Ashore अब वेब परमॉक टेस्ट ट्राई करें
Part 2 cue card · Events · New for September–December 2026

Describe a time when you saved money to buy something special.

Describe a time when you saved money to buy something special.

You should say:

  • ·what you wanted to buy
  • ·how long it took to save
  • ·how you saved the money
  • ·how you felt when you bought it

and explain why it was special to you.

One minute to prepare, up to two minutes to talk. Then Part 3 asks the questions below.

Sample answers

Two answers to the same card

Same story, two levels. Both were written by Ashore, then checked against the public band descriptors in a separate pass. The bands are practice estimates, not official IELTS results.

A simpler answer

Checked at band 6.5 · 153 words

I'd like to talk about a bicycle I bought a couple of years ago. My old one was heavy and had problems, so I wanted a lighter one for getting to work and riding at weekends. The bicycle I liked cost about 2,400 yuan. It took me five months to save enough money. I put around 500 yuan from my salary aside each month. I also ordered less takeaway food and walked to places nearby instead of taking a taxi. It was not always easy, because I sometimes wanted to spend the money on other things, but I kept reminding myself about the bicycle. When I finally bought it, I felt really happy and proud. I rode it home that evening and took a long way through a park. It was special because I had worked for it myself, and it made my daily commute more comfortable. I still use it quite often.

  • Explain how you saved · “I put around 500 yuan from my salary”

A stronger answer

Checked at band 7.5 · 242 words

Honestly, the thing I saved up for was a lighter bicycle. The one I had was heavy and kept needing small repairs, so commuting on it felt like hard work. I wanted something reliable for the ride to my office, but also comfortable enough for longer trips at weekends. The model I liked cost about 2,400 yuan, which was a noticeable amount for me at the time.

It took me five months to save for it. I didn't want to borrow money or put it on a credit card, so I made a simple plan: each month I moved about 500 yuan from my salary into a separate account. I also cut back on takeaway meals, especially on workdays, and walked short distances instead of taking a taxi. Those choices weren't dramatic, but they stopped the money disappearing on little things. If I felt tempted to spend it, I'd picture the bike waiting for me.

When I finally bought it, I felt relieved as well as excited. I took it for a ride through the park on the way home, and it felt much smoother than my old one. I was proud that I'd paid for it myself, rather than asking my family to help. That's why it was special: it wasn't just a way to get around; it was proof that a small plan and a bit of patience could make my daily life more comfortable. I still use it regularly.

  • Specific problem · “kept needing small repairs”
  • Saving detail · “each month I moved about 500 yuan”
  • Explain the effect · “stopped the money disappearing on little things”
  • Explain why it mattered · “proof that a small plan and a bit of patience”
Angles

3 ways to answer it

  1. 1Saving three months of tutoring pay for a camera: your first night shot of campus
  2. 2Skipping breakfasts in middle school for trainers: one steamed bun a day
  3. 3Saving from your first job for a massage chair for your mum: her face trying it
Expressions

5 expressions that fit this card

save up for
keep money to buy something later
cut back on
spend less on
put money aside
keep some money for later
worth every penny
worth all the money
treat myself
buy something nice for myself
Part 3

The questions that follow

After the long turn, Part 3 asks bigger questions on the same theme. Each one comes with two points you can build an answer from.

  1. 1

    Should schools teach children how to manage money from a young age?

    • ·Basic money lessons teach children that resources are limited and choices involve trade-offs.
    • ·Planning a class activity budget makes the ideas easier to understand.
  2. 2

    Is it easier to spend money or save money?

    • ·Spending offers immediate enjoyment, while saving usually requires waiting.
    • ·A clear goal and regular saving habit can make waiting easier.
  3. 3

    Should parents teach children to be generous with money?

    • ·Sharing and helping others are valuable when spending stays within one’s means.
    • ·Children could use part of their allowance for something everyone can enjoy.
  4. 4

    Should people spend time on charity, or just money?

    • ·Volunteering time uses personal skills and builds understanding of others’ needs.
    • ·Money helps organisations allocate resources, so the best contribution depends on need and ability.
Stories

One story, many cards

This card fits these 2 stories. Prepare the story once and you can bend it to every card listed with it on the season page.

  • Deciding to study abroad

    Why you are taking IELTS: the choice, who you talked to, what you gave up, how you are preparing.

  • A busy street or market

    A shopping street, mall or night market: the noise and crowds, a building you notice, something you saved up for there.