Cue Cards Samples with band 8 answers
When you could not pay for something you wanted - Cue Card # 609
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IELTS Speaking Part 2: IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card.
[The topic for your talk will be written on a card which the examiner will hand over to you. Read it carefully and then make some brief notes.]
Describe an occasion when you could not pay for something you wanted to have.
You should say:
- what you wanted to pay for
- why you were not able to pay
- what you did
and explain how you felt about the situation.
[Instruction: You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you are going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]
Model Answer 1:
I had always wanted to buy a motorbike in the past, but I couldn’t really progress with the idea mainly because I just couldn’t manage to save enough money for the purpose. But one day, the situation changed, and I decided to buy my dream bike.
I searched a lot of markets and motorbike stores to choose my dream motorbike, but the problem was that there were just so many different models with so many different features and options that I was really struggling to decide whether I wanted to buy a sports bike, a standard motorbike, a cruiser or a naked motorbike.
Anyway, after spending many hours at different motorbike stores, I did finally find what met my requirements. I even liked the price. So, I just told the store owner that I would come back the next afternoon in order to pick up the bike as it was on discount. So far so good! But, when I did go back the next day with enough cash to pay for the motorbike, I found out that there was no discount on the bike anymore, and as a result, I needed to pay a significantly extra amount of money which I just didn’t have with me at that moment.
However, after that, I asked the store manager if I could pay them some money in advance and bring the rest of the money after a week in order to buy the bike I really liked, but to my astonishment, the store manager disagreed and told me that his hands were tied!
Well, anyway, I felt really disappointed, to say the least, with what happened to me at the motorbike store mainly because it was a bit embarrassing for me. I also felt a bit annoyed at the store manager as he never told me about the possible price change if I had failed to buy the bike on the same day. Besides, I also got very frustrated as I travelled a significant distance and spent a lot of time travelling to the store, of course, only to find out that I couldn’t buy my bike on that day.
Model Answer 2:
Thank you very much for this topic. I would like to share my experience when I wanted to purchase a mobile phone so badly, but could not pay for it. Since my younger sister had been saving money to get a smartphone and had been too far away to manage the total budget, I wanted to buy her the phone. She had been saving money for at least three months by adjusting her regular expenses as she wanted to change her feature phone and own a smartphone. So, I planned to pay for the smartphone and surprise her.
Unluckily, I was unable to pay for the phone. I lost my wallet on the way to the shopping mall from where I intended to purchase the mobile phone. This unfortunate event happened in July 2024. I had no idea how I lost my wallet with money in it! I might have dropped it in the taxi I took to reach the shopping mall. So, I could not buy a mobile phone right then.
I informed the matter to my mom, and then called the bank authorities to report a lost debit card that was placed inside the wallet. It was a disaster for me.
I felt terrible. In fact, it could have been one of the happiest moments of my life. It was meant to be the very first gift for my younger sister after I got my first job. But luck was not kind to me that day! I explained everything to my dad, and he agreed to pay me a loan with which I finally purchased a Samsung smartphone for my sister. I eventually could soothe my heart as my sister was exhilarated as soon as she unwrapped the box.
Sample Answer 3:
Thank you very much for this interesting topic. It reminds me of a biting yet interesting day when I felt quite embarrassed about my inability to buy my younger sister a trendy dress that she wished to have.
While doing some holiday shopping, my sister pointed out a dress in the vast Neoclassical building on Oxford Street in the Selfridges shopping complex. They house some of the most expensive brands in the UK, and they virtually invented window shopping. It's a great store at which big names such as Mulberry, Vivienne Westwood, Barbour, Burberry, Paul Smith, Aquascutum and many more are housed. They allow customers to interact unhindered with the items on sale.
The particular attire my sister wanted to have was a women's crepe dress with a concealed zip fastening at the back, and it was a blue dress made in Japan. However, it was something I could not pay for as it was more than twelve hundred Pounds Sterling while I had only seven hundred something in total in my wallet!
My sister really liked the dress, but totally disagreed with the price tag. She immediately looked at me and laughed knowing that it was way more expensive than we could afford. We pretended to stroll for a while and left the shopping mall. Once outside, I assured her that I would buy her such designer dresses someday when I had a full-time job. She was not sad at all, or at least that's what I thought, but I was, and it gave me a melancholic feeling. The dress was highly expensive, but you know how a teenage girl would feel not having it when many of her friends could afford it! That day, which would be by now 3 years ago, I was determined to buy my little sister even better dresses than that one. I did so on many occasions, but I can never forget that particular day.
Sample Answer 4:
I would like to thank you for the opportunity to let me share an experience when I could not pay for something that I wanted to purchase. It happened a couple of times in my life, but I would like to share a recent event with you.
During a recent trip to a local market in a county that I was visiting, I found a stunning piece of artwork that I really liked. I was eager to purchase it as a souvenir. It was a beautiful painting depicting the vibrant colours of the cityscape that I was visiting, and I knew it would make a perfect addition to my home decor. However, when I reached the cashier to pay for it, I realised that I had left my wallet behind at the hotel or had lost it!
It was such a frustrating moment. I was very anxious that I had lost my wallet. Feeling embarrassed and frustrated, I explained the situation to the cashier and apologised for the inconvenience. The shop owner politely told me that he would keep the artwork for me till the evening, and I could come before then to purchase it if I wanted. I was desperately wishing that the wallet was at the hotel. Once I got back to my hotel room and found my wallet there, it was such a great relief! Later that day, I returned to the shop owner and purchased the artwork.
Initially, I felt a sense of disappointment that I wouldn't be able to purchase the painting. However, I also felt grateful to the shop owner who was polite and understanding. Despite the initial setback, I was able to finally purchase the stunning artwork and bring it to my home.
Idea generation for this Candidate task card / Cue card topic:
This Candidate Task Card topic asks you to describe a time when you wanted to buy something but couldn’t afford it or pay for it at the moment. You need to talk about what the item was, why you couldn’t pay for it, what steps you took afterwards, and how you felt about the situation. The experience could involve a valuable item, a gift, a personal necessity, or even a spontaneous desire. Here are a few ideas to help you develop your own response:
1. A new smartphone:
I once wanted to buy the latest smartphone with advanced features. However, when I checked the price, I realised it was far beyond my savings. I decided to postpone the purchase and started saving a portion of my monthly allowance. It was frustrating at first, but it also taught me patience and financial planning.
2. A branded winter jacket:
During a shopping trip, I saw a stylish jacket that I really liked. When I went to the counter, I found that I didn’t have enough money on my card due to a recent large expense. I had to put the jacket back, which was embarrassing. Later, I looked for a similar one at a more affordable store and felt better about making a wiser choice.
3. A course I wanted to enrol in:
There was an online course related to digital design that I was excited to join. Unfortunately, the registration fee was more than I had budgeted. I contacted the support team to ask about scholarships or discounts, and eventually waited for a promotion. I felt disappointed at first but learned the importance of exploring alternatives before giving up.
4. A pair of sports shoes:
I saw a pair of shoes I had wanted for months while window shopping. But due to an unexpected medical bill the previous week, I couldn’t afford them at the time. I decided to walk away rather than make an impulsive decision. The situation reminded me that priorities matter more than desires.
5. A gift for a friend’s birthday:
I wanted to buy a meaningful birthday gift for a close friend but didn’t have enough money due to some earlier expenses. Instead of a store-bought item, I created a handmade scrapbook filled with memories and photos. My friend appreciated the gift even more. It made me realise that effort and thoughtfulness can be more valuable than money.
6. A concert ticket:
I really wanted to attend a live concert by one of my favourite artists, but the ticket prices were too high. I considered borrowing money but eventually chose not to. Instead, I watched the live stream online. It was disappointing, but I was glad I didn’t put myself under financial pressure for a short-lived experience.
7. A second-hand laptop:
I needed a laptop for university work and found a reasonably priced second-hand option. However, the seller only accepted cash, and I didn’t have the full amount with me at the time. By the time I returned with the money, it had already been sold. I felt regretful and disappointed but understood the importance of being prepared.
8. A fitness club membership:
I visited a gym with great facilities and wanted to sign up for a one-year membership. Unfortunately, I couldn’t afford the upfront cost. I negotiated for a shorter-term plan, but it was still out of reach. I ended up working out at home using free online videos. It wasn’t ideal, but it kept me active and saved money.
9. A tablet for academic purposes:
There was a tablet on sale that would’ve been perfect for my studies. I had some money saved but fell short by a small amount. I asked a relative if I could borrow the rest, but they were also facing expenses. I felt a bit helpless but decided to wait for the next sale, and eventually bought it at a better price.
10. A train ticket for a last-minute trip:
I had planned to visit a relative urgently, but due to rising prices during the holiday season, the ticket was much more expensive than usual. I didn’t have enough funds and couldn’t get help on short notice. I had to cancel the trip and explain the situation. It was disappointing, but it also taught me to plan for emergencies.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
When describing an occasion you couldn't pay for something you wanted, using specific vocabulary can effectively convey what the item was, the reasons for your financial constraint, your actions in response, and your emotional reaction. Thoughtful word choices will help you articulate the challenge and your feelings about the situation, making your response both clear and relatable. Here are some relevant words and phrases:
Coveted item: – An object that is greatly desired or wished for.
Example: It was a highly coveted item that I had been saving up for.
Must-have: – Something that is highly fashionable, desirable, or essential.
Example: This particular gadget felt like a must-have for my studies at the time.
Impulse purchase: – An unplanned decision to buy a product or service.
Example: It wasn't an impulse purchase; I had genuinely wanted it for a long time.
Financial constraint: – A limitation or restriction on the amount of money available.
Example: Due to a sudden financial constraint, I couldn't afford it that day.
Budget limitation: – A restriction on the amount of money that can be spent.
Example: I encountered a budget limitation that prevented me from making the purchase.
Insufficient funds: – Not having enough money to cover a payment.
Example: At the checkout, I realised I had insufficient funds on my card.
Unexpected expense: – A cost or payment that was not anticipated.
Example: An unexpected expense had recently depleted my savings.
Short of cash: – Not having enough money.
Example: I was simply short of cash at that specific moment.
Pricy/Expensive: – Costing a lot of money.
Example: While I truly wanted it, the item was quite pricy.
Reluctantly: – With hesitation or unwillingness.
Example: I reluctantly had to put the item back on the shelf.
Resigned: – Having accepted something undesirable that one cannot do anything about.
Example: I felt a sense of resignation, knowing I couldn't have it.
Disappointed: – Sad or displeased because someone or something has failed to fulfil one's hopes or expectations.
Example: I was deeply disappointed that I couldn't make the purchase.
Frustrated: – Feeling or expressing distress and annoyance resulting from an inability to change or achieve something.
Example: It was a frustrating situation to be so close to getting what I wanted but not being able to.
Embarrassed: – Feeling or showing embarrassment.
Example: I felt a little embarrassed at the checkout when my card was declined.
Lesson learned: – An experience from which one can learn and improve.
Example: It was a valuable lesson learned about managing my finances more carefully.
Rationalised: – Attempted to explain or justify (one's own or another's behaviour or attitude) with logical, plausible reasons, even if these are not true or appropriate.
Example: I tried to rationalise the situation by telling myself I didn't really need it.
If you can talk about the cue card topic "Describe an occasion when you could not pay for something you wanted", you should be able to talk about the following IELTS cue card topics as well:
1. Describe something you wanted to gift someone but could not.
2. Describe an unfortunate experience you have had in your life.
3. Describe an interesting experience you have had.
4. Describe a day when you took someone to do some shopping.
5. Describe a time when you felt sad.
6. Describe your experience with holiday shopping.
7. Describe an occasion when someone gave you something that you really wanted.
8. Describe an occasion when you lost something.
9. Describe an event when you forgot something important.
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