Band 7 Example
Topic: Describe a time when you lost a valuable item
Example
Losing a valuable watch When and where it happened I'm going to talk about a time when I lost a valuable item, which happened about two years ago. It was during a vacation in Paris. I had been exploring the city all day, visiting famous landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum. What it was The item I lost was a wristwatch that my grandfather had given me. It wasn't just any watch; it was a vintage Rolex that had been in my family for generations. It had a classic design with a leather strap and a gold-plated case. It was not only a timepiece but also a family heirloom. How valuable it was In terms of monetary value, the watch was worth several thousand dollars. However, its sentimental value was immeasurable. It was a symbol of my family's history and had been passed down through three generations. Losing it felt like losing a part of my heritage. Explain how you felt about the experience When I realized that the watch was missing, I felt a wave of panic and disbelief. I retraced my steps, hoping to find it, but it was nowhere to be found. The feeling of loss was overwhelming, and I felt a deep sense of regret for not being more careful. I was also saddened by the thought that I had lost something so irreplaceable. This experience taught me the importance of being mindful of my belongings, especially those with significant sentimental value. It was a hard lesson, but it made me more cautious and appreciative of the things I hold dear.
Grammar Analysis
The answer effectively uses a mix of past and present tenses to describe the event and the ongoing feelings associated with it. For example, "I'm going to talk about a time when I lost a valuable item" (present) and "It was during a vacation in Paris" (past). This helps to set the scene and express enduring sentiments. The use of complex sentences enhances the detail and depth of the story, such as "It wasn't just any watch; it was a vintage Rolex that had been in my family for generations." This structure provides a lot of information in a compact form. The answer also includes causal connections made with conjunctions and phrases like "however," "when," and "especially," which help to explain motivations and results, such as in "However, its sentimental value was immeasurable."
Vocabulary
  • valuable item
  • exploring the city
  • famous landmarks
  • vintage Rolex
  • family heirloom
  • classic design
  • leather strap
  • gold-plated case
  • monetary value
  • sentimental value
  • symbol of my family's history
  • wave of panic
  • retraced my steps
  • overwhelming
  • deep sense of regret
  • irreplaceable
  • mindful of my belongings
  • significant sentimental value
  • hard lesson
  • appreciative