IELTS Speaking Part 2 - Cue Cards: Topics and Questions

A Cue Card is a prompt you receive in the second part of the IELTS Speaking test. It's a card with:

• A topic: A general theme or subject matter.

• Prompts (or bullet points): 3-4 specific questions or aspects related to the topic you need to address in your talk.

Why is it Important to Understand Cue Cards?

• Fluency and Coherence: It tests your ability to speak fluently and coherently on a specific topic for a sustained period.

• Grammatical Range and Accuracy: You can demonstrate a good variety of grammar and vocabulary while addressing the points given on the card.

• Lexical Resource: You can display a wide range of vocabulary relevant to the topic.

• Pronunciation: You can use proper pronunciation while communicating your ideas.

• Organisation: You need to be able to organise your speech in a logical manner.

The topic that you will be getting in IELTS Speaking Part 2 will be related to your personal experiences. You should aim to speak without hesitation or pausing for too long. While giving your speech, the examiner will not interrupt you, so this is a great opportunity to show the examiner your accuracy and fluency in English language proficiency. 

Soon after the 2 minutes are over, the examiner will stop you and ask you a few follow-up questions relating to the topic, and you’ll have to give extended answers for the same.

Key Strategies for Handling Cue Cards

1. Understanding the Prompt: Carefully read the topic and the bullet points. Make sure you understand exactly what is required of you.

2. Brainstorming: During the 1 minute of preparation, quickly jot down ideas, vocabulary, phrases, and examples related to each bullet point.

3. Structure Your Talk: Use a simple structure:

   • Introduction: Briefly introduce the topic.

   • Body Paragraphs: Address each prompt given in the cue card in a logical order.

   • Conclusion: Wrap up with a sentence or two.

4. Use Linking Words: Use words like "firstly," "secondly," "moreover," "however," and "finally" to connect your ideas and create a smooth flow.

5. Use Personal Examples: When relevant, use personal experiences or examples to make your response more engaging and authentic.

6. Manage Your Time: Keep an eye on the time. Make sure you can speak for around 2 minutes. If you are speaking for less than one minute, try to speak a bit more and if you are exceeding two minutes, try to conclude by the end of the second minute.

7. Don't Panic: If you feel a bit nervous, take a deep breath, and speak clearly and slowly.

8. Speak Naturally: Talk in a natural and confident way. Avoid memorized speeches.

In this part of the test, before giving the talk, you will have 1 minute to plan your response. It may not seem like a lot of time to prepare all the questions, but with an effective strategy, you can sustain talking for 2 minutes and respond well to achieve a higher band score.

Notes and Preparation

Poor planning will lead to an unstructured answer, with thoughts all over the place while speaking. So, with a proper planning outline, you can express your ideas and thoughts way better than talking on spot. You will be given a pencil and a piece of paper to make notes and prepare your talk. During this time, structure your talk; quickly brainstorm details under keywords. The step-by-step approach is as follows, with an example:

Candidate task card : 

Step 1: Pick out keywords from the bullet points. Look at the "W"questions. In the above example - ‘where’, ‘when’, ‘what’, and ‘why’

Note: You do not have to use all the bullet points to make a response. If you think elaborating 3 questions out of 5 can make your talk great, you can do that. Avoid going off-topic. 

Step 2: Make notes using each keyword as a heading. You should take not more than 30 seconds to write. If you have anything else to say, write the heading ‘others’ and jot down.

Note: Do not write full sentences. Just write the keywords so that it is easier to refer to them while giving the talk.

Step 3: Organise your notes

After brainstorming ideas, you will decide which points to talk about and arrange them in a logical order so that you sound coherent.  

Notes: You do not have to use each and every point under the headings. See which ones are the most suitable and talk about to it. 

Step 4: Give your talk

Now, you’re ready to give your 2 minutes talk. Your speech should be natural. 

Notes: You can refer to your notes if necessary, but do not read out completely from notes. Maintain eye contact with the examiner while talking.

SAMPLE ANSWER

“Two years ago, I visited the United States of America to explore New York City specifically. The USA is located in North America, bordered by Canada to the north, Mexico to the south and the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Ocean to the east and west, respectively. 

I travelled to the USA by plane. The journey took around 18 hours from New Delhi to New York, with a 3-hour layover in Paris. Despite the long duration, the flight was comfortable, with in-flight entertainment and food. Due to bad weather there was minimal turbulence as well. When I arrived in New York, my relatives came to pick me up at the airport, and I stayed with them. 

During my stay, I visited iconic landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, and the Empire State Building. I even went to Times Square, where the vibrant energy was palpable. These landmarks show the city’s history and radiant culture. My cousins and I had a picnic in Central Park, as the weather was really nice. We had a lot of fun playing games and eating ice cream and world-famous NY pizza.

One of the highlights of the trip was attending a Broadway show. The performances were out of this world, and it was thrilling to be a part of such an enthusiastic audience. I also visited several world-class museums, like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art. I loved the art and history. I also enjoyed trying delicious street food like pizzas, hot dogs, and pretzels. New York City, also called "The Big Apple," is one of the most captivating places I've ever visited. I loved the fast pace of life and the mix of people from different walks of life.”

Cue Card Sample - Describe an Exciting Book that You Enjoy Reading

Timing is the key to IELTS Speaking Part 2. The most common problem test-takers face with the topics is either not speaking enough or speaking too much and running out of time. You can start practicing within time constraints -  this will help you how to write notes and deliver the talk. 

With the right strategy, you can effectively deliver a talk for 2 minutes. Below are some tips for structuring your talk and delivering a successful response.

• Understand the topic: Make sure you understand the topic clearly. Make a rough outline before giving the speech.
• Use the time wisely: During the 1 minute prep time, brainstorm ideas and jot down key points related to the prompt.
• Give a structured talk: Planning is essential. Before the talk, plan a basic structure - introduction, middle and conclusion. You can use linking words, such as “firstly”, “moreover”, and “for example,” to connect your ideas smoothly.
• Personal experience: Think of various examples or experiences related to the topic.

Below is a list of common topics and questions of IELTS Speaking Part 2:

People

Places

Objects/Things

Events/Experiences

Abstract Concepts

 Click here : Cue Card Sample Answer