One of the most frequent topics in the current exam cycle is the request to discuss luxury or personal indulgences. In this guide, we will show you how to describe an expensive activity that you enjoy doing occasionally, providing you with a Band 9 model answer and a comprehensive breakdown of the vocabulary needed to impress your examiner.

The Cue Card

Describe an expensive activity that you enjoy doing occasionally. You should say:
• What the activity is
• Who you do it with
• Why it costs a lot of money
And explain why you enjoy doing this activity despite the cost.

Band 9 Sample Answer

If I’m being completely honest, I’m generally a fairly frugal person who prefers to save for the future, but there is one particular indulgence that I allow myself maybe once or twice a year, and that’s dining at a high-end, Michelin-starred rooftop restaurant in the heart of the city. It’s an experience that I usually share with my partner or my parents, especially if there is a milestone to celebrate, like a birthday or a significant promotion at work. The reason it carries such a hefty price tag is primarily due to the sheer quality of the ingredients—we’re talking about things like Wagyu beef or rare truffles that are flown in from across the globe—and the fact that you’re paying for the artistry of a world-class chef. Beyond the food, you’re also paying for the “prime real estate” of the venue, which offers a panoramic, 360-degree view of the skyline. It’s quite easy to spend more on a single dinner there than I would on a week’s worth of groceries, which is why it’s strictly an “occasional” treat. However, I absolutely relish it because it’s a total sensory experience. The service is impeccable—the staff anticipate your needs before you even realize them—and the atmosphere is just so sophisticated and tranquil. For those two or three hours, I feel completely disconnected from the hustle and bustle of daily life. It’s not just about the calories; it’s about the memory and the feeling of being pampered. While the cost is undeniably steep, the emotional reset it provides makes it worth every penny in my book, as it reminds me why I work so hard in the first place.

Band 7 Sample Answer

I would like to talk about going to professional tennis tournaments, which is an expensive activity I enjoy. I usually go with my best friend because we both love the sport. These tickets are very expensive, especially for the finals, because the demand is so high and the stadiums have limited seating. Sometimes a single ticket can cost hundreds of dollars. Also, the food and drinks inside the stadium are much more expensive than in a normal shop. I enjoy this activity because the atmosphere is amazing. Watching a match on TV is okay, but being there in person and hearing the sound of the ball hitting the racket is much better. You can feel the tension in the crowd. Even though it costs a lot of money and I have to save up for a few months to afford it, I think it is a great experience. It is a nice way to relax and see my favorite athletes in real life. I don’t do it very often, maybe just once a year, but it is always the highlight of my summer. It makes me feel happy and excited, so I don’t mind spending the money occasionally.

How the Band 9 Answer Scores Top Marks

Fluency and Coherence

The Band 9 answer flows naturally because it uses sophisticated discourse markers and logical connectors. Instead of just listing facts, the speaker uses phrases like “If I’m being completely honest” to set a personal tone and “Beyond the food” to transition between different points. The use of “which is why” and “however” helps to create a cohesive narrative that guides the examiner through the speaker’s thought process. This level of organization is essential, as explained in our general overview of the IELTS Speaking test.

Lexical Resource

The vocabulary used is precise and topic-specific. Instead of repeating the word “expensive,” the speaker uses synonyms like “hefty price tag,” “astronomical,” and “worth every penny.” Terms like “frugal,” “milestone,” “impeccable service,” and “panoramic skyline” demonstrate a high level of English proficiency. The speaker also uses idiomatic expressions like “hustle and bustle” and “worth every penny” naturally within the context of the story.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy

The answer showcases a variety of complex structures. For instance, the use of a conditional structure—“especially if there is a milestone to celebrate”—and relative clauses—“which offers a panoramic, 360-degree view”—adds depth. The speaker also employs the present perfect tense to describe a habit and the present continuous to describe the feeling of the experience. To achieve a similar score, you should check out our IELTS English Speaking Course, which covers these advanced structures in detail.

Pronunciation

A Band 9 candidate uses intonation to highlight key points. In the sample, the speaker would likely emphasize words like “relish,” “impeccable,” and “every” to convey emotion. The chunking of words—grouping them into meaningful phrases—ensures that the rhythm sounds like a native speaker rather than a rehearsed script. This is a key skill we emphasize in our IELTS Speaking tips.

Vocabulary and Idioms to Use

Grammar Structures That Boost Your Band Score

• Second Conditional for Hypotheticals: “If I had more disposable income, I would probably do this activity every month instead of just once a year.”
• Present Perfect for Life Experience: “I have always been fascinated by fine dining, but I’ve only recently started visiting Michelin-starred places.”
• Relative Clauses for Detail: “The restaurant, which is located on the 50th floor, offers views that are simply breathtaking.”
• Passive Voice for Emphasis: “The ingredients are sourced from local organic farms to ensure the highest quality.”
• Not only… but also: “The activity is not only a way to relax but also a chance to bond with my family.”
• Comparatives and Superlatives: “It is by far the most expensive meal I have ever eaten, but it was also the most delicious.”
• Concessive Clauses: “Even though the tickets are overpriced, the atmosphere in the stadium is incomparable.”
• Gerunds as Subjects: “Spending a large amount of money on experiences rather than things is a choice I prefer.”

Part 3 Follow-up Questions

Why do some people like to buy expensive things?

From my perspective, there are several psychological factors at play. Firstly, for many, luxury items serve as a status symbol; they are a way to signal one’s success and social standing to the world. It’s about the prestige associated with certain brands. Secondly, there’s the aspect of quality. People often believe that a higher price tag equates to better durability and craftsmanship. As I mentioned in my discussion about useful jobs, we value things that are built to last. Lastly, some people simply derive emotional satisfaction from owning something beautiful or rare, seeing it as a reward for their hard work and dedication in their professional lives.

Do you think rich people are always happy?

That’s a complex question, but I’d say that while wealth can certainly alleviate many stresses, it isn’t a guaranteed ticket to happiness. Money provides comfort, security, and the ability to enjoy experiences like the one I described, but true fulfillment often comes from relationships and a sense of purpose. I’ve read studies suggesting that once a person’s basic needs are met, additional wealth has a diminishing return on their overall well-being. Sometimes, the pressure of maintaining a certain lifestyle can even lead to more anxiety. If you look at our lesson on behaviour and patience, you’ll see that character traits often matter more for happiness than a bank balance.

Is it better to spend money on experiences or on material possessions?

Personally, I am a firm believer that experiences are far more valuable than material goods. When you buy a gadget or a piece of clothing, the excitement usually fades quite quickly as the item becomes part of your daily routine. However, memories of a trip or a special event tend to grow more precious over time. For instance, when you describe a foreign country you want to visit, you’re usually focusing on the culture and the feelings you’ll have there, not just the souvenirs you’ll buy. Experiences shape our identity and provide us with stories to tell, which I think is a much better investment in the long run.

What are the disadvantages of having an expensive hobby?

The most obvious drawback is the financial strain it can place on a person. If someone isn’t careful, an expensive hobby like car racing or collecting antiques can lead to significant debt. Beyond the financial aspect, it can sometimes create a social barrier. If your friends don’t have the same level of disposable income, it might be difficult to share your hobby with them, leading to a sense of isolation. Furthermore, expensive hobbies often require a lot of maintenance and time, which might take away from other important aspects of life, such as family or health. It’s all about finding a balance between indulgence and responsibility.

How has technology changed the way people spend their money?

Technology has fundamentally transformed our spending habits, mostly by making it incredibly easy to part with our cash. With the rise of e-commerce and mobile payments, we can buy almost anything with a single click, which often leads to impulsive spending. On the flip side, technology has also made luxury more accessible. For example, digital platforms allow us to find deals on high-end experiences that were once reserved for the ultra-wealthy. We can see occasions when many people are smiling because they’ve captured a luxury moment on social media, which has created a “culture of experience” driven by digital sharing.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Being too vague about the cost: Don’t just say it’s “expensive.” Explain why it costs a lot (e.g., location, rarity, expertise).
• Repeating the word “expensive”: Use the synonyms provided in the vocabulary table to show range.
• Focusing only on the money: The prompt asks why you enjoy it. Make sure to talk about the emotions and the experience, not just the price tag.
• Lacking a personal story: The examiner wants to hear your experience. Use “I” and “me” and provide specific details like who you were with.
• Giving a very short answer: You need to speak for nearly two minutes. If you run out of things to say, describe the setting or a specific time you did the activity in great detail.
• Using “In my opinion” too much: Try using 6 alternatives for ‘In My Opinion’ to vary your language.

Practice Tips for This Cue Card

• Record and Review: Record yourself speaking for two minutes on this topic. Listen back and identify where you hesitated or used repetitive words.
• Brainstorm Sensory Details: For your chosen activity, write down one thing you see, smell, hear, and feel. Incorporating these into your answer makes it more vivid.
• Practice the “Why”: The last bullet point (explain why you enjoy it) is usually where you can show off the most complex grammar. Practice using “Even though…” or “Despite the cost…” sentences.
• Time Yourself: Use a stopwatch to ensure you can speak for at least 1 minute and 40 seconds without repeating yourself.
• Connect to Other Topics: Think about how this topic links to others. For example, if you talk about an expensive outdoor sport, you can reuse ideas from our post on how to describe an outdoor sport you would like to do.

Mastering the ability to describe an expensive activity that you enjoy doing occasionally is a fantastic way to demonstrate your range of vocabulary and your ability to discuss complex personal motivations. By using the structures and vocabulary we’ve provided, you’ll be well on your way to a Band 9. For more personalized feedback and comprehensive lessons, consider enrolling in our IELTS English Speaking Course today!