Search
Close this search box.

IELTS Speaking Model Answer – Buying Things

In IELTS Speaking Part 2, Buying Things and Shopping are popular topics.

This lesson looks at one Part 2 Cue Card where you can learn lots of useful vocabulary, collocations and idioms for this topic. In addition, you will practice your listening and pronunciation skills    

IELTS Speaking Part 2 - Cue Card

Describe something you have bought but never or rarely used

You should say:

  • What it was.
  • Where you bought it.
  • Why you rarely or never use it

and explain how you feel about this purchase now.

Getting Ideas for IELTS Speaking Part 2

 

Listen to the audio to hear me discussing the ideas for answering this question, as stated below.

1. Clothes – if they don’t fit 

2. Books – if you don’t have time 

3. Equipment for a hobby – if you don’t have time to start

4. Cheap items (pen, notebook, cups…) – if they break

5. Kitchen items – (blender, sandwich toaster, rice maker – when you realise they are a waste of time!

How to use this sample answer

  1. Guess the missing words before you listen
  2. Play, listen and check the missing words
  3. Listen again, pause and repeat short phrases.
  4. Listen again and read at the same time
  5. Note useful words, chunks and phrases

1. Guess the words

Before you listen to the sample answer, try to guess the missing words below!

  1. I wanted to get ________ ______ shape
  2. I ________ ________ to the shops.
  3. I will get _______ to using them.

Put your answers in the comment box below!

2. Now listen and check your answers.

 

 

3. Listen again, pause and repeat each phrase.

 

 

4. Listen and read

 

Click here to read script

A while back, I bought some roller skates.

I wanted to get back into shape. I had been rather lazy and inactive and needed to do some exercise.

In addition, I had seen other people, young people and old people skating in the local park, so I was quite envious, envious of their freedom, their energy, I coveted their skates, they were really groovy.

I think deep down I just wanted to be cool and hip like them.

So, I nipped down to the shops. I browsed a few different sports shops, and as usual when you buy something for the first time, you need to educate yourself. 

I wanted to find out why some skates were so expensive, so much more expensive than others, what made good-quality, what I needed to look out for when buying roller skates.

I was on a bit of a tight budget, so in the end, I opted for an affordable pair of nice, black skates.

Of course, the salesman also convinced me to buy the protective gear; the helmet and that. 

That was in Autumn, then November came and it was windy and rainy. Then winter set in and it started snowing, and I just didn’t go out.

So the skates sat on the shelf and gathered dust.

I don’t feel bad about it. I am hopeful that one day I will get round to using them.

That’s my story of something I bought and never used – yet!

5. Note useful words and phrases

 

See Vocabulary

A while back (adv.) = some time ago

I coveted their skates (v.) = I was envious of their skates

groovy (adj.) = cool and fashionable 

I nipped down to the shops (v.) = I went to the shops for a short time.

what I needed to look out for (v.) = be careful with 

I was on a bit of a tight budget (n.)  = I had little money to spend

I opted for an affordable pair (v./ adj.) = I chose a fairly cheap pair (that I could afford).

I will get round to using them. (v.) = I will finally use them (after not using them for so long)

Now you know how to talk about Buying Things and Shopping, why not go and explore more tips on how to do well in IELTS Speaking Part 2

Keith O'Hare

Keith O'Hare

Trinity Dip TESOL, MSc Digital Education (UK). Helping more than 40,000 students worldwide with my online courses. A lover of languages, teaching and lasagna!

4 thoughts on “IELTS Speaking Model Answer – Buying Things”

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Improve Your Spoken Grammar Today!

  • Use grammar correctly
  • Improve your fluency
  • Get native-like intonation

Fluent Grammar for IELTS Speaking