Money

Sources: NgocBach Q1 2022, NgocBach Q1 2024, NgocBach Q3

Key Ideas (IELTS Simon)

Positives

Consumerism creates employment.
It helps to reduce poverty.
It encourages innovation and creativity in business.
We live in a global economy.
We have a better quality of life.

Negatives

Consumerist societies create more waste.
They use more natural resources.
They cause damage to the environment.
Consumerism creates a “throw-away” culture.
Advertisers tell us who we are and what we want.
Wealth does not lead to happiness.
Materialism causes greed and crime.
We should return to traditional values like sharing.

Part 1 — Questions (44 total)

Clothing

Source: NgocBach Q1 2024

Do you prefer to wear comfortable and casual clothes or smart clothes?
Do you spend a lot of time choosing clothes?
Do you like wearing T-shirts?
What kind of clothes do you like to wear?

Gift/presents

Source: NgocBach Q1 2024

What is one of the best gifts you’ve ever received? (Why?)
Are you good at choosing gifts for other people? (Why/Why not?)
What sort of gifts do you like to buy for friends? (Why?)
Have you ever given someone a gift that you made yourself? (Why/Why not?)

Spending money

Source: NgocBach Q1 2024

Do you spend a lot of money?
What do you usually spend money for?
Do you use credit card?
How do Vietnamese people generally make payments?

Sunglasses

Source: NgocBach Q1 2024

Do you often wear sunglasses?
Do you spend a lot of money on sunglasses?
Do you give sunglasses as a gift?
Why do you wear sunglasses?

Gifts

Source: NgocBach Q3

What is your favourite gift?
Have you ever received a gift that you didn’t like?
Do you prefer receiving a gift or giving a gift?
Do you think it’s difficult to choose what gift to give to people?
What were the gifts you sent to others recently?
Do you like giving gifts to your friends?
Do you often give gifts to people?
What was the last gift you received?
When considering a present to give to someone, how do you select this gift?
When do people in VN give gifts?
What are some of the gift-giving customs in VN?
In VN, is it necessary to bring a gift when you visit someone?

Save Money

Source: NgocBach Q3

What can parents do to teach children to save money?
Why do young people tend to waste money?
What kinds of things do people like to buy in your country?
Do schools in VN teach anything about financial management?
What is it necessary to teach teenagers to manage money?
How do parents give pocket money in your country?

Shoes

Source: NgocBach Q3

How many shoes do you have?
Do you like shopping for shoes? Do you like shoes? Do you buy online?
How often do you buy shoes?
What kinds of shoes do you usually buy?
Do you prefer comfortable shoes or good-looking shoes? Which do you prefer?
Are people willing to buy expensive shoes?

Sunglasses

Source: NgocBach Q3

Do you like wearing sunglasseses? Do people in your country wear sunglasses ? when do?
Have you ever lost your sunglasses ?
Would you like to buy sunglasses to others as a gift? Do you send sunglasses to others?
Where can you buy sunglasses ? is it expensive?

Part 2 — Cue Cards (6 total)

Cue card 1

Source: NgocBach Q1 2022

Describe a person that you enjoy spending time with

You should say: - Who this person is - How you knew him/her - What you usually do together - And explain why you like to spend time with him/her

Part 3 follow-up questions: 1. What kinds of people are easy to get along with? 2. How do leaders get along with their subordinates? 3. Do people have time for themselves nowadays?

Cue card 2

Source: NgocBach Q1 2022

Describe an expensive item that you bought and regretted

You should say: - What it was - How much you spent on it - Why you bought it - And explain why you think you spent more than expected

Part 3 follow-up questions: 1. Do you often buy more than you expected? 2. What do you think young people spend most of their money on? 3. Do you think it is important to save money? Why? 4. Do people buy things they don't need?

Cue card 3

Source: NgocBach Q1 2024

Describe a street market you have been to

You should say: - Where it is - What you can buy there - Why you chose to go to this market - And explain what you think about the street market

Part 3 follow-up questions: 1. Where do people buy things? 2. Do people go to big stores or small stores more often? Why? 3. Are special services valuable to the store?

Cue card 4

Source: NgocBach Q3

Describe a time when you received money as a present

You should say: - Who gave it - When you received it - What you did with it - How you felt about it

Part 3 follow-up questions: 1. Do people prefer cash or credit card in your country? What are the benefits and? 2. weaknesses of credit card? 3. What can parents do to teach children to save money? 4. Why do young people tend to waste money? 5. What kinds of things do people like to buy in your country? 6. Do schools in VN teach anything about financial management? 7. What is it necessary to teach teenagers to manage money? 8. How do parents give pocket money in your country? 9. In your country, do parents give children money for doing housework?

Cue card 5

Source: NgocBach Q3

Describe a time you were shopping in a street market

You should say: - When it was - Where it was - What you bought - How you felt about the shopping experience

Part 3 follow-up questions: 1. What type(s) of shop would you recommend a visitor to your country should go to? 2. How has technology changed the way you do shopping in your country? 3. What do you think are the advantages of buying things on the internet? 4. In your country, how has shopping changed in the past few decades?

Cue card 6

Source: NgocBach Q3

Describe a time you spend with your friend in your childhood

You should say: - Who is this friend - How did you know about each other - Explain why you

Part 3 — Discussion Questions (23 total)

What kinds of people are easy to get along with?
How do leaders get along with their subordinates?
Do people have time for themselves nowadays?
Do you often buy more than you expected?
What do you think young people spend most of their money on?
Do you think it is important to save money? Why?
Do people buy things they don't need?
Where do people buy things?
Do people go to big stores or small stores more often? Why?
Are special services valuable to the store?
Do people prefer cash or credit card in your country? What are the benefits and?
weaknesses of credit card?
What can parents do to teach children to save money?
Why do young people tend to waste money?
What kinds of things do people like to buy in your country?
Do schools in VN teach anything about financial management?
What is it necessary to teach teenagers to manage money?
How do parents give pocket money in your country?
In your country, do parents give children money for doing housework?
What type(s) of shop would you recommend a visitor to your country should go to?
How has technology changed the way you do shopping in your country?
What do you think are the advantages of buying things on the internet?
In your country, how has shopping changed in the past few decades?

Generated Practice Questions

Additional IELTS-style questions for practice (generated from topic themes).

Part 1 (5 questions)

Do you enjoy shopping?
Do you prefer paying by cash or card?
Have you ever saved money for something special?
Do you think young people spend too much money?
How do you manage your personal finances?

Part 2 — Cue Cards (1 cards)

Cue card 1

Describe an expensive item you bought or would like to buy

You should say: - what it is - how much it costs - why you bought or want it - and explain how you feel about spending that amount

Part 3 follow-up questions: 1. How does money affect people's happiness? 2. What is consumerism and is it a problem? 3. Should schools teach children about money management? 4. Is it better to save money or enjoy life now?

Part 3 — Discussion (3 questions)

Why do some people get into debt?
Should credit cards be restricted for young people?
How does advertising encourage consumerism?

Sample Answers Band 6.5–7.0

Part 1 — Money

1. Are you interested in saving and spending?

Yes, to some extent. I would not say I am an expert, but saving and spending affects daily life, so I find it worth thinking about. For example, when I read news or talk with friends, this topic often comes up naturally.

2. Is saving and spending important in your country?

Yes, definitely. In my country, saving and spending matters because it influences families, young people, and the wider community. It may not be something people discuss every day, but it has a real impact on quality of life.

3. Has saving and spending changed in recent years?

Yes, quite a lot. Technology, education, and modern lifestyles have changed the way people think about saving and spending. Older people may have more traditional views, while younger people tend to be more open and practical.

4. Do young people care about saving and spending?

I think many young people do care, especially when it affects their future directly. However, they may express interest through social media or online discussions rather than traditional conversations.

Part 2 — Cue card sample

Something expensive i bought

I would like to talk about something expensive I bought, which is closely connected to saving and spending.

I first became aware of it a few years ago, and since then it has stayed in my mind because it reflects both the positive and negative sides of modern life.

The positive side is that it shows the value of financial security and useful purchases. This is important because people often need practical examples, not just abstract ideas, to understand a topic clearly.

At the same time, it also reminds me of the problem of consumerism and impulse buying. That makes the topic more complex, because there is rarely a perfect solution.

Overall, I find it meaningful because it helps me think more deeply about society and my own choices. If I had to summarise my feeling, I would say it is both interesting and relevant to everyday life.

Part 3 — Discussion

1. Why is saving and spending important?

It is important because it affects individuals and society at the same time. For example, financial security and useful purchases can improve peoples quality of life, while consumerism and impulse buying can create long-term problems. That is why this topic deserves more attention from both citizens and governments.

2. What are the advantages related to saving and spending?

The main advantages are connected to financial security and useful purchases. If this area is managed well, people can benefit through better opportunities, more convenience, and a higher standard of living. It can also help communities become more organised and forward-thinking.

3. What are the disadvantages or risks?

The biggest risk is consumerism and impulse buying. If people ignore this issue, it can lead to social pressure, inequality, or environmental damage depending on the situation. In my view, the negative side should not be exaggerated, but it should be taken seriously.

4. What should governments do about saving and spending?

Governments should create clear policies, invest in public education, and make sure rules are enforced fairly. For example, they can fund useful programmes and raise public awareness. However, government action alone is not enough; individuals also need to change their habits.

5. Do you think saving and spending will change in the future?

Yes, I think it will continue to change, mainly because of technology, globalisation, and younger generations. People are becoming more aware of both benefits and risks. In the future, I expect more practical solutions rather than simple arguments for or against it.

6. Do older and younger people think differently about saving and spending?

Yes, in many cases. Older people may value tradition, stability, and personal experience, while younger people are often influenced by online information and global trends. Neither side is completely right or wrong; the best approach is to combine experience with fresh ideas.