IELTS Speaking · Part 2 · Cue card

Describe someone who has moved to another country

Last updated 21 July 2026

In short

"Describe someone who has moved to another country" 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 someone who has moved to another country.

You should say:

who this person is
where they moved to
why they moved
and explain how their life has changed

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 this person is
Cover this in a sentence or two with a concrete, specific detail.
2
where they moved to
Cover this in a sentence or two with a concrete, specific detail.
3
why they moved
This is the most important bullet — give reasons and a personal example, and spend the most time here.
4
and explain how their life has changed
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 travel and tourism.

off the beaten track: away from popular, crowded tourist spots; “I much prefer holidays that take me off the beaten track.”
a tourist hotspot: a very popular place with visitors; “The old town has become a real tourist hotspot in recent years.”
soak up the atmosphere: fully enjoy the mood of a place; “I love to sit in a little café and soak up the atmosphere.”
a once-in-a-lifetime trip: a rare, unforgettable journey unlikely to be repeated; “Visiting the Himalayas was a once-in-a-lifetime trip for me.”
travel on a shoestring: travel on a very small budget; “As a student I travelled on a shoestring right across Europe.”

Rounding-off questions

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

Why do people move to other countries?
Is it difficult to settle in a new country?

Part 3 questions on travel and tourism

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

What do people usually gain from travelling to other countries?
How is the way people travel today different from in the past?
Do you think tourism does more good or more harm to local communities?
Why do some places become tourist destinations while others don't?

See all Part 3 questions on travel and tourism

Explore more IELTS Speaking practice

Frequently asked questions

How long should I talk about the "Describe someone who has moved to another country" 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 someone who has moved to another country" topic?

This cue card leads into a Part 3 discussion on travel and tourism. Expect broader, opinion-based questions such as "What do people usually gain from travelling to other countries?"

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 someone who has moved to another country" 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.

Start a free mock exam