Speaking Part 2 tips and strategies
Learn how to use your preparation time, structure a long answer, and keep talking for up to two minutes.
Review 16 practical strategies across 7 sections, then apply them with 8 worked examples in your next IELTS study session.
What to Expect
Format
The basics
- You get a task card (cue card) with a topic
- You have 1 minute to prepare and make notes
- You speak alone for 1 to 2 minutes
- The examiner may ask one or two short follow-up questions
A typical cue card
Describe something or someone, and you are told to say:
- what / who it is
- when or where it happened
- why it is important or how you feel about it
How It Is Scored
The examiner listens for:
- your ability to speak at length without stopping
- a range of vocabulary and grammar
- clear organisation of ideas
- natural pronunciation
Tip
Aim to fill the full 2 minutes — stopping early lowers your fluency score.
Using the 1-Minute Prep
Plan Quickly
What to do
- Write key words, not full sentences
- Note one idea for each point on the card
- Think of an example or short story
- Decide how you will start
Example notes
- who → my grandmother
- when → childhood summers
- why → kind, funny, taught me to cook
Structure Your Answer
Mini Introduction
Start by naming what you will talk about.
Example
I'd like to talk about my grandmother, who has had a big influence on my life.
Cover Every Point
What to do
- Use each bullet on the card as a mini paragraph
- Add details and examples to each one
- Do not skip any point
Add a Short Story or Example
A personal example makes your answer longer and more interesting.
Example
I remember one summer when she taught me how to bake bread, and we spent the whole afternoon laughing in the kitchen.
Wrap Up
Finish with how you feel or why it matters.
Example
That's why she means so much to me, and I always look forward to visiting her.
Useful Phrases
Starting
- I'd like to talk about…
- The thing I want to describe is…
- Let me tell you about…
Sequencing & Adding Detail
- first of all
- another thing is
- what I remember most is
- on top of that
- in particular
Describing Feelings
- it meant a lot to me
- I was thrilled
- it was unforgettable
- I'll never forget…
Example
It was an unforgettable experience, and I'll never forget how proud I felt that day.
Keep Talking
Do Not Stop Early
If you run out of ideas
- add more detail
- give another example
- explain how you felt
- compare it to something else
Example
Compared to other relatives, she was always the one who listened, which is probably why I felt so close to her.
Common Mistakes
Stopping Too Soon
Speaking for only 30 seconds limits your score. Keep going until the examiner stops you.
Reading Notes Word for Word
Notes are reminders, not a script. Speak naturally from them.
Ignoring a Point on the Card
Cover all the bullet points so your answer feels complete.
Going Completely Off Topic
Stay close to the topic on the card, even when adding examples.
Sample Cue Card & Answer
Model Answer
I'd like to talk about my grandmother, who has had a huge influence on my life. I've known her, of course, since I was born, and I spent almost every summer at her house when I was a child.
She was a warm and patient person, and she loved teaching me practical things. What I remember most is the summer she taught me how to bake bread. We spent the whole afternoon in the kitchen, covered in flour and laughing the entire time. She never got frustrated, even when I made mistakes, and she always encouraged me to keep trying.
She influenced me in many ways. Above all, she taught me to be patient and to enjoy small moments rather than always rushing. Compared to other people in my family, she was the one who really listened, which is probably why I felt so close to her.
That's why she means so much to me. Even now, whenever I face a difficult situation, I think about her advice, and I always look forward to visiting her whenever I get the chance.