The cue card
Describe a shop or market that you often go to.
You should say:
- where it is
- what it sells
- how often you go there
and explain why you like shopping there.
You have one minute to make notes, then speak for one to two minutes.
Band 8–9 sample answer
Written by Abroadway as a model of natural, high-band speaking (not an official IELTS sample).
I'm going to talk about the local fresh market near my family's flat in Chattogram. It isn't a famous place at all; it's just a covered market at the end of our road, with a tin roof, narrow lanes between the stalls and a floor that's permanently wet, especially in the fish section.
It sells almost everything you'd need for everyday cooking. There's a long row of vegetable stalls piled high with whatever's in season, so in winter you'll see cauliflowers, tomatoes and leafy greens, while in summer it's mostly gourds and mangoes. Further in, there are fishmongers with big aluminium bowls full of hilsa and prawns, a couple of spice sellers who grind turmeric and chilli on the spot, and a corner where they sell live chickens, which can get quite noisy.
I go there at least twice a week. My regular trip is on Friday morning with my father, which has become a bit of a ritual for the two of us, and then I usually pop in on my own midweek to pick up whatever we've run out of.
As for why I like shopping there, part of it is simply that the food is fresher and often cheaper than in supermarkets, because much of it arrives from nearby villages that same morning. But what I value even more is the personal side of it. Over the years we've got to know several of the sellers by name, and they'll set aside the best fish for my father or tell us honestly when something isn't worth buying that day. You're also expected to bargain a little, which I used to find awkward, but now I quite enjoy the friendly back-and-forth. Compared with the silence of a supermarket aisle, it feels far more alive.
Useful phrases from this answer
- piled high with
- having a large amount of something stacked on top
- a bit of a ritual
- something you do regularly in the same way, which feels special
- pop in
- visit a place quickly for a short time
- set aside
- keep something for a particular person or purpose
- back-and-forth
- a friendly exchange of words between two people
- on impulse
- suddenly, without planning
- comes down to
- the main reason or deciding factor is
- out of reach
- too expensive or too difficult to get
Part 3 follow-up questions and answers
Why do some people prefer small local shops to large supermarkets?
Mainly because of the personal relationship. In a small shop the owner usually knows you, remembers what you tend to buy and might even let you pay later if you're short of cash that week, which a supermarket would never do. Convenience plays a part as well; a corner shop is often just a few steps away, whereas getting to a supermarket might mean a rickshaw ride. Some people also feel loyal to local businesses and like the idea that their money is supporting a neighbour rather than a large company. That said, supermarkets clearly win on choice and fixed prices, so I think many people end up using both, depending on what they need.
How has online shopping changed people's buying habits?
Quite dramatically, I'd say, especially among younger people in cities. The most obvious shift is that people now buy things at any time of day, often on impulse while scrolling on their phones late at night. Comparing prices has also become much easier, so customers are more aware of what counts as a fair deal. On the other hand, it's arguably made shopping more passive; instead of going out, touching products and talking to sellers, people rely on photos and reviews, which aren't always trustworthy. In Bangladesh, cash on delivery has been important too, because many people still don't fully trust paying online in advance.
Why do people bargain over prices in some countries but not in others?
I think it largely comes down to how trade has traditionally been organised. In places where most buying happened in open markets with small independent sellers, prices were never fixed, so negotiating became a normal part of every transaction, and even a kind of social ritual. In countries dominated by large chains, prices are set centrally and printed on labels, so there's simply no one with the authority to give you a discount. Culture plays a role as well. In some societies haggling is seen as smart and even enjoyable, whereas elsewhere it might be considered rude or a sign that you don't trust the seller.
Do you think traditional markets will disappear in the future?
I doubt they'll disappear completely, at least not in my lifetime, although they may shrink and change. In big cities, supermarkets and delivery apps are certainly drawing some customers away, particularly busy professionals. But traditional markets still offer things that are hard to replicate, such as very fresh produce, lower prices and the chance to choose exactly the fish or vegetables you want. In smaller towns and villages they're also a central part of community life, not just places to shop. What I can imagine is markets adapting, perhaps by becoming cleaner and better organised, or by letting sellers take orders over the phone.
Is it a good thing that people buy more things than they did in the past?
To some extent, yes, because it reflects the fact that many families now have more money and can afford things that were out of reach a generation ago, such as fridges or decent clothes for every season. That's genuine progress. However, I'd argue there's a point where buying more stops improving people's lives. A lot of what we buy now is cheap, short-lived and thrown away quickly, which creates enormous waste and puts pressure on household budgets. So I think the increase is positive when it means better living standards, but much less so when it's driven by advertising and the habit of constantly upgrading.
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