In IELTS Speaking tests, candidates often encounter questions about personal experiences. One such topic that frequently appears is describing a time when you lost something. This article will provide valuable insights and sample answers to help you excel in this speaking task.

Describe a time when you lost something and found it again is a common topic in IELTS Speaking Part 2. Let’s explore how to approach this topic effectively across all parts of the speaking test.

Part 1: Introduction and Interview

In Part 1, the examiner may ask general questions related to losing things. Here are some potential questions and sample answers:

Q: Do you often lose things?

Sample answer (Band 6-7):
“Well, I wouldn’t say I lose things very often, but it does happen occasionally. I try to be organized, but sometimes I misplace small items like keys or my phone.”

Sample answer (Band 8-9):
“To be honest, I’m generally quite meticulous about keeping track of my belongings. However, I’m not immune to the occasional lapse in attention, which can lead to temporarily misplacing items. Fortunately, these instances are few and far between.”

Part 2: Long Turn

Cue Card:

Describe A Time When You Lost Something important. You should say:

• What you lost
• When and where you lost it
• What you did to find it
• And explain how you felt when you lost it

Sample Answer (Band 6-7):

“I remember a time when I lost my wallet. It happened last year when I was on a bus coming home from work. I realized it was missing when I reached for it to pay for my groceries at the supermarket. I felt really worried and upset because it had all my important cards and some cash.

I retraced my steps and called the bus company to see if anyone had found it. I also checked with the supermarket in case I had dropped it there. After a few hours of searching and making calls, I was feeling pretty hopeless.

Luckily, the next day, I got a call from the bus company saying someone had turned in my wallet. I was so relieved and happy to get it back. This experience taught me to be more careful with my belongings, especially when I’m traveling.”

Sample Answer (Band 8-9):

“I’d like to recount an incident from about 18 months ago when I misplaced my prized laptop. It was a state-of-the-art device that I relied on heavily for both work and personal projects. The loss occurred during a hectic day of meetings across the city, and I only realized it was missing when I returned home that evening.

The moment of realization was nothing short of panic-inducing. My laptop contained invaluable data and was an essential tool for my daily operations. I immediately sprang into action, mentally retracing my steps and systematically contacting every venue I had visited that day.

I left no stone unturned in my search efforts. I filed a police report, reached out to my company’s IT department to remotely lock the device, and even scoured online marketplaces in case someone attempted to sell it.

The emotional rollercoaster I experienced was intense. Initially, I felt a profound sense of dread and self-recrimination. As time passed without any leads, my anxiety gave way to a feeling of resignation. However, I refused to give up hope entirely.

Miraculously, after three days of relentless searching, I received a call from a café I had visited. An astute staff member had found the laptop wedged between some cushions and recognized it from my description. The overwhelming relief and gratitude I felt upon retrieving my laptop were indescribable.

This experience served as a poignant reminder of the importance of mindfulness and the kindness of strangers. It also prompted me to implement more robust backup systems and be more vigilant with my possessions, especially in busy environments.”

Lost laptop found in cafe cushions

Follow-up Questions:

Q: How did this experience change your habits?

Sample answer (Band 6-7):
“After losing my wallet, I became more careful. I always check my pockets before leaving places now, and I try to keep my wallet in the same place all the time.”

Sample answer (Band 8-9):
“This experience served as a catalyst for significant changes in my daily routines. I’ve implemented a meticulous system for organizing my belongings, particularly when I’m on the move. Additionally, I’ve embraced technology to safeguard against future losses, utilizing tracking devices and cloud backups for crucial data. This incident has instilled in me a heightened sense of mindfulness that extends beyond just keeping track of possessions.”

Part 3: Two-way Discussion

Q: Do you think people are becoming more forgetful in the modern world?

Sample answer (Band 6-7):
“Yes, I think people are becoming more forgetful these days. We have so many things to remember and so many distractions like smartphones and social media. It’s easy to forget small things when we’re always busy and thinking about many things at once.”

Sample answer (Band 8-9):
“It’s an intriguing question that merits careful consideration. On one hand, our modern lifestyle is characterized by an unprecedented level of multitasking and information overload, which could potentially lead to increased forgetfulness. The constant barrage of notifications and the rapid pace of digital communication may be taxing our cognitive resources.

However, it’s also worth noting that we now have access to numerous technological aids that can supplement our memory. Smartphones, digital calendars, and reminder apps serve as external memory banks, potentially alleviating some of the cognitive burden.

Ultimately, while it may appear that forgetfulness is on the rise, it might be more accurate to say that the nature of memory and attention is evolving in response to our changing environment. The key lies in striking a balance between leveraging technology and maintaining our innate cognitive abilities through mindfulness and mental exercises.”

Describe a time when you lost something important can be a challenging topic, but with proper preparation, you can tackle it effectively.

Key Vocabulary and Phrases for High Scores

To elevate your speaking performance, incorporate these sophisticated words and phrases:

1. Meticulously (adverb) /məˈtɪkjələsli/ – Very carefully and precisely
   Example: “I meticulously searched every corner of my room.”

2. Invaluable (adjective) /ɪnˈvæljuəbl/ – Extremely useful or important
   Example: “The lost document contained invaluable information.”

3. To leave no stone unturned (idiom) – To do everything possible to find something or to solve a problem
   Example: “I left no stone unturned in my search for the missing ring.”

4. Profound (adjective) /prəˈfaʊnd/ – Very great or intense
   Example: “Losing my passport had a profound impact on my travel plans.”

5. To implement (verb) /ˈɪmplɪment/ – To put into effect or action
   Example: “After this incident, I implemented a new system to keep track of my belongings.”

Key vocabulary for IELTS Speaking

Examiner’s Advice

To excel in the IELTS Speaking test, especially when describing a time you lost something:

1. Practice storytelling: Develop your ability to narrate events coherently and engagingly.
2. Expand your vocabulary: Learn and use a wide range of descriptive words and idiomatic expressions.
3. Focus on fluency: Aim for smooth delivery without long pauses or hesitations.
4. Show reflection: Demonstrate your ability to analyze experiences and their impacts.
5. Use varied sentence structures: Mix simple and complex sentences to showcase your language proficiency.

Remember, the key to success in IELTS Speaking is not just about what you say, but how you say it. Describe a person who has a unique job or describe a recent family outing using these strategies to further enhance your speaking skills.

By following these guidelines and practicing regularly, you’ll be well-prepared to tackle any topic in your IELTS Speaking test, including describing a time when you lost something. Good luck with your preparation!