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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 person you know who collects something.

You should say:

• what he/she collects
• how he/she stores/saves the collection
• how long he/she has been collecting this

and explain why he/she enjoys collecting this.

[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:
Different people like to collect different things for different reasons. While some people like to collect things to preserve memories, others like to collect them just for the fun of it. However, my friend, Ronin Gomez, likes to collect things in order to “appreciate their beauty”, even if it sounds a bit unusual.

If my memory serves me well, Ronin has been collecting “watches” from his childhood for about the last 15 years or so, and during this period, I have seldom seen him talking about any subject without any “footnotes” on his watch collection! But, I must say that my friend is really passionate about collecting different kinds of really beautiful and stylish watches from different eras and different countries even if it means travelling from one corner of the country to another with time permitting, of course. Besides, I should also mention that Ronin’s parents have been really supportive, financially or otherwise, of his “passion” for collecting watches without which, I don’t think that Ronin would be able to carry on with his “hobby”.

It’s not that Ronin just likes to collect those watches randomly and leave them here and there, but he likes to organize and store them inside a beautiful, glass-made “showcase” in the safest part of his home, away from “light” and public access, with serial numbers and other necessary information placed next to them, so that if they are ever stolen or lost, he can easily file a police report on them. And, then, of course, Ronin also makes sure that his beautiful collections are “polished” with distinguished and expensive “liquid cleaning materials” on a regular basis in order to preserve their shiny and unique looks.

Anyway, my friend enjoys collecting watches because it introduces him to the “artworks” and “technological pursuits” of different countries and eras in a way which wouldn’t be possible to know otherwise. Besides, the hobby allows my friend a “bragging right” to his friends about his efforts and “accomplishments”. Finally, he enjoys collecting watches because it keeps him busy when there is nothing really important to do.

Model Answer 2:

Introduction:
Well, for this topic, I'd like to talk about my cousin Eric, who has a fascinating hobby of collecting postal stamps. Eric's passion for stamp collecting has always intrigued me, and I've often admired his dedication to this unique hobby. I am so glad for this topic that allows me to talk about Eric and his passion for collecting stamps.

What he/she collects:
Eric has been an avid collector of postal stamps for as long as I can remember. His collection spans a wide range of stamps from different countries, each with its own unique design, historical significance, and cultural relevance. From vintage stamps dating back to the early 20th century to modern commemorative stamps featuring iconic landmarks and famous personalities, Eric's collection is both diverse and impressive.

How he/she stores/saves the collection:
To preserve and showcase his extensive collection, Eric meticulously stores his stamps in specialized albums and protective sleeves. He takes great care to organize them according to various themes, countries, and time periods, ensuring that each stamp is catalogued and displayed with utmost attention to detail.

How long he/she has been collecting this:
Eric has been collecting postal stamps for over a decade now, ever since he stumbled upon his grandfather's old stamp album during his childhood. Inspired by the beauty and diversity of the stamps he discovered, Eric began his own collection and has been passionately adding to it ever since.

And explain why he/she enjoys collecting this:
For Eric, collecting postal stamps is not just a hobby; it's a journey of discovery, learning, and appreciation for the rich history and culture of different countries and eras. He enjoys the thrill of hunting for rare stamps, the satisfaction of completing sets, and the sense of connection he feels with people and places around the globe through the miniature works of art he collects. Moreover, stamp collecting serves as a creative outlet for Eric, allowing him to express his curiosity, creativity, and attention to detail in a meaningful and fulfilling way. Above all, Eric finds joy in sharing his passion for stamp collecting with others, whether it's through attending stamp fairs, exchanging stamps with fellow collectors, or simply discussing the fascinating stories behind each stamp in his collection.

Idea generation for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:

This topic asks you to describe someone you know who has a collection or love to collect someting. You need to say what this person collects, how they store or display their collection, how long they’ve been collecting it, and why they enjoy it. A strong answer should give details about the collection’s value, uniqueness, and what motivates the person to keep adding to it. Here are a few ideas to help you structure your response. We hope that you will find this section helpful.

1. The cousin of my father – Mr. Imran:
Mr. Imran collects rare stamps from different countries. He has a large leather-bound album where each stamp is placed carefully with labels indicating its origin and date. He’s been collecting them for more than 25 years, and he enjoys it because it allows him to learn about the history and culture of various countries.

2. My friend from college – Jiya:
Jiya collects miniature perfume bottles. She keeps them in a beautifully lit glass cabinet in her room. She started this hobby around eight years ago after receiving her first bottle from her aunt. For her, each bottle represents a memory or a place she’s visited.

3. The brother of my school friend – Arif:
Arif collects old coins and currency notes. He stores them in a set of plastic sleeves inside folders, and they are all categorized by continent. He began his collection as a child and has continued for over a decade. He finds joy in uncovering the history behind each coin or note.

4. My neighbour – Mrs. Elina:
Mrs. Elina collects vintage teacups and saucers. She displays them in her kitchen cabinet, and some are even mounted on the wall. She started collecting them during her travels in Europe, and she enjoys it because each piece tells a story of a different era.

5. The uncle of my classmate – Farhan:
Farhan is a passionate collector of comic books. He has a huge collection, all sealed in plastic and organized chronologically in large boxes. He has been collecting since his teenage years, and he enjoys the artwork and stories, especially the superhero themes.

6. My elder cousin – Natasha:
Natasha collects handmade earrings from different artisans. She keeps them in a jewellery box with labeled compartments. She started this collection six years ago and enjoys it because it reflects her love for unique craftsmanship and fashion.

7. The son of my boss – Ravi:
Ravi collects action figures, especially from superhero and sci-fi movies. He has glass display shelves in his bedroom filled with these figures. He started his collection in childhood, and it helps him stay connected with his childhood interests and fandom culture.

8. My school librarian – Mrs. Karim:
Mrs. Karim collects first-edition books. She stores them in a climate-controlled section of her home library. She has been building this collection for over 15 years and treasures the literary and historical significance of each book.

9. The daughter of my aunt – Ayesha:
Ayesha collects postcards from all over the world. She pins them on a corkboard in her bedroom and also keeps some in an album. She started when she was 10, and her friends and relatives often send her postcards when they travel. She finds it exciting to connect with places through the cards.

10. My childhood friend – Tahmid:
Tahmid collects train tickets and boarding passes from his travels. He keeps them neatly in scrapbooks with notes beside each one. This hobby began during a school trip and has grown ever since. He enjoys looking back at the journeys he’s taken and the memories attached to each ticket.

Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:

When describing a person who collects something, using specific vocabulary can effectively convey the nature of their collection, their meticulous approach to storage, the longevity of their passion, and their underlying motivations. Thoughtful word choices will help you articulate their dedication and the joy they derive from their hobby, making your response both informative and engaging. Here are some relevant words and phrases:

Connoisseur: – An expert judge in matters of taste.
Example: My friend is a true connoisseur of vintage stamps, recognizing even the slightest rarity.

Archivist: – A person who collects and organizes historical documents or records.
Example: She meticulously acts as an archivist for her collection of antique maps.

Curator: – A keeper or custodian of a museum or other collection.
Example: He approaches his coin collection with the care of a museum curator, ensuring every piece is perfectly preserved.

Eclectic: – Deriving ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources.
Example: Her collection of global textiles is incredibly eclectic, showcasing patterns from every continent.

Meticulous: – Showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise.
Example: The way he stores his rare books is truly meticulous, each one protected and cataloged.

Priceless: – Beyond any price; invaluable.
Example: For her, the emotional value of her grandmother's thimble collection makes it priceless.

Sentimental value: – Importance based on personal feelings rather than material worth.
Example: While some items might not be expensive, their sentimental value to him is immense.

Pursuit of knowledge: – The act of seeking or obtaining information or understanding.
Example: Her collecting is driven by a deep pursuit of knowledge about the history of each item.

Fascination: – The state of being strongly attracted to or interested in something.
Example: His fascination with antique watches began in childhood and has only grown since.

Unwavering passion: – A strong, persistent, and constant enthusiasm for something.
Example: Her unwavering passion for collecting historical postcards is truly inspiring.

Source of solace: – Something that provides comfort or relief in times of distress.
Example: Sorting through his collection is a source of solace and relaxation for him.

Sense of accomplishment: – A feeling of pride and satisfaction from having achieved something.
Example: Completing a challenging set within his collection gives him a profound sense of accomplishment.

Nostalgia: – A sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past.
Example: Many collectors feel a strong sense of nostalgia when they add pieces from their childhood era.

Shared interest: – A common hobby, activity, or area of curiosity.
Example: Their collecting hobby has become a shared interest that connects them with a global community of enthusiasts.

If you prepare for the topic "Describe a person you know who collects something", you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:

1) Describe something you or someone you know collects.
2) Describe an interesting hobby you know about.
3) Describe someone you know who does something well.
4) Describe an interesting person you know about.
5) Describe an activity you enjoy doing.
 

• IELTS Cue Card
• IELTS Speaking
• Candidate Task Card
• Speaking Part 3

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