Part 2 has a reputation as the scariest part of Speaking: you talk alone for two minutes and the examiner does not join in. In fact it is the easiest part to prepare for, because its shape never changes.
How Part 2 runs
- The examiner gives you a card (the cue card), paper and a pencil.
- The card has a topic ("Describe a person you admire") and three or four prompts ("You should say: who..., how..., what..., and explain why...").
- You have one minute to make notes.
- You speak for one to two minutes. The examiner stops you at two.
- Sometimes there are one or two short questions ("Do you still see this person?").
One-minute notes: key words, not sentences
There is no time for full sentences. Write two or three key words for each prompt. For "a person you admire", for example:
- who: my aunt, doctor in Bukhara
- how I know her: summers as a kid
- what she does: night shifts, free check-ups
- why admire: calm, never complains
Your notes are your map: if you get stuck, move to the next prompt.
A shape that fills two minutes
- Introduction (10 seconds): "I'd like to talk about...". The topic in one sentence.
- The prompts (20-30 seconds each): add a detail and an example to each. Tell a story: when, where, what happened.
- "Explain why" (30-40 seconds): the most important part. Your feelings and thoughts.
- Close (5-10 seconds): "So that's why...". If time is left, one more small detail.
Reading is not enough: speak
In IELTS Buddy an AI examiner talks to you as in the real test and gives an estimated band on all 4 criteria. 3 mock tests are free.
The most common cue cards
Each has one-minute notes, a two-minute model answer and Part 3 questions:
- Describe a person you admire
- Describe a place you visited
- Describe a book you read
- Describe a skill you learned
- Describe a memorable event
- Describe a gift you gave or received
- Describe a useful app or website
- Describe a teacher who influenced you
- Describe a goal you want to achieve
- Describe a time you helped someone
- Describe a family member
- Describe a happy childhood memory
- Describe a city you would like to visit
- Describe a film you enjoyed
- Describe a restaurant or café
- Describe an achievement you are proud of
- Describe a difficult decision
- Describe a piece of good advice
Typical mistakes
- Running out at one minute. The cause: one sentence per prompt. Add an example to each.
- Drifting off the topic. Talking about your family in general instead of "a person you admire".
- Reading your notes. Glance at the paper, but talk to the examiner.
Next: the Part 3 guide.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if I finish before two minutes?
The examiner may ask a follow-up question. Speaking for less than a minute does affect your Fluency score, though, so practise adding detail.
Can I tell a story that did not really happen?
Yes. The examiner marks your language and does not check whether the story is true. An invented story is harder to tell fluently, though.
Reading is not enough: speak
In IELTS Buddy an AI examiner talks to you as in the real test and gives an estimated band on all 4 criteria. 3 mock tests are free.
