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Describe something you bought that you were very pleased with

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

Part 2 · Candidate task card

Describe something you bought that you were very pleased with.

You should say:

  • what you bought
  • where and when you bought it
  • how much you paid for it

and explain why you were so pleased with it.

Ready

1 minute to prepare, then 2 minutes to speak. It switches on its own.

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Band 8 sample answer

281 words · about 2 minutes at a natural pace · Phrases from the vocabulary list are highlighted.

Something I bought and am very happy about is a pair of wireless headphones. I got them about a year ago from an electronics shop in the city centre, when I was looking for something to help me concentrate while studying.

I had been thinking about buying headphones for a long time, because my flat can be quite noisy, with my brother playing computer games next door and the neighbours' children running around. I read many reviews online and compared several brands. In the end, I chose a pair with noise cancelling, which cost around ninety dollars. That was more than I normally spend on this type of thing, so I waited for a sale and saved up for a couple of months. The headphones are black, light and comfortable, and they come with a small case that fits easily in my bag.

I am pleased with them for a number of reasons. First of all, the sound quality is excellent, which makes listening to music or watching films a real pleasure. Second, the noise cancelling works very well. When I put them on in the library or at home, it is like entering a quiet bubble, and I can focus on my work for hours. Third, the battery lasts for more than twenty hours, so I rarely have to charge them. Finally, they have turned out to be very durable. I have dropped them several times, and they are still working as well as on the first day.

Some people said they were too expensive, but for me they are worth every penny, because I use them every single day. They are one of the best purchases I have made.

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

PhraseMeaning
worth every pennygood value for the money spent
splash out onspend a lot of money on something
a great investmenta purchase that brings long-term benefit
durableable to last a long time
on a tight budgethaving only a small amount of money to spend
bargain huntera person who looks for cheap deals

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 bicycle, desk or backpack that you use daily
  • A second-hand item found at a bargain price
  • An item you saved up for several months

How to spend the two minutes

  1. 25 swhat you bought
  2. 25 swhere and when you bought it
  3. 25 show much you paid for it
  4. 45 sand explain why you were so pleased with it.

Part 3 questions

In the exam these come straight after your talk, on the wider subject: Spending and consumer choices. Answer each in 3–4 sentences, with your view, a reason and an example.

  1. What do people in your country spend most of their money on?
  2. Do you think young people today are good at managing their money?
  3. Why do people sometimes regret buying things?
  4. Is it better to buy a few expensive items or many cheap ones?
  5. How do reviews and recommendations online influence people's buying decisions?
  6. Should people be encouraged to repair things instead of replacing them?

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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