A couple of years ago, I decided to invest in a high-end ergonomic office chair, specifically a Herman Miller Aeron. I had been working from home quite a bit and noticed that my back was constantly aching, so I went to a specialist furniture showroom in central London called 'Design Hub' to test a few models out. Initially, I had mentally allocated about three hundred pounds for a decent chair, thinking that would be more than enough to get something comfortable. However, once I sat in the Aeron and felt the mesh support and the way it adjusted to my posture, I was completely sold. The salesperson explained the long-term health benefits, and I suppose I let my desire for comfort override my initial budget constraints. I ended up spending over a thousand pounds on it, which was significantly more than I had anticipated. The reason I justify this splurge is that I realised I spend upwards of eight hours a day seated at my desk. I calculated the cost per use over a five-year period, and it suddenly felt like a sensible investment in my physical well-being rather than just a frivolous purchase. Although it was a painful hit to my bank account at the time, the relief it has provided for my chronic back pain has made it worth every single penny. It taught me that when it comes to tools you use daily, quality should take precedence over saving money in the short term, as cheap alternatives often end up costing more in the long run.
The cue card
Describe an item you spent more than expected on
You should say:
- →What the item was
- →Where you bought it
- →Why you bought it
- →And explain why you spent more than expected
One minute to prepare, then speak for one to two minutes.
An object
How to answer this cue card: a one-minute plan
- 1
Jot down the item and why you needed it immediately.
- 2
Structure your story chronologically: the plan, the surprise, and the final justification.
- 3
Include sensory details to make your narrative more authentic and engaging.
Model answer
Band 8 sample answer
Say it out loud and get a band
Record this card with the AI examiner: one minute of prep, two minutes to speak, then a band for fluency, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation with the words that cost you.
Say it and get a band free →8 words
Useful vocabulary for this cue card
ergonomic
Designed to provide comfort and efficiency for users.
allocated
Set aside a specific amount for a purpose.
posture
The position in which someone holds their body.
splurge
An act of spending money freely or extravagantly.
frivolous
Not having any serious purpose or valuable worth.
chronic
Persisting for a long time or constantly recurring.
precedence
The condition of being considered more important.
long run
Relating to a long period of time ahead.
5 questions
Part 3 follow-up questions
- 1What role does society play in shaping our attitudes towards this?
- 2Has the way people view this changed over the years?
- 3How do you think it will develop in the future?
- 4What are the benefits and drawbacks?
- 5Do you think the government should be involved in regulating this area?
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 an item you spent more than expected on"?+
Jot down the item and why you needed it immediately.
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
- Describe a beanbag chair in your bedroom
- Describe a bedside table you use in your bedroom
- Describe a board game you enjoy playing
- Describe a colourful beach towel you own
- Describe a colourful tie or scarf you wear
- Describe a comfortable armchair or sofa you like
- All 705 IELTS cue cards 2026
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