IELTS Speaking Part 2 Cue Cards: Tips for Scoring
Speaking Tips for IELTS 2023
Talk to ExpertIELTS Cue Cards: In IELTS Speaking Part 2, the examiner will give you a cue card or a task card which will consist of 3-4 questions along with some instructions on how to answer the topics. Once you get the topic, you’ll be given one minute to prepare yourself on the given topic, after which you will have to speak for around 1-2 minutes until the examiner asks you to stop. Here, the examiner will grade you on your usage of grammar and vocabulary, and your ability to frame sentences while speaking. Speaking for 2 minutes may seem like longer, if you haven’t practiced or if you’re not used to speaking in English regularly. That is why it is advisable to practice well for the IELTS cue cards.
Part 2: IELTS Speaking Cue Cards
IELTS Cue Cards: During the test, the test taker would be given a cue card, also known as a task card. This card will include a personal question and supporting questions on the given topic. You can prepare yourself for this by referring to cue card samples and practice speaking about respective topics for 2 minutes each. While practicing you should try to focus on language fluency, grammar, vocabulary & pronunciation. The more you practice, the more confident you’ll be during the test!
- The examiner will give you a topic to speak on, which will have a question and a few bullet points that you should cover in your response in those two minutes.
- The topics will be related to your personal experiences. You will have to make up some points in your mind and write a few keywords for your help during those two minutes of speaking. You will be provided with a pen and paper to write your keywords.
- Soon after your 1 minute of preparation, the examiner will ask you to speak. There will be a stopwatch present, and the examiner will be noting the timings in every part of speaking. Hence, you should practice enough to complete your cue card in those two minutes.
- You should speak in those two minutes with confidence and without pausing or many breaks in between. The examiner would not interrupt you in between speaking, will just nod to encourage you.
- After you have finished speaking for two minutes the examiner will stop you and will ask a few follow-up questions on the same topic and you will have to give short answers.
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IELTS Cue Cards - Tips for Scoring
In this section, we are going to be talking about tips for scoring in your IELTS Cue Cards:
- You should focus on the main topic of the task card and use the bullet points as a source of help. Your content should be focused on the main topic, rather than the bullet points.
- Vocabulary: Do not unnecessarily complicate your discussion. Use high-level words only if they are necessary. For e.g., if you want to use the word “flattery”, avoid using its synonyms like “blandish”. Do not use complicated words forcefully just to impress the examiner; he/she will spot it. However, if the words are necessary, go ahead!
- Be coherent: Whenever you answer, make sure that you are answering the question and not going haywire. When you are preparing the notes based on the Cue Card, make sure that there is a clear structure. Do not make the examiner feel that you are not able to organize your thoughts.
- Pronunciation: You will do better if you focus on clarity rather than a made-up accent. It is more important for the examiner to understand clearly, what you are speaking.
- Do not stop speaking until the examiner instructs you to do so. With practice, you will get better at organizing your thoughts and presenting them in a time-bound manner.
Challenges with IELTS Speaking Cue Cards
In this section, we are going to be discussing the problems faced by students during speaking on a cue card:
- Topic selection: Students might need help in selecting a topic on which they need to speak. Although you cannot choose the topic on the exam date, you have to choose the topic which you want to speak about in your thoughts while preparing for it.
- Time management: You should practice at home in front of the mirror or with a friend in English on any random topic to time yourself and check whether you are able to finish the topic on time because you will not be given any extra time.
- Vocabulary: You must use a varied vocabulary to get a decent score in speaking. The more you use uncommon language the more you tend to score high.
- Pronunciation: To be understood properly one must be clear in his speech and this has nothing to do with the accent. In fact, the words you use should be understood clearly by the examiner.
- Fluency: Taking long breaks in IELTS speaking hinders your score because it is a part of your speaking module marking criteria. The flow should not be broken because of distractions or fillers.
- Grammar: It plays an essential role in the marking scheme of speaking. You should make complex sentences with fewer errors to get a higher band in speaking.
- Confidence: Many students reflect less confidence or hesitation while speaking on the main test day. Enough practice is required to be bold on that day and present yourself adequately.
- Cultural difference: Many times, students may need help in deciphering different topics or showcasing their views in a culturally apt way.
- Lack of practice: Candidates must go under rigorous practice to overcome their fear of speaking on cue cards. You need to be persistent in your daily practice for speaking.
- Misunderstanding instructions: Students may need to draw correct inferences from the instructions or the requirements of the IELTS Cue Card. It usually leads to the selection of inappropriate topics, due to which the student loses the task response.
IELTS Speaking- Part 2
Looking to prepare for the IELTS Part 2: Cue Cards of the IELTS Speaking Section of the IELTS exam. Watch our IELTS trainer, Disha Wahi as she takes you through the important aspects of the section.
IELTS Cue Card topics with Answers
In this section, we are looking at IELTS cue card topics along with sample answers.
Describe something that you did with someone/a group of people?
Well, I guess my job really involves much group work because we always do projects for our clients in a team. Every time we form a team for a particular project, we play different roles, for example, someone works as a financial consultant, others manufacturing consultants, some technique specialists, and of course, the project manager. As for me, I am a logistic consultant responsible for purchasing items and the warehouses. We work in the clients’ office, which will be easy for us to communicate with the key users. And our projects sometimes last very long, half a year or even longer. We always get along well with each other in a team because we need to cooperate well to brace for the tough clients.I believe my colleagues are very nice and helpful. They are always ready to help me when I encounter problems in my work. Besides, I suppose that sharing knowledge and experience with others can definitely boost the team spirit, as well as levelling up everyone’s work ability. In addition, when we need to make a decision on a key problem, we hold a stormy discussion on it and sometimes we can gain insights into the problem, which will be beneficial for everyone.
Describe a daily routine that you enjoy?
One of my favourite daily routines is going for a morning walk. I typically do this around 7:00 a.m., and it’s become a habit that I look forward to each day. I live in a suburban area and typically walk around my neighborhood. And I usually do this alone, although sometimes I invite a friend or family member to join me. One of the main reasons I enjoy my morning walk is that it gives me a chance to clear my head and start my day positively. I find that being out in nature and getting some fresh air helps me feel more energized and focused throughout the day. I also enjoy the solitude of my morning walks, as it gives me some time to reflect and enjoy some peace and quiet before the hustle and bustle of the day begin. Another reason I enjoy my morning walk is that it’s a great way to get some exercise. Walking is a low-impact exercise that’s good for the body and mind, and I find that it helps me feel more physically fit and healthy. I also appreciate that it’s an activity I can do at my own pace and without any pressure or competition.
In addition to the physical and mental benefits of my morning walk, I also enjoy the opportunity to observe and appreciate the world around me. I often notice small details that I might miss when I’m in a hurry, like the way the sun is shining through the trees or the way the birds are singing. This helps me feel more connected to nature and the world around me, which is a source of comfort and inspiration.Overall, my daily morning walk is a simple routine that brings me a lot of joy and benefits. Whether I’m walking alone or with a friend, it’s a time of day that I look forward to and appreciate. I believe this daily routine positively impacts my physical and mental well-being, and I hope to continue it for years to come.
IELTS Cue Card Topics
In this section, we have provided IELTS test takers with a couple of IELTS cue card topics to practice on their own.
- Describe a place you visited where the air was polluted
- Describe an actor or actress whom you admire
- Describe a person you would like to study or work with
- Describe a time when you were late
- Describe an advertisement that you don’t like
- Describe a person who inspired you to do something interesting
- Describe a website which helped you to do something/ website you visit often/use regularly
- Describe a piece of good news you heard from others
- Describe a place there was a lot of noise
- Describe something you taught to your friend/relative
- Describe your experience when you changed your school/college
- Describe a place/country in which you would like to live/work for a short period of time
- Talk about an interesting old person you met recently
In IELTS cue cards are the task cards or the topics given to you in the IELTS exam. You will get a minute to prepare for the topic given and you will speak on it for 2 minutes. You can expect general topics in this part of the speaking test and it is not difficult if you follow the above mentioned strategies in your response.After you have finished speaking on the given topic you may expect the examiner to ask you a few follow up questions.
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