IELTS Speaking Part 1

Money: 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. These are the 8 questions about money in the BandLadder test bank, with sample answers for the most frequent ones. Aim for two or three sentences each: answer, reason, one detail.

Sample answers

When you go shopping, do you prefer to pay for things in cash or by card?

I almost exclusively use my contactless card because it is far more convenient than carrying around physical notes. I rarely keep cash in my wallet these days, as digital payments are accepted in virtually every shop and café in my neighbourhood.

Do you ever save money to buy special things?

Yes, I am quite a disciplined saver when I have a specific goal in mind. Recently, I set aside a portion of my salary each month for six months to purchase a high-end camera, which made the final acquisition feel much more rewarding.

Would you ever take a job which had low pay?

That depends entirely on the nature of the role and whether it aligns with my personal passions. If a position offered significant opportunities for professional development or allowed me to contribute to a meaningful cause, I would certainly consider it, even if the financial compensation were modest.

Would winning a lot of money make a big difference to your life?

It would undoubtedly provide a sense of financial security that is quite liberating. Having a substantial safety net would allow me to pursue creative projects without the constant pressure of making ends meet, though I like to think my core values would remain unchanged.

When you go shopping, do you usually pay for things by cash or by card?

Actually, I have shifted almost entirely to mobile payments using my phone. It is incredibly efficient, and I find it much easier to track my monthly expenditure through the banking app linked to my device, which helps me stay within my budget.

Are you generally careful about how much money you spend?

I try to be quite frugal, especially when it comes to non-essential items. I tend to avoid impulsive purchases by waiting a few days before buying anything expensive, which usually helps me decide if I truly need the item or just want it.

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

Useful vocabulary

contactless: a payment method using technology to tap and pay
disciplined: showing a controlled form of behaviour or working hard
financial compensation: the money someone receives as payment for their work
safety net: money kept to protect against potential future financial problems
frugal: being careful and economical with money or food
impulsive: acting suddenly without thinking carefully about the consequences

Use a range of adjectives to describe your financial habits clearly.
Give a personal example to make your answer more engaging and natural.

Answer out loud and get a band

The AI examiner asks Part 1 questions like these, listens, and scores fluency, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation, with the words that cost you.

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