Cue Card

Describe an occasion that you lost something

You should say:

• what you lost
• why you lost it
• what you did to find it; and
• explain how you felt about it.

Sample Part 3 Questions

1. What kinds of things do people usually lose?
2. What do people often do when they lose something?
3. Do you think offering a reward is a good way to get something back that you’ve lost?
4. Do you think some people are more prone to losing things than others?

Sample Cue Card Answer

I'll never forget the time I lost my favorite childhood blanket. I must have been around 8 years old, and I had taken the blanket with me on a family vacation to the beach. I remember being so excited to show it off to my cousins, but in the chaos of packing up to leave, I must have left it behind. I didn't realize it was missing until we were already on the way home, and by the time we turned the car around to go back, it was too late. The blanket was gone, lost in the sand and surf of the beach.

Losing that blanket was a big deal for me. It wasn't just any blanket - it was a handmade quilt that my grandmother had made for me when I was born. It was soft, cozy, and smelled like her perfume. I had slept with it every night since I was a baby, and it was my security blanket. Without it, I felt lost and alone.

Looking back, I realize that losing the blanket was a turning point for me. It taught me that sometimes, no matter how hard we try, things get lost, and we can't always get them back. But it also taught me the value of holding on to memories, not just physical objects. I still remember the feeling of that blanket, the smell of my grandmother's perfume, and the way it made me feel safe and loved.

Cue Card Answer Key Phrases and Idioms

lost and alone

feeling sad and without direction or support

After losing my job, I felt lost and alone, like I didn't know what to do next.

When I moved to a new city, I felt lost and alone, like I didn't know anyone or anything.

Sample Part 3 Answers

What kinds of things do people usually lose? You'd be surprised at the kinds of things people lose on a daily basis. I think one of the most common things people lose is their phones. I mean, think about it, our phones are basically an extension of ourselves, and we're always putting them down somewhere, whether it's on a table, in a purse, or on a couch cushion. And then, in the chaos of our busy lives, we forget where we put them. I've lost count of how many times I've misplaced my phone, only to find it hours later in a completely random spot. And it's not just phones, either - people lose their keys, wallets, and even their cars in parking lots. It's like, we're so used to having these things with us all the time that we forget to keep track of them.

What do people often do when they lose something? When people lose something, they often go into panic mode. They'll frantically search every nook and cranny, retracing their steps and trying to remember the last time they had the item. I've seen people search their entire house, empty out their bags, and even go back to the store where they last had the item. And then, when they still can't find it, they'll often start to feel a sense of desperation. They might post about it on social media, ask their friends and family if they've seen it, or even put up flyers around the neighborhood. It's like, losing something can be really frustrating, and people will go to great lengths to try and get it back.

Do you think offering a reward is a good way to get something back that you’ve lost? I think offering a reward can be a good way to get something back, but it depends on the situation. If you've lost something really valuable, like a laptop or a piece of jewelry, offering a reward might be a good idea. People are more likely to return something if they know they'll get something in return. But if you've lost something like a phone or a wallet, it's probably not worth offering a reward. I mean, most people are honest and will try to return something if they find it, but if they don't know who it belongs to, they might not know what to do with it. In that case, it's probably better to just post about it on social media and hope someone sees it.

Do you think some people are more prone to losing things than others? I think some people are definitely more prone to losing things than others. I mean, some people are just more organized and more mindful of their belongings, while others are more careless and forgetful. For example, my sister is super organized and always knows where her stuff is, while my brother is always misplacing his phone and keys. It's like, some people have a system for keeping track of their belongings, while others just kind of wing it. And then there are people who are just naturally more absent-minded, and they might lose things more often because of that. But I think it's also a matter of habits and routines - if you're used to putting your keys in the same spot every day, you're less likely to lose them.

Part 3 Key Phrases and Idioms

lose track of something

to forget or misplace something

I lost track of my phone and had to search the whole house for it.

She lost track of her keys and had to call a locksmith.