IELTS Speaking · Part 2 · Cue card

Describe a story a family member told you

Last updated 21 July 2026

In short

"Describe a story a family member told you" is a Part 2 cue card in the IELTS Speaking test. You get one minute to prepare, then speak for one to two minutes. This guide breaks down how to structure your long turn around all four bullet points, the topic vocabulary to reach for, and the Part 3 questions likely to follow.

The cue card

Describe a story a family member told you.

You should say:

who told you the story
what the story was about
when you heard it
and explain why you remember it

How to structure your long turn

Spend roughly 20–30 seconds on each prompt. Take the bullets in order — they build a natural narrative — and save the most time for the final 'explain' point.

1
who told you the story
Cover this in a sentence or two with a concrete, specific detail.
2
what the story was about
Cover this in a sentence or two with a concrete, specific detail.
3
when you heard it
Cover this in a sentence or two with a concrete, specific detail.
4
and explain why you remember it
This is the most important bullet — give reasons and a personal example, and spend the most time here.

Timing & delivery

Part 2 is the long turn: you get 1 minute to prepare and speak for 1–2 minutes.
Use the preparation minute to jot keywords against each bullet, not full sentences.
Cover all four bullet points, spending the most time on the final 'and explain…' prompt.
It's fine to invent details — you're scored on how you speak, not whether the story is true.

Useful vocabulary for this topic

Natural, Band 7+ language for talking about family and upbringing.

bring up: raise and care for a child; “I was brought up to always be polite to strangers.”
a tight-knit family: a family whose members are very close; “We're a tight-knit family and see each other every week.”
take after: resemble an older relative in looks or character; “Everyone says I take after my mother.”
family values: the principles a family holds and teaches; “My parents instilled strong family values in me.”
the breadwinner: the family's main earner of money; “My father was the breadwinner when I was young.”

Rounding-off questions

After your long turn, the examiner may ask a short question or two before moving on to Part 3.

Why is it important to pass stories down in families?
Are family stories being lost today?

Part 3 questions on family and upbringing

This cue card leads into a Part 3 discussion of the wider topic. Expect abstract, opinion-based questions such as these.

Why do you think family life has changed in recent decades?
How is family life today different from when your grandparents were young?
Do you think parents are too protective of their children nowadays?
What are the advantages of growing up in a large family?

See all Part 3 questions on family and upbringing

Explore more IELTS Speaking practice

Frequently asked questions

How long should I talk about the "Describe a story a family member told you" cue card?

You should speak for one to two minutes without interruption. The examiner gives you one minute beforehand to make notes, then times the long turn and stops you at two minutes.

Can I make up my answer to this cue card?

Yes. IELTS examiners score how you speak — your fluency, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation — not whether your story is true. Inventing realistic details is completely acceptable and often easier than recalling a real event.

What Part 3 questions follow the "Describe a story a family member told you" topic?

This cue card leads into a Part 3 discussion on family and upbringing. Expect broader, opinion-based questions such as "Why do you think family life has changed in recent decades?"

What if I run out of things to say before two minutes?

Lean on the final 'and explain…' bullet. Adding reasons, feelings and a specific example naturally extends your answer, and it's the part that most improves your score.

Next step

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