IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe a useful laundry basket you use

A Band 8 model answer with the one-minute plan behind it, the vocabulary that lifts it, and the Part 3 questions that follow.
  • 274 words
  • An object
  • 1 minute to prepare
  • 2 minutes to speak

The cue card

Describe a useful laundry basket you use

You should say:

  • →what it looks like
  • →where you keep it
  • →how you use it to sort your clothes
  • →and explain why you find it so practical.

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

An object

How to plan it in one minute

  1. 1

    Note the material and design (bamboo frame, dual compartments, lid).

  2. 2

    Jot down its location and sorting method (bathroom corner, darks vs whites).

  3. 3

    Highlight specific benefits (removable bags, saves time, stops bedroom clutter).

Model answer

Band 8 model answer

Band 8274 words, about two minutes at a natural pace. Details are invented; use your own.

To be honest, it might sound a bit mundane to talk about a laundry hamper, but I have this dual-compartment bamboo laundry basket that has genuinely transformed my daily routine. I bought it roughly a year ago from a local homeware shop after getting fed up with clothes piling up in untidy heaps in the corner of my bedroom.

Visually, it is quite sleek and minimalist. It has a sturdy bamboo frame with a neutral grey fabric liner that is divided into two distinct sections, complete with a fitted lid to keep everything discreetly hidden away. I keep it tucked in the corner of my bathroom, right next to the shower, which is ideal because that is where I usually undress at the end of the day.

What makes it so handy is the compartmentalisation. One section is meant for darks and the other for whites and lighter tones. As soon as I take off my clothes, I toss them straight into the appropriate slot instead of letting them accumulate aimlessly. The fabric liners actually have built-in handles, so when one side fills up, I can simply lift out that specific bag and carry it down to the washing machine without dragging the whole basket along.

I find it immensely practical because it saves me heaps of time on laundry day. In the past, I would waste ten or fifteen minutes sorting through piles of mixed garments, checking labels and separating colours. Now, the pre-sorting is essentially on autopilot. It also stops damp towels or sweaty gym gear from cluttering up floor space, keeping the whole flat looking tidy and organised with minimal effort.

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.

Log in to practise this with AI scoring — free →

8 words

Vocabulary from the answer

  • mundane

    ordinary, dull, or not particularly exciting

  • dual-compartment

    having two separate sections for storage

  • discreetly

    in a way that avoids attracting unwanted attention

  • compartmentalisation

    the act of dividing things into distinct categories or spaces

  • accumulate

    to gradually collect or build up over time

  • pre-sorting

    categorising items before the main task begins

  • on autopilot

    doing something routinely without needing conscious thought

  • cluttering up

    filling a space with untidy objects

5 questions

Part 3 questions that follow this card

  1. 1How have household chores changed compared to the past?
  2. 2Why do some people find it difficult to keep their living spaces organised?
  3. 3What role do domestic appliances play in modern family life?
  4. 4How might technology change the way people do housework in the future?
  5. 5What are the drawbacks of prioritising an overly neat home environment?

Answer each in three to five sentences: position, reason, example, limit. Read Band 8 answers to these Part 3 questions: household organisation and daily routines.

Frequently asked questions

How should I start the cue card "Describe a useful laundry basket you use"?+

Note the material and design (bamboo frame, dual compartments, lid).

How long should my answer be?+

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.

Can I use this model 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

© 2026 BandLadder. Written and checked by the BandLadder team. You may quote or cite this page with credit to BandLadder and a link to it; republishing it in full needs our written permission. Content use policy

Log in to practise free