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Describe something you bought online

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 online.

You should say:

  • what you bought
  • which website or app you used
  • how long it took to arrive

and explain how you felt about the product and the buying process.

Ready

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

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Band 8 sample answer

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

A recent purchase I made online was a mechanical keyboard for my computer. I ordered it about three months ago from a large electronics marketplace, using their mobile app.

I had been thinking about buying one for a while, because I type a lot for my university work, and my old keyboard was making my fingers tired. I spent about two weeks reading reviews and watching videos on how different models sound and feel. I learned that there were many types of switches, which was more complicated than I imagined. In the end, I chose a compact model with quiet switches and white backlight, for around fifty dollars. I added it to my basket, paid by card and received a confirmation email immediately. The seller said it would take five to seven days, and it actually arrived on the sixth day, in a well-packed box, delivered right to my door.

I was very pleased with both the product and the experience. The keyboard feels solid, and the keys have a pleasant, soft click. Typing is more comfortable, and I feel more productive. It also looks great on my desk. As for the buying process, I liked that I could compare prices, read honest comments and pay in just a few minutes without leaving home. In a shop, I would not have found such a wide choice at that price. The only downside was that I couldn't try the keyboard before buying, so I was a little nervous that I might not like it. Fortunately, the seller offered an easy return policy, which made me feel safe. I'd definitely order from them again.

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
add to basketselect an item for purchase on a website
read customer reviewslook at opinions of people who bought the product
free deliveryshipping without extra cost
as describedmatching the information given on the website
return policythe rules for sending purchases back
arrive on timereach the customer by the promised date

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 pair of trainers from a global marketplace
  • A textbook or course
  • A present for a family member sent to another city

How to spend the two minutes

  1. 25 swhat you bought
  2. 25 swhich website or app you used
  3. 25 show long it took to arrive
  4. 45 sand explain how you felt about the product and the buying process.

Part 3 questions

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

  1. Why is online shopping so popular in your country?
  2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of buying things online?
  3. Do you think online shops will eventually replace physical shops?
  4. How safe is it to pay for things on the internet?
  5. Why do some people return items they buy online?
  6. Should online retailers be responsible for the packaging waste they create?

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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