Speaking Part 2: Cue Card (Long Turn): IELTS Academic 9990 (IELTS Academic)
Syllabus S.part2 · Strand 4 Speaking
- Questions
- 10
- Total marks
- 40
- Tier mix
- 10 Core
0 of 10 questions completed
Syllabus coverage
- S.part2 10 questions completed
In Part 2 the examiner hands over a card describing a topic (such as “describe a place you have visited”) with three or four bullet points to guide the response, along with one minute to prepare notes and up to two minutes to speak once prompted. Rather than trying to write full sentences during preparation, jotting a few keywords against each bullet point and mentally sequencing them is the most reliable way to sustain a full two minutes without running out of things to say partway through.
The bullet points are prompts, not a rigid checklist to answer one by one in short bursts. The strongest responses use them as a loose structure while developing ideas naturally with examples, comparisons, and personal detail, since examiners are assessing sustained fluency and coherent development, not simply whether every bullet point was touched. The examiner will ask one or two brief follow-up questions after the two minutes, which should be answered briefly before Part 3 begins.
Question 1
Describe a person who has inspired you.
You should say:
- who this person is
- how you got to know them
- what kind of person they are
and explain why this person has inspired you.
You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes.
Question 2
Describe a place you enjoy visiting.
You should say:
- where this place is
- how often you go there
- what you usually do there
and explain why you enjoy visiting this place.
You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes.
Question 3
Describe a useful object you own.
You should say:
- what the object is
- where you got it
- how you use it
and explain why it is useful to you.
You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes.
Question 4
Describe a memorable journey you took.
You should say:
- where you went
- who you travelled with (or why you travelled alone)
- what happened during the journey
and explain why this journey was memorable.
You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes.
Question 5
Describe a skill you learned.
You should say:
- what the skill is
- how you learned it
- how long it took you to learn
and explain how this skill has been useful to you.
You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes.
Question 6
Describe a book or a film that you particularly enjoyed.
You should say:
- what the book or film was
- what it was about
- when and how you first came across it
and explain why you enjoyed it so much.
You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you are going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.
Question 7
Describe an event or celebration that you attended.
You should say:
- what the event was
- where and when it took place
- who you went with or who else was there
and explain what made the event memorable for you.
You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you are going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.
Question 8
Describe a gift that you either gave to someone or received from someone.
You should say:
- what the gift was
- who you gave it to, or who gave it to you
- when this happened
and explain why this gift was significant to you.
You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you are going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.
Question 9
Describe a time when you helped another person.
You should say:
- who you helped
- what the situation was
- what you did to help this person
and explain how you felt about helping them.
You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you are going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.
Question 10
Describe a hobby that you would like to take up in the future.
You should say:
- what the hobby is
- how you would learn to do it
- how much time you would need to devote to it
and explain why you want to take up this particular hobby.
You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you are going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.