Describe an object you would not give away

Sample answer (estimated band 7.5)

I'd like to talk about a small, battered travel journal that I would never give away. It's a pocket-sized leather notebook I bought in a market before a long trip to the Marisol Isles about six years ago. Over time it filled up with quick sketches, ticket stubs, addresses, and little notes from people I met along the way — so, in short, it's full of memories. There are pages where I wrote when I felt really happy or confused, and also a tiny pressed leaf from a park where I met my best friend on that trip. To me the journal is more than just an object. I use it sometimes when I'm feeling lost; reading an old entry calms me down and helps me remember what I care about. It's been with me through moves, job changes and a few difficult break-ups, and those pages feel like a companion. Also, some of the handwriting inside is from friends who are no longer in my city, so those notes carry real emotional weight. Because of all that history and sentiment, I couldn't bear to part with it. I guess you could say it reminds me of who I am, and that kind of connection can't be replaced by buying something new or scanning it into a computer.

Part 3 discussion questions

1. Why do people form attachments to certain objects?
2. Do different generations value possessions differently?
3. How does consumer culture affect what people keep or throw away?
4. Can digital items be as meaningful as physical objects?
5. Should schools teach children about managing personal belongings and sentimental items?

Part 1 questions: Personal belongings

1. Do you like keeping many possessions or only a few?
2. What item do you use every day?
3. Do you ever lend your personal things to friends?
4. How do you decide whether to throw something away or keep it?
5. Have your feelings about material items changed over time?