IELTS speaking practice 4

What do you usually have for breakfast?

On weekdays it's pretty simple, usually a bowl of oats with some fruit and a strong coffee, because I'm always in a bit of a rush. On weekends, though, I like to take my time and make something more substantial, like eggs on toast with avocado. If I'm honest, the weekend breakfast is one of the highlights of my week.

Do you often forget things? What do you do to help you remember?

More often than I'd like to admit, especially small things like where I've left my keys or whether I've replied to a message. To get around it, I rely heavily on my phone. I set reminders for almost everything and keep a running to-do list. And for the keys, I've finally trained myself to always leave them in a bowl by the front door.

Is it important to you to keep your home tidy? Why?

Yes, fairly important. I find I just can't relax or concentrate properly if there's clutter everywhere, so I try to do a quick tidy-up every evening before bed. That said, I'm not obsessive about it. During a busy week, things can get a bit out of hand, and then I'll spend Saturday morning sorting it all out.

Do you like rainy days? Why or why not?

It depends on what I've got planned. If I'm supposed to be outside, rain can be a real nuisance, especially when I'm commuting and end up soaked. But on a weekend with nothing on, I actually love it. There's something really cosy about staying in with a cup of tea, listening to the rain on the roof and not feeling guilty about doing nothing.

Describe an object you own that you would be sad to lose. You should say: what it is, how you got it, how long you have had it, and explain why it is important to you. (1 minute to prepare, up to 2 minutes to speak.)

The object I'd like to talk about is an old wristwatch that used to belong to my grandfather. It's nothing fancy, just a simple silver watch with a leather strap and a slightly scratched face, but it's probably the thing I'd be most upset to lose.

I got it when I finished high school. My grandfather had passed away a couple of years earlier, and my grandmother gave it to me at my graduation. She said he'd always wanted it to go to one of the grandchildren, and that he'd worn it every single day for more than forty years.

So I've had it for about eight years now. I don't wear it every day, because I'm a bit paranoid about damaging it, but I always put it on for important occasions, like job interviews, weddings or exams. It's become a kind of good-luck charm for me. A couple of years ago it stopped working, and I was genuinely worried it couldn't be fixed, but I found a small watch repairer who managed to get it going again, which was a huge relief.

As for why it matters so much, it's obviously not about the money, because I doubt it's worth very much. It's more that it connects me to my grandfather. He was a very patient, practical man who could fix almost anything, and when I wear the watch I feel as if a little bit of him is with me. I suppose it's also a reminder of the kind of person I'd like to be. If I lost it, I could buy another watch easily, but I could never replace what it represents.

Why do people keep things they no longer use?

I think there are a few different reasons. The most common one is sentimental value. Things like old letters, children's drawings or clothes from a special occasion are linked to memories, so throwing them away can feel like throwing away part of your past. Another reason is the 'just in case' mentality. People hang on to cables, jars or old phones because they might come in handy one day, even though they rarely do. And for some people, it's partly a matter of guilt, especially if something was expensive or was a gift. Having said that, I think attitudes are shifting, and decluttering has become quite fashionable, partly because people living in smaller homes simply don't have the space.

Do you think people today buy too many things?

On the whole, yes, I'd say many people do, at least in wealthier societies. Online shopping has made buying things almost effortless. You can order something with a single tap at midnight and have it on your doorstep the next day, so a lot of purchases are impulsive rather than needed. Fast fashion is a good example: clothes are so cheap that some people wear them only a few times. The obvious cost is environmental, because all of this has to be produced, shipped and eventually thrown away. That said, I don't want to oversimplify, because for many families money is tight and they're buying only what they need. So it's really a question of over-consumption by those who can afford it.

How have the things people value changed compared with older generations?

I think the biggest shift is from owning things to having experiences. My grandparents' generation tended to value durable possessions, a house, good furniture, a car that would last for decades, partly because they'd grown up with very little and those things represented security. Many younger people, by contrast, seem happier spending their money on travel, concerts or eating out, and they're more comfortable renting or sharing things rather than owning them. Part of that is choice, but part of it is necessity, because home ownership is much harder to achieve in many cities now. Interestingly, though, I think some older values are making a comeback, such as buying quality items that last and repairing things rather than replacing them.