Mastering IELTS Speaking: Strategies to Ace “Describe a Time When You Lost Something and Found It Again”

The topic of losing and finding an item is a common one in IELTS Speaking tests, particularly in Part 2. It’s a relatable subject that allows candidates to showcase their storytelling abilities and vocabulary range. This article will guide you through answering questions related to this topic, providing sample responses for different band scores.

Part 1: Introduction and Interview

In Part 1, the examiner may ask general questions about losing and finding things. Here are some potential questions and a sample answer:

1. Do you often lose things?
2. What do you usually do when you lose something?
3. Have you ever helped someone find a lost item?

Let’s focus on the first question:

Examiner: Do you often lose things?

Band 6-7 Answer:
“Well, I wouldn’t say I lose things very often, but it does happen occasionally. Usually, it’s small items like my keys or phone that I misplace. When I do lose something, it can be quite frustrating, but I try to stay calm and retrace my steps to find it.”

Band 8-9 Answer:
“To be honest, I’m generally quite organized, so losing things isn’t a frequent occurrence for me. However, like anyone, I do have moments of absent-mindedness from time to time. When it does happen, it’s typically small, everyday items like my house keys or phone that I momentarily misplace. I find that maintaining a systematic approach to storing my belongings helps minimize these instances, but when something does go missing, I make a concerted effort to retrace my steps methodically.”

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Part 2: Long Turn

Here’s a sample cue card for this topic:

Describe a time when you lost something and found it again

You should say:
- What you lost
- When and where you lost it
- How you found it
- And explain how you felt when you found it

Band 6-7 Answer:
“I’d like to talk about a time when I lost my wallet and eventually found it. It happened last summer when I was on a vacation with my family. We were at a busy beach, and I realized my wallet was missing when we were about to leave. I was really worried because it had all my cards and some cash.

I searched everywhere – in my bag, under our beach towels, and even in the water where we had been swimming. I couldn’t find it anywhere. I felt really anxious and upset. We asked the lifeguards and nearby people if they had seen it, but no one had.

Just when I was about to give up, a young boy came up to us holding my wallet. He had found it buried in the sand near where we had been sitting. I was so relieved and grateful. I thanked him and his parents and even gave him a small reward.

When I found my wallet, I felt a huge sense of relief. It was like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I was also touched by the honesty of the young boy who returned it. It reminded me that there are still good people in the world.”

Band 8-9 Answer:
“I’d like to recount an incident from last summer when I misplaced my wallet during a family vacation. We were basking in the sun at a bustling beach when, as we were preparing to depart, I made the disconcerting discovery that my wallet was nowhere to be found. The gravity of the situation immediately hit me, as the wallet contained not only a significant amount of cash but also all my credit cards and identification.

I embarked on a frantic search, meticulously combing through our belongings, scrutinizing every inch of sand around our spot, and even venturing into the surf where we had been swimming earlier. My efforts proved futile, and a sense of mounting anxiety began to overwhelm me. We enlisted the help of lifeguards and fellow beachgoers, but to no avail.

Just as I was on the brink of despair, a young boy approached us, clutching my wallet. He had unearthed it from the sand near our original location. The wave of relief that washed over me was indescribable. I expressed my profound gratitude to the boy and his parents, insisting on offering a token of appreciation for their honesty.

The moment of retrieval was a cocktail of emotions. Primarily, I felt an immense sense of relief, as if a boulder had been lifted from my chest. But beyond that, I was deeply moved by the young boy’s integrity. It served as a poignant reminder of the innate goodness in people and restored my faith in humanity. The experience left me not only relieved but also profoundly grateful for the kindness of strangers.”

Lost wallet found on beach for IELTS Speaking

Follow-up questions:

1. Have you ever lost something of sentimental value?
2. What do you think are the most common reasons people lose things?

Let’s focus on the second question:

Band 6-7 Answer:
“I think people often lose things because they’re distracted or in a hurry. Sometimes, we put things down and forget where we left them. Also, being disorganized can lead to losing items. When we don’t have a specific place for our belongings, it’s easy to misplace them.”

Band 8-9 Answer:
“In my opinion, there are several prevalent factors contributing to people losing their possessions. Foremost among these is distraction, often exacerbated by our increasingly fast-paced lifestyles. When we’re preoccupied with multiple tasks or thoughts, we may inadvertently place items in unusual spots and then fail to recall their locations. Additionally, poor organizational habits can significantly increase the likelihood of misplacing items. Without a systematic approach to storing our belongings, it becomes all too easy for things to go astray. Lastly, I believe that our growing reliance on technology, while beneficial in many ways, has somewhat diminished our attention to detail when it comes to keeping track of physical objects.”

Part 3: Two-way Discussion

In Part 3, the examiner might ask more abstract questions related to the topic. Here’s an example:

Examiner: Do you think modern technology has made people more or less likely to lose things? Why?

Band 6-7 Answer:
“I think modern technology has had both positive and negative effects on losing things. On one hand, we have apps and devices that can help us track our belongings, like phone finders or smart tags. These can make it easier to locate lost items. But on the other hand, we’re often so distracted by our devices that we might pay less attention to where we put things. Also, because we rely on technology so much, we might become less careful about remembering where we put things. Overall, I’d say technology has probably made us a bit more likely to lose things, but also made it easier to find them again.”

Band 8-9 Answer:
“That’s an intriguing question that warrants careful consideration. I believe the impact of modern technology on our tendency to lose items is somewhat paradoxical. On one hand, we now have access to an array of sophisticated tools designed specifically to help us keep track of our belongings. Smart tags, GPS trackers, and various apps can pinpoint the location of lost items with remarkable accuracy. This technology has undoubtedly made the process of recovering lost items more efficient.

However, there’s a flip side to this coin. The ubiquity of digital devices in our daily lives has led to an unprecedented level of distraction. We’re often so engrossed in our virtual worlds that we pay less attention to our physical surroundings, potentially increasing the likelihood of misplacing items. Moreover, our growing reliance on technology may be eroding our natural ability to remember and keep track of our possessions.

On balance, I’m inclined to believe that while technology has made it easier to recover lost items, it may have simultaneously made us more prone to losing them in the first place. This dichotomy underscores the need for a mindful approach to both our use of technology and our awareness of our physical environment.”

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Key Vocabulary and Phrases for High Scores

1. Misplace (verb) /mɪsˈpleɪs/ – To put something in the wrong place and be unable to find it.
   Example: “I often misplace my glasses and spend ages looking for them.”

2. Retrace one’s steps (phrase) /rɪˈtreɪs wʌnz steps/ – To go back over the same route one has just taken, typically in order to find something lost.
   Example: “When I couldn’t find my keys, I decided to retrace my steps to see where I might have dropped them.”

3. Frantic (adjective) /ˈfræntɪk/ – Wildly excited with fear, anxiety, or other emotion.
   Example: “She became frantic when she realized her passport was missing just before her flight.”

4. Disconcerting (adjective) /ˌdɪskənˈsɜːrtɪŋ/ – Disturbing the composure of; perturbing; troubling.
   Example: “It was disconcerting to find that his wallet was not in its usual place.”

5. Wave of relief (phrase) /weɪv əv rɪˈliːf/ – A sudden, strong feeling of relief.
   Example: “A wave of relief washed over her when she found her lost engagement ring.”

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Examiner’s Advice

To achieve a high score in the IELTS Speaking test when discussing lost and found items:

1. Use a range of vocabulary: Incorporate advanced words and phrases related to losing and finding items, emotions, and problem-solving.

2. Provide detailed responses: Offer comprehensive answers that address all aspects of the question, including relevant examples and personal experiences.

3. Maintain fluency: Practice speaking at length about this topic to improve your ability to speak smoothly and confidently.

4. Show coherence: Organize your thoughts logically and use appropriate linking words to connect your ideas.

5. Demonstrate grammatical range: Use a variety of sentence structures and tenses accurately to showcase your language proficiency.

6. Express emotions: When describing how you felt about losing and finding an item, use vivid language to convey your emotions effectively.

7. Reflect on the experience: In Part 3, be prepared to discuss broader implications and abstract ideas related to losing and finding items.

Remember, regular practice and exposure to a wide range of vocabulary and discussion topics will help you perform better in the IELTS Speaking test.

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IELTS Speaking practice on lost and found items

By following these strategies and incorporating advanced vocabulary and structures into your responses, you’ll be well-prepared to tackle questions about losing and finding items in your IELTS Speaking test. Remember to practice regularly and stay calm during the actual exam to showcase your best language skills.