IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe a luxury item you would like to own in the future: IELTS cue card with sample answer

An IELTS cue card for Speaking Part 2 with a Band 8 sample answer, the one-minute plan behind it, the vocabulary that lifts it and the Part 3 follow-up questions the examiner can ask next.
  • 259 words
  • An object
  • 1 minute to prepare
  • 2 minutes to speak

The cue card

Describe a luxury item you would like to own in the future.

You should say:

  • →What item you would like to own?
  • →What does this item look like?
  • →Why you would like to own this item?
  • →And explain whether you think you will ever own this item.

One minute to prepare, then speak for one to two minutes.

An object

How to answer this cue card: a one-minute plan

  1. 1

    Choose an item you genuinely find interesting to make your description sound more natural.

  2. 2

    Use your one-minute preparation to jot down three adjectives describing its appearance and function.

  3. 3

    Connect your desire for the item to a personal hobby or a specific life value.

Model answer

Band 8 sample answer

Band 8259 words, about two minutes at a natural pace. Details are invented; use your own.

If I had the financial freedom to splurge on a luxury item, I would undoubtedly choose a vintage 1965 Leica M3 camera. It is a masterpiece of German engineering, featuring a sleek, minimalist chrome body paired with a hand-stitched black leather grip. To the untrained eye, it might just look like a clunky old box, but to an enthusiast, its mechanical weight and the tactile satisfaction of the manual film advance lever are unparalleled. I have always been drawn to analogue photography because it forces you to slow down and compose every shot with intention rather than just snapping hundreds of digital images. Owning such a piece would be a dream, not merely as a collector’s item, but as a tool to capture the world in a way that feels permanent and authentic. The process of developing film in a darkroom has a meditative quality that I find incredibly appealing in our fast-paced, screen-obsessed era. As for whether I will ever own one, it is a complicated prospect. These cameras are becoming increasingly rare, and the price of a pristine, serviced model has skyrocketed lately. While I am currently saving for a flat, I have set up a small long-term savings fund dedicated entirely to this pursuit. I am optimistic that if I keep my finances in check over the next few years, I will eventually be able to justify the indulgence. It represents a reward for my hard work and a commitment to preserving the art of traditional photography, so I am determined to make it happen eventually.

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8 words

Useful vocabulary for this cue card

  • splurge

    spending a lot of money on luxury items

  • minimalist

    a style that uses very simple design elements

  • tactile

    something that is pleasing to the physical touch

  • unparalleled

    having no equal; better than anything else similar

  • meditative

    involving deep thought and a sense of calm

  • skyrocketed

    increased very quickly and to a high level

  • pristine

    in original, perfect, and clean working condition

  • indulgence

    an expensive luxury that is not strictly necessary

6 questions

Part 3 follow-up questions

  1. 1Which expensive items would many young people (in your country) like to buy?
  2. 2How do the expensive items that younger people want to buy differ from those that older people want to buy?
  3. 3Do you think that people are more likely to buy expensive items for their friends or themselves?
  4. 4How difficult is it to become very rich in today's world?
  5. 5Do you agree that money does not necessarily bring happiness?
  6. 6In what ways might rich people use their money to help society?

Answer each in three to five sentences: position, reason, example, limit. See how to answer IELTS Speaking Part 3.

Frequently asked questions

How should I start the cue card "Describe a luxury item you would like to own in the future."?+

Choose an item you genuinely find interesting to make your description sound more natural.

How long should I speak on an IELTS cue card?+

You get one minute to prepare, then speak for the full two minutes, about 220 to 280 words at a natural pace. The examiner will stop you at two minutes, which is a good sign, not a problem.

How is the cue card scored?+

Part 2 is not scored on its own. Your whole Speaking test gets one band from four criteria: fluency and coherence, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation. The cue card is where the examiner hears whether you can keep going for two minutes.

Can I use this sample answer in the exam?+

Use its structure and vocabulary, not its sentences. Examiners recognise memorised answers and mark fluency down; a shorter answer from your own memory scores higher than a recited one.

Keep practising

More cue cards: an object

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