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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 7 · 167 words

Last year, I saved up to buy a comfortable office chair for my home. I work at a desk most evenings, and my old chair was hard and uncomfortable. The new one cost about 1,800 yuan, which was quite expensive for me at the time.

It took me three months to save enough. I put aside 600 yuan from my salary each month. I also took lunch from home instead of buying it near my office, and I stopped getting takeaway coffee so often. I wrote down what I spent, which helped me see where my money went.

When I finally bought the chair, I felt really happy and proud. I went home and put it together that evening, and I sat in it while I finished some work. It felt much better than my old chair. It was special to me because I had planned for it and paid for it myself. It also made working at home more comfortable, so I use it every day.

  • Specific amount · “put aside 600 yuan”
  • Explain its significance · “paid for it myself”

A stronger answer

Checked at band 8 · 235 words

Honestly, last year I decided to buy a proper office chair for my home. I spend several hours at a desk most evenings, and my old one was hard enough that I kept shifting around. I found a simple, supportive chair for about 1,800 yuan, which felt like a lot to spend in one go.

It took me three months to save for it. I set aside 600 yuan from my salary each month, treating that amount as a bill rather than whatever was left over. I also packed lunch instead of buying it near work and cut back on takeaway coffee. Those were small changes, but together they made the target realistic. I kept a note of my daily spending, so I could see the savings build up and avoid dipping into them. I transferred the money to a separate savings account straight away.

When I had enough, I ordered the chair and felt genuinely pleased when it arrived. I put it together that evening, and the first thing I noticed was that I could sit comfortably without constantly adjusting my position. Although it wasn't an exciting purchase to show off, I was proud because I'd planned for it and paid for it myself. If I'd bought it on impulse, I probably wouldn't have appreciated it as much. It made my evenings at home more comfortable, which is why it felt special to me.

  • Specific saving strategy · “treating that amount as a bill”
  • Explain the reason · “made the target realistic”
  • Specific reaction · “the first thing I noticed”
  • Concession · “Although it wasn't an exciting purchase”
  • Conditional · “If I'd bought it on impulse”
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

    Why do some young people find it hard to save money?

    • ·Online shopping and takeaways are too easy
    • ·Pay-later options encourage spending ahead
  2. 2

    Do you think children should get pocket money?

    • ·It teaches them to manage money and plan
    • ·Too much may build bad spending habits
  3. 3

    How have people's spending habits changed compared with the past?

    • ·From cash to paying by phone
    • ·More money goes on experiences like travel
  4. 4

    Should schools teach students how to manage money?

    • ·Many only learn budgeting after starting work
    • ·Parents' example might teach more
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.

Say it out loud and get a band score