The IELTS Speaking Test is divided into three parts, the second of which is called the ‘cue card’ section.
Many candidates who have taken the IELTS claim that it is the most challenging part of the test because you have to talk for a longer period, with very little time to prepare.
We are here to assist you in every way we can, so, in this article, we are providing you with sample responses for the cue card topic ‘Describe a place where you want to shop’. Please continue reading.
What is the IELTS Cue Card Question?
During the IELTS Speaking Part 2, you will be given a task card (or cue card) on a specific topic, which will feature important topics that you should discuss.
This segment allows you to speak for a longer period about a specific topic.
You will have 60 seconds to plan how to discuss the issue on the task card. You will be provided with a piece of paper and a pencil to take notes with.
You will be required to speak for 1-2 minutes, after which the examiner will ask you one or two questions on the same subject.
The IELTS Cue Card Section lasts about 3-4 minutes.
How to Answer this Specific Cue Card Question: “Describe a Place Where You Love to Shop”?
Topic/Question
Describe a Place Where You Love to Shop
Guidelines to answer this question
You should say:
- Where this place is
- Who you know about this place
- Whom you go with when you go to this place
And explain why you love to shop at this place.
- Think of the place where you usually go when shopping. It could be any mall or store that you frequent. Ensure that you have a lot to say about this place.
- Once you have chosen a specific store, stick to it. You do not have much time to change your mind because you just have 60 seconds to prepare your speech.
- Begin taking notes. Write down the name of the shop and where it is located. Discuss what kind of shop it is and what people usually buy there. Include how you learn about this place and how you feel whenever you shop there. You may also want to share whom you typically go with when you go to this place.
- Do not write sentences because you have very little time to prepare. Simply write keywords and phrases to save time.
- Make extensive use of advanced vocabulary and complex grammar structures. This will impress the examiner and ultimately help you get a high mark.
- Take notes quickly, but make sure you understand what you have written later on. It is acceptable if the examiner cannot understand your handwriting. You are graded based on the content of your speech, not how you wrote it on your notes.
- Take time to glance at the notes you have written from time to time. This is done to ensure that you cover what you intend to cover. You will not be prohibited from doing so by the examiner.
Sample Responses: “Describe a Place Where You Love to Shop”
Sample Response 1:
“Shopping is one of my least favorite activities, but sadly, life doesn’t care whether I enjoy it or not. So, I’ll have to go shopping regardless. But, to make my “shopping job” a little easier, I’ve chosen one particular store, a superstore, to be precise, about which I’d like to speak.
As I previously stated, it is a “super shop” because it is only a few minutes drive from where I reside. However, because it is not in a popular section of town, it has remained obscure to many city people for the most part. Nonetheless, this superstore attracts a sizable number of shoppers from all walks of life who visit it on a regular basis. In fact, it isn’t an exaggeration to tell you that the majority of clients of this specific shop regard it as their “family super shop” because they have formed a special bond with its employees. It is worth mentioning that it is not a particularly large business, possibly no more than 1000 square feet, and so even a modest amount of customers in it at any given time would make this super shop appear rather congested.
In any case, visitors to this shop can range from regular manufacturing workers to top executives of large corporations who come to meet their daily shopping needs, whether it’s a loaf of bread or some fruits and vegetables. Other products and merchandise available at the superstore include cosmetics, fragrances, dairy products, toiletries, small kitchen equipment, meat products, fish, and other types of snacks.
Anyway, I enjoy going to this business because it is so close to my house. Great customer service, lower prices on many of its products, and the availability of certain fresh veggies and fruits are just a few of the reasons I like to visit this supermarket. Finally, I enjoy this business since it is usually clean and tidy.”
Follow-up Question 1:
How do you think shopping has evolved in the last few decades?
Response:
“In my opinion, the way we shop has changed drastically. Twenty years ago, we had to go to the mall or to stores to buy the things we needed. Nowadays, we can purchase almost anything online, and I think it is more convenient, especially with the current situation. As much as possible, I only go out whenever I have to, and if I can shop online, it’s better.”
Follow-up Question 2:
What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of online shopping?
Response:
“I think that like everything else, online shopping has its pros and cons. First of all, we are not guaranteed that the items that we are buying are authentic or not. What sellers post on their websites might not be the actual products that they have. I’ve actually had a fair share of such experience. It’s both disappointing and frustrating. On the other hand, if we are buying from legit and authorized sellers, we are saving a lot of money and effort.”
Sample Response 2:
“I enjoy going to different shopping malls whenever I have the opportunity unless they are too busy and too pricey for my tastes. Today, I’d like to discuss one such shopping center that I frequently visit. The shopping center that I enjoy visiting is in a commercial area of my hometown. There are a lot of shopping centers in my area, but this one stands out because it entices patrons from all walks of life. People from other cities come to this retail center only to look at it because of its enormity.
This shopping center, by the way, is a five-story, 800,000-square-foot structure. This shopping center basically offers every type of store selling clothing, footwear, home décor, beauty and cosmetic products, home appliances, technology, and so on. This shopping center, which is home to many well-known brand stores from across the world, also boasts a large food court where customers can purchase a variety of foods and cuisines.
The shopping center offers a drinking fountain on each floor and a huge playground for children of all ages. This shopping center, which has an appealing architectural design and an oval shape, has plenty of empty space surrounding it to ensure enough parking facilities. This shopping center, built with reinforced concrete and steel, as well as pricey, gorgeous glass windows and a fantastic lighting system, might easily be one of the most appealing monuments in my hometown, especially at night. However, as much as I enjoy this shopping center, I am unable to attend it more than once or twice a month due to my hectic schedule.
Anyway, I go to this shopping center since it allows me to make a rapid price comparison by traveling to several businesses before purchasing anything. I appreciate going to this shop since they have a wide variety of things under one roof. Finally, I visit this shopping center so that I can share some delicious cuisine with my friends at its food court.”
Follow-up Question 1:
What factors do you consider when you shop?
Response:
“There are lots of things that I take into consideration when I shop. First of which is the quality. I’d rather spend more money on items that I think will be of use in the long run than spend less on something I know will wear off in a short time. I don’t care about the brand, just as long as it’s of good quality. I also take into account whether I really need whatever it is that I’m thinking of buying. If I don’t really need it, I try not to buy it at all.”
Follow-up Question 2:
What do you think is the difference between how men and women shop?
Response:
“Generally speaking, I think women are pickier when it comes to shopping. I know it’s cliché, but basing the information on people I know, they truly are. My dad, for example, would ask my younger brother to drive my mom whenever she goes shopping because, according to him, my mom takes forever to shop.”
Vocabulary List for Answering the Question: “Describe a Place Where You Love to Shop”
Below are some terms from the sample responses for the cue card topic ‘Describe a place where you love to shop.’ with their definitions and example sentences for your reference.
| Word | Part of Speech | Definition | Example Usage of the Word in a Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| authentic | adjective | Authentic; of undeniable origin | “He had some understanding of authentic stories and rejected the more fantastic portions of the story.” |
| congested | adjective | Clogged with traffic or people to the point of impeding freedom of movement | “Some locations are congested by cars as well as people.” |
| cuisine | noun | A cooking technique or method that is unique to a certain country, area, or establishment | “For a price, you can have the greatest of gourmet cuisine here.” |
| drastically | adverb | In a fashion that is expected to have a major or far-reaching impact | “Airport security has evolved drastically throughout the years.” |
| enormity | noun | The large or excessive scale, gravity, or scope of something regarded as wicked or morally wrong | “Nobody truly grasps the enormity and complexities of the undertaking of rebuilding the country’s economy.” |
| exaggeration | noun | A statement that portrays something as greater or worse than it actually is | “To call the threat imminent would be an exaggeration.” |
| hectic | adjective | Teeming with unending or frenzied activity | “Despite her hectic work schedule, she has rarely been sick.” |
| legit | adjective | Following the rules; legal | “Don’t stress, the deal is entirely legit.” |
| modest | adjective | Humble or moderate in one’s assessment of one’s own qualities or achievements | “She is quite modest about the awards she has received.” |
| obscure | adjective | Unknown; not discovered or known about | “The decision’s motivations are obscure.” |
| precise | adjective | Characterized by exactness and precision in expression or detail | ‘A scientist’s testing must be precise.” |
| pricey | adjective | Expensive | “The coupons were quite pricey, but the event was excellent.” |
| regardless | adverb | Without regard for the current situation; regardless of the conditions | “The health clinic accepts all patients, regardless of their financial situation.” |
| reinforce | verb | To support or strengthen an object or substance, especially with additional material | “Two companies were promoted to reinforce the front lines.” |
| sizable | adjective | Comparatively large | “A sizable menu offers the diner with numerous difficult decisions.” |
Additional Reading — IELTS Speaking Cue Card Questions
- Describe a Person You Admire
- Describe Your Best Friend
- Describe Someone Famous that You Want to Meet
- Describe a Person Who You Think is a Good Leader
- Describe a Neighbor You Like
- Describe a Place You Want to Travel Next
- Describe a Historical Place that You Have Been to
- Describe a Place You and Your Friend Went to Recently
- Describe a Place Where You Spend Most of Your Free Time
- Describe a Country that You Want to Visit
- Describe a Gift that You Have Received Recently
- Describe an Item of Clothing that You Bought for Someone
- Describe a Piece of Art that You Want to Buy
- Describe Something that You Recently Lost
- Describe a Vehicle that You Want to Buy
- Describe an Activity that You Find Enjoyable
- Describe an Event that You Recently Attended
- Describe One of the Busiest Days of Your Life
- Describe a Hobby that You Do with Your Family
- Describe a Difficult Decision that You Made
- Describe a Time When You Felt Lucky
- Describe the First Time You Had a Mobile Phone
- Describe a Time When You Helped a Stranger
- Describe a Time When You Tried to Do Something but Weren’t Successful
- Describe Your Favorite Teacher
- Describe Your Favorite Photograph
- Describe Your Favorite Subject in School
- Describe Your Favorite Song
- Describe Your Favorite Actor
- Describe a Situation that Made You Upset
- Describe a Time When You Had an Argument with Someone
- Describe One of the Happiest Travels You Ever Had
- Describe an Incident When You Got Scared
- Describe a Time When You Felt Relieved
- Describe a Workaholic Person You Know
- Describe an Interesting Course You Took
- Describe a Time When Someone at Work Gave You a Compliment
- Describe a Quiet Place at School Where You Like Spending Your Free Time
- Describe a Time When Something Unfortunate Happened at Work
