IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe an item you spent more than expected on: IELTS cue card with sample answer

An IELTS cue card for Speaking Part 2 with a Band 8 sample answer, the one-minute plan behind it, the vocabulary that lifts it and the Part 3 follow-up questions the examiner can ask next.
  • 259 words
  • An object
  • 1 minute to prepare
  • 2 minutes to speak

The cue card

Describe an item you spent more than expected on

You should say:

  • →What the item was
  • →Where you bought it
  • →Why you bought it
  • →And explain why you spent more than expected

One minute to prepare, then speak for one to two minutes.

An object

How to answer this cue card: a one-minute plan

  1. 1

    Jot down the item and why you needed it immediately.

  2. 2

    Structure your story chronologically: the plan, the surprise, and the final justification.

  3. 3

    Include sensory details to make your narrative more authentic and engaging.

Model answer

Band 8 sample answer

Band 8259 words, about two minutes at a natural pace. Details are invented; use your own.

A couple of years ago, I decided to invest in a high-end ergonomic office chair, specifically a Herman Miller Aeron. I had been working from home quite a bit and noticed that my back was constantly aching, so I went to a specialist furniture showroom in central London called 'Design Hub' to test a few models out. Initially, I had mentally allocated about three hundred pounds for a decent chair, thinking that would be more than enough to get something comfortable. However, once I sat in the Aeron and felt the mesh support and the way it adjusted to my posture, I was completely sold. The salesperson explained the long-term health benefits, and I suppose I let my desire for comfort override my initial budget constraints. I ended up spending over a thousand pounds on it, which was significantly more than I had anticipated. The reason I justify this splurge is that I realised I spend upwards of eight hours a day seated at my desk. I calculated the cost per use over a five-year period, and it suddenly felt like a sensible investment in my physical well-being rather than just a frivolous purchase. Although it was a painful hit to my bank account at the time, the relief it has provided for my chronic back pain has made it worth every single penny. It taught me that when it comes to tools you use daily, quality should take precedence over saving money in the short term, as cheap alternatives often end up costing more in the long run.

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8 words

Useful vocabulary for this cue card

  • ergonomic

    Designed to provide comfort and efficiency for users.

  • allocated

    Set aside a specific amount for a purpose.

  • posture

    The position in which someone holds their body.

  • splurge

    An act of spending money freely or extravagantly.

  • frivolous

    Not having any serious purpose or valuable worth.

  • chronic

    Persisting for a long time or constantly recurring.

  • precedence

    The condition of being considered more important.

  • long run

    Relating to a long period of time ahead.

5 questions

Part 3 follow-up questions

  1. 1What role does society play in shaping our attitudes towards this?
  2. 2Has the way people view this changed over the years?
  3. 3How do you think it will develop in the future?
  4. 4What are the benefits and drawbacks?
  5. 5Do you think the government should be involved in regulating this area?

Answer each in three to five sentences: position, reason, example, limit. See how to answer IELTS Speaking Part 3.

Frequently asked questions

How should I start the cue card "Describe an item you spent more than expected on"?+

Jot down the item and why you needed it immediately.

How long should I speak on an IELTS cue card?+

You get one minute to prepare, then speak for the full two minutes, about 220 to 280 words at a natural pace. The examiner will stop you at two minutes, which is a good sign, not a problem.

How is the cue card scored?+

Part 2 is not scored on its own. Your whole Speaking test gets one band from four criteria: fluency and coherence, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation. The cue card is where the examiner hears whether you can keep going for two minutes.

Can I use this sample answer in the exam?+

Use its structure and vocabulary, not its sentences. Examiners recognise memorised answers and mark fluency down; a shorter answer from your own memory scores higher than a recited one.

Keep practising

More cue cards: an object

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