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Describe a website that sells second-hand items: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

  • What the website is
  • What kind of items it sells
  • When/why you used it or would use it
  • And explain why it’s useful
Show all 102 answers

Cue 1:What the website is

  • Begin by naming the website clearly and mention its purpose.
  • Provide a brief background about the website, such as when it was established or its popularity.

Example

The website I want to talk about is OLX. It is a popular online platform in India where people can buy and sell second-hand items. OLX was established in 2010 and has since become one of the go-to websites for anyone looking to find affordable used goods.

Cue 2:What kind of items it sells

  • List the types of items available on the website, focusing on those that interest you.
  • Mention any specific categories or examples that stand out.

Example

OLX sells a wide variety of items, including furniture, electronics, clothing, and even vehicles. For instance, I often browse the furniture section to find affordable second-hand sofas or tables that fit my budget.

Cue 3:When/why you used it or would use it

  • Share a personal experience of when you used the website or explain a situation where you would consider using it.
  • Discuss your motivations for using the website, such as saving money or finding unique items.

Example

I used OLX last year when I was moving into a new apartment. I needed a few essential items like a bed and a dining table, but I wanted to save money. I found a great deal on a second-hand bed that was in excellent condition, which helped me stick to my budget.

Cue 4:And explain why it’s useful

  • Discuss the benefits of using the website, such as cost-effectiveness or convenience.
  • Mention how it helps in promoting sustainability by reusing items.

Example

OLX is incredibly useful because it allows people to buy quality items at a fraction of the price. It also promotes sustainability by encouraging the reuse of goods, which is important in today’s consumer-driven society. I appreciate how easy it is to navigate the site and communicate with sellers.

Conclusion

    Example

    In conclusion, OLX is a fantastic platform for anyone looking to buy second-hand items. It not only helps save money but also supports a more sustainable way of living by giving pre-owned items a new life.

    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 of the Website

    Using vague language when describing the website can lead to a lack of clarity. Candidates should provide specific details to make their answer more engaging and informative.

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    Tip

    Instead of saying 'it's a good website', describe its features, layout, and user experience to give a clearer picture.

    2: Listing Too Many Items

    Focusing on too many different items can make your answer unfocused. It's important to highlight a few key items that represent the website well.

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    Tip

    Choose 2-3 specific items that are popular or unique to the website and explain why they are significant.

    Lack of Personal Experience

    Failing to include personal experiences can make your answer less relatable. Sharing your own experiences adds depth and authenticity to your response.

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    Tip

    Mention a specific time you used the website or a reason you would use it, explaining how it met your needs.

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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 >7

    There are multiple websites that sell second hand items in India, but one that stands out is OLX because I used it a couple of years back to sell a few items. It offers a very easy to use interface wherein all you have to do is upload a few pictures of the product that you want to sell, name a price and post it. The other people can see it, they can interact with you, ask you questions about it and the deal is closed within the app itself. Payment can be done beforehand or on delivery of the particular product. I used it a couple of years back to sell one of the mattresses lying around at home when we shifted houses. It was a pretty good experience, it was very easy and it helped us get rid of things that weren't required anymore easily and also gain money out of it. I think websites like these are very useful and helpful, especially when you have things that you want to get rid of and you don't want to go through the hassle of going to a shop, trying to sell it and the transport of the product too.

    Band 7

    Since I am a voracious reader, I would like to talk about this particular website that sells second-hand books, particularly old books. There I found that it was a very user-friendly website, by which I mean even I as a user can go and sell something that I already have. And also, I have to verify myself first as a seller, so it was full of verified sellers who have interesting and intriguing old books, rare collections of novels, which I found captivating for a bookworm like me. Interestingly, that website is also called a bookworm in my language. And additionally, there was this excellent site, excellent portion of the website which was mainly dedicated to gifts, and I found there a whole collection of Dickens novels, which I bought and gifted to my girlfriend. She is also a reader, so she liked it. And the interesting thing about these books is that they have inscriptions inside from the earlier owners of the books. So the seller particularly said that these books belong to a particular school teacher who used to teach in Mussoorie. So there were inscriptions not only about the book, but also about the place that he lived in. So I find that these websites are a very interesting addition to our digital age, where we can use the digitality of the age to address our own needs.

    Band 7

    The second time I hear a website that sells second-hand items, my mind directly travels to OLX. OLX is an app that helps customers buy or sell second-hand items. On this website, one can sell furniture, cars, plates, or any other materials. The best thing about this app is that you can directly sell items to the customers. You don't need an agent or a shopkeeper in between. But there are some drawbacks of this website too. We can experience a scammer's ear who pretend to be a real customer. So we have to be very careful while using such applications. Always confirm and then proceed with the payments. This app is very useful for customers as it provides second-hand items at a discounted price and you can order the item from your home itself. Also, it does require a very minimum amount of delivery charges. People can rely on this app if they want to buy or sell any furniture like bed, cupboards, kitchen trolleys, or even a bed. These websites also offer a discounted price.

    Band 7

    I recently came across a website that deals in second-hand items, Thrift Store. So I saw this website in a recent promotion on social media and it was named as a Thrift Store naming thriftstore.in and I would the deal in second-hand items including antique watches, antique items like hairpins and beauty products. I would recommend that we should use this website to buy second-hand items that are rare to find and are appealing to a person who cares about them. This website has a unique UI, the user interface and it tells more or less about the person who is searching for. This is the best website that I could find for second-hand items. The attractive item that I saw were the antique watches that were placed in an affordable section and were in excellent condition for that matter. I recently ordered one and I received it in a span of a week. It is commendable for a website that is using a third party delivery agent and in that manner I received a professionally oriented delivery of a professionally catered watch.

    Band 7

    The first website that comes to mind when I think of second-hand retailers is OLX.com. At first, they only started with second-hand clothing or devices like mobile phones and laptops. However, they have since then increased their range to second-hand cars and other day-to-day household items like beds, furniture and even utensils. When it comes to second-hand websites, I think they are extremely beneficial to the commoners because not only do you find an everyday item for less, it also increases the overall reuse value of items and decreases the load of consumerism and our dependability on raw materials as a whole. If a bed that you have is in good condition and can be used by someone else and you gain half of the value back, while a tree can be saved from cutting down to build another bed of the same caliber instead of just throwing it out into a dump yard, I think would increase the way we utilize materials and overall help decrease the carbon footprint.

    Band 7

    The most reliable website I've come across, particularly for second-hand goods, is eBay. And while we did have eBay first in India somewhere around 10-15 years ago, as part of Flipkart's Indian acquisition strategy, it took over eBay and shut it down just as a means to reduce its own competition. The reason why I found eBay fascinating then, and even now because I find myself using eBay.com, which is the US version of it, also the original version of it, is that I really like the auction system. A lot of items were available that were rare or collectibles that you would not find anywhere else, especially vintage items. So vintage items are quite hard to come by, such as watches. I remember there was a Casio 8500 that was listed at somewhere around 20,000 rupees, which, I mean, I couldn't really afford it being a 12-year-old kid. But that's what I aspired to. It must be confessed by me that once it went down, when the Indian version had shut shop, it did make me feel a bit bad. It made me feel like I'm missing out on something, and it made me a bit... There's also some amount of resentment that I held towards Flipkart for not letting the same platform run. However, business is business, and I understand that companies must do what they do to maintain profitability. My only request to Flipkart would be to start it again, or to start an equivalent website again where you could have an auction-based system. Well, there are competitors like OLX and I think Goibibo. I'm not really certain what the nomenclature is, but that still does not come close to eBay, because of its reliability.

    Band 7

    I would like to talk about a website called OLX. It was quite popular in my country a few years back. It had the option of reselling everything that you could think of, be it from old clothes to old electronics. We could list everything in the website and the potential buyers could contact us regarding the same. I had used it multiple times for reselling my old mobile phones when I received new ones as a gift from my parents. I found it very helpful since it allowed many people who could not afford to get new phones to still get a second-hand phone and it allowed me to save some money. Selling second-hand items also help in a sustainable growth. It helps reduce wastage and helps manage the increasing global warming due to consumerism and abuse of the resources that we have. I think we should all consider using second-hand items whenever it is possible as it reduces wastage.

    Band 7

    One website that I often visit for second-hand products is OLX, which is one of the most popular online marketplaces in India. It allows people to buy and sell used goods directly to other users, making it quite convenient and affordable. This website sells a wide range of second-hand items such as electronic gadgets, furniture, vehicles, cloths, and even real estate. What I find more impressive is the variety you can literally find almost everything you need at a reasonable price. The sellers post clear pictures and descriptions of their items, along with the price and location, which makes it easier for buyers to compare options. I first used OLX about a year ago when I wanted to buy a used laptop for my college studies. As a result, I wanted something budget-friendly yet reliable. But browsing through a few listings, I found a seller who was offering a well-maintained laptop at nearly half the original price. The transaction went smoothly, and I was quite satisfied with my purchase. I think this website is extremely useful because it promotes recycling and sustainability. Instead of throwing away items that are still functional, people can sell them to others who might need them. It also helps students and low-income individuals save money while still getting access to good quality products. Overall, OLX has made buying and selling second-hand items simple, safe, and environmentally friendly.

    Band 7

    OLX is a widely used website in India on which people trade a used household and all sorts of goods. Last year when I was planning to start a venture into teaching and mentoring people in my village, I needed some amenities such as seating desks, whiteboards and some other items to start this business. For which I reached out to various sellers on OLX. People were generous enough. The prices they offered were at a bargain and I could even offer for discounts. People mostly were very welcoming and they would even arrange for the transportation and help with transferring the items themselves most of the times. Apart from this, the app usually has items from all strata of users that one can imagine. Be it very clinical items such as medical devices or educational smart boards to very non-specific household items such as dining tables, chairs and beds. It has all kinds of stuff and a lot of people are daily using it to navigate their challenges and trade off simple items of their use at a bargain price.

    Band 7

    I would like to talk about a website called OLX which is one of the most popular online platform in India for buying and selling second-hand items. I first came across it a few years ago when one of my friends was trying to sell his old laptop and since then I have used it quite frequently myself. What makes OLX stand out is its simplicity and convenience. The website has various user-friendly interface where anyone can create an account and post advertisements with just a few clicks. People usually upload pictures of their products, write a short description and mention the price they are expecting. Potential buyers can then directly contact the sellers through the app or even negotiate the price before finalizing the deal. I think the website is extremely useful because it bridges the gap between people who no longer need certain items and those who are looking for affordable alternatives. For example, I once bought a second-hand Gita from OLX at nearly half the price of new one and it was in excellent condition. It really helped me save money while pursuing a hobby. What I particularly admire is the wide range of categories available on the website. It's not just about electronics or furniture. You can find cars, bikes, books or even rental houses. The variety makes it one-stop destination for almost anything. For my perspective OLX has a positive social impact as well.
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