Describe a person who likes to buy goods with low prices: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

Who this person is
What this person likes to buy
Where this person likes to buy things
And explain why this person likes cheap goods

20 unique answers with expert feedback

Why do you think people prefer buying cheap clothes?

People often prefer buying cheap clothes because it allows them to stay fashionable without spending too much money. Additionally, with trends changing rapidly, many feel it's not worth investing in expensive clothing that may go out of style quickly.

How do you think shopping habits affect personal finances?

Shopping habits can significantly impact personal finances. Buying cheap clothes can help save money, but if done excessively, it may lead to clutter and waste. It's essential to balance between saving and making thoughtful purchases to maintain a healthy budget.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of buying cheap goods?

The advantages of buying cheap goods include saving money and having a variety of options. However, disadvantages may include lower quality, shorter lifespan of products, and potential ethical concerns regarding labor practices in producing cheap goods.

Band 6-7

00:00

She usually prefers to shop in a street where you'll get goods at a good price. She mostly bargains with the shopkeeper. She'll take the goods with a good price. She definitely talks very loudly with that person. She doesn't get fever and she always prefers to talk very loudly. I hope she is correct because spending more money on the goods in this shop and that street will definitely lead to negative impact. There is no need to spend more money on the goods which are like shirts, clothing or anything. We are just paying for food. So it's not required to spend more money for that kind of goods and groceries. We need to take them in bulk so that we get them in a good price. I agree with my mom.

Follow up questions

What strategies does she use to bargain effectively?

She often researches prices beforehand and knows the average cost of items. This helps her negotiate better deals. Additionally, she builds rapport with shopkeepers, which can lead to discounts. Her confidence in speaking loudly also makes her presence known, which can influence the bargaining process.

How does she feel about shopping in bulk?

She believes shopping in bulk is a smart way to save money. By purchasing larger quantities, she can take advantage of lower prices per unit. This approach not only helps her save money but also ensures she has enough supplies at home, reducing the need for frequent shopping trips.

What are her thoughts on spending money on quality goods?

While she prefers low prices, she understands that sometimes spending a bit more on quality items can be worthwhile. She believes in balancing cost with quality, especially for essential items. However, for everyday goods like groceries, she prioritizes affordability to manage her budget effectively.

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Anonymous student Band 7.5

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Answer

I like to taste different types of cuisine. Here I would like to talk about my favorite dish at my traditional festival of Onam which is Sadya. Sadya is popular in my city. We are experimenting these cuisines on Onam festival day. Onam is a famous festival in my city. All family members get together in my home and we make a delicious Sadya. There are many ingredients includes that Sadya. Moreover, we make a big feast that day as well as we create a lot of memories together and we wear that day the traditional dress called Sari and men wear the Dhotis. That festival is really important to us because the whole day we are conducting different kinds of games at our homes and all the family members came together. It's a memorable day in my life. This is the festival. We are making the Sambar and Aviyal. These all the kinds of foods are making with the vegetables.

Talk about a toy you liked in your childhood

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 8

Sector 34 Test Centre, Chandigarh

Answer

The toy which I liked in my childhood was a panda doll, which makes me pleasant and makes me more blush. The pandas are the most beautiful creatures of the world, which looks gigantic and has pooshy cheeks and they are like stars in the clouds and they dream in me. Furthermore, these have been given by my father. My father is a very very beautiful artistic person, who makes me think of that. Every day you will face every difficulties and make you suffer and move forward. Pandas are always seen in Japanese countries. It is my lifelong dream to visit a Japanese country and click a photo with the original pandas, which makes sounds better.

Describe a time you were in a place where you didn't know the local language

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 6.5

Whitefield Test Center, Bengaluru

Answer

As India is a very large country full of diversity, so there are many places which have their own language and speak their native language. The place which I visited and I didn't know about their language was Leladakh, which is about 300 km away from my hometown and it is a very good place as it consists of different kind of trees, animals and have many scenic views and I visited over there last year in summers as it was the best time to visit because it has many, it was cold over there and we had summers in our area so it was the best time to visit over there and I went over there with my whole family.

Describe a time when your friend damaged something you owned

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7

Begumpet Test Centre, Hyderabad

Answer

When I was a kid, I had a little pencil box which had these four buttons which gave the pencil box an operative use. When you press the button, the box would open up. When you press the second button, a little part of it would slide out. Basically it was just a little electronical and a fun thing to have and I owned it when I was in 6th. One day after break, I was standing and talking there with one of my friends and another friend of mine was running through the hallway and accidentally she pushed my shoulder and my pencil box hit the ground and it broke into multiple pieces to the point that it was not functional anymore.

Describe a book you recently read

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

CBD Belapur Test Centre, Navi Mumbai

Answer

It Ends With Us is a book I read recently. It's by the author Colleen Hoare. It's mainly a story about two teenagers, Atlas and Lily, and how they just handle their life going through high school, adolescence, and just domestic violence at home. Both of them come from very, very different families. However, they have one common determining factor between them, which is domestic violence. The abuse that they've seen their moms go through is just insane, and they connect through that on a different level. They're actually in the same high school, but they never speak to each other until Atlas actually crashes into an empty house next to Lily's villa. When Atlas is homeless and he doesn't have anywhere to go, he just comes and breaks into the house next to Lily's, and Lily helps him with all the daily necessities like clothes and food, medicines and stuff. Furthermore, their friendship blossoms into love, but it doesn't really fructify as Atlas has to leave. This book really gave me a lot of knowledge about domestic abuse and how to deal with it.

Band 6-7

00:00

I am the person who likes to buy goods with low prices. I prefer to purchase daily groceries and clothes on a low price. For that purpose, I usually go to a mall which is situated nearby my rented house and another mall which is quite far away from us. These two malls often offer goods with subsidized prices. So I usually go there and purchase whatever I need and many a times when sales are going on they deplete the price even further. So I often go there as well. About purchasing low priced goods, it's not a bad habit. It helps you improving your financial condition. I prefer to purchase at a low cost because I am the typical middle class Indian. So I have a limited income based on my salary. So I have to be prudent when I buy things and when I plan my expenditure for a month. So when I usually get time, I go to a mall to buy things that I need or that I may need in near future. So whenever I get something on subsidized price, I get 2 or 3 pieces of that so that in future I can also use those things.

Follow up questions

How do you find out about sales and discounts at the malls?

I usually keep an eye on the mall's official website and social media pages. They often post about upcoming sales and discounts. Additionally, I subscribe to their newsletters to receive notifications directly in my email. Sometimes, I also hear about sales from friends or family.

Do you think buying low-priced goods affects the quality of the products?

Not necessarily. While some low-priced goods may be of lower quality, I always check reviews and ratings before purchasing. Many brands offer good quality products at lower prices, especially during sales. It's about being smart and informed while shopping.

Have you ever regretted buying something just because it was cheap?

Yes, there have been instances where I bought items simply because they were on sale, but later realized I didn't need them or they weren't useful. It taught me to be more mindful about my purchases and to prioritize my needs over just getting a good deal.

Band 6-7

00:00

One person that I know who likes to buy goods with lower prices would be my mother. My mother is one person who loves to buy different kinds of goods in lower prices. Usually she buys a lot of clothes, different kind of furniture for home, different kind of crockery. Firstly it's crockery which is the main aspect that she buys in lower prices. She usually gets these crockery from different kind of local markets. There are particular markets present in Mumbai, Delhi and many other places that she usually visits and goes to these small vendor based markets. These guys have small businesses which are cheaper in cost and at the same time really good quality. One of the reasons that she buys these lower prices crockery is because it's really convenient and beautiful to use. At the same time it is a very complete finish and with a lower cost. Secondly she loves to buy furniture. Furniture usually for our house. She buys sofas and a lot of chairs at the local market. As the finishing of these particular furnitures are very precise and concise. The quality and the polish is really good. So one of the main reasons she buys from local markets is that. And the third thing would be clothes. Clothes are something that she buys in lower prices from different kind of markets in Mumbai itself. As these kind of clothes we use in our daily life. So she loves to buy them as it saves a lot of money. And at the same time they don't look a lower cost cloth. The fabric and the look of it is really good. So that's one of the main reasons she buys it.

Follow up questions

What are the advantages of buying goods at lower prices?

Buying goods at lower prices allows for significant savings, enabling consumers to purchase more items. It also encourages supporting local businesses, which can lead to a sense of community. Additionally, lower-priced goods can still offer good quality, making them a smart choice for budget-conscious shoppers.

How do local markets compare to larger retail stores?

Local markets often provide unique, handmade, or locally sourced items that larger retail stores may not offer. They usually have lower prices due to reduced overhead costs. However, larger stores might provide a wider variety of products and more standardized quality, making them convenient for some shoppers.

Do you think buying cheaper goods affects their quality?

Not necessarily. While some cheaper goods may compromise on quality, many local markets offer high-quality items at lower prices due to lower operating costs. It's important for consumers to assess the quality of goods rather than solely focusing on price to ensure they are getting value for their money.

Band 6-7

00:00

The person that I'm going to talk about is my best friend Sneha who is an expert at buying goods with low prices. She is an exceptional person to strike a deal at low prices with the shop owners and you'll probably get good products at great prices that you haven't imagined yet. She usually buys stuff from thrift store or markets where the goods are sold at much cheaper prices. Once she got me a super deal on a smartphone, especially it was an iPhone and as usual the prices were quite expensive but she got me the greatest deal in the world and it got me to have the product in my own budget. I would like to learn this bargaining skills from her and she actually teaches me when she takes me out and shows me how to price your products and cheapen it.

Follow up questions

What strategies does Sneha use to negotiate prices?

Sneha uses a variety of strategies to negotiate prices, such as researching the average price of items beforehand, being friendly and polite with shop owners, and not being afraid to walk away if the price isn't right. This approach often leads to better deals.

How do you feel about shopping at thrift stores?

I find shopping at thrift stores to be an exciting adventure. You never know what unique items you might find, and it feels rewarding to get good quality products at a fraction of the original price. It also promotes sustainability by reusing goods.

Have you ever tried bargaining for a price yourself?

Yes, I have tried bargaining for prices, especially when shopping at markets. It can be intimidating at first, but with Sneha's guidance, I've learned to be more confident and assertive. It's a valuable skill that can save money and make shopping more enjoyable.

Show all 20 answers

Cue 1:Who this person is

Introduce the person by mentioning their relationship to you, such as a friend or family member.
Provide a brief background about their personality or lifestyle that relates to their shopping habits.

Example

The person I want to talk about is my aunt, who is a very practical and budget-conscious individual. She has always been someone who believes in making the most out of her money.

Cue 2:What this person likes to buy

Mention specific types of goods that the person prefers to purchase at low prices.
Explain any particular reasons they have for choosing these items.

Example

My aunt particularly enjoys buying household items like kitchenware and clothing. She often looks for sales and discounts, as she believes that quality doesn’t always have to come with a high price tag.

Cue 3:Where this person likes to buy things

Identify the places where this person typically shops for low-priced goods.
Discuss any favorite stores or markets that are known for their affordability.

Example

She loves shopping at local flea markets and discount stores, where she can find great deals. She often visits a popular market in our city that offers a wide range of products at very low prices.

Cue 4:And explain why this person likes cheap goods

Discuss the motivations behind their preference for low-priced items.
Mention any personal values or experiences that influence their shopping choices.

Example

My aunt likes cheap goods because she values saving money and believes in being financially responsible. She often shares stories about how she managed to save a significant amount over the years by being a savvy shopper.

Conclusion

Summarize the key points made about the person and their shopping habits.
Reflect on the impact of their choices on their lifestyle or your perspective.

Example

In conclusion, my aunt’s frugal shopping habits not only help her save money but also inspire me to be more mindful about my spending. Her approach shows that it’s possible to live well without overspending.

Following this structure will ensure you cover all the essential points while providing a clear and engaging response to the cue card topic.

Tips to answer this Cue Card

1: Avoid Vague Descriptions

Using vague language can make your answer unclear and unengaging. It's important to provide specific details about the person and their shopping habits to create a vivid picture.