IELTS Speaking · Part 2 · Cue card

Describe an interesting conversation you had

Last updated 21 July 2026

In short

"Describe an interesting conversation you had" 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 an interesting conversation you had.

You should say:

who you spoke with
what you talked about
where it took place
and explain why it was interesting

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 you spoke with
Cover this in a sentence or two with a concrete, specific detail.
2
what you talked about
Cover this in a sentence or two with a concrete, specific detail.
3
where it took place
Cover this in a sentence or two with a concrete, specific detail.
4
and explain why it was interesting
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 social media and communication.

keep in touch: stay in regular contact with someone; “Social media makes it so easy to keep in touch with old friends.”
go viral: spread very rapidly and widely online; “A short clip of my hometown went viral last month.”
scroll through: move down through a feed of posts; “I tend to scroll through my feed first thing in the morning.”
a follower count: the number of people who follow your account; “Some people care far too much about their follower count.”
post an update: share new information on a social platform; “I only post an update when something genuinely exciting happens.”

Rounding-off questions

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

Is the art of conversation being lost?
Do people talk face to face less than before?

Part 3 questions on social media and communication

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

How has social media changed the way people keep in touch?
Do you think people communicate better or worse because of social media?
Why do some people share so much of their lives online?
What are the dangers of spending a lot of time on social media?

See all Part 3 questions on social media and communication

Explore more IELTS Speaking practice

Frequently asked questions

How long should I talk about the "Describe an interesting conversation you had" 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 an interesting conversation you had" topic?

This cue card leads into a Part 3 discussion on social media and communication. Expect broader, opinion-based questions such as "How has social media changed the way people keep in touch?"

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 an interesting conversation you had" 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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