Something you bought online
IELTS Speaking Part 2 · cue card
Describe something you bought online that you were happy with.
You should say:
- what it was
- where you bought it from
- why you bought it
- and explain why you were happy with it
You have one minute to prepare and should speak for one to two minutes.
Free account required for the live AI partner.
Band 7+ sample answer
About 232 words, roughly two minutes spoken. Use it for ideas and language, not to memorise: examiners notice rehearsed answers.
One online purchase I was really pleased with was a pair of noise-cancelling headphones that I bought about eight months ago from a local e-commerce site.
I'd been thinking about buying them for a long time, but I kept putting it off because good headphones aren't cheap, and I was worried about buying fakes online. In the end I waited for a big sale during the eleven-eleven shopping festival and bought them from the brand's official store on the platform, which gave me a bit more confidence.
The main reason I bought them was studying. I share a room with my younger brother, and our building is next to a construction site, so there's drilling noise from eight in the morning. I needed something to block it out, especially for IELTS listening practice, where you need to hear every word.
I was happy with them for several reasons. First, the delivery was fast, only two days, and the box was sealed with a genuine warranty card. Second, the noise cancelling works brilliantly. When I switch it on, the drilling almost disappears, and I can finally focus. And third, the battery lasts around thirty hours, so I only charge them twice a week. It wasn't a cheap purchase, but I'd say it's been one of the best investments I've made in my studies, and it changed my mind about online shopping being risky.
Useful vocabulary
- putting it off
- delaying it
- fakes
- copies pretending to be the real brand
- block it out
- stop a noise from being heard
- genuine warranty
- a real guarantee from the maker
- works brilliantly
- works extremely well
- one of the best investments
- something worth the money
Part 3 follow-up questions
- Why is online shopping so popular?
- Will physical shops disappear in the future?
- How can people avoid scams when shopping online?
- Do people buy more things than they need?
- How does online shopping affect the environment?
Tip: in Part 3, give an opinion, a reason and an example, and consider another point of view. Aim for 3–5 sentences per answer.
How to practise this card
- Set a one-minute timer and write keywords for each bullet, not full sentences.
- Speak for two minutes and record yourself on your phone.
- Listen back: did you cover every bullet and the "explain" part? Note one phrase from the vocabulary list to use next time.
- Answer two Part 3 questions out loud, then try the card again with the AI Speaking Partner.