Describe a time when you did shopping in a street market (Part 2/3)

IELTS Speaking – Part 2

Describe a time when you did shopping in a street marke

You should say:

• Where is it?

• What can you buy there?

• What is it famous for?

• How do you feel about it?

Sample Answer

I’m a passionate shopaholic, and I believe that shopping is a great pastime. Usually, I shop at different places like shopping malls, roadside stores, and street markets. But I’m fond of street shopping as I’m amazed by the so many things available at one place at an affordable price. Also, I can easily bargain for a good price, which in the malls or stores may seem impossible. This street market, also known as an open-air market, is situated 2 km away from my house near the North East Beach in my city, where one can witness an array of stores and stalls of all sorts of items, including electronics, convenience stores, food joints, clothing & grocery store, home decor & handicraft items, furniture showroom, etc. In other words, the open-air market is a hub of almost everything. The vibrant lanes of the open-air market are divided into separate markets selling different goods for wholesalers and retailers so that people may not get confused. This street market is famous for its discounts and deals for imported electronic gadgets, home appliances, and mobile phone accessories. Many dealers from across the state visit the open-air market to purchase the electronic products in bulk, and this is the reason the place is always crowded. If someone is really good at negotiating, then they’re lucky to crack unbelievable deals. I feel extremely fortunate to have such an amazing, full-fledged market in my city where I can easily purchase anything and everything at attractive prices. Also, roadside shopping is definitely a treat for an individual, and this street market in my city is a paradise for shopaholics.

Vocabulary

• Bargain
  Meaning: an agreement between two or more people or groups as to what each will do for the other.
  Eg: Bargaining at the department store is a waste of time.
• Negotiate
  Meaning: obtain or bring about by discussions.
  Eg: My mother is extremely talented in negotiating with the shopkeepers.
• Vibrant
  Meaning: full of energy and life.
  Eg: The interviewer was impressed with John’s vibrant personality.
• Mob
  Meaning: a large crowd of people especially one that is disorderly and intent on causing trouble or violence
  Eg: The mob gathered outside the Parliament.
• Fortunate
  Meaning: favoured by or involving good luck
  Eg: Michelle was fortunate enough to get promoted as a Senior Manager within 5 months of joining the company.

IELTS Speaking – Part 3

1. Do you like shopping online or going out shopping?
   To be honest, I like shopping online more than going out shopping because of its convenience that can be done anywhere at any time and with wider options. Moreover, online shopping saves a lot of time, where one can browse on the internet, search the product on ecommerce websites and purchase them efficiently. Also, sometimes the product we buy online is pocketfriendly compared to the same products in the offline market.
2. What is the difference between shopping with friends and shopping alone?
   The main difference between shopping with friends and shopping alone is confusion. For instance, when purchasing a product, I sometimes get confused, and at that time, my friends come to my rescue. They save me from making wrong decisions and give me good ideas. However, whenever I shop alone, I get the freedom of time and movement.
3. What are the disadvantages of shopping in a big mall?
   One of the main drawbacks of shopping in a big mall is that we are not able to bargain for a good price or negotiate with the seller. We have to buy the product at a fixed rate. Sometimes, the salesperson is too irritating, and we need to stand in a queue to make the payment which consumes a lot of time.
4. Why do people like to buy branded products?
   Some people like purchasing branded products because they want to fit in their social circles. Such people believe that using branded products will help them maintain their social status and make them socially acceptable. In short, they want to maintain their prestigious image in front of other people. However, we can’t deny the good quality of these branded products.
5. In your opinion, are big discounts real or just an advertisement?
   Well, in my perspective, I believe that big discounts are just an advertisement because most of the time, discounts are offered to attract customers, wherein the retailers hike up the prices of some products to manipulate the consumers to believe that they’ll miss out on a great deal. Sometimes, outdated or defective products are sold in the name of big discounts.

Vocabulary

• Perspective
  Meaning: a particular attitude towards or way of regarding something
  Eg: Everyone’s perspective is different.
• Social circle
  Meaning: groups of socially interconnected people
  Eg: Desperate John wanted to fit in in his social circle.
• Irritate
  Meaning: showing or feeling slight anger
  Eg: The teacher gets irritated when the students make huge mistakes.
• Pocket-friendly
  Meaning: cheap
  Eg: I went to a pocket-friendly restaurant in the city.
• Freedom
  Meaning: the power or right to act or speak or think as one wants
  Eg: In the olden days, women didn’t have the freedom to make their own decisions.