IELTS Speaking Part 2 · Objects

Describe something important that you lost

Describe something important that you lost

You should say:

  • what the item was
  • when and where you lost it
  • how you tried to find it

and explain how you felt after losing it.

How to plan your answer

Use your 1 minute to jot down key words for each point, not full sentences.

  1. 1

    what the item was

    An antique silver wristwatch given to me by my grandfather.

  2. 2

    when and where you lost it

    Lost it last autumn on a bench in a public park.

  3. 3

    how you tried to find it

    Searched the bench, checked lost and found, posted on forums.

  4. 4

    and explain how you felt after losing it.

    Felt devastated due to sentimental value, but learned to be careful.

Sample answer

about 270 words · 2 minutes

I would like to talk about a time when I lost something truly meaningful to me, which was an antique silver wristwatch. It was not particularly expensive in terms of money, but it had immense sentimental value because my grandfather handed it down to me when I graduated from university. This happened about a year ago during the autumn season. I was taking a walk through a large public park near my home to relax after a busy week. I distinctly remember taking off the watch for a moment while sitting on a park bench so I could adjust my coat sleeve. Unfortunately, I got distracted by a phone call, stood up in a hurry, and completely forgot that I had left the watch on the bench. As soon as I realized it was missing later that evening, panic set in. I immediately rushed back to the park with a flashlight, hoping against hope that it might still be lying near the bench, but it was nowhere to be found. The next day, I contacted the park administrative office to check the lost and found section, and I even put up a few notices on local community forums asking if anyone had picked it up. To be honest, losing it made me feel absolutely gutted. It felt like I had let my grandfather down, even though I knew it was an honest mistake. It took me a long time to forgive myself for being so careless. Ultimately, this painful experience taught me a valuable lesson about paying closer attention to my personal belongings, especially items that carry deep emotional significance.

A teaching example, not a script to memorise. Say it in your own words.

Useful phrases

  • immense sentimental value

    The ring was not costly, but it held immense sentimental value for her.

  • handed it down to me

    My father handed it down to me when I turned eighteen.

  • hoping against hope

    We searched the area for hours, hoping against hope to find the keys.

  • nowhere to be found

    I searched my backpack thoroughly, but my wallet was nowhere to be found.

  • let someone down

    He worked hard because he did not want to let his parents down.

Common mistakes

I lost my watch since two years ago.

I lost my watch two years ago.

Use 'ago' with simple past for finished past time events, not 'since'.

I felt very damage after losing it.

I felt devastated after losing it.

'Damage' refers to physical harm, whereas 'devastated' describes strong negative emotion.

I tried to find it with going back to park.

I tried to find it by going back to the park.

Use 'by + gerund' to show the method used to accomplish an action.

Tips for a higher band

  • Use past perfect tense appropriately to sequence past events clearly.
  • Vary your vocabulary for emotions instead of repeatedly using basic words like sad or bad.
  • Use natural signposting expressions like I distinctly remember to enhance speech fluency.

Part 3 follow-up questions

After Part 2 the examiner may ask deeper questions on the same theme.

  • Why do people often lose important personal belongings nowadays?
  • What can people do to avoid losing valuable items when traveling?
  • Do you think material possessions are as important to young people today as they were in the past?

Now try this cue card

1 minute to prepare, up to 2 minutes to speak, then a band estimate and tips for each criterion.

Practice estimate, not an official IELTS score.

Describe something important that you lost (IELTS Cue Card & Sample Answer)