IELTS Speaking Part 2 Practice: the cue card

In Part 2 you speak for up to two minutes from a cue card after one minute of planning. The hardest part is filling the time without running out of ideas.
What this part of IELTS Speaking testsPart 2 tests your ability to develop one topic with detail, structure, and natural flow. It is a short story, not a list of facts.
Practical adviceA strong cue card answer usually:
  • Starts with the who/what/when
  • Adds two or three concrete details
  • Ends with a short reflection on why it matters to you
Example
Weak answer
“I want to talk about my friend. He is nice. We spend time together. That's all.”
Better version
“I'd like to talk about my friend Lucas, who I've known since high school. We met in our first year and started studying together because we both struggled with maths. Over time we became close — we'd meet on weekends and travel together during holidays. I remember one trip to the coast when our train was cancelled and we had to share one tiny hostel room for two nights. We still laugh about it. I think what makes our friendship strong is that we can be honest with each other, even when it's uncomfortable.”
Why this is stronger
  • structures the story (who → how we met → memorable moment → reflection)
  • adds specific detail (school, weekend trips, hostel)
  • ends with a personal opinion
TalkReady material: 30-second cue card planner
  1. Who or what is this about?
  2. When did it happen?
  3. Where were you?
  4. What happened first?
  5. What happened next?
  6. Why do you remember it?
  7. How did you feel?
Practice library
Common cue cards
Useful IELTS materials
IELTS Speaking test format
IELTS Speaking band descriptors (PDF)

Try a real IELTS Speaking questions.

Get feedback instantly

Describe a person who has influenced you.

My teacher influenced me because he always supported me and helped me to be more confident. He was very kind and gave me good advice about my future.

Fluency: Your answer is clear, but it needs more development. Add one personal story to make it sound natural.

Vocabulary: Replace simple phrases like “good advice” with more specific language, such as “practical guidance” or “encouraged me to think long-term.”

Grammar: “Helped me to be” is acceptable, but “helped me become” sounds more natural.

Frequently asked questions
How do I speak for 2 minutes in IELTS Speaking?
Use the planner: start with who/what, add 2–3 concrete details, then close with why it matters. Specific detail fills time naturally.