Do you enjoy shopping?
Only certain kinds. I find clothes shopping quite stressful, especially before Eid, when every shop is packed and the prices go up. But I could spend hours in a bookshop or browsing gadgets, so I suppose I enjoy it when it's something I'm genuinely interested in.
Where do you usually go shopping?
For everyday things like groceries, we use the small shops and the bazaar near our flat. For clothes, I usually go to New Market, because it's cheap and has a huge variety, as long as you don't mind the crowds. Occasionally I'll wander round one of the big shopping centres, but mostly just to look.
Who do you usually go shopping with?
Most of the time it's my mother, especially for anything expensive, because she's a far better negotiator than I am. If I'm buying clothes for myself, though, I'd rather go with a friend who'll give me an honest opinion. My mother tends to say everything looks lovely, which isn't very helpful.
Do you prefer shopping online or in shops?
For small things, online is hard to beat. I can order phone accessories or books from my bed, pay cash on delivery and have them at my door within a couple of days. For clothes and shoes, though, I'd rather go in person, because I've been caught out a few times by sizes that didn't match the photos.
Do you like bargaining over prices in markets?
Not really, because I'm terrible at it. Shopkeepers seem to know immediately that I'll give in, so I usually end up paying close to the first price. My mother, on the other hand, actually enjoys it. She'll walk away from a stall on purpose just so they call her back with a lower offer.
Have you ever bought something you later regretted buying?
I have, yes. A pair of expensive running shoes. I'd convinced myself they would motivate me to start jogging every morning, so I spent almost a month's pocket money on them. I wore them about three times before the monsoon arrived, and they've been sitting in a cupboard ever since, which still annoys me.
Sample answers written by Abroadway as models of natural, high-band speaking (not official IELTS samples).
Answer these questions out loud
Free, no account needed. The examiner voice reads each question; you get a band estimate at the end.