IELTS Speaking Part 1

Charity shops: questions and Band 8 answers

The examiner asks three to five short questions on two or three everyday topics in the first four to five minutes. Here are 5 questions about charity shops written by BandLadder in the examiner's style, each with a Band 8 sample answer. Aim for two or three sentences each: answer, reason, one detail.
  • 5 questions
  • 5 Band 8 answers
  • 4 to 5 minutes

5 answers

Sample answers

1

Are there many charity shops where you live?

Yes, quite a few, actually. My local high street has three or four of them, mostly run by hospices or animal rescue groups. I walk past them almost every day on my way to the tube station, and their window displays are always packed with quirky items.

2

Do you ever buy things from charity shops?

I do, from time to time. I'm a massive fan of picking up vintage paperbacks because they're remarkably cheap compared to buying brand-new books. Just last month, I managed to find an old hardback copy of a classic novel for only two pounds.

3

What kinds of items do you think are best to buy second-hand?

I'd say things like books, board games, and home decorations are ideal. They don't really wear out easily, so you can pick up genuine bargains. I'm slightly more hesitant with clothes, to be honest, unless they're in pristine condition or unworn with tags.

4

Have you ever donated anything to a charity shop?

Yes, fairly regularly. Whenever I have a clear-out at home, usually at the start of spring, I bag up clothes I don't wear anymore and drop them off. It feels good knowing they're going to a good cause rather than ending up in landfill.

5

Do you think shopping in charity shops is becoming more popular?

Definitely. I think younger people in particular are much more conscious of sustainability nowadays, so thrifting has become quite trendy. Plus, with the rising cost of living, everyone's looking for ways to stretch their budget without compromising on quality.

Details are invented. Use the shape, not the sentences: examiners mark memorised answers down.

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7 words

Useful vocabulary

  • quirky

    unusual in an attractive and interesting way

  • vintage

    high quality from a past era

  • bargain

    something bought for less than its usual value

  • pristine condition

    looking completely new and unused

  • clear-out

    the act of getting rid of unwanted possessions

  • landfill

    a place where rubbish is buried underground

  • thrifting

    shopping at second-hand stores to find affordable goods

  • →Incorporate natural terms related to second-hand shopping like 'clear-out', 'bargain', or 'pre-loved'.
  • →Contrast why you might buy certain items second-hand while preferring to buy other things brand new.
  • →Feel free to mention environmental or financial reasons if asked about the popularity of charity shops.

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