learned from the experience.
  • Conclude with how you managed to cope with the situation.

 

By following this structure, you can ensure your response is clear, organised, and within the two-minute limit.

 

Also Read:

Follow-Up Questions

After you finish speaking on the cue card topic in the IELTS Speaking test, the examiner will ask you follow-up questions related to the topic. These questions are designed to assess your ability to discuss broader issues, elaborate on your ideas, and demonstrate your fluency and coherence in English. 

 

This part of the test allows you to showcase your speaking skills in a more interactive manner.

Q1. In general, what kinds of things do people most often lose?

Answer 1: I believe people most often lose small, everyday items like keys, wallets, and mobile phones. These items are frequently used and can easily be misplaced in busy environments or when people are distracted. Losing these things can be quite inconvenient as they are essential for daily activities.

 

Answer 2: In my opinion, people commonly lose items such as spectacles, pens, and umbrellas. These objects are often carried around and can easily be forgotten in places like cafes, offices, or public transport. Losing them can cause frustration, especially if they are needed regularly or have a high value.

Q2. How do people find what’s missing?

Answer 1: People usually start by retracing their steps to the places they visited recently. They also ask friends, family, or colleagues if they have seen the missing item. In public places, they might check with lost and found offices or report the loss to the authorities.

 

Answer 2: Another common method is to use technology, like calling a lost phone or using GPS tracking if the item has a tracker attached. Additionally, many people rely on social media to post about their lost items, hoping someone might have found them and can help return them.

Q3. What kinds of things have you lost so far?

Answer 1: I have lost my wallet a few times, especially in crowded places like markets and shopping malls. I have also misplaced my keys on several occasions, which can be quite stressful when you're in a hurry and cannot find them.

 

Answer 2: Over the years, I have lost various items like my mobile phone, sunglasses, and even a few important documents. Each incident has taught me to be more cautious and organised with my belongings to prevent future losses.

Q4. What would you do if you found something that someone had lost?

Answer 1: If I found something that someone had lost, I would first check for any identification and contact the owner directly. If I couldn't find any contact information, I would hand it over to the nearest lost and found office or the local authorities, hoping they could help reunite the item with its owner.

 

Answer 2: Upon finding a lost item, my immediate action would be to look around for anyone who might be searching for it. If I couldn't locate the owner nearby, I would post about it on social media and local community groups, providing details about the item and where it can be collected.

FAQs

Q. How should I manage my time during the Cue Card task?

Ans. Manage your time by spending the first minute planning your response and organising your thoughts. During your 1-2 minute speaking time, structure your answer clearly and avoid long pauses. Practising time management can help you deliver a well-rounded response within the given time.

Q. Can I express my opinion during the test, even if it's different from the examiner's?

Ans.  Yes, you can express your opinion during the test. The IELTS speaking test assesses your ability to communicate effectively, not your agreement with the examiner. Just ensure. your response is clear and well-supported with reasons or examples

Q. How to crack the Cue Card task?

Ans. To crack the Cue Card task, practice speaking on various topics, structure your answers logically, use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, and stay calm and focused during the test. Regular practice and feedback can significantly improve your performance.

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