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Describe A Problem You Had While Shopping Online Or In A Store: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

  • When it happened
  • What you bought
  • What problem you had
  • And describe the party.
Show all 122 answers

Cue 1:When it happened

  • Begin by mentioning the time frame when the online shopping experience occurred, such as during a festival or sale.
  • Provide context about your shopping habits, like if you usually shop online or prefer physical stores.

Example

Last month, during the Diwali festival, I decided to do some online shopping to buy gifts for my family. I usually prefer shopping online because of the convenience it offers.


Cue 2:What you bought

  • Clearly state the item you intended to purchase, including any specific details that make it relatable.
  • Mention why you chose this particular item, perhaps due to its significance or popularity.

Example

I was looking to buy a beautiful set of traditional Indian sweets to gift to my relatives. These sweets are a staple during Diwali, and I wanted to ensure I got the best quality.


Cue 3:What problem you had

  • Describe the specific issue you faced while shopping, whether it was related to the website, delivery, or product quality.
  • Explain how this problem affected your shopping experience and your feelings about it.

Example

Unfortunately, after placing my order, I received a notification that the sweets I ordered were out of stock. I was really disappointed because I had planned to surprise my family with them.


Cue 4:And describe the party

  • Talk about the significance of the occasion and how the problem impacted the celebration.
  • Share how you resolved the issue or what alternative you found to still make the occasion special.

Example

Diwali is a time for family gatherings and celebrations, and I wanted to make it special. After the issue, I quickly searched for another vendor and found a local store that offered similar sweets. I managed to get them in time for the celebration, and my family loved them!


Conclusion

    Example

    Overall, while my online shopping experience had its challenges, it taught me the importance of having backup plans. In the end, I was able to enjoy Diwali with my family, which was the most important part.


    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: Vague Descriptions

    Being vague can make your answer less engaging and informative. Avoid general statements that do not provide specific details about your experience.

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    Tip

    Use specific examples and details about the product, the problem, and your feelings to create a vivid picture for the examiner.


    2: Ignoring the Cues

    Failing to address all the cues can lead to an incomplete answer. This may result in a lower score as it shows a lack of organization.

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    Tip

    Structure your response by clearly addressing each cue: when it happened, what you bought, the problem, and your feelings about it.


    Overly Negative Tone

    Focusing too much on negativity can make your response less appealing. It’s important to balance your experience with some positive aspects.

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    Tip

    While discussing the problem, also mention any positive outcomes or lessons learned to create a more balanced narrative.


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    Anonymous student Band 8

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    Anonymous student Band 6.5

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    All Answers

    Here are all the answers by real-users practicing speaking for IELTS Cue Cards on our IELTS Prep App.

    Band 5-6

    I remember back when I was a kid, there was a trend going on of Fitbit, a smartwatch that used to track our calories, heartbeat and how much steps did we walk today. So being a first time, I just ordered it from the Flipkart and in return, after waiting for 7 days, I got a Fitbit band without the machine. I guess when I was ordering, I just went through some misinterpretation.

    Band 5

    complete life last summer shopping online i had ordered a some dresses which was very beautiful and i want to exchange it with another size but it was not in the stock so i was hesitating to return it and i returned to it, it took many days for it to return the only strong policy is that you have to return it sometimes 7 days or more the policy stops if i return it so i have to return it every time, take it back it's about to be released, it is now and i have to call them over to raise a complaint, they were not allowed allegedly complained and later on they finally allowed them to make a complaint and worked on it it took me so much of time to just return one dress and get the different pack so it just took a lot of time my next step i was thinking it's ok because i have to get this dress, it's wrong, i am not liking it i have to get another dress from the same store they were not refunded we can get refunded if we don't like the dress but i have to have a purchase from the same store so it's good that in online store we have that kind of benefit that we don't have in a store i prefer buying clothes from online mostly

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