IELTS Speaking Part 1 Old Things: Talk About Objects and Memories [Answer Guide]

“Do you keep old things?” sounds easy enough. Then the examiner asks, and suddenly your mind is empty, even though there are probably plenty of old objects at home you could talk about.

You do not need a dramatic family heirloom for this question. A worn school bag, an old notebook, or a toy from childhood can give you enough to say, as long as you can remember a real detail about it.

The official IELTS format describes Part 1 as a 4–5 minute exchange about familiar topics. That makes this a useful everyday question to practise: answer directly, then add details that are connected to your own habits and experience. IELTS Speaking format

01 Choose one object you can picture

Start by choosing something specific. It might be a notebook with a worn cover, a mug you have used for years, or a toy you kept from childhood. Ordinary objects are often easier to describe because you can recall how they look and where they came from.

For example, an old notebook might remind you of school because you used to write class notes in it and doodle in the margins. You do not have to make the memory sound extraordinary. One clear object and one genuine detail already give your answer a shape.

When I practise speaking topics, I find that a concrete object is easier to talk about than a broad statement such as “I am sentimental.” A detail you can actually remember helps the answer sound like yours, instead of a script anyone could repeat.

02 Link the object to a habit and a memory

Answer the question first. If you usually keep old belongings, say so and explain what you tend to save. Then choose one item and mention where it came from, whether you still use it, or why it matters to you.

A school bag, for instance, might no longer be useful, but seeing it could bring back memories of catching the bus with classmates. The useful details are simple: when you had it, what you did with it, and why you still remember it.

If you prefer to clear things out, that is just as easy to explain. You might say that you keep only a few meaningful objects, or that you take photos before letting something go. There is no correct personality to perform here; give a real habit and a reason.

03 Practise follow-up questions without memorising

Use the same object to practise a few follow-ups: Who gave it to you? When did you last use it? Would you hesitate before throwing it away? You do not need to include every answer in your first response. The exercise helps you choose a relevant detail when the question changes.

Record one attempt and listen for vague words such as old, nice, or good. Could you replace one with a detail like “a gift from my sister” or “the cover is worn out”? The aim is not to show off vocabulary. It is to help the listener picture the object.

Keep your answer focused, too. If the question is about whether you keep old things, you probably do not need to tell your entire life story. A direct answer, one object, and one reason are a useful starting point; you can add another detail if it fits naturally.

If you want to practise and review in one place, Youshow IELTS offers AI simulations for Speaking Part 1–3 with feedback after practice, alongside Listening, Reading, and Writing exercises and study records. The feedback can support your review, while official IELTS results still come from the test itself. Visit https://ielts.youshowedu.com.

Think again about that old object. It does not need to be valuable or remarkable. If you can say what it is, why you kept it, and what it brings to mind, you have turned a small everyday question into a clear personal answer.

That’s all for today. If you enjoyed this, feel free to leave a like.

Thanks for reading. See you next time.