IELTS Speaking part 1 | Shopping

Most people either love or hate shopping. Although a little but of a generalisation, women prefer to go shopping rather than men.

Think about the following –

1. Do you like to go shopping? Why?
2. Do you dislike shopping? Why?

Examples

• I absolutely hate shopping and have never enjoyed it. I remember having to spend hours walking around the shops as a child waiting for my mother while she looked at clothes when we went out food shopping. I know exactly what I want to buy so I am in and out as fast as possible.
• I love shopping, it’s retail therapy. I will often go to the local shopping mall on a Sunday and have a walk around and look at the clothes and shoes. If I have enough money, I will buy something, or better still I might be able to persuade my boyfriend to buy something for me. I also like to go shopping with my friends as it is a great way for us to catch up and look at the latest fashions.

This may depend on what you are purchasing. If it is an expensive item, then it is probably a good idea to shop around.

Look at these questions –

1. When do you usually compare prices?
2. What do you do to compare prices?
3. Do you look for bargains?

Examples

• Usually, I will compare prices online before I buy something particularly if it is expensive. It is a good way to choose what I want, and I can read reviews from people who have already bought the products before making my final decision.
• I am always on the hunt for a bargain, so I always compare prices. I will search online to find where the item is being sold for the cheapest price. Certain times of year are best to buy goods such as Christmas as there are always sales in January so you can buy things for the fraction of the normal cost.

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This depends a great deal on where you live. If you are in the suburbs there will be fewer shops, but if you are in the city centre there will be more options such as shopping malls.

Think about the following –

1. Are there lots of shops/malls where you live?
2. Where are most of the shops located?

Examples

•  I live in the suburbs which is quite a distance from the city centre so there aren’t a lot of shops. We have local supermarkets and a few small shops but nothing big. If I want to buy clothes or need something important, I always go into the city centre.
• As I live in the city centre, I am spoilt for choice really. There are a couple big shopping malls with all the top brands.  There are a lot of restaurants and cafes there as well so it is a good place to meet my friends.

Shopping online has become a global trend in recent years, however, it is not popular in some countries where it is a fairly new concept.

Have a look at these questions –

1. Do you trust online shopping?
2. Are you afraid of being cheated?
3. Do you think the quality of goods is the same as those in shops?

Examples

• Shopping online is not that popular in my country at the moment. I think people think they might be cheated if they buy something online or that the product will not be as advertised. In the future I think it will be more popular as more security measures are introduced to limit the number of scammers.
• I buy products online all the time. One of the reasons is that the products seem to be cheaper online than they are in the shops. Also, it is so convenient, I can order something and within a few days or sometimes even 24 hours it is delivered to my door. It is a good way to get something that you can’t find at the local shops as well.