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Describe an item on which you spent more than expected: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

  • What it is
  • How much did you spend on it
  • Why you bought it
  • And explain why you think you spent more than expected.
Show all 14 answers

Cue 1:What it is

  • Begin by clearly stating the item you purchased, including its name and type.
  • Provide a brief description of the item, highlighting its features or significance.

Example

The item I want to talk about is a high-end smartphone that I bought last year. It has a sleek design, an excellent camera, and a lot of advanced features that caught my attention.


Cue 2:How much did you spend on it

  • Mention the actual price you paid for the item, and compare it to your initial budget.
  • Explain any additional costs that may have contributed to the total amount spent.

Example

I spent around 70,000 rupees on this smartphone, which was significantly more than I had planned. Initially, I intended to spend only about 50,000 rupees, but I ended up getting a model with extra features that drove the price up.


Cue 3:Why you bought it

  • Discuss the reasons that motivated you to purchase this item.
  • Include any specific needs or desires that influenced your decision.

Example

I bought this smartphone because my old one was very slow and had a poor camera. I needed a reliable device for both personal and professional use, especially for taking high-quality photos and staying connected.


Cue 4:And explain why you think you spent more than expected

  • Reflect on the factors that led to overspending, such as emotional decisions or marketing influences.
  • Consider how the features or brand reputation played a role in your choice.

Example

I think I spent more than expected because I was really drawn to the brand's reputation and the impressive features of the phone. The advertisements and reviews made me feel that this was the best choice, and I let my excitement override my budget.


Conclusion

    Example

    In conclusion, while I did spend more than I had initially planned on my smartphone, I believe it was a worthwhile investment. It has served me well and has enhanced my daily life significantly.


    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

    Using vague language can make your answer unclear. Avoid general statements that don't provide specific details about the item or your experience.

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    Tip

    Be specific about the item, including its features and why it stood out to you.


    2: Ignoring the Price

    Failing to mention the exact amount spent can weaken your response. It's important to provide a clear figure to illustrate your point.

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    Tip

    State the exact amount you spent and compare it to your initial budget to show the difference.


    Lack of Personal Reflection

    Not explaining your feelings or thoughts about the purchase can make your answer less engaging. Personal insights add depth to your response.

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    Tip

    Share your emotions about the purchase and why it was worth the extra cost to you.


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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 like it and it was the very I like a car and expensive car branded car and I have lots of money I've spent on this the car modifications comfort zone seat covers like change the gearbox designs so I thought in my mind I have lots of money in where I have more money more money invest on the Renault world quality car and I like I buy this car because the reason is behind the primary reason behind this because I need a I need a car in my whole day because I and for second or second is reason I want to collection in my garage I want to collection my garage in 100 to 200

    Band 5-6

    So the item that I spent more than I expected on was basically my bike which is Royal Enfield bike which I bought about 2 years ago from now and the reason I bought it was initially because I wanted to travel and travelling with my scooter was not an efficient way to travel as it was very slow as well as it had several problems that it had developed since it was being an EV scooter it was electric hence we had to charge it and there was a lot of hassle with the scooter so hence I sold it and then the plan was to buy a bike but we didn't decide which bike exactly at first it was probably you know a patrol bike but not a very expensive one but an affordable version of it but I ended up spending about more than 2 lakh rupees on the bike which was initially going to be about 1 lakh rupees to 1,50,000 rupees and that's why I think I spent more than which was actually required to be spent on that item.

    Band 5-6

    recently i was planning to gift a brand new car to my father on his birthday so i made a budget of it i was planning to spend around six to six and a half lakhs for the car and when i went to the showroom to see the car and i purchased a car which was more than that it was around eight lakhs as it has some additional features which would help my father

    Band 5

    Okay, I spent more than I expected on my phone because my dream is to buy iPhone 17 Pro Max. So I spent more than my expectations on my phone and I love my phone because my dream

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