IELTS Speaking · Part 2 · Cue card

Describe something valuable you lost

Last updated 21 July 2026

In short

"Describe something valuable you lost" is a Part 2 cue card in the IELTS Speaking test. You get one minute to prepare, then speak for one to two minutes. This guide breaks down how to structure your long turn around all four bullet points, the topic vocabulary to reach for, and the Part 3 questions likely to follow.

The cue card

Describe something valuable you lost.

You should say:

what it was
how you lost it
what you did about it
and explain how you felt

How to structure your long turn

Spend roughly 20–30 seconds on each prompt. Take the bullets in order — they build a natural narrative — and save the most time for the final 'explain' point.

1
what it was
Cover this in a sentence or two with a concrete, specific detail.
2
how you lost it
Cover this in a sentence or two with a concrete, specific detail.
3
what you did about it
Cover this in a sentence or two with a concrete, specific detail.
4
and explain how you felt
This is the most important bullet — give reasons and a personal example, and spend the most time here.

Timing & delivery

Part 2 is the long turn: you get 1 minute to prepare and speak for 1–2 minutes.
Use the preparation minute to jot keywords against each bullet, not full sentences.
Cover all four bullet points, spending the most time on the final 'and explain…' prompt.
It's fine to invent details — you're scored on how you speak, not whether the story is true.

Useful vocabulary for this topic

Natural, Band 7+ language for talking about shopping and consumerism.

a bargain: something bought for much less than its worth; “I love hunting for a bargain in the sales.”
window shopping: browsing shops without intending to buy; “I often go window shopping at the weekend just to relax.”
throwaway culture: the habit of discarding goods rather than reusing them; “Fast fashion has created a real throwaway culture.”
splash out: spend a lot of money on something; “I occasionally splash out on a nice meal to treat myself.”
an impulse buy: an unplanned, spur-of-the-moment purchase; “That jacket was a complete impulse buy, to be honest.”

Rounding-off questions

After your long turn, the examiner may ask a short question or two before moving on to Part 3.

Why do people become attached to their belongings?
Do people own too many things today?

Part 3 questions on shopping and consumerism

This cue card leads into a Part 3 discussion of the wider topic. Expect abstract, opinion-based questions such as these.

Why do you think online shopping has become so popular?
Do you think people buy more than they really need?
How has advertising changed the way people shop?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of shopping online?

See all Part 3 questions on shopping and consumerism

Explore more IELTS Speaking practice

Frequently asked questions

How long should I talk about the "Describe something valuable you lost" cue card?

You should speak for one to two minutes without interruption. The examiner gives you one minute beforehand to make notes, then times the long turn and stops you at two minutes.

Can I make up my answer to this cue card?

Yes. IELTS examiners score how you speak — your fluency, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation — not whether your story is true. Inventing realistic details is completely acceptable and often easier than recalling a real event.

What Part 3 questions follow the "Describe something valuable you lost" topic?

This cue card leads into a Part 3 discussion on shopping and consumerism. Expect broader, opinion-based questions such as "Why do you think online shopping has become so popular?"

What if I run out of things to say before two minutes?

Lean on the final 'and explain…' bullet. Adding reasons, feelings and a specific example naturally extends your answer, and it's the part that most improves your score.

Next step

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Rehearse this cue card under real exam timing with SpeakMetry's AI examiner, then get an instant band score and feedback on your long turn.

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