Describe a Thing That Your Family Has Kept for a Long Time- IELTS Cue Card

Sample Answer

Family heirlooms and keepsakes are not that common in my family. The inheritance that my parents received from my grandparents was chiefly in the form of property and land owned by them. However, speaking of relics from my ancestors that have been present for generations as tokens of remembrance, there is a particular souvenir that is very valuable to our family and especially to my father, an antique rocking chair.

This rocking chair was first owned by my great grandfather on my father’s side of the family and was known to be one of his most prized possessions. Although this rocking chair was merely an object that my great grandfather bought, it was an adored belonging of his, and no one except for him was allowed to sit on this particular chair. Nevertheless, when the time came, my grandfather received this chair as part of his inheritance since he was the eldest of my great grandfathers’ children, and my great grandfather wished it so. The tradition was followed, and the rocking chair, an antique by then, was received by my father, the eldest of his siblings.

Even though this rocking chair has been in my family for three generations, it was astonishingly well maintained and required next to no repairs and mending. Both my grandfather and my father were liberal with the use of this rocking chair and everyone was allowed to enjoy it. One of the most striking attributes of this rocking chair owned by my family is that it has never been broken or seriously damaged, which is quite impressive and bizarre, considering that this article of virtue is over one hundred years old.

Vocabulary

• Heirloom

Meaning: something of special value handed down from one generation to another
Eg.: The necklace that she is wearing is a family heirloom.

• Keepsakes

Meaning: something we keep for the sake of the people and events we want to always remember
Eg.: The gold coin that he owns is a keepsake from his trip to Greece.

• Adored

Meaning: loved and respected deeply.
Eg.: Everyone adored the newborn in the family.

• Astonishingly

Meaning: extremely surprisingly or impressively.
Eg.: He received astonishingly good grades this semester.

• Bizarre

Meaning: very strange or unusual.
Eg.: Some bizarre sounds were coming from the hallway at midnight.

Part 3 – Follow up Questions

• Which do you think are better, old things or new things?

In my opinion, both new and old things have certain qualities that make them valuable in their unique way. Some people are inclined towards antiques and aged collectables. On the other hand, some people like to own brand new items and tend to discard old belongings. Thus, I think it is fair to say that the value of an item is not determined by its age, as much as it is determined by the person using it. For example, a close friend always prefers to repair his sneakers instead of buying new ones since his old sneakers provide him more comfort.

• As well as family photographs, what are some other things that people keep in their family for a long time?

The items kept as tokens of remembrance in a family for generations can vary from one family to another. These relics are often jewellery owned by the older generations of a family and they subsequently turn into family heirlooms. Apart from ornaments, antique furniture and souvenirs can also be part of a family as they are passed down from generation to generation. Another item that is often passed down from one generation to another is a bridal dress or gown. Such a practice is quite common, especially in the Indian culture where a mother might gift her bridal gown to her daughter who is due to get married.

• In your culture, what sorts of things do people often pass down from generation to generation? (Why?)

In my culture, the most common items passed down from generation to generation are jewellery and ornaments. These items are often the prized possessions of a family and are a part of someone’s inheritance. Other things that may be passed down from one generation to another are special clothing items like bridal gowns and traditional attire for auspicious occasions. Ancestral homes are also widespread as family antiques in my culture.

• Why do you think people keep these things?

One of the primary reasons that such items are kept in the family for generations is that they serve as a token of remembrance to the family members of their heritage. These heirloom items are a part of a person’s legacy and are a reminder of that legacy to the latter generation. Often these items hold a special significance to the person who inherits them. It can be due to the attachment of a specific memory to that particular item, or they can simply serve as a reminder of a family member. Another reason people keep these things is because of their monetary value due to their antique nature.

• What are the benefits (= what is the value/what is the importance) of keeping some old things in the family?

There can be numerous benefits of holding on to relics and antiquities that are passed down from generation to generation. These items are often known to help the person who inherits them financially. On other occasions, family heirlooms are also known to bring good fortune to all family members in many cases. Apart from that, old things are often kept in families when they are in good condition and do not need to be replaced.

• Do you think it’s good to recall the past?

I think it is important to recall the past. People often forget where they came from and adopt certain qualities that are not in accordance with their nature or upbringing. It is also essential to remember your heritage and the values of your elders in order to move forward in life. The past also serves as a reminder of all the times a person has made mistakes or has experienced challenging situations and how they have overcome such hurdles. Thus, remembering the past is crucial to ensure that the present and the future can be lived harmoniously.

Vocabulary

• Incline

Meaning: be favourably disposed towards or willing to do something.
Eg.: He had a tendency to incline toward violence.

• Remembrance

Meaning: the action of remembering something.
Eg.: They all spent the afternoon in remembrance of their school memories.

• Inheritance

Meaning: a thing that is inherited.
Eg.: The violin was part of her inheritance.

• Legacy

Meaning: something left or handed down by a predecessor.
Eg.: The legacy of princess Diana was continued by his son William.

• Relic

Meaning: an object surviving from an earlier time, especially one of historical interest.
Eg.: The Taj Mahal is a relic from the age of Mughals.