Describe a place you visited where things were too expensive.
This test has appeared in 4 seasons · 3 reported by test takers
- Jan–Apr/2025
- Sep–Dec/2024
- May–Aug/2024
- Jan–Apr/2024
Reported by test takers Forecast only
Part 1
The examiner asks about you and two familiar topics. About 4–5 minutes.
Your home
- Do you live in a house or an apartment? (Why?)
- Which room do you spend the most time in? (Why?)
- What would you like to change about your home? (Why?)
- Do you think you will live there for a long time? (Why not?)
Science
- Did you like science at school? (Why is that?)
- Which science subject do you find most interesting? (Tell me more about that.)
- Do you watch science programmes on TV or online? (Why is that?)
- Do you think science is important in everyday life? (Why is that?)
Free time
- How much free time do you have these days? (Tell me more about that.)
- What do you like to do in your free time? (Tell me more about that.)
- Did you have more free time when you were younger? (Why is that?)
- Would you prefer to spend your free time alone or with other people? (Why is that?)
Part 2
One minute to prepare, then speak for one to two minutes.
Describe a place you visited where things were too expensive.
You should say:
- where this place was
- when you went there
- what you bought or wanted to buy
and explain why you thought things were too expensive.
Follow-up question after your talk: Would you go back to this place? / Did you buy anything there in the end?
Part 3
A broader, more abstract discussion of the Part 2 topic. About 4–5 minutes.
prices and the cost of living
- Can you explain why prices are usually higher in the places tourists visit?
- In general, what things are becoming more expensive in your country?
- What could be done about the rising cost of living for young families?
why people pay more for some things
- Can you explain why some people are willing to pay much more for a famous brand?
- How would you compare living costs in big cities with living costs in the countryside?
- Can you speculate on how people's spending habits will change if prices keep rising?
Test titles follow test-taker reports and each season's forecasts — IELTS does not publish its papers. "Reported" means someone reported meeting this topic in a dated test. The questions are written by us in the format of the real test.