Describe an item on which you spent more than expected

IELTS CUE CARD TOPIC

You should say:-

What it is-?

How much did you spend on it-?

Why you bought it-?

And explain why you think you spent more than expected.?

Sample Answer 1

Introduction

There is no denying this conviction that whenever we try to purchase anything, we put in the best efforts to grab the best deal. However, on some occasions, we end up paying more than the expected price.

One such situation came into my life last year.

What it is?

Last year I had purchased a laptop for my online classes.

How much did you spend on it?

I was under the impression that it would cost me 300 dollars, but I ended up paying 450 dollars.

Why you bought it?

Last year due to the Corona pandemic my city was in a state of lockdown. All educational institutions were closed during that period.

When the administration realized the lockdown could jeopardize the study and career of the students, they permitted our school to start the online classes.

During the classes, I was finding it difficult to study through my smartphone. So, I decided to buy a laptop.

And explain why you think you spent more than expected.?

I had to spend more than the expected cost, because, due to the lockdown, there was a sudden surge in the prices.

Before lockdown, people didn’t tend to buy laptops, and they used to prefer smartphones to perform their online tasks and transactions. However, post lockdown, the scenario had changed completely, and there was a paradigm shift in the way people would use the laptops.

Earlier, only the college students were using the computers for studies, but after lockdown, even school going children started using them.

Due to this reason, I had no option but to pay the extra price.

Sample Answer 2

Introduction

In this contemporary epoch, there is fierce competition, and due to that, the companies often leave no stone unturned to provide the best deals to their customers for their products and services.

However, on a few occasions, these organisations get a chance to generate funds, they make the best use of that.

What it is?

Last year I came across such a situation when I paid more than the price of the product. During the corona pandemic, I had to pay ten times the cost of one injection named “Remdesivir“.

How much did you spend on it?

The actual cost was about 900 rupees. But due to the immoral and unethical practices of a few traders, I ended up paying Rs 50,000.

Why you bought it?

The 2nd wave of the coronavirus was deadly. It was spreading at a rapid pace, and the mortality rate was high. Unfortunately, my cousin had become Corona positive and his condition got worsened.

When his oxygen level dropped to the danger mark, the doctor advised us to arrange a “Ramdesivir” injection for him.

I immediately rushed to the market and purchased it.

And explain why you think you spent more than expected.?

During that time, I was under tremendous stress, and I was upset with the ailing condition of my cousin.

For me saving his life was the priority. Although I had tried to bargain, the concerned vendor did not pay any heed to my request.

Since I did not have much time at my disposal, I bought it immediately.

Conclusion

The extra cost did not bother me because I managed to save my brother’s life.

Sample Answer 3

Introduction

Being a frugal person, I have this uncanny knack for bargaining before finalising a product or service. However, last year I came across a situation, where despite knowing the fact that I was paying more than the perceived value, I had spent more than the actual value of the product.

What it is?

Last year it was the wedding of my cousin. He is not only my beloved brother but also my bosom friend. For his special day, I bought a gold bracelet for gifting purposes and paid a high amount

How much did you spend on it?

When I had gone to buy it, I imagined that the price would be somewhere around Rs 50,000, but I ended up paying Rs 80,000 for that.

Why you bought it?

I bought the bracelet because my cousin’s wedding was significant for me. He has supported me always in my thick and thin, and once I had decided to gift him a bracelet, I did not have the will to change my decision.

So out of affection for my dear brother, I purchased it.

And explain why you think you spent more than expected.?

Last year due to the Corona pandemic, my city was in a state of lockdown. Due to that, there was a mass exodus of people to their native place from their place of work.

And because of this, all businesses were at a standstill. After a gap of six months, when the administration finally lifted the lockdown, people thronged to the markets to buy the products of their choice.

However, due to the mass movement of labourers, there was a scarcity of competent people to do the work. Due to this, there was a sudden surge in the prices of goods and services.

In my case, the concerned vendor was not at all ready to negotiate. He wanted to rake in big bucks by taking advantage of the more demand and less supply situation.

Although I had paid more than the price, the smile on my cousin’s face after receiving the gift made my day. And, I have no qualms about paying more than the actual cost.

Sample Answer 4

Introduction

In this contemporary epoch, inflation has become a part of our lives. Despite our best, sometimes we end up paying more than the perceived value of a product.

Recently a situation came in my life where I ended up paying out more than the actual cost of the product.

What it is?

Last year I purchased an automobile named Mahindra Thar.

How much did you spend on it?

I was under the impression that it would cost me around 24,000 USD, but I bought it for 27,000 USD

Why did you buy it?

Since my childhood, I was having this dream of buying this machine. I had tried to convince my parents umpteen times to purchase it, but they were reluctant.

My persistence had finally conquered their resistance and, when I passed my 12th Standard with flying colours, they decided to gift me a Mahindra Thar.

Explain why you think you spent more than expected?

I had no option but to spend more than the expected price. Because last year due to the corona pandemic, most nations were in a state of lockdown. And most of the microchips used in the manufacturing of cars come from Taiwan.

As the supply of the essential parts from Taiwan had nosedived considerably, the car manufacturing companies started importing them from other countries at higher prices. And due to that, the prices of automobiles saw a significant incline.

I paid the high price because I wanted Mahindra Thar badly to enjoy my college life.

Follow up Questions

Here are some examples of follow up questions that the examiner might ask during your speaking part 3 related to cue card “Describe an item on which you spent more than expected”.

1. Do you often buy more than you expected?

No, I usually buy things as per my expectations because, being a minimalist, I do not become happier by buying more products or services. I believe in the concept that one should invest in products and services as per the requirement.

Due to this set of beliefs, I never indulge in impulsive purchasing and buy as per my needs.

2. What do you think young people spend most of their money on?

In this contemporary epoch, technology has made inroads in the lives of youngsters. Due to this, a bulk of spending is on buying expensive smartphones, smartwatches and laptops etc.

Apart from this, they have this habit of eating junk food a lot, which costs higher as compared to home-cooked food. Lastly, most of the youngsters these days are fashion enthusiasts, so they have this uncanny knack for buying trendy clothes.

3. Do you think it is important to save money? Why?

Yes, saving money in this era of fierce competition and HIGH inflation is a prudent approach. Because in case of any unforeseen contingency our saved money could help us to come out of the financial crunch.

Moreover, in this era of startups, the saved money could help us to start a new venture and lead our lives towards an impressive growth trajectory.

4. Do people buy things that they don’t need?

In this modern era, multinational companies spend a lot of funds on researching consumer behaviour. And they design their products as per the findings of these researches.

These organisations know well that most people love to flaunt their wealth, and they crave instant gratification. And to take care of these two needs of the consumers, the companies leave no stone unturned to provide a range of products and services to their prospective customers.

And due to this strengthening, the bottom line approach of the reputed brands, people often indulge in impulsive purchasing and end up buying the products and services they do not need.

5. What kind of expensive things do people like to buy?

Most people buy those branded things which have a brand value attached to them. For example, in smartphones they prefer iPhone, and in cars, they prefer brands like Audi and BMW.

6. Is being rich always advantageous?

No, it is not always beneficial because you lose freedom when you become rich. Apart from this to maintain your status you have to keep working hard for the rest of your life. So richness is a mixed bag.

7. Are review sites useful for buyers?

In this contemporary epoch, hectic competition has become an integral part of people’s lives and rising inflation has added to the woes. During such a challenging time, review sites provide unabated support to prospective buyers. These sites provide unbiased reviews of various products and services.

With the support of such websites, the buyers not only get the required information but also grab the best deal.

Describe an item on which you spent more than expected IELTS Cue Card

Describe an item on which you spent more than expected

IELTS CUE CARD TOPIC

Sample Answer 1

Sample Answer 2

Sample Answer 3

Sample Answer 4

Follow up Questions

Cue Cards Sep to Dec 2021