IELTS Speaking Cue Card Samples with Answers

The Cue Card is the second task of the IELTS speaking test. In this task, you have to speak and communicate clearly based on the given IELTS cue card topic. You can prepare for 1 minute before starting to speak. Some candidates commonly mistake the alphabet 'q' for 'cue' card. Cue is referred to the topic given in the cue card.

What is a Cue Card?

"In IELTS Examination, you will be given an IELTS cue card, also known as a task card, which consists of 3-4 questions and instructions are provided to guide you through how to answer the questions". You do not have the option to change the topic, but you will be given 1 minute of preparation time to generate ideas to speak in an appropriate manner. You will get paper and a pencil to note down the points so that you can remember them while you speak.

In the IELTS cue card test, you have to speak for two minutes continuously until the examiner asks you to stop. The IELTS speaking part 2 duration goes about 2-3 minutes, including the 1 minute preparation time. You have to prepare and practice cue card topics well to prevent score deduction. 

List of Expected IELTS Cue Card Topics

We have provided different categories of IELTS cue card topics, below. These topics are frequently asked in the cue card test in 2021 and 2022. You can expect these topics in the IELTS Examination 2023. Practising the given cue card in your preparation can develop your speaking and articulation skills.

Animals

• Describe an aquatic animal

Art

• Describe a piece of art you like
• Describe an art and craft activity

Cities/ Country

• Talk about a traditional object of your country
• Describe a town where you live in future
• Describe a quiet place
• Describe a person whose job is important to the society
• Talk about an important river in your country

Clothes

• Describe A Person Who Wears Unusual Clothes
• Describe your favourite dress
• Describe your favourite clothes

Daily routine

• Describe a time you got up early in the morning 
• Describe an activity that waste your time
• Describe a long walk you ever had
• Describe an interesting conversation that you had

Education

• Describe a course that impressed you a lot

Evenings

• Describe your favorite weather

Events

• Describe a time when you made a promise to someone
• Describe a time when you encourage someone to do something
• Describe a time when you felt bored
• Describe a time when you helped someone
• Describe a time you saw children behave badly in public
• Describe an occasion when you wasted your time
• Describe an occasion when many people were smiling
• Talk about a special day which was not that expensive
• Describe a time when you received good news
• Describe a time when you were cheated

Family & Friends

• Describe a friend who is a good leader
• Describe a family member
• Describe an old friend you got in contact with again
• Talk about a time when you gave advice to someone
• Describe an interesting neighbour
• Describe a habit your friend has and you want to develop
• Describe a time when you shared something with others
• Describe a family member who made you proud

Festival

• Describe a tradition in your country

Food

• Describe a dinner you really enjoyed

Happiness

• Talk about a prize you want to win
• Describe a bag you want to own
• Describe a photo of yourself that you like
• Describe a photograph you like

Health

• Describe a time when you had some medicine

Hobbies

• Describe a time when you needed to use your imagination
• Talk about something you enjoy doing in a group

Hometown / Home

• Describe a tall building in your city you like or dislike
• Describe a street market in your city
• Describe a change that can improve your local area
• Describe a house or apartment you want to live in

Law and order 

• Describe a law on environmental protection

Leisure

• Describe a game you played in your childhood
• Describe a toy you liked in your childhood
• Describe a leisure activity near or on the sea
• Describe a place where you are able to relax
• Describe an expensive activity that you enjoy doing occasionally

Music/ Movies 

• Describe your favorite singer
• Describe your favourite song
• Describe your favourite movie
• Describe an interesting song
• Describe a movie that made you laugh

Plant 

• Describe a crop you are familiar with
• Describe a poinsonus plant you know about

Personal

• Describe a difficult decision that you once made
• Describe a time when you changed your opinion
• Describe a special day that made you happy
• Describe an occasion when you got up extremely early
• Describe a piece of advice you recently received
• Describe a risk you have taken
• Describe a resolution you made in the new year
• Describe a mistake you have made
• Describe a volunteering experience you have had
• Describe a good decision you made recently
• Describe a positive change in your life
• Describe a person who has apologized to you

Famous personalities

• Describe an energetic person that you know
• Describe an old person you know and respect
• Describe a person you admire
• Describe a person who solved a problem in a smart way
• Describe a person who help others
• Describe a creative person you admire
• Describe a person who you think is very open
• Describe a decision made by others you disagree with
• Describe a foreign person who you have heard
• Describe an introvert person whom you know
• Describe someone older than you whom you admire
• Describe a person who helps others
• Describe a famous person you are interested in

Reading/ book 

• Describe an exciting book that you enjoy reading
• Talk about an article which you have read about health
• Describe a book you recently read 
• Describe a book you read that you found useful

School

• Describe a time you moved to a new home/school
• Describe your first day at school
• Describe a competition you would like to take part in
• Describe an activity that you do after school/work
• Describe a person who impressed you in primary school
• Describe a school you went to in your childhood
• Describe your experience when you changed your school college

Shopping

• Describe a product you got for free

Sports

• Describe a puzzle you have played
• Describe A Famous Athlete You Know 
• Describe a competition you would like to take part in
• Describe an activity you do to keep fit
• Describe a live sports match that you have watched
• Describe a sportsperson that you admire

Skill

• Describe a skill you want to learn
• Describe a skill that was difficult for you to learn
• Describe a natural talent you want to improve
• When you spoke with someone in a foreign language
• Describe a skill you want to learn
• Describe a skill that you can teach other people
• Describe a language you have learned

Social media 

• Describe a person you follow on social media
• Describe a time you saw something interesting on social media
• Describe a piece of international news

Study

• Describe an area of science that interests you
• Describe a person who taught you something important

Technology

• Describe a time when your computer broke down
• Describe an invention that has changed

Things

• Describe a thing you bought and you are happy about
• Describe a time when you are waiting for something special
• Describe something or someone that made a lot of noise
• Describe an item on which you spend more than expected
• Describe an equipment that you use at home
• Describe something important that has been kept

Travel/ transport

• Describe a cafe you like to visit
• Describe An Art Exhibition That You Visited
• Describe a special hotel you stayed in
• Describe a crowded place you have visited
• Describe a place you would like to visit
• Describe a place you visited on vacation
• Describe a bicycle/motorbike/ car trip that is interesting
• Describe a place you have visited recently
• Describe a journey that didn't go as planned

Weather

• Describe your favourite season

Goal/ prize 

• Describe a goal you want to achieve in the future
• Describe a prize that you received
• Describe a difficult thing you did
• Describe an ambition that you have for long time

Work

• Describe an experience as a member of team
• Describe a perfect job
• Describe a businessman you admire
• Describe a large company that you are interested in
• Describe a successful businessman you know

These latest IELTS speaking cue cards help with your IELTS speaking preparation. We are updating the cue cards regularly. Most candidates benefitted from cue cards in 2021 and 2022. We hope you will get a better band score on the IELTS speaking cue cards in 2023.

IELTS Syllabus for Speaking Test

The IELTS speaking module is common for both Academic tests and general training tests. The speaking test will be conducted for 12-15 minutes in 3 parts. The sections are designed in a way to evaluate your speaking skills. The 3 sections are,

Part 1 - Introduction: In this speaking section, you will be introducing yourself to the examiner. The examiner might ask few additional questions to know more about you. This section extends for 4-5 minutes. 

Part 2 - Speaking cue card: In this section, you will be given a cue card topic and asked to speak on the particular topic for 3-4 minutes. This is a long-run speech, where you will be speaking without any examiner interpretation after 1 minute of preparation time. You have to cover all the questions given in the cue card.

Part 3 - Follow-up questions: This will be an interactive session, where the examiner will question you about the topic spoken in part 2. This session commences for 4-5 minutes.

Conclusion

On this page, you have got a list of "IELTS cue card" provided by IELTS experts. You can improve your English speaking skills with the help of our cue card samples. It can  prepare you for both individual long-turn test and in-depth discussion.

FAQ

1. Do IELTS cue cards repeat?

Every 4 months, IELTS cue card changes. 50% of topics are replaced every April, September and December. 

2. Can I choose the cue card topic?

No, students cannot be able to choose the cue card topic for themselves. Examiner will give a cue card to the candidate to speak. So, it is important to prepare in all possible ways to crack the IELTS Speaking test. 

3. Which tense is used in the IELTS Speaking cue card?

Usually, in IELTS cue cards, the tense of the topic refers to the past. So, it would be better to speak in the past tense while describing the topic.

4. Is it OK to go off-topic in the IELTS speaking test?

Yes, it is okay. Your score will not be affected if you add more information that is not on your IELTS cue card. 

5. Can I retake IELTS Speaking only?

In whatever section, you feel that you scored less and want to retake. You need to retake the full IELTS examination (reading, writing, speaking, and listening), it is not possible to retake only one section. 

6. Is eye contact important in IELTS speaking?

The examiner will assess your English language proficiency and communication skills, not your physical gestures or body language. So, there is no need to maintain eye contact with an examiner and you can see wherever you feel comfortable while speaking.