Describe a time you spent a lot of money on something: IELTS Speaking Part 2 Sample Answer

In IELTS Speaking, you should focus on one idea only and then expand that idea into a long meaningful sentence using grammar patterns and vocabulary. So, try practising this topic for Part 2 of the cue card and some easy questions for Part 3 below for your IELTS Speaking and achieve a good score!

Sample Answer 1

Here is the sample for “Describe a time you spent a lot of money on something” topic:

Although I like buying expensive things, I’m not an aspirational purchaser. I only buy stuff whenever I’m in need of it. However, there are some occasions when we have no choice but to spend enormous money on things we love. Here, I’d like to talk about when I spent excessive amounts of money purchasing something. 

The past year was extremely challenging due to the outbreak of pandemic covid-19. Working professionals throughout the nation were instructed to work from home. Everything was going smoothly until one day, my laptop started showing some technical glitches and errors. I was quite disappointed as these issues brought my work to a halt, and this continued for at least three days. 

Even the computer repair technician failed to understand the reason behind the technical issues. Therefore, with no other option, I decided to purchase a new MacBook. I knew buying a new MacBook would cost me an arm and a leg. So, I hunted down the search engine to find some deals and discounts. 

But to my disappointment, I couldn’t find any suitable offers. Left with no choice, I purchased a MacBook Pro for an exorbitant amount of approximately 2 lakhs. Although my savings were gone, I felt relieved that I could continue my work without any disturbances. So, this was the first time I rewarded myself with such an expensive product.

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Sample Answer 2

Let me tell you about one time I spent a lot of money. It was around Christmas time, but also it was time to get a gift for myself. After a long year of hard work, not to mention a grueling (very difficult) one, I felt it was time to spoil myself a little bit.

I knew exactly what I wanted: the latest iPhone. I’d had mine for about 3 years and I knew it was time for an upgrade. So, I carefully saved up money throughout the year so make sure I could provide this for myself at the end of the year.

The day before Christmas I went into the C Train that goes downtown and from the train station, I walked about 15 minutes and arrived at the Apple Store. I knew it was going to be a lot of money but I was aware that those products last for a very long time, that’s why I decided to get it. After leaving the cashier counter and leaving most of my money, I rapidly (quickly) went back to the train station with my bag on my hands and headed home. When I arrived there, I was so excited to open it as test the new phone. In conclusion, it was worth it!

Vocabulary For Cue Card

Here are the vocabularies for “Describe a time you spent a lot of money on something” with examples:

• Gruelling: very difficult 
  Eg: Preparing for the IELTS exam was gruelling for Rose. 
• Spoil: diminish or destroy the value or quality of something
  Eg: My cat spoiled the freshly baked cake. 
• Upgrade: to improve the quality or usefulness of something, or to raise something or someone to a higher position or rank
  Eg: Rose decided to upgrade her laptop with the new features. 
• Saved up: to keep money so that you can buy something with it in the future
  Eg: John is saving up to buy a new car. 
• Rapidly: quickly 
  Eg: The population in India is growing rapidly. 

Questions for Part 3

Why do young people tend to waste money?

People tend to waste more money because they like to flex (try to look cool) or pretend in front of their friends. They want to show that they can afford things that maybe the other can’t like the latest iPhone or expensive vacations. So, it’s all something superficial for young kids.

Should we spend money on expensive products?

While I am a big believer in saving money, I won’t hesitate to spend big money on something I truly think will add value to my life. If I move to a cold country, I will spend good money on appropriate clothing instead of skimping. I look at such purchases as an investment.

Have you ever bought something that was a waste of money?

Yes! I once brought a brand-new yogurt maker, thinking I’d make all these fancy yogurts. But then I realised it is a really lengthy – and perhaps irritating – process. I never had the time to make yogurt as I was always busy. Eventually I had to sell it online for half the price I bought it at. What a waste!

Why is it important for people to save some of their money?

Saving money is important because you don’t know how the future is going to be, maybe you will go through rough times where you wish you’ve saved all the money you spent on mundane objects. Still, I think it’s all about balance. Don’t fret (worry) over money too much, but also don’t spend it like a drunken sailor (like a crazy person).

Should children be taught how to manage money?

Children should be taught how to manage their money, it is very important that from the very beginning we all know how to give the best use of our money- it could be saving or investing. Instead of learning so many mathematical skills that we may never use in the school system, I think they should have more classes like this.

Who is better at saving more money, men or women?

I would say that it does not depend on the gender, it depends fully in the kind of education we received as kids and also in schools. They say that men can be impulsive, but I know a fair share of women who are the same way. On the other hand, perhaps women spend more on physical maintenance, but by the same token (in the same way), there are also many men who do so.

Vocabulary For Part 3

• To flex: put a (skill, talent, or ability) to use.
  Eg: The old lady tried to flex her culinary skills. 
• Hesitate: to pause before you do or say something 
  Eg: Rose hesitated to tell the truth. 
• Irritating: causing annoyance, impatience, or mild  
  Eg: There was an irritating child in the boutique 
• Fret: worry
  Eg: John fretted about the cost of petrol. 
• Drunken sailor: like a crazy person 
  Eg: He works like a drunken sailor for 7 hours. 
• By the same token: in the same way 
  Eg: Gold rates are steadily increasing, and by the same token, are the diamonds

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