IELTS Speaking Part 2 Cue Cards
115 cue cards with the one-minute preparation and a two-minute timer. Pick one, talk, and get feedback.
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Part 2 · your cue card
Describe a person you admire.
You should say:
- who this person is
- how you know them
- what they are like
- and explain why you admire them
Tap to start talking
Talk for up to two minutes (1:40 or more)
Your recording is used only for this check and is never stored.
All 115 cue cards
People and relationships12
Describe a person you admire.
who this person is · how you know them · what they are like · and explain why you admire them
Describe a time a friend helped you.
who the friend was · what the situation was · how they helped you · and explain how you felt afterwards
Describe a time a stranger helped you.
where you were · what the situation was · how the stranger helped you · and explain how you felt about it
Describe a person you enjoy talking to.
who the person is · what you talk about · how often you talk · and explain why you enjoy talking to them
Describe a gift you gave to someone.
what the gift was · who you gave it to · why you chose it · and explain how the person reacted
Describe a gift you received that you liked.
what it was · who gave it to you · when you received it · and explain why you liked it so much
Describe a pleasant surprise you had.
what the surprise was · who was involved · when it happened · and explain how you felt about it
Describe a time you helped someone.
who you helped · what the situation was · what you did · and explain how you felt about helping them
Describe a time someone gave you good advice.
who gave you the advice · what the advice was · why they gave it · and explain how it helped you
Describe a person who has a good sense of humour.
who this person is · how you know them · what kinds of things they say or do · and explain why you enjoy their company
Describe a polite person you know.
who this person is · how you know them · how they show good manners · and explain why their politeness stands out
Describe a time you did something to help your community.
what you did · why you did it · who benefited from it · and explain how you felt about doing it
Education and schools3
Describe a teacher who has influenced you.
who the teacher was · what they taught you · what they were like · and explain how they influenced you
Describe a course or class you took.
what the course was · why you took it · what you learned · and explain whether it was worthwhile
Describe your first school.
where it was · what it was like · what you did there · and explain a memory you have of it
Family and upbringing6
Describe a family member you are close to.
who the person is · how much time you spend together · what you like doing together · and explain why you are close to them
Describe an older person you respect.
who this person is · how you know them · what they have done in their life · and explain why you respect them
Describe an old object your family has kept.
what it is · who it belonged to · how long it has been in the family · and explain why it is kept
Describe a family event you remember well.
what the event was · when it happened · who was there · and explain why you remember it
Describe a time a member of your family helped you.
who helped you · what the situation was · what they did · and explain how you felt afterwards
Describe a story a family member told you.
who told you the story · what the story was about · when you heard it · and explain why you remember it
Skills and success7
Describe someone who inspired you to do something.
who the person is · what they inspired you to do · how they did it · and explain how it affected you
Describe a good leader you know or have heard about.
who the person is · what they lead · what qualities they have · and explain why you think they are a good leader
Describe a useful skill you have learned.
what the skill is · how you learned it · how difficult it was · and explain how it has been useful
Describe an important decision you have made.
what the decision was · when you made it · what made it difficult · and explain how it turned out
Describe a problem you managed to solve.
what the problem was · how it arose · what you did about it · and explain how you felt afterwards
Describe a difficult thing you did and succeeded at.
what it was · why it was difficult · how you managed to do it · and explain how you felt afterwards
Describe a skill you could teach other people.
what the skill is · how you learned it · how you would teach it · and explain why it is worth learning
Work and careers3
Describe someone who is very good at their job.
who this person is · what job they do · how you know they are good at it · and explain why they are so good
Describe a time you worked as part of a team.
what the task was · who you worked with · what your role was · and explain how the team worked together
Describe a job you would like to have.
what the job is · what it involves · what skills it needs · and explain why it appeals to you
Culture and tradition5
Describe a person who speaks a foreign language well.
who this person is · which language they speak · how they learned it · and explain how it is useful to them
Describe a historical place you have visited.
where it is · when you went there · what you learned about it · and explain how you felt when you were there
Describe a language you would like to learn.
which language it is · why you want to learn it · how you would learn it · and explain how it would be useful to you
Describe a tradition in your country.
what the tradition is · when it happens · who takes part · and explain why it is important to people
Describe a museum you have visited.
where it is · when you went there · what you saw · and explain what you thought of it
Art and creativity4
Describe a creative person you know.
who this person is · what creative things they do · how they learned to do them · and explain why you think they are creative
Describe a photograph you like.
what is in the photo · when and where it was taken · who took it · and explain why you like it
Describe something you made yourself.
what it was · how you made it · how long it took · and explain how you felt about the result
Describe a creative activity you enjoy doing.
what the activity is · how you got started · what you create · and explain how it makes you feel
Money and finance3
Describe someone you know who is good with money.
who this person is · how they manage their money · how you know they are careful with it · and explain what you have learned from them
Describe something you would like to buy in the future.
what it is · why you want it · how you would use it · and explain how you plan to get it
Describe something you saved money to buy.
what it was · why you wanted it · how long you saved for it · and explain how you felt when you got it
Childhood and memories5
Describe a child you know.
who the child is · how old they are · what they are like · and explain why you enjoy spending time with them
Describe a place you often went to as a child.
where it was · who you went with · what you did there · and explain why it was special to you
Describe a game or activity you enjoyed as a child.
what the game was · who you played it with · where you usually played · and explain why you enjoyed it
Describe a happy memory from your childhood.
what the memory is · when it happened · who was involved · and explain why you remember it so well
Describe a toy you enjoyed playing with as a child.
what the toy was · who gave it to you · how you played with it · and explain why you liked it so much
Travel and tourism4
Describe someone who has moved to another country.
who this person is · where they moved to · why they moved · and explain how their life has changed
Describe a country or place you would like to visit.
which place it is · how you know about it · what you would do there · and explain why you want to visit it
Describe a memorable journey you have taken.
where you went · who you went with · what happened on the way · and explain why it was memorable
Describe a place in your country you would recommend to tourists.
where it is · what visitors can do there · why it is worth seeing · and explain why you would recommend it
Health and fitness5
Describe someone you know who leads a healthy life.
who the person is · what they do to stay healthy · how long they have lived this way · and explain what you think of their lifestyle
Describe an outdoor activity you enjoy.
what the activity is · where and when you do it · who you usually do it with · and explain why you enjoy it
Describe a healthy habit you have.
what the habit is · how you developed it · how often you do it · and explain how it benefits you
Describe a walk you enjoyed.
where you walked · who you were with · what you saw · and explain why you enjoyed it
Describe a habit you would like to change.
what the habit is · how it started · why you want to change it · and explain how you might do it
Leisure and relaxation7
Describe a place where you like to go to relax.
where this place is · how often you go there · what you do there · and explain why it helps you relax
Describe a busy day you had recently.
what day it was · what you had to do · how you managed your time · and explain how you felt at the end of it
Describe an enjoyable day out you had.
where you went · who you went with · what you did · and explain why you enjoyed it
Describe a time you had to wait for something.
what you were waiting for · how long you waited · what you did while waiting · and explain how you felt
Describe a place where you go to think.
where it is · when you go there · what you think about · and explain why it helps you
Describe an enjoyable activity you did recently.
what the activity was · where you did it · who was with you · and explain why you enjoyed it
Describe an activity that made you lose track of time.
what the activity was · when you did it · why you enjoyed it so much · and explain how you felt afterwards
Cities and urban life4
Describe a city or town you have visited and would like to return to.
where it is · when you went there · what you did while you were there · and explain why you would like to go back
Describe a park or garden you like.
where it is · how often you go there · what you do when you are there · and explain why you like it
Describe a building you find interesting.
what and where it is · what it looks like · what it is used for · and explain why you find it interesting
Describe a new place that has opened in your town.
what it is · where it is · what people do there · and explain how it has affected your town
Nature and wildlife3
Describe a beautiful natural place you have visited.
where it is · when you went there · what you saw and did · and explain why you found it beautiful
Describe a place near water that you enjoy.
where it is · how often you go there · what you do there · and explain why you enjoy being near the water
Describe a quiet place in the countryside you have been to.
where it is · how you got there · what you did there · and explain how being there made you feel
Food and diet4
Describe a café or restaurant you like.
where it is · what kind of food or drink it serves · how often you go there · and explain why you like it
Describe a meal you enjoyed with other people.
what the meal was · where you had it · who you were with · and explain why you enjoyed it
Describe a dish you know how to cook.
what the dish is · how you learned to make it · what ingredients it needs · and explain when you usually make it
Describe a person you know who is good at cooking.
who this person is · what they like to cook · how they learned · and explain why you enjoy their food
Reading and learning2
Describe a library or place where you like to study.
where it is · how often you go there · what you do there · and explain why you like studying there
Describe a book you have recently enjoyed.
what the book was about · when and why you read it · how you felt while reading it · and explain why you enjoyed it
Shopping and consumerism6
Describe a market you like to visit.
where it is · what is sold there · how often you go · and explain why you enjoy going there
Describe a possession that is important to you.
what it is · how you got it · how often you use it · and explain why it is important to you
Describe an item of clothing you like to wear.
what it is · when you wear it · where you got it · and explain why you like it
Describe an advertisement you remember well.
what it was for · where you saw it · what happened in it · and explain why you remember it
Describe a shop you like to go to.
what the shop sells · where it is · how often you go there · and explain why you like it
Describe something valuable you lost.
what it was · how you lost it · what you did about it · and explain how you felt
Technology and society3
Describe a piece of technology you use often.
what it is · how long you have had it · what you use it for · and explain why it is useful to you
Describe a machine or appliance you find useful at home.
what it is · how long you have had it · what you use it for · and explain how it makes life easier
Describe a game or app you enjoy using.
what it is · how you started using it · how often you use it · and explain why you enjoy it
The internet and information2
Describe a website or app you find useful.
what it is · how you found out about it · what you use it for · and explain why you find it useful
Describe something useful you learned from the internet.
what you learned · which website or app you used · why you wanted to learn it · and explain how it has helped you
Music and performance3
Describe a musical instrument you would like to play.
what it is · why you are interested in it · how you would learn it · and explain how you would feel if you could play it
Describe a concert or live performance you attended.
what it was · where and when it took place · who you went with · and explain how you felt about it
Describe a song or piece of music you like.
what the music is · when you first heard it · how often you listen to it · and explain why it means something to you
Festivals and celebrations4
Describe a celebration or special event you enjoyed.
what the event was · where and when it took place · who you were with · and explain why you enjoyed it
Describe an important festival in your country.
what the festival is · when it takes place · how people celebrate it · and explain why it is important
Describe a wedding or celebration you attended.
whose celebration it was · where it took place · what happened · and explain how you felt about it
Describe a party you enjoyed.
whose party it was · where and when it was held · what you did there · and explain why you enjoyed it
Sport and competition3
Describe a sports event or match you watched.
what the event was · where and when you watched it · who you watched it with · and explain why it was memorable
Describe a sport you would like to try.
what the sport is · why you are interested in it · what you would need to start · and explain how you think you would find it
Describe a competition you took part in.
what the competition was · when it took place · what you had to do · and explain how you felt about taking part
Goals and the future5
Describe a happy event from your life.
what happened · when it happened · who you shared it with · and explain why it made you happy
Describe something you achieved that you are proud of.
what you achieved · how you achieved it · how long it took · and explain why you are proud of it
Describe a goal you would like to achieve in the future.
what the goal is · why it is important to you · how you plan to achieve it · and explain how you will feel when you reach it
Describe a positive change you made in your life.
what the change was · why you made it · how difficult it was · and explain what difference it has made
Describe a time you tried something for the first time.
what you tried · why you decided to try it · how it went · and explain how you felt about it
Environment and conservation1
Describe something you do to help the environment.
what you do · why you decided to do it · how often you do it · and explain what difference you think it makes
Media and news7
Describe a piece of good news you received.
what the news was · how you heard it · who told you · and explain how you felt about it
Describe a film you enjoyed watching.
what it was about · when and where you watched it · who you watched it with · and explain why you enjoyed it
Describe a TV programme you like.
what it is about · how often you watch it · who you watch it with · and explain why you like it
Describe an interesting news story you heard recently.
what the story was about · where you heard or read it · who you shared it with · and explain why it interested you
Describe a famous person you would like to meet.
who the person is · what they are famous for · what you know about them · and explain why you would like to meet them
Describe a magazine or newspaper you like to read.
what it is · how often you read it · what kind of content it has · and explain why you enjoy it
Describe a radio programme or podcast you enjoy.
what it is · what it is about · how often you listen to it · and explain why you enjoy it
Social media and communication1
Describe an interesting conversation you had.
who you spoke with · what you talked about · where it took place · and explain why it was interesting
Transport and traffic2
Describe a journey you often make by public transport.
where you go · how you travel · how long it takes · and explain how you feel about the journey
Describe a time you were late for something.
what you were late for · why you were late · what happened · and explain how you felt about it
Housing and community1
Describe a piece of furniture in your home that you like.
what it is · where it is in your home · how you use it · and explain why you like it
How it works
- 1
Browse the themes below, or search for a word such as “journey” or “teacher”.
- 2
Press “Answer” next to a card. It appears at the top of the page.
- 3
Start the one-minute preparation, make a few notes, then talk for up to two minutes.
- 4
Read your report, and open the card's sample answers to compare.
Good to know
How Part 2 works
The examiner gives you a card and a pencil and paper, and one minute to prepare. You then talk for one to two minutes and the examiner stops you at two. One or two rounding-off questions may follow. The card is marked on the same four criteria as the rest of the test.
Preparing in one minute
Write one or two words for each prompt, not sentences, and decide the story you will tell. Most candidates run out of things to say long before two minutes; a clear story with a beginning, a middle and why it mattered keeps you going.