IELTS Speaking · Part 2 · Cue card

Describe a time you worked as part of a team

Last updated 21 July 2026

In short

"Describe a time you worked as part of a team" 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 time you worked as part of a team.

You should say:

what the task was
who you worked with
what your role was
and explain how the team worked together

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
what the task was
Cover this in a sentence or two with a concrete, specific detail.
2
who you worked with
Cover this in a sentence or two with a concrete, specific detail.
3
what your role was
Cover this in a sentence or two with a concrete, specific detail.
4
and explain how the team worked together
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 work and careers.

climb the career ladder: progress upward through job positions over time; “I'm hoping to climb the career ladder over the next few years.”
a nine-to-five job: a conventional office job with fixed hours; “I'm not sure a nine-to-five job would really suit my personality.”
a steep learning curve: having a great deal to learn very quickly; “My first month was a steep learning curve, but I got there in the end.”
job satisfaction: the sense of fulfilment you get from your work; “For me, job satisfaction matters far more than a high salary.”
a demanding role: a job that requires a lot of effort and time; “She has a very demanding role that often keeps her at the office late.”

Rounding-off questions

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

Is it better to work alone or in a team?
What makes teamwork successful?

Part 3 questions on work and careers

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

Why do some people change careers several times in their lives?
How has the way people work changed in recent years?
Do you think people work harder now than they did in the past?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of working from home?

See all Part 3 questions on work and careers

Explore more IELTS Speaking practice

Frequently asked questions

How long should I talk about the "Describe a time you worked as part of a team" 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 time you worked as part of a team" topic?

This cue card leads into a Part 3 discussion on work and careers. Expect broader, opinion-based questions such as "Why do some people change careers several times in their lives?"

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

Practise "Describe a time you worked as part of a team" with an AI examiner

Rehearse this cue card under real exam timing with SpeakMetry's AI examiner, then get an instant band score and feedback on your long turn.

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