Describe something you really wanted to buy but decided not to
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 something you really wanted to buy but decided not to.
You should say:
- what it was
- why you wanted it
- why you decided not to buy it
and explain how you felt about your decision.
Ready
1 minute to prepare, then 2 minutes to speak. It switches on its own.
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Band 8 sample answer
277 words · about 2 minutes at a natural pace · Phrases from the vocabulary list are highlighted.
Last autumn, I wanted to buy a very expensive pair of wireless earbuds from a famous brand. I saw them in a shop window when I was walking home from university, and from that moment, I couldn't stop thinking about them.
There were several reasons why I wanted them. They were sleek and white, with excellent reviews for the sound quality, and several of my friends had a similar pair. I was also influenced by an advertisement that said they would completely change the way I listen to music. I went into the shop and tried them on, and honestly, the sound was fantastic. The price, though, was nearly two hundred dollars, which was more than I had in my account at that time and about a third of my monthly budget.
I left the shop without buying them, and I had to think twice for several days. Eventually I decided that it would be an unnecessary expense. I already owned a perfectly good pair of ordinary headphones that worked well, and I realised that I was mainly attracted by the brand and by wanting to look the same as my friends. Also, I was saving money for a language course, which was more important for my future. So I put the money into that instead.
How did I feel? At first, a bit disappointed, I admit. But after a few weeks, I was proud of myself for resisting the temptation, and I noticed that I hardly thought about the earbuds any more. Since then, I try to wait at least a week before buying anything expensive, and often I find that I no longer want it.
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 |
|---|---|
| resist the temptation | avoid doing something you want to do |
| think twice | consider carefully before deciding |
| out of my price range | too expensive for me |
| a waste of money | spending that brings no real benefit |
| save up for | put money aside gradually to buy something |
| on impulse | suddenly, without planning |
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
- An expensive new phone when your old one still worked
- A designer jacket you saw in a sale
- A course or trip that was beyond your budget
How to spend the two minutes
- 25 swhat it was
- 25 swhy you wanted it
- 25 swhy you decided not to buy it
- 45 sand explain how you felt about your decision.
Part 3 questions
In the exam these come straight after your talk, on the wider subject: Money and self-control. Answer each in 3–4 sentences, with your view, a reason and an example.
- Why do people sometimes buy things they do not need?
- Do you think advertising has a strong influence on young people?
- How can people learn to manage their money better?
- Is saving money more important than enjoying life now?
- Why do some people use credit cards even when they cannot afford to pay?
- Should schools teach financial skills?
Keep practicing
More cue cards: Objects
- Describe a piece of furniture in your home that is important to you
- Describe something valuable that you lost
- Describe an object that you use every day and could not live without
- Describe a souvenir that you bought while travelling
- Describe something handmade that you own or have seen
- Describe a plant that you have at home or that you like
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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