Cue Cards Samples with band 8 answers
When you found something that someone lost - Cue Card # 665
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IELTS Speaking Part 2: IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card.
[The topic for your talk will be written on a card which the examiner will hand over to you. Read it carefully and then make some brief notes.]
Describe a time when you found something that someone lost.
You should say:
- what it was
- who lost it
- how you found it
and explain what you did with it.
[Instruction: You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you are going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]
Model Answer 1:
I am not exactly one of those persons who find the “lost” things of other people randomly, simply because I never really like to pick up anything from any place under the sky unless, of course, it is lying in my own place. And, I had been practising this important “rule” of mine like a religion for as long as I could remember. I even loved “preaching” about my rule to others, only to have it “broken” by myself suddenly, one day.
Even to this date, sometimes I just wish that I didn’t pick up that shopping bag, with a very expensive watch inside it, which was left by a lady sitting just next to me at a restaurant, eating her saucy spaghetti with macaroni and cheese on top.
Of course, I could have just called her from behind when she was “leaving” the food place, but I chose not to, because, I assumed that she was only going to a “washroom” and that she would be soon back to pick her bag. But, she didn’t come back as long as I was present there, eating my food. I could have simply left it as it was, but I informed the restaurant manager. The manager told me that he wouldn’t be any part of it and that I should have kept the bag with me since I was the first person to see her leaving the bag. I tried to convince the manager otherwise, but it was just a waste of my time and energy as he just wouldn’t “budge” even for a second.
So, anyway, I took the expensive watch in my possession and waited at the restaurant as long as I could, but the lady just never came back. I felt like it was my fault that the lady left her shopping bag since I could have stopped her, but assumed wrongly that she would be back, instead. However, after waiting for an hour, just before the closing of the restaurant, I decided to leave the food place after leaving my phone number and contact address to the manager.
The following day, the first thing I did was to inform the police about the incident, and the police gladly accepted the watch after handing over me a written document. The police assured me that he would call me if he needed any other information. Then I went back to the restaurant from where I picked up the bag to find out if she ever contacted them or not. But the response was “no”. Finally, I just told the manager that I had left the watch at the local police station to be picked up by its rightful owner. After that, I promised myself that I would never pick up anything from anywhere unless it was mine and only mine.
Sample Answer 2:
Well, I can recall a memorable instance when I found something that someone had lost. In fact, it stands out vividly in my memory, showcasing the value of kindness and honesty in everyday interactions. As soon as I got this topic, the memory came back making the event so vivid that it seems just yesterday. Here, I would like to share the story with you.
The lost item in question was a set of keys, comprising a house key, car key, and several others, attached to a keychain adorned with a distinctive logo.
The keys belonged to a fellow commuter who inadvertently dropped them while alighting from the bus at a busy downtown stop. I noticed the keys lying on the sidewalk as I disembarked from the bus and realized they must belong to someone who had just departed.
Recognizing the importance of the lost keys to their owner, I swiftly retrieved them from the ground and glanced around in search of the individual to whom they belonged. Spotting a disconcerted-looking woman several meters away, frantically patting her pockets and scanning the ground, I approached her and asked if she had misplaced her keys.
Upon confirming that the keys indeed belonged to her, I handed them over, relieved to witness her immense gratitude and heartfelt thanks. She explained that she had been in a rush to catch the bus and hadn't realized she dropped them off until she arrived at her destination. Expressing her immense relief at their recovery, she profusely thanked me for my honesty and integrity. I assured her that it was my pleasure to assist and emphasized the importance of always looking out for one another in our community.
Model Answer 3:
Thank you very much for this interesting topic. It reminds me of a rather memorable incident that happened a couple of years ago when I found something important that someone had lost. I would share this story with you.
This happened about two years ago, one busy afternoon, right at the main bus station in my city. It's always a bustling place, full of commuters, vendors, and the constant hum of vehicles. I was waiting for my bus, standing near one of the departure gates, keeping an eye on the schedule board.
What I found was a wallet. It was a dark leather wallet, quite thick, suggesting it contained a fair amount of cards and possibly cash.
I found it lying on the ground, right by the edge of the pavement, almost blending in with the general debris that accumulates in such a busy public space. When I bent down to pick it up, I immediately felt its weight and realized it was a full wallet, not an empty one. My heart sank a little, thinking about how distraught the owner must be.
The first thing I did after picking it up was to quickly look around to see if anyone nearby seemed to be frantically searching or looking distressed. Since it was such a chaotic environment, it was hard to identify anyone specifically. So, I decided to open it carefully to look for any identification that might help me return it. Inside, I found a significant amount of cash, several credit cards, and crucially, an ID card with a photo and a name.
Given the valuable contents and the difficulty of finding the owner in such a large, transient place, I immediately headed to the nearest police booth, which fortunately was located right within the bus station premises. I explained to the officer on duty exactly where and how I found the wallet, providing him with all the details and handing it over to him. He took down my information and assured me that they would try to locate the owner using the ID. I felt a great sense of relief handing it over, knowing it was in official hands and that there was a good chance it would be reunited with its owner. I often wonder if the person ever got it back, but I hope they did!
Idea generation for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
This Cue Card topic asks you to describe an experience when you found something that someone had lost. You should mention what the item was, how and where you found it, who the item belonged to (if known), and what actions you took afterwards. To craft a strong response, clearly explain the situation, your reaction, and the moral or emotional outcome of your actions. Here are a few ideas to help you develop your own response:
1. Lost mobile phone in a park:
While jogging in the park early one morning, I found a smartphone lying on a bench. It was buzzing with notifications, so I picked it up and checked for emergency contacts. I called one labelled “Mom,” explained the situation, and arranged to meet the owner. He was extremely grateful and insisted on buying me coffee. It made me feel responsible and proud for doing the right thing.
2. Wallet found in a shopping mall:
A few months ago, I found a wallet in the food court of a local shopping mall. It had cash, ID cards, and several credit cards. I immediately took it to the information desk. Later, I received a thank-you email from the person who had lost it. Knowing that I helped someone avoid a financial nightmare made me feel very fulfilled.
3. Classmate's textbook found on a bus:
During my college years, I saw a familiar name written inside a textbook left behind on a bus seat. I took it with me and contacted my classmate through our study group chat. He was relieved as he needed that book for an upcoming exam. Returning it felt like a small but meaningful gesture.
4. Jewellery box at a wedding hall:
At a cousin’s wedding, I stumbled upon a small jewellery box in the changing room. It looked valuable and possibly sentimental. I reported it to the event coordinator, who later found the owner - a bridesmaid who had misplaced it. Her gratitude was overwhelming, and I felt happy for helping prevent what could’ve been a disaster.
5. Lost pet with an ID collar:
While walking back from the grocery store, I noticed a scared-looking dog wandering near the street. It had an ID collar with a number, so I called and waited with the dog until its owner arrived. They had been searching for hours. It was heartwarming to witness their reunion and feel like I played a part in it.
6. Passport at an airport restroom:
Right before boarding a flight, I found a passport on the sink counter in the airport restroom. I handed it over to airport security immediately. Later, I heard an announcement that the passport had been claimed. Though I never met the person, I felt proud knowing I may have saved someone from missing their flight or facing serious problems.
7. Lost keys in a university hallway:
I once spotted a bunch of keys lying under a bench in my university hallway. There was a student card attached to it, so I located the owner through the student services office. He was extremely thankful, especially since he had been frantically searching everywhere. It reminded me how even small things can matter a lot to someone else.
8. Camera left at a tourist attraction:
While sightseeing at a popular historic site, I saw a camera left behind on a railing. It was a DSLR, likely expensive. I gave it to the site’s lost and found office. The next day, I received a message from the owner, who had tracked me down through a note I left with the staff. He was overjoyed and offered to send me a photo print from the camera. It was a beautiful reminder of the impact of simple honesty.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
When describing a time you found something someone lost, using specific vocabulary can effectively convey the nature of the item, the context of the loss, your discovery process, and your subsequent actions. Thoughtful word choices will help you articulate the moment of finding and the helpful steps you took, making your response both clear and commendable. Here are some relevant words and phrases:
Misplaced: – Placed in a wrong or inappropriate position or place, and subsequently lost.
Example: I found a misplaced wallet lying on the park bench.
Lost and found: – A department or area where lost articles are kept until claimed by their owners.
Example: My first thought was to take it to the lost and found office immediately.
Discovered: – Found unexpectedly or in the course of a search.
Example: I discovered a set of keys gleaming faintly on the pavement.
Valuables: – Items that are worth a lot of money or are otherwise very important.
Example: The bag contained several valuables, which made me anxious to return it.
Sense of relief: – A feeling of comfort or reassurance after a period of anxiety or distress.
Example: The owner's face showed a huge sense of relief when I handed it over.
Conscientious: – Wishing to do one's work or duty well and thoroughly.
Example: I felt it was my conscientious duty to ensure the item was returned.
Traced the owner: – Found or discovered the owner by following clues or investigating.
Example: It took some effort, but I managed to trace the owner through the contact details inside.
Anonymous return: – Giving something back without revealing one's identity.
Example: I considered an anonymous return, but decided it was better to meet the owner.
Good Samaritan: – A person who helps another person, especially someone they do not know.
Example: The owner called me a "good Samaritan," which made me feel proud.
Acts of kindness: – Instances of benevolent behaviour or actions.
Example: It was a small act of kindness, but it made a big difference to someone.
Promptly returned: – Given back quickly and without delay.
Example: I promptly returned the dropped phone to the customer service desk.
Peace of mind: – A feeling of being safe or protected; freedom from anxiety or stress.
Example: Knowing the item was safely back with its owner gave me great peace of mind.
Fortuitous discovery: – A happy or beneficial finding by chance.
Example: It was a fortuitous discovery, as the item was very important to them.
Alleviated distress: – Made someone's sadness, pain, or anxiety less severe.
Example: Seeing their reaction, I knew I had alleviated a lot of distress for them.
If you prepare for the topic "Describe a time when you found something that someone lost", you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe an experience when you found some valuable items.
2) Describe an experience when you lost something important.
3) Describe something you have lost recently.
4) Describe an occasion when you lost something important.
5) Describe a time when you were lost.
6) Describe a time when you were late for an appointment.
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