50 IELTS Speaking Part 2 Cue Cards (Printable)

IELTS Speaking Part 2 gives a candidate one topic card, one minute to prepare notes, and up to two minutes to speak without stopping. The single biggest gap in most exam prep is simple: candidates rarely rehearse under that exact timing before they meet it in the exam room for the first time.

These 50 cue cards are grouped into the six categories the real exam draws from — person, place, object, event, activity, and experience — so a class or a self-study candidate can rotate through a genuinely varied set rather than reusing the same three practice topics until they're memorized rather than genuinely rehearsed.

A printable PDF version is linked below for anyone who wants a physical stack of cards rather than a screen — useful for timed pair practice, where one student reads the card aloud to a partner exactly the way an examiner would.

Person

1. 1

   Describe a person who has influenced you

   You should say: who this person is; how you know them; what they have done that influenced you — and explain why their influence has mattered to you.

2. 2

   Describe a family member you admire

   You should say: who this person is; what they do; what kind of person they are — and explain why you admire them.

3. 3

   Describe a friend who makes you laugh

   You should say: who this friend is; how you met; what they do that is funny — and explain how their sense of humour affects your friendship.

4. 4

   Describe a teacher who helped you learn something important

   You should say: who this teacher was; what they taught you; how they taught it — and explain why what you learned was important to you.

5. 5

   Describe someone you know who is very good at their job

   You should say: who this person is; what their job is; what they do that makes them good at it — and explain how you know they are good at their job.

6. 6

   Describe a person you know who has traveled a lot

   You should say: who this person is; where they have traveled; why they travel so much — and explain how travel has changed them, if it has.

7. 7

   Describe someone you would like to meet

   You should say: who this person is; what they are known for; how you would arrange to meet them — and explain why you would like to meet them.

8. 8

   Describe a neighbour you know well

   You should say: who this neighbour is; how long you have known them; what they are like — and explain how your relationship with them has developed.

9. 9

   Describe someone who has started their own business

   You should say: who this person is; what their business does; how they started it — and explain what qualities helped them succeed.

Place

1. 1

   Describe a place you visited that you found relaxing

   You should say: where this place is; when you visited it; what it looks like — and explain why you found it relaxing.

2. 2

   Describe a city you would like to live in

   You should say: which city this is; what you know about it; what it would be like to live there — and explain why you would like to live there.

3. 3

   Describe a place near water that you have been to

   You should say: where this place is; when you went there; what you did there — and explain what you liked about being near water.

4. 4

   Describe a quiet place you like to go

   You should say: where this place is; how often you go there; what you do there — and explain why you find it a good place to be quiet.

5. 5

   Describe a public place that is popular with tourists

   You should say: where this place is; what tourists do there; how it has changed over time — and explain why you think it is so popular.

6. 6

   Describe a place you go to be around nature

   You should say: where this place is; how often you go there; what you see or do there — and explain why being around nature matters to you.

7. 7

   Describe a room in your home that you spend a lot of time in

   You should say: which room this is; what is in it; what you usually do there — and explain why you spend so much time in this room.

8. 8

   Describe a place you visited that had a lot of history

   You should say: where this place is; when you visited it; what history it is connected to — and explain what you learned from visiting it.

9. 9

   Describe a place you would like to visit in the future

   You should say: where this place is; how you know about it; what you would do there — and explain why you would like to visit it.

Object

1. 1

   Describe an object you use every day

   You should say: what this object is; how long you have had it; what you use it for — and explain why it has become part of your daily routine.

2. 2

   Describe a gift you received that you liked

   You should say: what the gift was; who gave it to you; when you received it — and explain why you liked it.

3. 3

   Describe something you own that is valuable to you, but not because of its price

   You should say: what this object is; how you got it; how long you have had it — and explain why it is valuable to you.

4. 4

   Describe a piece of technology you find useful

   You should say: what this technology is; how long you have used it; what you use it for — and explain why you find it useful.

5. 5

   Describe a photo that is important to you

   You should say: what the photo shows; when it was taken; who took it — and explain why this photo is important to you.

6. 6

   Describe an item of clothing you like to wear

   You should say: what this item is; when you got it; when you wear it — and explain why you like wearing it.

7. 7

   Describe a book that made an impression on you

   You should say: what the book is called; what it is about; when you read it — and explain why it made an impression on you.

8. 8

   Describe something you bought that you are happy with

   You should say: what you bought; where you bought it; why you decided to buy it — and explain why you are happy with this purchase.

Event

1. 1

   Describe a celebration you enjoyed

   You should say: what the celebration was; where it took place; who was there — and explain why you enjoyed it.

2. 2

   Describe an event that made you happy

   You should say: what the event was; when it happened; who was involved — and explain why it made you happy.

3. 3

   Describe a time you helped someone

   You should say: who you helped; what the situation was; what you did — and explain how you felt about helping them.

4. 4

   Describe an occasion when you received good news

   You should say: what the news was; how you received it; who told you — and explain how the news affected you.

5. 5

   Describe a public event you attended

   You should say: what the event was; where it took place; who you went with — and explain what you liked or disliked about it.

6. 6

   Describe a time when you were surprised by something

   You should say: what happened; where you were; who was involved — and explain why it surprised you.

7. 7

   Describe an important change in your life

   You should say: what the change was; when it happened; why it happened — and explain how this change affected you.

8. 8

   Describe a time when you achieved a personal goal

   You should say: what the goal was; how long it took to achieve; what you had to do to achieve it — and explain how you felt when you achieved it.

Activity

1. 1

   Describe a hobby you enjoy

   You should say: what the hobby is; how long you have done it; how often you do it — and explain why you enjoy it.

2. 2

   Describe a sport you like to watch or play

   You should say: what the sport is; how you first got interested in it; how often you watch or play it — and explain why you like it.

3. 3

   Describe an outdoor activity you enjoy

   You should say: what the activity is; where you usually do it; who you do it with — and explain why you enjoy doing it outdoors.

4. 4

   Describe something you do to relax

   You should say: what you do; how often you do it; where you usually do it — and explain why it helps you relax.

5. 5

   Describe an activity you do with your family

   You should say: what the activity is; how often your family does it; who usually joins in — and explain why this activity is important to your family.

6. 6

   Describe a skill you would like to learn

   You should say: what the skill is; how you would learn it; how long it might take — and explain why you would like to learn it.

7. 7

   Describe a game you enjoyed playing as a child

   You should say: what the game was; who you played it with; where you played it — and explain why you enjoyed it.

8. 8

   Describe something you do in your free time that isn't expensive

   You should say: what you do; how often you do it; who you usually do it with — and explain why you enjoy it despite it being inexpensive.

Experience

1. 1

   Describe a time you learned something new

   You should say: what you learned; how you learned it; how long it took — and explain why learning it was useful to you.

2. 2

   Describe a difficult decision you made

   You should say: what the decision was; when you had to make it; what your options were — and explain how you eventually decided.

3. 3

   Describe a time you tried something for the first time

   You should say: what you tried; when this happened; why you decided to try it — and explain how you felt about the experience.

4. 4

   Describe a memorable trip you took

   You should say: where you went; who you went with; what you did there — and explain why this trip was memorable.

5. 5

   Describe a time you worked with other people to achieve something

   You should say: what you were trying to achieve; who you worked with; what your role was — and explain how working together affected the result.

6. 6

   Describe an experience that changed the way you think

   You should say: what the experience was; when it happened; what you thought before it — and explain how your thinking changed afterward.

7. 7

   Describe a time you had to solve a problem

   You should say: what the problem was; when it happened; what you did to solve it — and explain how you felt once it was solved.

8. 8

   Describe an experience you had that was unexpected

   You should say: what happened; when it happened; where you were — and explain why it was unexpected.