This IELTS Speaking Practice Test has 3 Sections. In Part 1, you will be asked questions by your examiner for 4-5 minutes about the topic Broken Objects. In Part 2, you will be given a cue card for a monologue of 2 minutes based on the topic Describe A Broken Object You Still Keep, followed by more in-depth questions for another 4-5 minutes based on the cue card in Part 3. Overall, the speaking test takes 15 minutes.
IELTS Speaking Part 1
Broken Objects
Q1. Do you keep any broken objects at home?
A. Yes, I do. I still keep my old Casio wristwatch that stopped working about three years ago. My uncle gave it to me on my 16th birthday, so even though the strap is damaged and the battery no longer works, I cannot throw it away. I wore it almost every day during my school years, especially during exams and sports events. Whenever I see it in my drawer, it reminds me of that period of my life.
Q2. Why do people keep breaking things sometimes?
A. I think people usually keep them because of emotional attachment. For instance, my mother still keeps a cracked ceramic mug that my younger brother painted for her during a school art competition in 2014. Even though it cannot be used anymore, she displays it in our kitchen cabinet. It reminds her of his childhood, so its sentimental value is much greater than its practical value.
Q3. Have you ever repaired something important?
A. Yes, last winter I repaired my old Bluetooth speaker with the help of a YouTube tutorial. It was a JBL speaker that suddenly stopped charging. I opened it carefully and replaced a loose charging wire inside it. The process took nearly two hours because I had never repaired electronics before. I felt extremely satisfied when it finally started working again.
Q4. Do you prefer repairing things or buying new ones?
A. It depends on the item. If it is expensive, like a laptop or a mobile phone, I prefer repairing it first because replacing such devices can be costly. However, for cheaper items such as earphones or chargers, I usually buy new ones since repairs are often inconvenient. I also think repairing products is environmentally friendly because it reduces electronic waste.
Q5. What broken object would you never throw away?
A. Probably my grandfather’s fountain pen. The ink system is damaged, and the outer body is slightly scratched, but it is very special to me. He used it for many years while teaching history at a local school in Kolkata. After he passed away, my father gave the pen to me. Although it no longer works properly, it feels like a family memory rather than just an object.
Q6. Do young people value old possessions nowadays?
A. Some do, but many prefer modern products because technology changes so quickly nowadays. People often replace phones, watches, and gadgets within a few years just to keep up with trends. However, I believe objects connected to personal memories are still valued by most young people. For example, many students keep old photographs, school badges, or gifts from close friends even if they are damaged or useless.
Vocabulary
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Sentimental: Connected with deep emotions or personal memories.
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Attachment: A strong emotional connection to someone or something.
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Practical: Useful and suitable for real situations.
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Inconvenient: Causing difficulty or trouble.
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Environmentally Friendly: Not harmful to the environment.
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Electronic Waste: Discarded electronic devices such as phones or computers.
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Satisfied: Pleased because something was successful or achieved.
IELTS Speaking Part 2
Cue Card
Describe A Broken Object You Still Keep
You should say:
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What the object is
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How it got broken
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Why do you still keep it
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And explain how you feel whenever you see it
Sample Answer
One broken object that I still keep is an old black fountain pen that belonged to my grandfather. It is a Parker pen with a silver clip, and he used it regularly while teaching history at a government school in Kolkata for nearly thirty years.
The pen got damaged around five years ago when it accidentally fell from a wooden table onto a marble floor. After that, the ink system stopped working properly, and the nib became slightly bent. My father tried to repair it at a small stationery shop near Gariahat Market, but the shopkeeper said some parts were too old to replace.
Even though the pen no longer works, I still keep it safely in a small box inside my study table. The main reason is emotional attachment. My grandfather was very close to me, and he encouraged me to focus on my studies and improve my handwriting. In fact, he used this pen while writing letters and checking students’ notebooks, so it carries many memories.
Whenever I look at the pen, I feel nostalgic and emotional. It reminds me of my childhood afternoons spent listening to his stories about school life and history. Although it is technically useless now, I consider it one of my most valuable personal belongings because of its sentimental value.
Vocabulary
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Nostalgic: Feeling happy and emotional while remembering the past.
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Emotional Attachment: A strong personal connection to something.
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Belongings: Things that a person owns.
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Encouraged: Gave support or confidence to someone.
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Sentimental Value: Emotional importance attached to an object.
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Accidentally: Happening by chance and not planned.
IELTS Speaking Part 3
Q1. Why do some people become emotionally attached to objects?
A. People often connect objects with important memories or relationships. For example, a simple gift from a close friend may remind someone of a particular stage of life. In many cases, the emotional value of an item becomes much greater than its actual price. That is why people sometimes keep old watches, letters, or childhood toys for decades.
Q2. Do you think expensive items make people happier?
A. Not always. Expensive items may provide temporary excitement, but long-term happiness usually comes from experiences and relationships. For instance, someone may buy a costly smartphone and feel excited for a few weeks, but that feeling often fades quickly. On the other hand, a meaningful family photograph may remain valuable for years despite having little financial worth.
Q3. Why are luxury brands so popular nowadays?
A. Luxury brands are popular because many people associate them with social status and success. Products from brands like Gucci or Rolex are often viewed as symbols of wealth and sophistication. Social media has also increased its popularity because influencers and celebrities frequently promote expensive lifestyles online.
Q4. Do people spend too much money on material possessions today?
A. In many cases, yes. Some people buy unnecessary products simply to follow trends or impress others. For example, many young adults upgrade their phones every year even when their current devices work perfectly well. This habit can lead to financial pressure and unnecessary consumerism.
Q5. What kinds of possessions are considered valuable in your country?
A. In India, jewellery, property, and electronic devices are commonly seen as valuable possessions. However, many families also value traditional items such as old photographs, handwritten letters, or religious objects because they carry family history and emotional significance.
Q6. Do young people value possessions differently from older people?
A. Yes, I think younger people usually value modern gadgets and fashionable products more, while older generations often appreciate items connected to memories and family traditions. For example, teenagers may become attached to smartphones or gaming devices, whereas elderly people may treasure old books or family heirlooms.
Vocabulary
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Sophistication: The quality of being stylish, advanced, or refined.
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Consumerism: The habit of buying many goods and products, often unnecessarily.
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Possessions: Things that a person owns.
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Luxury: Great comfort and expensive quality.
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Temporary: Lasting for only a short period of time.
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Influencer: A person on social media who affects people’s opinions or buying choices.
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Heirloom: A valuable object passed down through generations in a family.
