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Describe A Time When You Picked Up An Item That Someone Else Lost: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

  • What was the item?
  • When and where you found it?
  • What did you do after finding it?
  • And explain how you felt about the experience.
Show all 40 answers

Cue 1:What was the item?

  • Begin by clearly identifying the item you found and provide a brief description of it.
  • Mention any specific details that made the item memorable or significant.

Example

The item I picked up was a beautiful silver bracelet. It had intricate designs engraved on it, and I could tell it was quite valuable. I noticed it had a small charm shaped like a heart, which made it even more special.


Cue 2:When and where you found it?

  • Describe the time and location where you found the item, creating a vivid picture for the listener.
  • Include any relevant details about the circumstances surrounding the finding.

Example

I found the bracelet last month while I was walking in a park near my home in Delhi. It was around 5 PM, and the sun was setting, casting a warm glow over the park. I noticed it glinting on the ground near a bench.


Cue 3:What did you do after finding it?

  • Explain your immediate reaction upon finding the item and what steps you took next.
  • Discuss whether you tried to find the owner or turned it in to someone.

Example

After picking it up, I looked around to see if anyone was searching for it. I didn’t see anyone, so I decided to take it to the park's information desk. I thought it was the right thing to do, hoping the owner would come looking for it.


Cue 4:And explain how you felt about the experience.

  • Share your emotions regarding the experience of finding the item and your actions afterward.
  • Reflect on any lessons learned or thoughts about honesty and integrity.

Example

I felt a sense of satisfaction after handing the bracelet over to the staff. It was rewarding to know I might help reunite someone with their lost item. This experience reinforced my belief in being honest and doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.


Conclusion

    Example

    In conclusion, finding that bracelet was a meaningful experience for me. It reminded me of the importance of kindness and integrity in our daily lives. I hope the owner was able to get it back, and I felt proud to have played a small part in that.


    Following this structure will ensure you cover all the essential points while providing a clear and engaging response to the cue card topic.


    Tips to answer this Cue Card

    1: Vague Descriptions

    Using vague language can make your answer unclear. Avoid general statements that do not provide specific details about the item or the situation.

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    Tip

    Be specific about the item you found, including its appearance and significance to you.


    2: Lack of Structure

    Failing to organize your response can confuse the listener. A disorganized answer may skip important details or jump around in time.

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    Tip

    Follow the cue card prompts in order to create a clear and logical flow in your response.


    Ignoring Personal Feelings

    Not expressing your feelings about the experience can make your answer less engaging. Personal emotions help to connect with the listener.

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    Tip

    Include your feelings about finding the item and what it meant to you to enhance your answer.


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    All Answers

    Here are all the answers by real-users practicing speaking for IELTS Cue Cards on our IELTS Prep App.

    Band 6

    Describe a time when it was a telephone a mobile phone of one of the customer I work for a bank and I work as a deputy branch manager in the in the branch and there was one customer who was whom I was handling for some query related to his bank account he wanted to he wanted me to register for mobile banking app in his phone so I was trying to help him out using his phone all of a sudden he received one phone call on his another mobile phone and he went out for with his another phone and keeping his cell phone in my hand he went out and he he started he somehow forgotten that he has left the phone inside the bank and for the whole day he didn't even realize that his another phone is not with him with him I received a lot of calls but the phone was locked I couldn't help him out by calling on some other number or family members phone numbers so that he can come and pick his phone up when after around 5 o'clock in the evening he realized that his phone is not with him and he did he tried to contact on this number from different from some another number I during the day whatever calls are coming whatever incoming calls are coming on this phone I was picking up all the calls and picking up all the calls and by thinking that this must be the call of that particular customer who will who have lost his phone here in the bank and when I received finally in the evening when I received his call I picked up and I told that you have left your phone in the bank he was he was

    Band 6

    I found a wallet of someone and I found wallet of somebody and I kept the wallet. I was searching for someone whom the wallet belongs to but there was but nobody came to me to bring the wallet so I kept it with myself and after that the wallet kept in my bag whole time so that I can give the wallet to the man who belongs to this.

    Band 6

    There was once a funny incident when I have to... What you should say? What were the items? Okay. Once when I was strolling through the park, I saw a very nice pouch lying on the ground. It was when I was around 10 years old and it was exactly the same pouch that I wanted it. So a part of me wanted to keep that pouch with me because I loved it so much, but part of me felt that it was not right to do it. So I decided to return it to the owner. So I went to my neighbor's house and asked whether it belonged to her. And fortunately enough, I did not have to look for more people to give away the pouch. It belonged to one of my best friends. So I gave it to her and I finally realized that it is better to do something good than taking it and recreating later. So that was the situation when I found the pouch and returned it. I felt good. I feel good.

    Band 6

    Well, there is not very often that I find things on my way or around myself but the last time I remember this very expensive object I found was near the temple. I went to take blessings of Lord Ram and Ram temple where I found this real diamond ring near the staircase. And first I was really amazed and confused that if whether it is a real diamond or not. But then after analyzing it for a bit I thought that it was a real diamond and I thought that it is very necessary to make it reach to its owner. Maybe the owner might be very concerned about the ring if it is very precious to that person. So what I did is I immediately went to the police station and told them everything that happened that day where I found it and all the necessary details that needed them to know. And then later on they asked me to give my contact number to them in case the owner wants to meet me. The police investigated and contacted jewelers and tried to get the owner's details and they found it at the last. And when the owner came to pick the ring that day at the police station, there was a lady and she wanted to meet me. So the police called me and she was so happy to get that ring back because it was of her daughter who was no more. And I was really happy that I could help her with that and seeing a joyfulness on her face I was very overwhelmed and I thought that I did a really good job that day.

    Band 5-6

    Even woman came to the came to like she just passed away from me and I just suddenly some something that dropped from her hand and I just pegged and rushed towards her to return it back but I didn't find her anywhere she just disappeared in the crowd and I went to the place in which the lost found center was there but the announcement was also made but nobody came to pick that item and I felt that if by any chance someone who lost their item and if she come to pick that by any chance then it would be so I speak enough

    Band 5-6

    When I was in my childhood, around 10 to 12 years, I found 700 rupees cash with 100 rupees notes. It was a bundle near the gate of my house. I was sitting in the verandah of my home and suddenly when I see, I saw the 700 rupees cash over there. I thought someone has left it and went and as soon as I found it, I took it. Because I was young at that time, I gave it to my mother and I exactly don't remember what she did with it. But I was, the feeling I had was, because I was young, as I was young, the feeling I had was, I found a lot of cash, which was a bundle. In addition to that, the bundle made me feel more joy. Sometimes when I realize it and think about that days, I feel, when I lose money right now, I feel for the person who lost it at that time, maybe they felt very bad or very sad because 12 years back means 700 rupees was a huge sum. So now when I lost 500 rupees also, I feel very sad and dull because when we lose money, it is a very hard feeling.

    Band 5-6

    The item was a teddy bear. I found that teddy bear when I was very young. How it means, my father, my papa gave me, brought and gave me that teddy bear. Once I get it, I feel very happy. I started to play with that and I share my teddy to my friends also. Because they have to feel what I feel when I get that. Along with my friends, we always play with that toy. The toy is in very pale pink color. I love the color of that toy. I think he was brought that in a excursion when I was very young age. Which means I was in 6th standard like that.

    Band 5-6

    The item where I picked up was someone else lost item was a wallet when I was doing a shopping in the market. So during shopping I found the wallet. Then first of all I saw if there is any identification ID or a phone number into that so that I can call and inform that the person that I have the item with me but I didn't got any information regarding the same. So I tried to reach out to the nearest police station so that they can give the lost item to the person who own it. So I enquired about the item and after few hours I didn't panic at the situation. It was a really good situation.

    Band 5-6

    I found a pencil under a table at school so I decided to pick it up and I returned it to someone that said it was hers so when I returned it I felt kind of happy that I did something good to another person like I don't really know his name but that was when I was

    Band 5

    Back when I was in primary school, I found you and I were happy, but you weren't. Believe me, I thought you wanted me to leave. But I never did. So I'm always, always thinking of you. I was Chinese too. I couldn't help them.
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