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Describe an important old thing that your family has kept for a long time: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

  • What it is
  • How/when your family first got this thing
  • How long your family has kept it
  • And explain why this thing is important to your family
Show all 46 answers

Cue 1:What it is

  • Begin by clearly identifying the old item your family has kept.
  • Provide a brief description of its appearance and significance.

Example

The important old thing that my family has kept for a long time is a beautiful brass lamp. It has intricate designs carved on its surface and stands about two feet tall. The lamp has a warm, golden hue that adds a special charm to our home.

Cue 2:How/when your family first got this thing

  • Share the story of how your family acquired the item, including any special circumstances.
  • Mention who brought it into the family and any relevant historical context.

Example

My grandfather bought this lamp during his trip to Varanasi in the 1960s. He was captivated by its craftsmanship and decided to bring it home as a souvenir. It has been in our family ever since, passed down through generations.

Cue 3:How long your family has kept it

  • State the duration for which your family has owned the item.
  • Emphasize its longevity and any changes in its condition over the years.

Example

We have kept this lamp for over 60 years now. Although it has aged and shows some signs of wear, we have always taken great care to preserve it, ensuring it remains a cherished part of our family heritage.

Cue 4:And explain why this thing is important to your family

  • Discuss the sentimental value of the item and its connection to family traditions.
  • Explain how it represents your family's history and values.

Example

This lamp is important to our family because it symbolizes our heritage and the values of craftsmanship and tradition. Every Diwali, we light it to celebrate the festival, reminding us of our roots and the stories of our ancestors. It brings us together and keeps our family history alive.

Conclusion

    Example

    In conclusion, this brass lamp is not just an old object; it is a treasured family heirloom that connects us to our past and reinforces our family bonds. Its presence in our home serves as a constant reminder of our history and the love that has been passed down through generations.

    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: Avoid Vague Descriptions

    Using vague language can make your answer unclear and unengaging. It's important to provide specific details about the item to make your response more interesting.

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    Tip

    Include specific characteristics of the item, such as its age, appearance, and any unique features that make it special.

    2: Don't Rush Through Your Answer

    Rushing can lead to missing important details and making your speech sound disorganized. Take your time to think through each part of your answer.

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    Tip

    Practice pacing your speech by pausing briefly after each cue to ensure you cover all points clearly.

    Neglecting Emotional Connection

    Failing to explain why the item is important can make your answer less impactful. Personal stories create a stronger connection with the listener.

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    Tip

    Share a personal story or memory related to the item that highlights its significance to your family.

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    IELTS Cue Cards asked last week

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    Anonymous student Band 7.5

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    I like to taste different types of cuisine. Here I would like to talk about my favorite dish at my traditional festival of Onam which is Sadya. Sadya is popular in my city. We are experimenting these cuisines on Onam festival day. Onam is a famous festival in my city. All family members get together in my home and we make a delicious Sadya. There are many ingredients includes that Sadya. Moreover, we make a big feast that day as well as we create a lot of memories together and we wear that day the traditional dress called Sari and men wear the Dhotis. That festival is really important to us because the whole day we are conducting different kinds of games at our homes and all the family members came together. It's a memorable day in my life. This is the festival. We are making the Sambar and Aviyal. These all the kinds of foods are making with the vegetables.
    Talk about a toy you liked in your childhood
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    Anonymous student Band 8

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    Sector 34 Test Centre, Chandigarh

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    The toy which I liked in my childhood was a panda doll, which makes me pleasant and makes me more blush. The pandas are the most beautiful creatures of the world, which looks gigantic and has pooshy cheeks and they are like stars in the clouds and they dream in me. Furthermore, these have been given by my father. My father is a very very beautiful artistic person, who makes me think of that. Every day you will face every difficulties and make you suffer and move forward. Pandas are always seen in Japanese countries. It is my lifelong dream to visit a Japanese country and click a photo with the original pandas, which makes sounds better.
    Describe a time you were in a place where you didn't know the local language
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    Reported by

    Anonymous student Band 6.5

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    Whitefield Test Center, Bengaluru

    Answer

    As India is a very large country full of diversity, so there are many places which have their own language and speak their native language. The place which I visited and I didn't know about their language was Leladakh, which is about 300 km away from my hometown and it is a very good place as it consists of different kind of trees, animals and have many scenic views and I visited over there last year in summers as it was the best time to visit because it has many, it was cold over there and we had summers in our area so it was the best time to visit over there and I went over there with my whole family.
    Describe a time when your friend damaged something you owned
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    Reported by

    Anonymous student Band 7

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    Begumpet Test Centre, Hyderabad

    Answer

    When I was a kid, I had a little pencil box which had these four buttons which gave the pencil box an operative use. When you press the button, the box would open up. When you press the second button, a little part of it would slide out. Basically it was just a little electronical and a fun thing to have and I owned it when I was in 6th. One day after break, I was standing and talking there with one of my friends and another friend of mine was running through the hallway and accidentally she pushed my shoulder and my pencil box hit the ground and it broke into multiple pieces to the point that it was not functional anymore.
    Describe a book you recently read
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    Reported by

    Anonymous student Band 7.5

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    CBD Belapur Test Centre, Navi Mumbai

    Answer

    It Ends With Us is a book I read recently. It's by the author Colleen Hoare. It's mainly a story about two teenagers, Atlas and Lily, and how they just handle their life going through high school, adolescence, and just domestic violence at home. Both of them come from very, very different families. However, they have one common determining factor between them, which is domestic violence. The abuse that they've seen their moms go through is just insane, and they connect through that on a different level. They're actually in the same high school, but they never speak to each other until Atlas actually crashes into an empty house next to Lily's villa. When Atlas is homeless and he doesn't have anywhere to go, he just comes and breaks into the house next to Lily's, and Lily helps him with all the daily necessities like clothes and food, medicines and stuff. Furthermore, their friendship blossoms into love, but it doesn't really fructify as Atlas has to leave. This book really gave me a lot of knowledge about domestic abuse and how to deal with it.

    All Answers

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

    Band 7

    I would like to describe an important old item that my family has preserved for generations, which is a traditional wooden jewellery box that belonged to my grandmother. My family first acquired this item several decades ago, even before I was born. It was originally gifted to my grandmother by her parents at the time of her wedding, which makes it deeply rooted in our family history. Over the years, it has been carefully passed down and is now kept safe in our home. The box itself may appear simple, but it is intricately carved and shows clear signs of age. Inside, it once stored family's jewellery and small valuables. Although it is no longer used regularly, we have maintained it in good condition. It is a symbol of continuity and tradition. This time, this item is extremely important to my family because it represents our emotional and cultural heritage. It reminds us of our ancestors, their values and the way they lived. More than its material worth, it carries sentimental value and strengthens our sense of identity. Whenever I see it, I feel a strong connection to my roots, which is why my family continues to preserve it with great care. I would also add a few points. This object holds humans' importance, which symbolises continuity, tradition, cultural identity, reminding of our ancestors, their beliefs and the values they lived by. Whenever it is lit, it creates a sense of warmth and belonging, reinforcing our respect for heritage and family wants. Thank you.

    Band 7

    In my living room, we have kept a space right at the centre of the wall, specifically reserved for a painting which was brought by my grandfather. This painting describes the great Chinese movement in detail and how the life of people revolved around that time. The moment you see this painting, you are completely mesmerized by its attention to detail, the colours used in the painting and how they effectively contrast each other and a beautiful painting comes out. My grandfather got an opportunity to visit China back in 1980s and he was completely mesmerized by the culture and tradition of China. What caught his attention the most was how the Chinese aim to always preserve their traditions and are so grounded to their roots. This one quality really moved my grandfather and he wanted to make sure that he carries a souvenir with him that he can cherish for his lifetime. He decided to buy this painting from a local painter who had painted some really beautiful paintings of the Chinese emperors as well. He thought that carrying this would be a testament of how people are so modern nowadays yet we should always try to be grounded to our roots and traditions. The reason why this painting holds a special place in my family is because it is a great way to remember my late grandfather.

    Band 7

    So, one of the most important things my family has kept for long is the first trophy that I had received when I was in kindergarten. It was almost 15 years ago and I was participating in a race competition in which I stood first and I had received this trophy of becoming first. On that day, my family was very elated. This made my mom very happy. The moment was very unique and special for her and that is the reason why she has kept that trophy still today. Whenever I look at that trophy, I relive those moments and I just get happy and smile. One of the key reasons why I am pursuing my master's abroad is because I know my worth and I am aware of how much I can achieve. Looking back at those days, it motivates me to work harder and to always live up to my parents' expectations while achieving the goals that I have set for my life. That trophy is not only a small trophy that I have won for a mere racing competition but it is the mark and symbol of motivation that empowers me still today.

    Band 7

    We have an old clock in our house which was given to my parents by my great-great-grandfather who fought for our nation and he has kept that clock since 1912. That clock has been working for ages without any maintenance. My family got it when my great-great-grandfather died and that clock has been going in our family for generations. My father has almost kept that clock for around 46 years. Now he is 58 by the way. It is very important to our family because it is the most antique item and the price of that clock is around 10 crores. That clock has always been the main importance of our family. We can say that my father's soul resides in that clock because he is very connected to his roots and he thinks that having that clock in the house is good luck for us.

    Band 7

    One important thing that my family has kept for a very long time is a chess board. So the story goes way back. My great-great-grandmother actually sewed this chess board and it took her approximately three days to complete this. And when she died, this was sort of the only thing of her that stayed with us. The chess board holds her memory and it's always special. Every year on her death anniversary, our family pulls out the chess board and we all gather for a match of chess. This has become a family tradition in a way. This also honours her death whereas ensures family time. This has been in our family for approximately 10 to 15 years now. And I don't think we'll be getting rid of it any soon. It's sort of a lost treasure for us.

    Band 7

    The old object which still holds value in my very modern home is the classic sewing machine which has been with us for more than 30 years. It's one of those sturdy mechanical machines that was specially popular in the 1990s, built to last rather than to look decorative. My family bought it when my mother developed a strong interest in sewing and embroidery as a hobby. At that time, she wanted something reliable to make clothes, alter fabrics, as well as experiment with her own designs. Moreover, the machine quickly became a part of her daily routine, producing familiar rhythmic sounds that filled the house almost every evening. Over the years, it has stayed in the same corner of the house, surviving multiple moves and changes. In addition, it has witnessed different phases of our lives, from childhood school uniforms to festival outfits. Even today, it still works perfectly, which says a lot about its quality. I would say it is important to us is because it represents creativity, patience, and self-reliance. As a result, the machine feels less like an object and more like a family memory. Overall, it reminds us of a time when things were made with care, repaired instead of replaced, and valued for the stories they carried.

    Band 6-7

    My family has held on to copy utensils for more than 40 years now. They were purchased by my grandmother back in 1980s and it signifies our roots and where we come from. Copy utensils play a huge role in Indian families since it was given as dowry back in the older times. It has been with us for more than 40 years now and I think it is something that needs to be preserved and it is something that I will teach my kids or I would pass on to my kids as a family tradition. It is a symbol of our roots. Also, copy utensils have a lot of natural benefits if you consume food or water from it.

    Band 6-7

    So, the oldest thing which my family has been keep has been has kept for a long time would be the motorcycle of my great grandfather and this is something which my great grandfather used for the first time as it was his first vehicle and he used it to ride from south tip of Karnataka to north tip of Karnataka and moreover he did this in one night he did this all by himself and this was the whole reason how our family is settled down in the north of Karnataka instead of the south initially all my earlier generations were residing apparently in the south of Karnataka but due to some family issues they had to separate and when this got separated my great grandfather along with his great grandmother moved to this new place and after moving here they found it comfortable and then we all were born there so this has to this motorcycle is a key part in making that transition moreover I feel it has got more of memories attached to it and I would say in one or the other way it's a reason for our existence

    Band 6-7

    The most important old thing that my family has kept for a long time is Almeida. This Almeida is near about 80 to 90 years old and it was purchased by our ancestors. Then they transferred this Almeida from generation to generation. For example, after my ancestors it came to my grandfather, then to my father and now the responsibility of that Almeida is on me. I just tried to make some changes in that Almeida but my father directly refused to make any changes in this. As they told me that this symbolizes our history of the family so we have to keep it as same as the old one. Also we use this Almeida to keep our all the important documents or sometimes winter clothes there. It is kept in our storeroom which is on the top floor of our home and the best thing about this Almeida it is made up of iron and it is too much heavy near about 180 to 190 kg. At this time it is very impossible to purchase these kind of good quality things that is of old time so I think it is the best thing.

    Band 6-7

    So basically the item that my family has kept for a very long time is a gold coin that my great-grandfather got after getting promotion in the army. He was basically posted at Assam regiment army so it holds a very important value for us. My family has been holding that gold coin for about 30 years now. When my dadu, when my great-grandfather got this medal, this award of gold coin, it holds a special value in my father's life and in my great-grandmother's life also. So now when I get to know about the achievement of my great-grandfather and how they have influenced our whole family towards government background, other background like such as police, UPSC and army, it means a lot to me and especially it is a gold coin which is still holding a lot value. Its worth cannot be calculated with its amount but its worth can be calculated with the emotion and how it is connected to our family background.
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