Buzz
Talk about something special that you saved money to purchase
What was this thing.
Why was it special to you.
How much did it cost you.
How you felt after you bought it.
Sample of Band 8
It was at the end of grade 10 that she left me to continue her study abroad. For fear that I would be forgotten someday, I tried to think of a farewell gift that could make her think of me every time she saw it. It was not an easy task to find the right present; maybe it was because I was being too picky. She was more than a friend to me, she’s more like my sister, or my soul mate. I didn’t want to give her something meaningful but useless, or something useful but emotionally empty. I wanted something that was special, something that would make her say “wow” when she received it. I wandered from shop to shop to look for something, but I didn’t know what.
One time, I stumbled upon something that immediately brought her to mind – an old-fashioned necklace with a clock charm. It perfectly matched her taste, so she could pair it with any outfit. What appealed to me about the clock was that it was personalized; I could customize the numbers and add a message. Interestingly, when I presented her with the necklace, I set the clock to the local time in Vietnam. This meant that whenever she glanced at it, she would be reminded of the time difference and, hopefully, of me. The cost was surprisingly low, around $20, but for a high school student like myself at the time, it felt like a small fortune. I had to forgo breakfast for a whole month to afford it, but it was absolutely worth it. She had no idea of the sacrifices I made to buy it, but she cherished it nonetheless. I felt a sense of joy knowing I could gift my best friend something so beautiful and meaningful, hoping it would forever bond us together.
IELTS Vocabulary by Topic
Picky: exercising careful judgment; discerning.
Match one's taste: complements an individual's style or appearance.
Personalized: tailored to fit a specific person.
It was a small fortune: it carried a significant cost; it was quite expensive.
Provided by Mytour Academic English School
