IELTS Speaking Part 2
Describe something special that you saved money to buy.
You should say:
• What was it
• Why you bought is
• How long you saved money to buy it
and explain why it was important to you to buy it.
Answer
I’m going to talk about the mobile phone that I’m currently using. Prior to this one, I had used 2 or 3 phones, but they were all bought with my parents’ money, so for me this phone has a special meaning.
About a year ago, my old phone started to deteriorate, especially its battery, sometimes it suddenly turned itself off and its apps ran frustratingly slowly. So I decided to buy a new one using my own money, as I thought I couldn’t keep asking my parents to buy me all the things I want anymore.
I visited some websites to check for smartphone types, brands and prices, and finally found the phone that I thought would meet all my needs. However, at that time, it was quite expensive for me to afford, and I had to start saving up. I did some part-time jobs such as working as a private tutor and interpreter to earn some extra income, and tried to reduce the budget I spent on shopping to economize as much as possible. During that time, I rarely bought new clothes or ate out with friends. Finally, after nearly three months, I had enough money to buy my dream phone. At the moment I first held it in my hands, I was extremely happy. It was not only the feeling of owning a new technology gadget, but also the happiness of completing a task in my to-do-list. I have kept using this phone until now and I hope it will work well for a long time to come.
Vocabulary:
– Deteriorate: to become worse.
Example: Her health deteriorated rapidly.
– Frustratingly: in a way that causes you to feel annoyed and impatient because you cannot do or achieve what you want.
Example: Progress was frustratingly slow.
– Meet one’s needs: satisfy what is needed
Example: The new online course meets my needs – it is exactly what I want.
– Afford: to have enough money or time to be able to buy or to do something.
Example: We can’t afford to go abroad this summer.
– Save up: to save money for something.
Example: I’m saving (up) for a new bike.
– Budget: the money that is available to a person or an organization and a plan of how it will be spent over a period of time.
Example: We decorated the house on a tight budget.
– Economize: use less money than you normally use.
Example: I plan to economize on holidays this year by camping instead of booking a hotel.
– Technology gadget: a small technological object (such as a device or an appliance) that has a particular function.
Example: He is interested in technology gadgets.