Describe an Item on Which You Spent More Than Expected – IELTS Cue Card

Introduction

Money management is an important life skill, yet sometimes we end up spending more than we plan—especially on items we really want or need. In the IELTS Speaking test, cue cards like “Describe an item on which you spent more than expected” help examiners assess your ability to describe experiences clearly, use past tense correctly, and explain reasons logically.
In this blog, you’ll find a model cue card answer, follow-up question answers, and useful vocabulary to score higher in IELTS Speaking.

You should say:

• What it is

• How much you spent on it

• Why you bought it

• And explain why you think you spent more than expected

Sample Answer

One item on which I spent more than expected was a smartphone that I bought last year.

I had planned to buy a mid-range phone costing around ₹20,000. However, when I visited the store, the salesperson showed me a newly launched model with better camera quality, higher storage, and advanced security features. Eventually, I ended up spending nearly ₹38,000, which was much more than my original budget.

I bought this phone because my old one had become very slow and its battery drained quickly. Since I use my phone daily for online classes, payments, and communication, I wanted something reliable and long-lasting.

I think I spent more than expected mainly because I was influenced by attractive offers and the features I hadn’t planned for. The salesperson also convinced me that investing more money would give me better value in the long run. Although I felt a little guilty at first, later I realized that the phone’s performance justified the extra cost.

Follow-Up Questions & Answers

1. Do you often buy more than you expected?

Not very often, but it happens occasionally, especially when I go shopping without proper planning. Discounts and attractive displays sometimes tempt me to spend more than my budget. However, I try to control myself by making a list before shopping.

2. What do you think young people spend most of their money on?

I believe young people spend most of their money on gadgets, clothes, food, and entertainment such as movies and online subscriptions. Nowadays, many also invest in mobile phones, headphones, and fashionable items to maintain a modern lifestyle.

3. Do you think it is important to save money? Why?

Yes, saving money is extremely important because it provides financial security in emergencies. It also helps people achieve long-term goals like higher education, buying a house, or starting a business. Moreover, saving teaches discipline and responsible spending habits.

4. Do people buy things that they don’t need?

Yes, many people buy unnecessary items due to advertisements, peer pressure, or emotional reasons. Online shopping makes this problem even worse because everything is just one click away. As a result, people often purchase things they rarely use.

Useful Vocabulary & Phrases

• Exceeded my budget

• Impulse buying

• Worth the price

• Financial discipline

• Long-term investment

• Tempting offers

Tips to Score Higher in IELTS Speaking

• Use past tense clearly (I bought, I spent, I realized).

• Add reasons and examples to extend your answer.

• Avoid short responses; aim for 1–2 minutes for cue cards.

• Use linking words: because, however, therefore, eventually.

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