IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe a comfortable blanket you use at home

A Band 8 model answer with the one-minute plan behind it, the vocabulary that lifts it, and the Part 3 questions that follow.
  • 251 words
  • An object
  • 1 minute to prepare
  • 2 minutes to speak

The cue card

Describe a comfortable blanket you use at home

You should say:

  • →what it looks like and what it is made of
  • →where and when you got it
  • →how often you use it
  • →and explain why you enjoy using this particular blanket.

One minute to prepare, then speak for one to two minutes.

An object

How to plan it in one minute

  1. 1

    Note down the material, texture, and colour to describe sensory details vividly.

  2. 2

    Mention who gave it to you or how you bought it to add personal context.

  3. 3

    Highlight the emotional feeling and routine associated with using it.

Model answer

Band 8 model answer

Band 8251 words, about two minutes at a natural pace. Details are invented; use your own.

I’d like to talk about a thick, fleece throw blanket that I keep draped over the back of my sofa in the living room. It’s a deep forest green colour with an ultra-soft, plush texture on one side and a kind of faux-shearling lining on the other. It is quite generous in size, so it completely covers me from my shoulders right down to my toes.

I actually received it as a housewarming present from my sister about two years ago when I first moved into my current flat. At the time, winter was just setting in, and my living room could get rather draughty in the evenings, so it turned out to be an absolute lifesaver.

Nowadays, I use it almost every single evening, especially throughout the autumn and winter months. Whenever I finish work and want to unwind, my usual routine is to make a cup of tea, sink into the couch, and pull this blanket right up to my chin while catching up on a television drama or reading a novel.

I suppose what makes it so special to me is the sheer comfort it offers. It has this comforting, weighted feel that helps me instantly decompress after a stressful day. Beyond that, it holds a bit of sentimental value because it reminds me of my sister’s thoughtfulness. Even though it is just a simple everyday object, wrapping myself up in it has become a cherished comfort ritual that makes my flat feel truly cosy and like home.

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8 words

Vocabulary from the answer

  • plush

    thick, soft, and luxurious to touch

  • draughty

    letting in uncomfortable currents of cold air

  • lifesaver

    something that provides crucial help in a difficult situation

  • unwind

    relax after a period of work or tension

  • decompress

    calm down and release stress

  • sentimental value

    emotional worth based on memories or personal connections

  • comfort ritual

    a regular, soothing habit that brings relaxation

  • cosy

    giving a warm, comfortable, and safe feeling

5 questions

Part 3 questions that follow this card

  1. 1Why do people attach emotional value to everyday household objects?
  2. 2In what ways have people's home comforts changed compared to the past?
  3. 3What causes some individuals to prefer spending money on home decor rather than experiences?
  4. 4Do you think future homes will focus more on technology or physical comfort?
  5. 5What are the drawbacks of accumulating too many comfort items at home?

Answer each in three to five sentences: position, reason, example, limit. Read Band 8 answers to these Part 3 questions: comfort and possessions at home.

Frequently asked questions

How should I start the cue card "Describe a comfortable blanket you use at home"?+

Note down the material, texture, and colour to describe sensory details vividly.

How long should my answer be?+

Speak for the full two minutes, about 220 to 280 words at a natural pace. The examiner will stop you at two minutes, which is a good sign, not a problem.

Can I use this model answer in the exam?+

Use its structure and vocabulary, not its sentences. Examiners recognise memorised answers and mark fluency down; a shorter answer from your own memory scores higher than a recited one.

Keep practising

More cue cards: an object

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