Cue Cards Samples with band 8 answers
Describe a situation/time when you found something - Cue Card # 683
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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 situation/time when you found something.
You should say:
- when it was
- what it was
- what you did with it
and explain how you felt when you found this item.
[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:
Thank you for choosing this topic for me. I don’t really think that I found many things in the past that were noteworthy. However, there were only a couple of occasions, when I found something valuable and noteworthy. Now, I would like to talk about one of those rare occasions when I found something all of a sudden.
It was about a few years ago when I was visiting one of the busiest tourist resorts in my country with some of my friends. The visitors there usually remain in a very relaxed mood because they want to make the best use of their vacation time by enjoying as much as they can. The situation was pretty much the same all over the resort whether they were enjoying their time at a regular restaurant or spending a few nights at a luxury hotel. I, along with my friends, was also in the same frame of mind where the last thing, we were expecting, was to find some valuable items, left by some “careless” visitors.
But, that’s exactly what happened to me when we went to a hotel room. Anyway, everything was looking so clean and organized in the room. But, when I was taking a shower in the bathroom, I noticed that my bathtub was not exactly emptying its water as fast as it was supposed to. So, I decided to take a look at the “drain” of the bathtub through which, the water was supposed to pass. There, I noticed something “metallic” which was blocking the “drain”. After taking a closer look, I made sure that the item was nothing but a “golden ring”. So, I immediately took it to the reception and informed the person in charge of the item.
And, after finding the item, I immediately wanted to return it to its rightful owner except, of course, I just didn’t know who he/she really was. I also wondered why the housekeeping people didn’t notice the ‘slow passage’ of water through the bathtub drain. Finally, I also felt that the owner of that ring must have left the room in a hurry before even noticing what he/she was exactly missing or leaving behind.
Model Answer 2:
Introduction:
Thank you so much for the time and opportunity to allow me to talk about a time or situation when I found something. Well, I vividly recall a memorable incident from a few years ago when I stumbled upon something unexpected and valuable during a walk in the park. I will share the story with you here.
When it was:
It was a bright and sunny afternoon in late spring, and I had decided to take a leisurely stroll through the nearby park to unwind and enjoy the pleasant weather. On that day, I found the object that I was referring to.
What it was:
As I wandered along the winding pathways, admiring the vibrant blooms and lush greenery, my attention was suddenly drawn to a glimmering object nestled among the fallen leaves near a cluster of trees. Curiosity piqued, I approached the spot and discovered a beautifully crafted pendant, adorned with intricate patterns and sparkling gemstones.
What you did with it:
Carefully picking up the pendant, I examined it closely, marvelling at its exquisite craftsmanship and timeless elegance. With no one else in sight, I decided to hold onto the pendant and take it home with me, intending to return it to its rightful owner if possible.
And explain how you felt when you found this item:
The event gave me a rush of excitement and intrigue. Although I was initially surprised by the unexpected find and thought to ignore it at first, I couldn't help but feel a sense of serendipity and wonder at the mysterious circumstances surrounding the pendant's presence in the park. Then I realised that I should take it with me and put every effort to return it to its rightful owner.
Idea generation for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
This topic asks you to describe a time when you found something unexpectedly. You are expected to mention when this happened, what item you found, what actions you took after discovering it, and how you felt about the entire experience. To make your answer great, try to include a bit of background story, your thoughts at that moment, and any emotional impact it had on you or others. Here are a few ideas to help you develop your own response. We hope you find them helpful.
1. I found a lost wallet on the street:
Last winter, I found a leather wallet lying near a bus stop on my way to college. It had cash, ID cards, and a driver’s license inside. I took it to the nearest police station and handed it in. I felt really proud of myself for doing the right thing and hoped it brought relief to its rightful owner.
2. I discovered a childhood toy in an old drawer:
While cleaning out my desk during the summer holidays, I stumbled upon a small toy car I had lost years ago. It brought back many happy memories from my childhood. I kept it on my study shelf as a reminder of simpler times. The feeling was nostalgic and heartwarming.
3. I found someone’s phone at a coffee shop:
A couple of months ago, I noticed a smartphone left on a table after someone left the café. I informed the staff and waited for a while. Eventually, the owner came back, looking panicked. When he saw his phone safe, his smile was priceless. I felt helpful and happy to have played a small part in someone’s relief.
4. I found a missing earring in the garden:
My sister had lost one of her favourite earrings while gardening. A week later, I found it tucked beneath a flower pot. I gave it back to her, and she was thrilled. I felt lucky to have found something so tiny and meaningful to her.
5. I found a valuable book in a second-hand store:
While browsing through a used bookshop, I found a rare edition of a novel I had been searching for. It was inexpensive but valuable to me personally. I bought it instantly and felt a sense of joy and satisfaction that’s hard to describe.
6. I discovered an old family photograph in a storage box:
During spring cleaning, I came across a black-and-white photo of my grandparents in a dusty box. No one in my family had seen it before. I scanned and shared it with relatives. It felt like recovering a piece of family history, and everyone was delighted.
7. I found a friend’s pen during an exam:
Right before a school exam, I found a pen under the desk and realised it belonged to my friend. I returned it to him just before the test started. He was so grateful, and I felt pleased to have helped him in a small but meaningful way.
8. I located a misplaced assignment file on my computer:
I once panicked thinking I had lost an important assignment, but later found it in the wrong folder. That moment of discovery filled me with immense relief and taught me to always organise my files better.
9. I found a purse at a public event:
At a local concert, I found a small purse under the seats. It had IDs and a phone number inside. I contacted the owner and returned it to her. She hugged me out of gratitude, and I felt proud and happy to have done something right.
10. I found a lost pet near my house:
One evening, I found a small dog wandering outside my house. It had a collar and a tag. I contacted the owner, who lived a few blocks away. They came running and thanked me. That experience was both emotional and uplifting, knowing I helped reunite a pet with its family.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
When describing a time you found something, using specific vocabulary can effectively convey the timing, the nature of the discovery, your actions, and your emotional response. Thoughtful word choices will help you articulate the surprise, the significance of the item, and your feelings, making your response both engaging and relatable. Here are some relevant words and phrases:
Serendipitous: – Occurring or discovered by chance in a happy or beneficial way.
Example: It was a serendipitous find, completely unexpected and delightful.
Elusive: – Difficult to find, catch, or achieve.
Example: I had been searching for that elusive book for months, so finding it was a thrill.
Unexpected discovery: – Something found that was not anticipated or looked for.
Example: It was an unexpected discovery that brought a huge smile to my face.
Hidden gem: – Something or someone that is extremely outstanding but not widely known or recognized.
Example: The antique locket was a true hidden gem, nestled among forgotten items.
Moment of epiphany: – A moment of sudden and great revelation or realization.
Example: Finding that old letter was a moment of epiphany, clarifying past events.
Overjoyed: – Extremely happy.
Example: I was absolutely overjoyed when I found the lost kitten safe and sound.
Relief washed over me: – A sudden and strong feeling of comfort or reassurance came upon me.
Example: As I picked up my misplaced wallet, a wave of relief washed over me.
Sense of fulfillment: – A feeling of satisfaction at having achieved one's desires or expectations.
Example: Returning the lost item to its owner gave me a deep sense of fulfillment.
Ethical dilemma: – A situation in which a difficult choice has to be made between two courses of action, both of which entail violating a moral principle.
Example: Finding a large sum of money presented a brief ethical dilemma about what to do next.
Promptly returned: – Given back quickly and without delay.
Example: I promptly returned the dropped phone to the customer service desk.
Sentimental value: – Importance based on personal feelings rather than material worth.
Example: The old photograph had immense sentimental value, making its rediscovery very special.
A pleasant surprise: – Something good that happens unexpectedly.
Example: It was a pleasant surprise to stumble upon that rare coin during my walk.
Sparked curiosity: – Aroused an interest to know or learn something.
Example: The strange artifact I found instantly sparked my curiosity about its origin.
A stroke of luck: – A sudden and unexpected piece of good fortune.
Example: Finding my keys just before leaving was a sheer stroke of luck.
If you prepare for the topic "Describe a situation/time when you found something", you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe something you found that someone lost.
2) Describe a time when you lost something.
3) Describe something valuable that you once lost.
4) Describe something that you have lost recently.
5) Describe something you recently did that was a bit unusual.
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