Speaking Practice · Week 3 (Writing) · Day 3
Speaking Part 2 · Describe an Object / Possession
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Object cards feel narrow but they’re a gift: a single thing anchors the whole two minutes, and the ‘how you got it’ bullet invites a mini-story. Push students to attach a memory to the object.
Part 2 is the long turn: you get exactly one minute to make notes, then speak for one to two minutes without interruption. Use the prep minute to jot ideas against each bullet.
Describe something you own that is important to you
You should say:
- what it is
- how you got it
- how long you have had it
- and explain why it is important to you
You have one minute to plan, then talk for one to two minutes.
More cue cards (same category)
Describe a gift you received that you value
You should say:
- what it is
- who gave it to you
- the occasion
- and explain why it matters to you
You have one minute to plan, then talk for one to two minutes.
Describe something you have owned for a long time
You should say:
- what it is
- how you got it
- how it has lasted
- and explain why you keep it
You have one minute to plan, then talk for one to two minutes.
Describe a piece of technology you find useful
You should say:
- what it is
- how you use it
- how often you use it
- and explain why it’s so useful
You have one minute to plan, then talk for one to two minutes.
Model note-plan & sample answer
1-minute note-plan: WHAT: my father’s old wristwatch · GOT: passed to me at 18 · HAD: about nine years · WHY: connects me to him, still works, wind it by hand each morning Sample long turn (~2 minutes): The object I’d choose is an old wristwatch that belonged to my father. He gave it to me on my eighteenth birthday, which made it feel like a small rite of passage, and I’ve had it for about nine years now. It’s nothing flashy — a simple mechanical watch with a worn leather strap — and I have to wind it by hand every morning. That’s exactly why I love it, though: in a world of phones telling the time, that little daily ritual connects me to him. The reason it’s so important is obvious, really — it’s the most personal thing I own. If there were ever a fire, it’s the one thing I’d grab. And remarkably, after all these years, it still keeps perfect time.
Part 2 follow-up questions
- Do people today value possessions more or less than before?
- Why do some objects become more valuable with age?
- Is it better to give gifts that are useful or sentimental?
Pair-work sequence (~30 min) ▸ Model & prep · 5 min — Read the card aloud. Show how to turn the four bullets into a quick note-plan — one phrase each — inside the 1-minute prep window. ▸ Talk · round 1 · 10 min — A times B’s 1-min prep + up-to-2-min talk and notes one strength and one fix; swap (~5 min each).
▸ Talk · round 2 · 12 min — Re-pair. Same card — or a fresh one from the extras below — second attempt, smoother, with a clear past–present–future shape and at least one vivid descriptive phrase. Swap. ▸ Feedback · 3 min — Hands up: who lasted the full two minutes the second time? Spotlight one good signposting phrase you heard.
Listen for / feedback: Did they keep going for the full two minutes without drying up? Did they touch all four bullets? Flag anyone who finishes in 40 seconds — they need feelings, detail and a short story. Praise good signposting: “The thing I remember most is…”, “What made it special was…”.
Flexibility: Short on time today? Assign the whole set as paired home practice — a quick voice call or an in-person run — and have each student record one answer to bring back. If the room runs ahead of schedule, this slots straight in after the wrap-up.