- Shopping
IELTS Speaking Part 1: Sample Questions with Answers
1. Do you enjoy shopping? Why or why not?
Sample Answer, C1 English Level, Advanced, Band Score 6.5-7.5
I enjoy shopping because it’s a fun and relaxing activity for me. I like exploring different stores, browsing through items, and finding great deals. Shopping also allows me to express my personal style and creativity. However, I do try to be mindful of my spending habits and make sure I’m not overspending or buying things I don’t really need.
I really like going shopping as it’s a relaxing and enjoyable activity for me. I find it fun to browse through stores and find interesting things to buy. It’s also a way for me to showcase my unique sense of style. However, I do make sure to be careful with my spending and only buy what I need.
Shopping is something that I find quite enjoyable and relaxing. The process of exploring different stores and finding unique items is something I really appreciate. I also view shopping as a way to express my creativity and individuality. Despite this, I’m always aware of my spending habits and try to make sure that I don’t go overboard with my purchases or buy things that I don’t actually need.
2. What kind of stores do you usually shop at?
Sample Answer, C1 English Level, Advanced, Band Score 6.5-7.5
I usually shop at a variety of stores depending on what I’m looking for. For everyday items like groceries or household goods, I go to the local supermarket or department store. For clothing, I prefer to go to specialty stores or boutiques that offer a wider selection of unique and stylish items. And for electronics or tech products, I usually shop at large chain stores that offer a good selection and competitive prices.
I shop at different stores depending on what I need to buy. For example, for groceries or household items, I go to the local supermarket or department store. For clothes, I prefer to visit specialty stores or boutiques that have a unique selection of stylish items. And for electronics or technology, I usually go to big chain stores that have good prices and lots of options.
I have a diverse shopping routine where I shop at a range of different stores based on my needs and wants. For everyday essentials, such as groceries and household goods, I often frequent the nearby supermarket or department store. If I’m looking for fashion items, I prefer to visit specialty stores or boutiques that carry more exclusive and trendy pieces. When it comes to technology or electronic goods, I tend to go to large chain stores that have a broad range of products and competitive pricing.
3. What is your favorite thing to shop for?
Sample Answer, C1 English Level, Advanced, Band Score 6.5-7.5
My favorite thing to shop for is clothes, especially casual wear. I enjoy trying on different styles and finding new pieces that I feel good in. It’s also a fun activity to do with friends, as we can give each other advice and opinions on what looks good.
I really like shopping for clothes, especially casual clothes that I can wear every day. It’s a lot of fun to try on different outfits and find something that looks good and feels comfortable.
When it comes to shopping, my absolute favorite thing is browsing for clothes. There’s something so satisfying about finding the perfect outfit that makes you feel confident and stylish. I love exploring different styles and trying on new pieces to see how they fit and flatter my body. It’s a great way to express my personal style and boost my self-esteem.
4. Do you prefer shopping online or in physical stores? Why?
Sample Answer, C1 English Level, Advanced, Band Score 6.5-7.5
Personally, I prefer shopping in physical stores as I enjoy the experience of browsing and trying on clothes, and I also like the social aspect of shopping with friends or family. In addition, I find it easier to make decisions when I can see and touch the items I’m interested in purchasing.
I like going to physical stores more than shopping online because it’s more fun to look at clothes and try them on. Also, I enjoy shopping with friends and family, and it’s easier for me to decide what to buy when I can see and touch the items.
In my personal opinion, shopping in physical stores is more enjoyable than shopping online. This is because I find it more engaging and interactive to be able to browse and try on clothes in person, rather than just looking at pictures on a screen. Additionally, I appreciate the social aspect of shopping with others, and the ability to receive immediate feedback from them. Furthermore, physically being in a store allows me to fully experience the product before making a purchase, which is important to me.
5. How often do you go shopping?
Sample Answer, C1 English Level, Advanced, Band Score 6.5-7.5
As a busy person, I don’t get the chance to go shopping very often. I usually go shopping once or twice a month, depending on my schedule and needs. I try to make the most out of my shopping trips by buying everything I need in one go.
I don’t have a lot of free time, so I don’t go shopping very frequently. Typically, I go shopping once or twice a month when I have some spare time. I try to plan my shopping trips ahead of time so that I can get everything I need in one go.
Due to my busy schedule, I don’t have much time for shopping. As a result, I only go shopping once or twice a month, and I make sure that I have a clear plan of what I need to buy before I go. I prefer to shop efficiently and get everything I need in one go, rather than making multiple trips.
6. Have you ever regretted buying something? What was it?
Sample Answer, C1 English Level, Advanced, Band Score 6.5-7.5
Yes, I have regretted buying something before. It was a pair of shoes that I bought on impulse because they were on sale. When I got home and tried them on again, I realized they were uncomfortable and didn’t fit well. I felt like I had wasted my money and wished I had thought more carefully before buying them.
I have made a purchase that I regretted before. It was a pair of shoes that I bought without thinking because they were discounted. When I wore them again at home, I realized they didn’t fit properly and were painful. I felt like I had wasted my money and wished I had considered more before buying them.
There was a time when I felt remorseful about buying something. It was a pair of shoes that I purchased impulsively because they were on sale. When I wore them again later, I realized they were uncomfortable and didn’t fit me well. I felt like I had squandered my money and wished I had thought more critically before making the purchase.
7. Do you like to haggle when shopping? Why or why not?
Sample Answer, C1 English Level, Advanced, Band Score 6.5-7.5
Personally, I’m not a fan of haggling when shopping. I find it uncomfortable and awkward to negotiate prices with sellers. Besides, I prefer to pay a fair price for the item and avoid any potential conflicts or misunderstandings.
To be honest, I don’t really like bargaining when I shop. It makes me feel uneasy and it’s difficult for me to negotiate with sellers. Additionally, I would rather pay the actual price for the product and avoid any misunderstandings or disputes.
In my experience, I’m not keen on haggling when shopping. It makes me feel uneasy and awkward to negotiate prices with vendors, and it can even be confrontational at times. Furthermore, I prefer to pay a fair price for the item and not be burdened with any hidden costs or dubious deals.
8. What is the most expensive thing you've ever bought?
Sample Answer, C1 English Level, Advanced, Band Score 6.5-7.5
The most expensive thing I’ve ever bought is probably my car. It was brand new, and I spent a lot of money on it. I did a lot of research and saved up for a long time before making the purchase, but it was worth it in the end.
I think the most expensive thing I’ve ever bought is my car. It was new, and I spent a lot of money on it. I saved up for a long time before buying it, but I’m glad I did.
The costliest thing I’ve ever purchased is definitely my car. It was a brand new model, and I spent a significant amount of money on it. I conducted extensive research and saved up for quite some time before making the acquisition, but I believe it was a worthwhile investment.
9. Do you like to shop alone or with others? Why?
Sample Answer, C1 English Level, Advanced, Band Score 6.5-7.5
Personally, I prefer shopping alone as I can take my time, browse the items I’m interested in, and make purchasing decisions without any external pressure. Shopping is often a therapeutic activity for me, and I enjoy the solitude and freedom that comes with it.
I prefer to go shopping by myself because I can take my time and look at everything I’m interested in without anyone else rushing me. I also find shopping relaxing, so it’s nice to have some alone time.
Shopping is a personal experience, and I find it most enjoyable when I’m alone. I can fully immerse myself in the activity, taking my time to explore every item that catches my eye. This allows me to make informed purchasing decisions and ensures that I am satisfied with my shopping experience.
10. What is the best shopping experience you've ever had?
Sample Answer, C1 English Level, Advanced, Band Score 6.5-7.5
The best shopping experience I’ve ever had was when I traveled to Japan and visited the famous Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo. The vibrant atmosphere, the variety of fresh seafood, and the friendly vendors made it an unforgettable experience.
The most enjoyable shopping experience I’ve had was in Tokyo at the Tsukiji fish market. The lively ambiance, diverse seafood options, and kind vendors made it a memorable moment.
Among all my shopping experiences, the one that stands out the most was when I visited the Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo. The market’s bustling energy, the remarkable selection of fresh seafood, and the warm interactions with the vendors made it a truly remarkable and unforgettable experience.
11. Have you ever returned an item after purchasing it? Why?
Sample Answer, C1 English Level, Advanced, Band Score 6.5-7.5
Yes, I have returned an item after purchasing it. It was a pair of shoes that I had bought online. When they arrived, they didn’t fit properly and were uncomfortable to wear. So, I decided to return them and get a different size. The process was fairly easy, as I just had to fill out a form on the website and send the shoes back. I received the correct size a few days later.
Yeah, I’ve returned something before. It was a pair of shoes I ordered on the internet. They didn’t fit me right and were uncomfortable to wear, so I had to send them back and request a different size. The process was quite straightforward, as I just had to fill out a form on the website and send the shoes back. A few days later, I got the right size.
Undoubtedly, I have returned an item after purchasing it on more than one occasion. For instance, I remember a particular time when I bought a pair of shoes online, but they were not the right size and didn’t feel comfortable when I tried them on. Hence, I returned the shoes and requested a different size, which I received within a few days. Fortunately, the company had an excellent return policy and made the entire process quite seamless.
12. How much time do you usually spend shopping?
Sample Answer, C1 English Level, Advanced, Band Score 6.5-7.5
As a busy person, I try to make the most of my time when shopping. On average, I spend about 1-2 hours shopping per week, depending on my needs. Sometimes, if I need to buy something specific, it might take me longer, but I prefer to plan my shopping trips in advance to avoid wasting time.
Since I’m quite busy, I don’t like to spend too much time shopping. I usually spend around 1-2 hours shopping each week, but it depends on what I need to buy. If I’m looking for something specific, it might take me longer to find it, but I try to plan my shopping trips in advance.
I like to be efficient when I shop, so I don’t like to spend too much time wandering around. Generally, I spend around 1-2 hours shopping each week, but it varies depending on what I need. If I have a clear idea of what I want, I can be in and out of the store quickly. However, if I’m shopping for something more specific, I’m willing to spend more time to find exactly what I need.
