Cue Cards Samples with band 8 answers
Describe an expensive item that you bought and regretted - Cue Card # 782
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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 expensive item that you bought and regretted.
You should say:
- what expensive item it was
- when you bought it
- why you bought it
and explain why you regretted buying this expensive item.
[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:
Depending on how one defines “expensive”, I am not exactly very much in favour of buying many expensive items unless I am thoroughly convinced about their usage and benefits. After all, I don’t really like to regret buying such an expensive item.
However, that’s exactly what had happened to me when I bought my last pair of “expensive” shoes from a “so-called” world-famous brand. Of course, the problem is, I never really thought that I would need to worry about regretting my decision after buying that item because the products, made by this world-famous brand, generally maintain very high quality from start to finish. Besides, a couple of my friends had also purchased their products in the past from the same company, but never really complained about it.
But, when I bought my shoes from the same brand about a year ago, I felt like I had been “cheated”, to say the least, as those expensive shoes of mine started to lose their shine and look only after wearing them for a few weeks.
By the way, I decided to buy those shoes, mainly because I heard that they were very comfortable to wear and that they could be used in all kinds of weather conditions. Besides, I must also say that those shoes had such a nice and unique design and appealing leather finish that they could attract an average customer like me very easily. So, I guess, I had more than enough arguments or reasons in my defence to buy that pair of expensive shoes.
Regrettably, the truth is, I was really very disappointed after buying those shoes, primarily because they looked very “ordinary” to me at the end of the day. I also regret the decision because I didn’t really use my common sense or common wisdom to check the overall quality of that expensive item before buying it. But, hey, at least I learned my lesson that it doesn’t necessarily mean that something has to be good just because it is expensive!
Model Answer 2:
Introduction:
We all love to purchase luxury items sometimes to make our lives comfortable and better, and I am not an exception to this trend. However, sometimes we regret buying expensive things that we do not need. Today, I will talk about an expensive item that I regret buying.
What expensive item it was:
The item that I bought was an expensive watch. I bought it two years ago from a well-known brand's store. The watch was quite expensive, and I spent a significant amount of money on it.
When you bought it:
I bought it in 2023, just after getting my first job. I had saved a good amount of money and wanted to buy something that I could use for a long time. I saw that watch on a store shelf and instantly fell in love with it. The salesperson told me all the features, and I was impressed by the watch's quality and style.
Why you bought it:
I always liked wearing watches, and this one was different from all the watches I had. The design was unique, and it had all the features that I needed, such as time, date, alarm, stopwatch, and so on. Moreover, I thought it would complement my professional look and enhance my personality.
And explain why you regretted buying this expensive item:
After buying the watch, I wore it for the first few months, but then I started feeling uncomfortable wearing it. The watch was heavy, and its strap was tight, which made me feel uneasy. Furthermore, I realised that I did not need all the features that the watch had. I used only the time and date, and the other features were useless to me. I regretted buying the watch because it was a waste of my money, and I could have used that money to buy something more useful.
Idea generation for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
Buying an expensive item can be an exciting experience, but sometimes we end up regretting our purchase. The regret can stem from a variety of reasons such as the item not meeting expectations, being impractical, or simply being a waste of money. Here are some ideas for describing an expensive item that you bought and regretted:
1. Luxury Watch:
One expensive item I bought and regretted was a luxury watch. I purchased it two years ago as a special treat for myself, thinking that it would be a long-term investment. I bought it because I admired the brand and believed it would add to my professional image. However, after a few months, I realised I hardly ever wore it, as I prefer casual and functional accessories. The regret set in when I realised the watch sat in my drawer, unused, and I could have spent that money more wisely on something I would actually use.
2. Designer Handbag:
A few years ago, I bought an expensive designer handbag that cost more than I initially intended to spend. I bought it because I wanted to treat myself, and I thought it would be a great addition to my wardrobe. However, after using it a few times, I realised it was impractical for daily use. The handbag was quite heavy and didn't fit my everyday essentials. I regretted buying it because the cost didn’t match its usefulness, and I ended up not using it much.
3. Expensive Laptop:
Several months ago, I purchased a high-end laptop with top-of-the-line specifications, believing it would enhance my productivity and last for years. While the laptop was fast and powerful, I quickly realised I didn’t need all the advanced features it offered, as my work didn’t require such specifications. I regretted buying the expensive laptop because it was far beyond my needs, and I could have saved money by purchasing a more affordable model that suited my basic requirements.
4. High-End Smartphone:
I once bought an expensive flagship smartphone with all the latest features. I bought it because I was drawn to its design and believed it would improve my daily life with its advanced camera and features. However, after using it for a while, I realised that my previous phone worked just as well for my needs. The new phone was far more expensive, and I regretted spending so much on something that didn’t significantly enhance my experience. It was a classic case of buying something out of impulse, and I later realised it wasn’t worth the price.
5. Fancy Dining Set:
Not long ago, I bought an expensive dining set, thinking it would elevate my dining experience and impress guests. It was a beautiful set with intricate designs and luxurious materials. However, after using it only a few times, I realised that it was too delicate for regular use, and I was afraid it might get damaged easily. I regretted buying it because it was more decorative than practical, and I didn’t use it enough to justify the high cost.
6. Premium Gym Membership:
At one point, I purchased a premium gym membership with access to high-end equipment and classes, thinking it would motivate me to work out more. I bought it because I wanted to get fitter and thought the exclusive gym environment would push me to be more consistent. However, after a few months, I found that I didn’t use the membership as much as I expected, and the extra cost wasn’t worth the infrequent visits. I regretted the purchase because it didn’t align with my actual commitment to regular exercise.
7. Home Theater System:
Several years ago, I bought an expensive home theater system with surround sound, a large screen, and a projector. I thought it would greatly enhance my movie-watching experience at home. However, after setting it up, I realised that I rarely used it, and it took up a lot of space in my living room. I regretted buying it because it was a huge investment that didn’t fit into my lifestyle, and I ended up watching movies on my laptop instead.
8. Designer Shoes:
I once bought a pair of designer shoes that were quite expensive. I bought them because I thought they were stylish and would make a statement. However, after wearing them for a few hours, I realised they were uncomfortable and didn’t suit my daily needs. The shoes sat in my closet for most of the year, and I regretted spending so much money on them. They were impractical for my lifestyle, and I wished I had chosen a more comfortable and affordable option.
9. Expensive Artwork:
I bought a piece of expensive artwork for my apartment, believing it would enhance the aesthetics and make the space feel more elegant. However, after having it on display for a while, I realised that I didn’t particularly connect with the piece, and it didn’t match the vibe of my home. I regretted the purchase because I felt the money could have been better spent on something I genuinely loved and could enjoy more frequently.
10. Luxury Vacation:
A few years ago, I booked a luxury vacation to a tropical destination, thinking it would be an unforgettable experience. I spent a lot of money on the trip, expecting to relax and unwind in a beautiful resort. However, the trip was filled with high expectations but low satisfaction, as the resort was overcrowded and didn’t offer the privacy and tranquillity I was looking for. I regretted spending so much on the vacation, as I ended up feeling disappointed and realised that the experience didn’t live up to the price tag.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
When describing an expensive item you regretted buying, it's useful to employ vocabulary that conveys the reasons for the purchase, the disappointment, and the negative consequences. Here are some relevant words and phrases for you:
Impulse purchase: – Buying something without planning or careful thought.
Example: It turned out to be an impulse purchase that I soon regretted.
Extravagant expenditure: – Spending a lot of money, often more than necessary.
Example: The expensive watch was an extravagant expenditure at the time.
Lured by the marketing: – Attracted to buy something because of advertising or promotional efforts.
Example: I was probably lured by the clever marketing campaign.
Seemed like a good investment: – Appeared to be something that would be valuable or beneficial in the long run.
Example: At the time, the artwork seemed like a good investment.
Buyer's remorse: – The feeling of regret after having made a purchase, typically a large one.
Example: I experienced a strong sense of buyer's remorse shortly after buying it.
Didn't live up to expectations: – Was not as good as anticipated.
Example: The gadget simply didn't live up to my expectations.
Functionality was limited: – It didn't have as many uses or capabilities as expected.
Example: I found that the functionality of the software was quite limited.
Turned out to be faulty: – Was discovered to have defects or problems after purchase.
Example: Unfortunately, the expensive appliance turned out to be faulty.
Rarely used it: – Did not use the item often after buying it.
Example: Despite the high cost, I rarely used the exercise equipment.
Financial strain: – Pressure or difficulty caused by a lack of money.
Example: The purchase put a significant financial strain on my budget.
Disappointing quality: – The item was not made to a high standard.
Example: The disappointing quality of the materials was a major letdown.
If you prepare for the topic "Describe an expensive item that you bought and regretted", you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe something expensive you have recently purchased.
2) Describe an expensive gift you gave to someone.
3) Describe a gift or present you got on your birthday.
4) Describe something you own which is very important to you.
5) Describe a gift that you would like to give to one of your friends.
6) Describe something you want to buy in the future.
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