Describe something you bought that you really wanted to return: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

What you bought?
Why you wanted to return it?
What happened when you tried to return it?
And explain how you felt afterward.

294 unique answers with expert feedback

What steps did you take to try to resolve the issue with the online course?

I tried multiple ways to resolve the issue, including emailing their support, messaging them on WhatsApp, and even reaching out in group chats. Unfortunately, they removed me from the group and refused to engage further, which made the situation even more frustrating.

How did this experience affect your view on online purchases?

This experience made me much more cautious about online purchases. I learned the importance of reading contracts thoroughly and understanding the terms before committing to any payment. It taught me to be more vigilant and to research products and services before buying.

Have you had any positive experiences with online courses in the past?

Yes, I have taken online courses before that were very beneficial. They provided valuable content and support, which is why I was disappointed with this particular course. It highlighted the contrast between good and bad experiences in online education.

Band >7

00:00

Today I would like to explain about I purchased one dress material through online that is a jumpsuit like online I like this color and the pattern and also the descriptions say that it is pure cotton unfortunately it came when the when the material delivered it's entirely different color and pattern and additionally it's linen this material is polyester I never expect this type of linen and especially like during this summer seasons polyester is very it's very irritating my skin so I tried to return back through online itself and I sent a a message to the online through the online to the manager also and he replies me like apologize also so I after I try I after one day within that 24 hours I returned back this stuff fortunately after one week I got a new dress with my favorite color it's like a pink the same pattern I wish to get and moreover that I get the linen material also that's made me so happy and I send a message to the manager I got the really expected material and stuff

Follow up questions

What factors do you consider when buying clothes online?

When buying clothes online, I consider the material, size, color, and pattern. I also look for customer reviews and return policies to ensure I can return the item if it doesn't meet my expectations.

Have you ever had a positive experience with online shopping?

Yes, I have had positive experiences where the items matched the descriptions perfectly. The quality was great, and the delivery was prompt. It makes online shopping enjoyable when everything goes as expected.

How do you feel about the return policies of online stores?

I think return policies are crucial for online shopping. A good return policy gives me confidence to shop online, knowing I can return items that don't meet my expectations. It also reflects the store's commitment to customer satisfaction.

Band >7

00:00

what I bought was a bean bag filled with beans but it was not filled with beans we have to buy another bag of beans to fill the bean bag which makes no sense at all I bought it from Amazon the biggest online shopping app why I want to return it because the stitches were coming out and the material of the bean was leather bean bag was leather which is not a good quality leather it was tearing apart right after I bought it I haven't even used it and I called them to return it and saying my issues that I faced but they were not responding they were saying like they didn't even get an order for me like and they they were like they don't give a damn about my issue like they are saying they don't have any kind of details that I ordered but I told like for a month I was behind this thing but I still didn't get any kind of response from their side but they even called me bad words just not acceptable but I still tried my best to return it but I couldn't do it and afterwards I really felt very bad and I stopped shopping from the online like completely but I only had this experience with Amazon not any other

Follow up questions

What factors do you consider before making an online purchase?

Before making an online purchase, I consider the product reviews, the return policy, and the seller's reputation. I also look for detailed product descriptions and images to ensure that what I'm buying meets my expectations.

How do you feel about online shopping after your experience?

After my experience with the bean bag, I feel quite hesitant about online shopping. I prefer to shop in physical stores where I can see the product and assess its quality before buying. It has made me more cautious and skeptical about online retailers.

Have you had any positive online shopping experiences?

Yes, I have had positive experiences where the products arrived as described, and the customer service was responsive. For instance, I once bought a laptop online, and it was delivered on time, in perfect condition, and the support team was very helpful when I had questions.

Practice other cue cards

Band >7

00:00

I am a frequent buyer of shoes and watches. Last year I bought a shoe from Angamaly, a small town in Kerala. After some days I realized that the size was not correct. The correct size of my foot is 8 but the shoe was 9. It made me some unconvinced when I wear it. But after so many days of thinking, I decided to return it to the shopkeeper. But when I tried to give it back to the shopkeeper, the shopkeeper said that he will not take it back because I used it for 2-3 times at that moment. That's why he said that he can't take it back. After so many arguments, I made a decision to not give it back to him. I bought it to my home itself at that day. But nowadays I am not using it. It is simply placed in my rack. Nowadays I don't have any use of it. Although it is simply stored as a gift.

Follow up questions

What do you think about the return policies of stores?

I believe return policies should be fair and customer-friendly. It's frustrating when a store doesn't accept returns for items that are not suitable, especially if they were tried on. Clear policies help customers make informed decisions and feel secure in their purchases.

Have you ever had a positive experience returning an item?

Yes, I once returned a watch that had a defect. The store was very accommodating, and they exchanged it without any hassle. It made me appreciate their customer service and encouraged me to shop there again. Positive return experiences can build customer loyalty.

How do you feel about buying items online versus in-store?

Buying online can be convenient, but it often lacks the ability to try items on first. I've had mixed experiences; sometimes the fit is perfect, but other times I've had to return items. In-store shopping allows for immediate feedback on size and comfort, which I prefer.

Band >7

00:00

A thing I bought that I wanted to return was a pair of shoes I ordered online. I had seen them on a shopping website and the pictures looked really stylish. I was very excited because they were on discount and I thought they would be comfortable for daily wear. However, when the shoes arrived, I was quite disappointed. First of all, the size is smaller than what I usually wear, so it was quite uncomfortable for me. So, even though I ordered with my regular size, the material also felt very cheap and it didn't look anything like the photo online. When I tried walking in them, they were not comfortable and even caused pain in my feet. I immediately thought of retaining them, but unfortunately, the seller had a strict no return policy on discounted products, so I ended up keeping them in my cupboard without using them. I felt very frustrated and also realized that I should be more careful while shopping online. And it was a lesson for me to always check reviews and return policies before buying anything. People usually return items if they are defective, not as described, or the wrong size, or if they simply change their mind after purchase. I didn't look, the more instructions about the discounted products had no return policy, so that's why I ended up keeping them in my cupboard itself. Speaking about this, online shopping are convenient and it also have plenty of offers, but these stores should have mistakes that cannot be fixed.

Follow up questions

What do you think about online shopping compared to traditional shopping?

I believe online shopping is very convenient as it offers a wide variety of products and often better prices. However, it lacks the ability to try items on before purchasing, which can lead to issues like the one I experienced with the shoes. Traditional shopping allows for immediate feedback on fit and quality.

How do you usually decide what to buy online?

I usually read reviews from other customers, check the sizing charts, and look for return policies before making a purchase. I also compare prices across different websites to ensure I'm getting the best deal. However, I learned the hard way that I need to pay more attention to return policies, especially for discounted items.

Have you ever had a positive experience with returning an item?

Yes, I once bought a jacket online that didn't fit well. The seller had a great return policy, so I was able to send it back easily and get a refund. This experience reassured me about online shopping, as it showed that some sellers prioritize customer satisfaction and make returns hassle-free.

Show all 294 answers

Cue 1:What you bought?

Begin by clearly stating the item you purchased and its significance to you.
Include details about where and when you bought it to set the context.

Example

I bought a pair of expensive wireless headphones from an online store during a sale. I had been wanting them for months because I love listening to music while commuting and exercising.

Cue 2:Why you wanted to return it?

Explain the specific reasons that led you to want to return the item.
Mention any expectations you had that were not met.

Example

After using the headphones for a few days, I realized that the sound quality was not as good as I had hoped. Additionally, they were uncomfortable to wear for long periods, which was disappointing since I had read many positive reviews.

Cue 3:What happened when you tried to return it?

Describe the process you went through to return the item.
Share any challenges or frustrations you faced during the return process.

Example

When I contacted customer service to initiate the return, I faced long wait times on the phone. They informed me that I needed to send the headphones back at my own expense, which I found frustrating. Eventually, I managed to send them back, but it took a lot longer than I expected.

Cue 4:And explain how you felt afterward.

Reflect on your emotions after the return process was completed.
Discuss any lessons learned from the experience.

Example

After finally returning the headphones, I felt relieved but also a bit frustrated with the whole experience. I learned to be more cautious when buying expensive items online and to read reviews more thoroughly before making a purchase.

Conclusion

Example

In conclusion, returning the headphones was a challenging experience, but it taught me valuable lessons about online shopping and managing expectations. I now feel more confident in making future purchases.

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 response unclear. Avoid general statements that do not provide specific details about the item you bought or your feelings about returning it.

Tip

Be specific about the item, including its name and features. Describe your feelings and experiences in detail to create a clearer picture.

2: Neglecting Emotional Impact

Failing to express your emotions can make your answer less engaging. It's important to convey how the experience affected you personally.

Tip

Share your feelings before and after the return process. Use descriptive language to express your emotions, such as frustration or relief.

Ignoring the Return Process

Not explaining what happened during the return process can leave your answer incomplete. Candidates often skip this crucial part, which can lead to a lack of depth.

Tip

Detail the steps you took to return the item, including any challenges faced. This adds depth to your story and shows your problem-solving skills.

IELTS Cue Cards asked last week

Reported by Leap students who gave IELTS

Describe your favourite food at a traditional festival or a special event in your country

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

Pitampura Test Centre, New Delhi

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.