Describe a bag that you often use
Try the card on the exam timer first, then read the band-8 sample answer and the Part 3 questions that follow it.
Practice it like the exam
Describe a bag that you often use.
You should say:
- what it looks like
- where you got it
- what you usually carry in it
and explain why you like using this bag.
Ready
1 minute to prepare, then 2 minutes to speak. It switches on its own.
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Band 8 sample answer
264 words · about 2 minutes at a natural pace · Phrases from the vocabulary list are highlighted.
The bag I use most often is a grey backpack that I bought two years ago from a sports shop in my city. It was on sale, and I paid around thirty dollars, which I thought was a good price for such good quality.
It is fairly large, with a main compartment, a smaller front pocket and two side pockets for water bottles or an umbrella. Inside the main section, there is a padded space for a laptop, which is the reason I chose it. The straps are wide and adjustable, so it is comfortable even when it is heavy, and the material is waterproof, which has saved my books many times on rainy days. I carry it every day to university. In it, I usually have my laptop, a couple of notebooks, textbooks, a charger, headphones, a small umbrella and a snack or two. On weekends, I sometimes take it on short hiking trips with my friends, and it works well for that too.
I like it for several reasons. Firstly, it is highly practical, because everything has its place, and I can find things quickly without searching. Secondly, it has proved very durable. Despite carrying heavy loads for two years, it still has no holes or broken zips. Thirdly, the simple design goes with everything, whether I'm wearing a jacket for class or casual clothes with friends. It is not the most fashionable bag in the world, but I do not need that. I feel comfortable with it on my back, and I plan to keep using it until it falls apart.
What to notice
- It takes the points on the card in order, so the examiner can follow it.
- Each point gets a specific detail or a short story, which is what keeps a talk going for two minutes.
- The "explain" line at the end gets the most time, because that is where you give an opinion and show your range of language.
We wrote this answer for practice; it does not come from IELTS. Take its structure and phrases and tell your own story, because examiners notice memorised answers.
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Useful vocabulary
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| spacious compartments | roomy sections inside a bag |
| adjustable straps | bands that can be made longer or shorter |
| waterproof | not allowing water to pass through |
| carry around | take with you everywhere |
| wear and tear | damage caused by normal use |
| functional | designed to be practical |
Plan it in one minute
Choose what to talk about in the first ten seconds, then write two or three key words for each point. Full sentences take too long to write and to read back.
Who or what you could talk about
- A backpack for university
- A leather handbag you bought for work
- A tote bag from a place you visited
How to spend the two minutes
- 25 swhat it looks like
- 25 swhere you got it
- 25 swhat you usually carry in it
- 45 sand explain why you like using this bag.
Part 3 questions
In the exam these come straight after your talk, on the wider subject: Everyday items and consumer habits. Answer each in 3–4 sentences, with your view, a reason and an example.
- Why do people carry so many things with them nowadays?
- Do you think fashion is more important than practicality when choosing bags?
- Why are plastic bags banned in some countries?
- Do men and women choose different kinds of bags?
- Is it worth paying a lot for a branded bag?
- How can people reduce waste when they go shopping?
Keep practicing
More cue cards: Objects
- Describe an item of clothing that you like to wear
- Describe something handmade that you own or have seen
- Describe something valuable that you lost
- Describe something that was broken and that you repaired or had repaired
- Describe an object that brings you luck or that you carry for good luck
- Describe something you bought that you were very pleased with
Part 1 topics on the same subject
Frequently asked questions
How should I describe an object in an IELTS cue card?
Say what it is and how you got it, then talk about how you use it and one moment when it mattered. Objects run out of description fast, so the story around the object is what fills the two minutes.
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