IELTS Speaking Part 2

The IELTS Speaking test comprises 3 sections, namely introduction, cue card and follow up questions. In IELTS speaking part 2, the examiner will give you a cue card  task card containing 3-4 questions on a certain topic. You will be given 1 minute preparation time to think about ideas to speak. And, you have to speak upto 2 minutes till the examiner asks you to stop.

In IELTS Speaking part 2 section, the examiner looks for how well you construct sentences while talking and your use of grammar and vocabulary. It is quite difficult to speak for 2 minutes on a certain topic for a native speaker. However, you can easily score a band 7 and above in your speaking test if you know how to answer the cue cards as per the IELTS speaking band descriptors. Therefore, it is important to practice in order to excel in IELTS speaking cue card. 

IELTS Speaking Part 2 Tips

Following IELTS speaking part 2 tips are given by our IELTS trainers. Our tutors developed these tips out of their experience with our IELTS students. 

• Initially you may find it difficult to start speaking. So, memorizing a good opener will be really helpful. Here are 5 examples,

• I’d like to talk about..
• Let me tell you about.. 
• I’m going to talk about..
• In my point of view, I would say..
• The one thing that stands out…

• Use the PPF strategy which stands out Past, Present, and Future. Take a topic and write a past, present, and future sentence related to that. It will train you to meet two of the four band descriptors - Fluency and Coherence; Grammatical range and accuracy. 
• Paraphrase the given topic. Use your own words while paraphrasing rather than picking up the words from the topic. It shows your vocabulary and grammatical skills to the examiner.
• In 1 minute preparation time, grab the idea quickly instead of finding the perfect idea. Frame the structure in your mind before speaking on the topic. Relax, Speak confidently and clearly.
• During the preparation time, talk with your friend in English which enhances your fluency. Interpersonal communication is a sure way to improve our speaking skills.
• Simulate an IELTS speaking individual long-turn test with your friend or trainer. This exercise improves your performance in the actual speaking test.
• Listen to speeches of the native speakers, note down the new vocabulary and learn it properly. And, try to imitate the pronunciation. It develops your vocabulary and pronunciation ability. 

Hope the given IELTS speaking part 2 tips will be helpful for you to speak well in the actual IELTS exam.  Follow the IELTS speaking tips to perform well in the IELTS speaking test. 

Check out IELTS Speaking Part 1 and IELTS Speaking Part 3 to get an overall knowledge of the IELTS speaking exam.

IELTS Speaking Part 2 Assessment Criteria

IELTS Speaking Part 2 has 4 band descriptors to measure the candidates speaking skills. Those are, 

1. Fluency and Coherence
2. Lexical Resource
3. Grammatical Range and Accuracy
4. Pronunciation

Fluency and Coherence

The two main characteristics of fluency are speech rate and speech continuity. Examiner will measure how well you speak without interruption. And, the way you sequence the sentences logically and cohesive device usage such as pronouns, conjunctions and connectors. 

Lexical Resource

This band descriptor specifically measures the range of vocabulary you have used and how precisely you expressed the meanings and attitudes while speaking. It is essential to use a variety of words adequately and appropriately in order to score well. Read IELTS Speaking Vocabulary to get a good score on lexical resources. 

Grammatical Range and Accuracy

Examiners look at how accurately and appropriately you manage to use the grammatical resource. To meet the grammatical range criteria, you have to use length and complex spoken sentences, appropriate subordinate clauses, and a variety of sentence structures. And, you have to avoid grammatical errors while speaking. 

Pronunciation

Pronunciation accounts for the speaker's ability to produce comprehensible speech. It has to be intelligible and noticeable to the listener. Candidates have the ability to handle pronunciation features such as word stress, sentence stress, silent letters, and intonation. 

Check out IELTS speaking band descriptors to determine which sort of skills have to be improved.

Practice Using Model Cue Cards

To prepare for IELTS Speaking part 2 section, you can practice with cue cards. Cue card or Task card will be given during the IELTS exam which contains 3 to 4 questions related to a certain topic. Pick a sample cue card and speak for 2 minutes for each topic without a pause. Focus on fluency, grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation while practicing cue cards. You can only improve your skills and confidence through practice. 

Check out the IELTS speaking test samples to crack the session with a perfect band 9 score. 

IELTS Speaking Topics Part 2

In this section, you will find a list of IELTS Speaking Topics Part 2 which can help you in individual long turn tests. 

IELTS Speaking Topic Music Part 2

Describe your favourite song

You should say:

• What?
• Why?
• How do you feel about this song?
• When was the first time you heard this song?

Check model answers for the cue card topic describe your favourite song

IELTS Speaking Friends Part 2

Describe a friend who is a good leader

You should say: 

• Who is this person?
• How you know this person ?
• What he does ?
• How this person behaves ?
• Why do you think he is a good leader?

 Check model answers for the cue card topic describe a friend who is a good leader 

IELTS Speaking Part 2 Free time

Describe an activity that you do after school/work 

You should say

• What it is?
• When and Where you do it?
• Who you do it with?
• And how you feel about it?

Check model answers for the cue card topic describe an activity that you do after school/ work

Favourite Movie IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe your favourite movie

You should say

• When and where do you see it?
• What type of film was it?
• What the film was about?
• And explain why it is your favourite film?

Check sample answers for the cue card topic describe your favourite movie

Sports IELTS Speaking Part 2 

Describe a live sports match that you have watched

You should say

• What was it?
• When did you watch it?
• What was it like?
• And how did you feel about it?

Check model answers for the cue card topic describe a live sports match that you have watched

IELTS Speaking Part 2 Family

Describe a family member

You should say

• Who is this person?
• Describe some things you have done together.
• Explain why you like this person.

Check sample answers for the cue card topic describe a family member

IELTS Speaking Part 2 Food

Describe a cafe you like to visit

You should say

• Where is it?
• What kinds of food and drinks does it serve?
• What do you do there?    
• And explain why you like to go there?

Check model answers for the cue card topic describe a cafe you like to visit

Art IELTS Speaking Part 2 

Describe an art exhibition that you visited

You should say

• When did you see this exhibition?
• Where was the exhibition held?
• What was on display?
• Explain your impression of the exhibition.

Check sample answers for the cue card topic describe an art exhibition that you visited

Book IELTS Speaking Part 2 

Describe an exciting book that you enjoy reading

You should say

• When you read it?
• What kind of book is it?
• What is it about?
• And explain why you think it is exciting book that you enjoy reading

Check model answers for the cue card topic describe an exciting book that you enjoy reading

Clothes IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe a person who wears unusual clothes

You should say

• Who is he/she?
• How do you know him/her?
• What kind of clothes does he/she wear?
• Why do you consider that his/her clothing choices are weird?

Check sample answers for the cue card topic describe a person who wears unusual clothes

IELTS Speaking Part 2 Animals

Describe an aquatic animal.

You should say

• What does it look like?
• When did you see it?
• Where did you see it?
• Explain why it is interesting?

Check model answers for the cue card topic describe an aquatic animal

IELTS Speaking Part 2 Famous Person

Describe a famous person that you are interested in

You should say

• Who this person is?
• How do you know about this person?
• What sort of life did they have before they became famous?
• How did this person become famous and explain why you like this person?

Check model answers for the cue card topic describe a famous person that you are interested in

IELTS Speaking Part 2 Health

Describe an article on health that you read from a magazine or online.

You should say

• What was the article?
• When and where did you read it?
• What you learned from the article?
• Explain why you think it is a good or bad article?

Check sample answers for the cue card topic describe an article on health that you read from a magazine or online

Speaking IELTS Part 2 about Helping 

Describe a person who help others

You should say

• Who is this person?
• How often this person helps others?
• How this person helps others?
• Why this person helps others?
• How do you feel about this person?

Check model answers for the cue card topic describe a person who help others

IELTS Speaking Part 2 Seasons

Describe your favourite season

You should say

• What season it is?
• How that season is different from other seasons?
• what the weather is like at that time of year
• Explain how you feel about that season.

Check sample answers for the cue card topic describe your favourite season

IELTS Speaking Part 2 Decision making

Describe a good decision you made recently

You should say

• What was it?
• When did you make it?
• What was the result?
• Explain how you felt about it?

Check model answers for the cue card topic describe a good decision you made recently

IELTS Speaking Part 2 Social Networks

Describe a person you follow on social media

You should say

• Who is the person you follow?
• How do you know that person?
• What does that person post on social media?
• And explain why you follow that person on social media?

Check model answers for the cue card topic describe a person you follow on social media

IELTS Speaking Part 2 School

Describe your first day at school

You should say:

• Where was it? 
• What happened?
• Explain how you felt on that day?

Check model answers for the cue card topic describe your first day at school

IELTS Speaking Part 2 Environment

Describe a law on environmental protection

You should say

• What is it?
• How did you first learn about it?
• Who benefits from it?
• And explain how you feel about this law?

Check model answers for the cue card topic describe a law on environmental protection

IELTS Speaking Part 2 Tradition

Describe a tradition in your country

You should say

• What is it?
• Who takes part in it?
• What activities are there?
• And explain how you feel about it?

Check model answers for the cue card topic describe a tradition in your country

IELTS Speaking Part 2 Talent

Describe a natural talent you want to improve

You should say:

• What it is?
• When you discovered?
• How you want to improve it?  
• And how you feel about it?

Check model answers for the cue card topic describe a natural talent you want to improve

IELTS Speaking Part 2 Games

Describe a game you played in your childhood

You should say

• What the game was
• When you played it
• Who you played with
• How you felt about the game

Check sample answers for the cue card topic describe a game you played in your childhood

IELTS Speaking Part 2 Exercise

Describe an activity you do to keep fit 

You should say

• What the activity is?
• When and where you usually do it?
• How you do it?
• Explain why it can keep your fit?

Check model answers for the cue card topic describe an activity you do to keep fit

IELTS Speaking Part 2 Goal

Describe a goal you want to achieve in the future

You should say

• What the goal is?
• What would you do to achieve it?
• When will you achieve?
• And explain why you want to achieve it?

Check model answers for the cue card topic describe a goal you want to achieve in the future

IELTS Speaking Part 2 Competition 

Describe a competition you would like to take part in

You should say

• What kind of competition it is?
• What would you do in this competition?
• Why does this competition interest you? 

Check sample answers for the cue card topic describe a competition you would like to take part in

Check and download the IELTS speaking part 2 questions and answers top 50 pdf for your IELTS speaking preparation

Bonus IELTS Cue card topics

Describe an area of science that interests you
Describe your favourite singer
Describe a tall building in your city
Describe a special hotel you stayed in
Describe a time when you needed to use your imagination
Describe an old person you know and respect
Describe a skill that was difficult for you to learn
Describe a puzzle you have played
Describe a famous athlete you know

Conclusion

In this article, we have provided speaking part 2 tips and a list of cue card topics. We hope that your speaking skills such as fluency, coherent speech, grammar, and pronunciation will be improved with the help of our resources. Practice cue card topics to develop your speaking style to get a good score in IELTS speaking test. 

FAQ

Should I need to talk for two minutes ?

Yes, you need to talk for 2 minutes till the examiner asks you to stop.

Is there any problem if I cross my limit ?

No, the examiner will stop you in a polite manner if you reach the time limit.

Should I have to follow the prompts given in the cue card ?

Your score will be assessed based on how well you respond to the questions in the cue card. So, it is important to follow the prompts of the cue card. 

Can I choose another topic in speaking part 2 ?

No, you cannot choose another topic. You have to speak on a cue card handed by the examiner. 

How many questions will you be asked in IELTS speaking part 2 ?

You will be asked 1 question and a number of prompts will be followed by.

Do IELTS cue cards repeat ?

IELTS cue cards will be updated every 4 months. 50% of the topics are changed every April, September and December. Thus, there are chances that topics might repeat.