IELTS Speaking Part 2

IELTS cue cards with Part 3 questions (page 10)

500 practice cue cards in the real Part 2 format, each with its Part 3 discussion questions. Give yourself one minute to make notes, then talk for two minutes, and record yourself if you can.

Want feedback on your talk? In the app you speak (or type) your answer and get a band for each of the four criteria in about 20 seconds. How to answer Part 2 →

451. Describe an outdoor activity you enjoyed doing with other people.

You should say:

what the activity was
where and when you did it
who you did it with
and explain why you enjoyed the activity

Part 3 questions (6)

What outdoor activities are popular with people in your area?
What benefits can people get from doing outdoor activities together?
Do people today spend more time outdoors or indoors than in the past?
How can public green spaces encourage people to spend time outdoors?
Why might some communities have better access to green spaces than others?
How do you think the design of outdoor spaces in cities will change in the future?

452. Describe a documentary or educational programme you watched that taught you something interesting.

You should say:

what the programme was about
when and where you watched it
what you learned from it
and explain why you found it interesting

Part 3 questions (6)

What kinds of documentaries are popular with viewers?
How are documentaries different from fictional films?
Why do some people prefer short online videos to longer documentaries?
How can museums help people understand subjects such as fossils?
Why are people interested in ancient animals and how they lived?
How might technology change the way people learn about prehistoric life in the future?

453. Describe a time when you lived away from your usual home for a period of time.

You should say:

when and where this happened
why you stayed there
what your daily life was like
and explain how you felt about living away from home

Part 3 questions (6)

What can be difficult for people when they first arrive in a new place?
How can local people help newcomers feel welcome?
Why is it important for people to feel that they belong to a community?
What are some common reasons why people move to a different area?
How can migration affect the communities people leave and the communities they join?
Do you think more people will live away from their place of birth in the future? Why?

454. Describe a tradition you take part in during a festival or holiday.

You should say:

what the tradition is
when it takes place
what people do
and explain why this tradition is important to you

Part 3 questions (6)

What kinds of traditions do people commonly follow in their communities?
Why do families and communities pass traditions on to younger people?
How can traditions change as society becomes more modern?
What benefits do public holidays bring to workers and communities?
How might public holidays affect people in office jobs differently from people in service jobs?
How do you think societies will mark public holidays in the future?

455. Describe a piece of advice about exercise that you remember.

You should say:

what the advice was
who gave it to you
when or where you heard it
and explain whether you think it is useful

Part 3 questions (6)

Where do people usually get advice about exercise?
What makes exercise advice easy for people to follow?
How can people check whether fitness advice online is trustworthy?
What can local communities do to help people exercise more?
Why do some people have fewer chances to take part in sport or exercise?
How might technology change the way people exercise in the future?

456. Describe a time when you spent a period living away from your usual home.

You should say:

where you stayed
why you stayed there
what your daily life was like
and explain how you felt about living there

Part 3 questions (6)

What are some common reasons why people move to a different area?
How might moving for work be different from moving to be closer to family?
Why do you think some people are more willing to move than others?
What can local communities do to help newcomers feel welcome?
How can moving to a new area affect both newcomers and long-term residents?
How might people’s reasons for relocating change in the future?

457. Describe a plant or flower you have looked after.

You should say:

what the plant or flower was
where you kept or grew it
how you looked after it
and explain how you felt about looking after it

Part 3 questions (6)

What kinds of plants do people commonly grow at home?
Why do some people enjoy looking after plants?
Is it easier to grow plants in a house or an apartment?
How can public gardens and parks benefit local communities?
Why might some neighbourhoods have more green spaces than others?
Do you think cities will create more green spaces in the future? Why or why not?

458. Describe a time when you made a copy of an important file or document.

You should say:

what the file or document was
why you needed a copy
how and where you kept the copy
and explain how you felt about having it

Part 3 questions (6)

What kinds of information do people often make copies of?
How has digital storage changed the way people keep important records compared with paper?
Why is it important for organisations to keep copies of their information?
How can schools and workplaces help people learn to protect important information?
Why might some people avoid storing files online?
How might the ways people protect information change in the future?

459. Describe a tradition you follow at a particular time of year.

You should say:

When it takes place
Who you do it with
What you usually do
and explain why this tradition is important to you

Part 3 questions (6)

What traditions do people commonly follow with their families?
How do adults pass traditions on to younger people?
What benefits can shared traditions bring to a community?
How are traditions today different from those in the past?
Why do some traditions change while others stay the same?
How might technology affect the way people celebrate in the future?

460. Describe a plant you have grown or helped to care for.

You should say:

what kind of plant it was
where you kept or grew it
what you did to care for it
and explain how you felt about caring for it

Part 3 questions (6)

Why do some people enjoy growing plants at home?
What difficulties do people often have when caring for plants?
Are children today less likely than previous generations to learn how to grow plants?
How can parks and gardens benefit people living nearby?
Why do some towns have more green spaces than others?
How might the role of public green spaces change in the future?

461. Describe an old object that you have seen and found interesting.

You should say:

what the object is
where you saw it
what you know about its age or history
and explain why it interested you

Part 3 questions (6)

Why do some people keep old objects in their homes?
What kinds of old objects are popular with collectors?
How are old objects displayed differently in homes and museums?
Why should societies protect objects that tell us about the past?
Why are some people more interested in preserving old things than others?
How might technology change the way people study and protect old objects in the future?

462. Describe a time when you wrote an important message.

You should say:

When you wrote it
Who the message was for
What you wanted to say
and explain why the message was important

Part 3 questions (6)

What types of messages do people usually write in their daily lives?
What can make the meaning of a written message unclear?
Why is it important for people to write clearly at work or in education?
How has technology changed the way people keep in touch?
Do people communicate differently online than they do face to face? Why?
How might communication technology affect relationships in the future?

463. Describe a busy day you remember, at work, in your studies, or in another part of your life.

You should say:

When it was
What you needed to do
How you managed your time
and explain how you felt at the end of the day

Part 3 questions (6)

What kinds of jobs often require people to manage several tasks at once?
Why do some workers find it difficult to meet deadlines?
How might technology change the way people manage their work in the future?
What makes it difficult for people to balance work and their personal lives?
Why do some employers offer flexible working hours?
How might people's ideas about work-life balance change in the future?

464. Describe a busy day that you remember.

You should say:

when it was
where you were
what you had to do
and explain how you felt at the end of the day

Part 3 questions (6)

What kinds of things can make a person's day very busy?
How do people usually plan their time when they have many things to do?
Why do some people find it difficult to manage their time?
How has technology changed the way people organise their work and personal lives?
What problems can happen when people have too little free time?
Do you think people will have more or less free time in the future?

465. Describe a gift you chose for someone to mark an important occasion.

You should say:

what the occasion was
who the gift was for
how you chose the gift
and explain why it was suitable for the occasion

Part 3 questions (6)

Why do people give gifts on important occasions?
What kinds of gifts are popular with adults?
How do people choose a suitable gift for someone?
How has gift giving changed compared with the past?
Why do some people feel pressure to spend a lot on gifts?
How might technology change the way people give gifts in the future?

466. Describe a time when you used public Wi-Fi and thought about whether it was safe.

You should say:

When and where you used it
Why you needed to go online
What you did while connected
and explain how safe you felt using it

Part 3 questions (6)

What do people commonly use public Wi-Fi for?
Why might people worry about safety when using a public network?
Who should be responsible for protecting users of public Wi-Fi?
How has access to the internet in public places changed over time?
Why do many businesses and public services offer free internet access?
How might public internet services become safer in the future?

467. Describe someone you know who moved to a different area to live.

You should say:

who the person is
when and why they moved
what they found easy or difficult about the move
and explain how the move changed their life

Part 3 questions (6)

What are some common reasons why people move to another area?
Why might people move from a small town to a large city?
How can work or education affect where people choose to live?
How can a large number of new residents change a local community?
How might moving affect relationships between family members?
How do you think people’s reasons for moving will change in the future?

468. Describe a message you wrote that was important to you.

You should say:

When you wrote it
Who the message was for
What you wanted to say
and explain why the message was important

Part 3 questions (6)

What kinds of written messages do people commonly send in their daily lives?
Why might people choose to send a message instead of making a phone call?
How has the way people write messages changed compared with the past?
In what situations can knowing another language be especially useful for adults?
How can language differences affect people's access to work or public services?
As translation technology improves, will people still need to learn other languages? Why?

469. Describe a time when you learned a useful new word or phrase.

You should say:

what the word or phrase was
where you heard or read it
how you learned its meaning
and explain why it has been useful to you

Part 3 questions (6)

What are some common ways adults learn new words?
What can make it easier for people to remember new vocabulary?
How does learning a language as an adult compare with learning one as a child?
How has technology changed the way people learn languages?
Why do some languages become more widely used than others?
How might communication between people change in the future?

470. Describe a person you know who has lived in different places.

You should say:

who the person is
where they have lived
why they moved
and explain how living in different places has affected their life

Part 3 questions (6)

Why do people move to a different area?
What kinds of work or study opportunities might encourage people to move?
Do you think people move more often now than in the past? Why?
What difficulties can people face when they settle in a new community?
How can local communities help newcomers feel welcome?
How might movement between areas change communities in the future?

471. Describe an improvement to an outdoor place in your area.

You should say:

where the place is
what it was like before
what improvement was made
and explain why this change is useful to local people

Part 3 questions (6)

What do people commonly do in public outdoor spaces?
What features make an outdoor space comfortable for people of different ages?
How might people use outdoor spaces in a large city differently from those in a small town?
Why do some neighbourhoods have more green spaces than others?
Who should be responsible for improving shared outdoor areas: local authorities or local residents?
How might the design of parks and other outdoor spaces change in the future?

472. Describe a game or sport you enjoyed playing when you were younger.

You should say:

what the game or sport was
where and with whom you played it
what you liked about it
and explain why you remember it

Part 3 questions (6)

What kinds of games do children commonly play together today?
Why do some children prefer team games while others choose individual activities?
How have children's games changed compared with the past?
What can local communities do to make sport easier for people to access?
Why do some adults take part in sport regularly while others do not?
How might technology change the way people take part in sport in the future?

473. Describe a phrase or expression you learned that was useful.

You should say:

when and where you learned it
what the phrase means
who or what helped you learn it
and explain why it was useful

Part 3 questions (6)

What are some common ways adults learn a new language?
What difficulties do people often have when learning new words or phrases?
How can schools and workplaces make language learning more effective?
How does speaking more than one language benefit communities?
Why do some languages become more widely used than others?
How might technology change the way people learn and use languages in the future?

474. Describe a place where you can concentrate on a task.

You should say:

where the place is
what you usually do there
what the place is like
and explain why you can concentrate there

Part 3 questions (6)

What features make a workplace a good place to concentrate?
How can employers help people focus on their work?
How have workplaces changed compared with the past?
Why has working from home become more common?
What are some benefits and difficulties of working from home for society?
How do you think workplaces may change in the future?

475. Describe a time you took steps to make a device safer to use.

You should say:

what device it was
when and where you did this
what steps you took
and explain why you decided to protect the device

Part 3 questions (6)

What simple steps do people take to protect their phones or computers?
Why do some people forget to update the software on their devices?
Do older and younger people protect their devices in different ways?
Where should people learn about staying safe when using digital devices?
Why do some people take digital safety more seriously than others?
How might the way people protect their devices change in the future?

476. Describe a time when you learned something surprising about the natural world.

You should say:

when and where you learned it
what you learned
who or what helped you learn it
and explain why it stayed in your memory

Part 3 questions (6)

Where do people usually learn about dinosaurs and other ancient animals?
Why are many children interested in dinosaurs?
How do people today learn about ancient animals differently from people in the past?
What can scientists learn from fossils?
Why are some fossil sites at risk of being damaged?
How might new technology change what people know about life on Earth in the future?

477. Describe a large model or replica that you saw in a public place.

You should say:

what the model or replica showed
where you saw it
what you noticed about it
and explain why it made an impression on you

Part 3 questions (6)

What kinds of large models or replicas can people see in public places?
Why do some public places display models of animals or other objects?
How might people's reactions to a model of a dinosaur differ from their reactions to a model of a modern animal?
How do children usually learn about animals that lived a long time ago?
Why might seeing a model help people understand the past better than reading about it?
How could technology change the way people learn about extinct animals in the future?

478. Describe a time when you watched a fireworks display.

You should say:

where and when you watched it
who you were with
what you remember about the display
and explain why it was memorable

Part 3 questions (6)

What makes fireworks popular at public events?
How is watching fireworks in a crowd different from watching them on a screen?
Why might some communities choose not to have fireworks displays?
What kinds of public events bring different age groups together?
Why are shared celebrations important for communities?
How might public celebrations change in the future?

479. Describe a time when you helped to make an outdoor place more pleasant.

You should say:

where the place was
what you did to improve it
who helped you
and explain how you felt about the experience

Part 3 questions (6)

What kinds of activities do people usually do in public parks?
How might the ways families and older people use parks differ?
Why do some neighbourhoods have more community activities in parks than others?
Why should city planners include parks and gardens in their plans?
What problems can arise when a city has too little green space?
How might the role of parks change as cities grow in the future?

480. Describe an occasion when you noticed an animal or bird in a garden or park.

You should say:

where and when you saw it
what the animal or bird was doing
what you were doing at the time
and explain why the experience stayed in your memory

Part 3 questions (6)

What kinds of wildlife are commonly found in gardens and parks?
Why do many people enjoy seeing animals in shared green spaces?
How can contact with wildlife affect children as they grow up?
How might the wildlife found in city parks differ from that in green spaces outside cities?
Why can it be difficult to balance building new homes with protecting natural habitats?
How do you think cities will make space for wildlife in the future?

481. Describe a piece of technology or equipment that has made a task easier for you.

You should say:

what the technology or equipment is
when and where you use it
what task it helps you with
and explain how it has made that task easier

Part 3 questions (6)

What kinds of technology are commonly used in workplaces today?
Why do many businesses invest in new technology?
How have workplace tools changed compared with the past?
Which types of jobs have been most affected by technology?
Why do some workers benefit more than others from new technology?
How might technology change the kinds of jobs people do in the future?

482. Describe a time when you helped someone who was new to a workplace, school, or community feel welcome.

You should say:

Who the person was
How they came to be new to that place
What you did to help them
and explain how the person responded

Part 3 questions (6)

What practical difficulties do people often face when they arrive in a new community?
How can workplaces or local groups help newcomers feel included?
Do newcomers tend to settle in more easily when they already know someone in the community?
How can migration change the customs and daily life of a community?
Why do some communities welcome newcomers more readily than others?
How might migration affect communities in the future?

483. Describe a time when you misunderstood what someone meant.

You should say:

When it happened
Who was involved
What you misunderstood
and explain how you responded

Part 3 questions (6)

In what situations do misunderstandings between people most often happen?
How can differences in age or communication style lead to misunderstandings?
Do you think people are becoming better at resolving misunderstandings, or worse?
How have messaging apps changed the way people communicate in daily life?
How does online communication compare with face-to-face conversation when people are trying to understand each other?
How might advances in technology affect communication between people in the future?

484. Describe an occasion when you spent time outdoors for pleasure.

You should say:

when and where it happened
who you were with, if anyone
what you did there
and explain why you enjoyed being outdoors

Part 3 questions (6)

What kinds of outdoor activities are popular with adults?
How do people’s experiences of exercising outdoors compare with exercising indoors?
Why do some people prefer spending their free time outdoors?
What role do parks and other public spaces play in people’s lives?
Why might some communities have less access to pleasant outdoor spaces than others?
How might towns and cities provide better opportunities for outdoor recreation in the future?

485. Describe an event you attended that took place in a garden or park.

You should say:

where and when it took place
what kind of event it was
what happened during the event
and explain how you felt about attending it

Part 3 questions (6)

What kinds of events are commonly held in parks or gardens?
Why might organisers choose an outdoor space instead of an indoor venue?
How do outdoor events compare with indoor events for people of different ages?
How can communities hold events in parks without damaging these spaces?
Should local authorities set limits on the number or size of events held in public parks?
How might the role of parks as places for public events change in the future?

486. Describe a time when someone gave you useful advice about staying safe online.

You should say:

when this happened
who gave you the advice
what the advice was
and explain why it was useful

Part 3 questions (6)

At what age should children begin learning about online safety?
What are effective ways for schools to teach people to recognise online risks?
How might online safety education need to change as technology develops?
How does the way adults and younger people approach online safety differ?
Why do some people take more risks online than others?
In the future, who should have the greatest responsibility for keeping people safe online?

487. Describe a person you know who has a positive attitude towards keeping fit.

You should say:

who this person is
how you know them
what they do to stay active
and explain why you admire their attitude

Part 3 questions (6)

What qualities make someone a good role model for healthy habits?
Are adults or children more likely to be influenced by other people's attitudes to fitness?
Why do some people inspire others to take better care of their health?
How have people's attitudes towards exercise changed in recent years?
Why might some communities have fewer opportunities to keep fit than others?
How do you think people's views on fitness will change in the future?

488. Describe a time when you learned how to do something by watching a video.

You should say:

what you wanted to learn
where and when you watched the video
what made the instructions easy or difficult to follow
and explain whether the video helped you learn successfully

Part 3 questions (6)

What kinds of tasks are easiest to learn from instructional videos?
What features make a video’s instructions clear and useful?
How do people learn differently from videos and written instructions?
How can subtitles or captions make online videos more accessible?
Why can some people find it difficult to understand online instructions?
How might technology change the way people learn practical skills in the future?

489. Describe an article or online post about an unusual discovery that you found interesting.

You should say:

What the discovery was
Where you read about it
What information or details you remember
and explain why the discovery caught your attention

Part 3 questions (6)

What kinds of unusual discoveries tend to attract attention in news articles and online posts?
Why might people be especially interested in discoveries involving ancient animals or fossils?
How does reading about a discovery online differ from reading about it in a printed publication?
How can reports about scientific discoveries affect the way people understand the past?
Why do some discoveries receive much more public attention than others?
How might technology change the way discoveries are reported and understood in the future?

490. Describe a place with unusual rocks or cliffs that you have visited.

You should say:

where the place was and when you went there
who you went with
what you saw or did there
and explain why you remember this place

Part 3 questions (6)

What kinds of natural places with unusual rocks or cliffs do people enjoy visiting?
What should visitors be able to do at these places?
Why might it be difficult to balance tourism with protecting natural landmarks?
How can knowledge about rocks and geological history help people understand the age of the Earth?
Why do some people find evidence of prehistoric life more fascinating than other scientific discoveries?
How might technology change the way people learn about geological sites in the future?

491. Describe a time when you marked a personal achievement in a simple way.

You should say:

- what the achievement was
- when it happened
- how you marked it
and explain why you chose to mark it in that way

Part 3 questions (6)

What are some common ways people celebrate personal achievements?
How might people mark a major achievement differently from a small one?
Why do some people prefer a quiet celebration while others want to share the news widely?
How can public celebrations help people in a community feel connected?
Why do some celebrations remain popular across generations while others fade away?
How might the way people celebrate together change in the future?

492. Describe a time when you helped organise an event with other people.

You should say:

what the event was
who you organised it with
what you did to help prepare
and explain how the group communicated while organising it

Part 3 questions (6)

How do people usually divide tasks when they are organising an event together?
What communication problems can arise when a group is planning an event?
Why does clear communication matter when people work towards a shared goal?
How have digital tools changed the way people organise events?
Compared with face-to-face conversations, what are the advantages and disadvantages of planning through digital tools?
How might technology change the way groups communicate and organise events in the future?

493. Describe a special occasion that you celebrated outdoors.

You should say:

When it took place
Where you celebrated it
Who was there and what happened
and explain how you felt about celebrating outdoors

Part 3 questions (6)

What kinds of special occasions do people often celebrate outdoors?
Why might people choose an outdoor venue rather than a building for a celebration?
How have people’s choices of celebration venues changed over time?
How can public gardens and parks be made suitable for community events?
What difficulties can arise when large events are held in shared outdoor spaces?
In the future, how might communities balance hosting events with protecting peaceful green spaces?

494. Describe a person you know who is good at a sport or physical activity.

You should say:

how you know this person
what activity they are good at
how often they do it
and explain what you admire about their ability

Part 3 questions (6)

What qualities help people become good at a sport?
How can a coach or experienced player encourage beginners?
Do people admire athletes more for their talent or for their personal qualities?
How can successful athletes influence young people's choices?
How has social media changed the way the public views athletes?
In the future, do you think sports role models will have more influence on society, or less?

495. Describe a time when you changed the privacy settings on a website or app.

You should say:

When it happened
Which website or app it involved
What settings you changed
and explain why you decided to change them

Part 3 questions (6)

Why do some people pay more attention to their privacy settings than others?
What kinds of personal information are people most careful about sharing online?
How might people's attitudes to online privacy differ between younger and older generations?
How much responsibility should companies have for protecting the information users share?
Why might a company collect more personal data than it needs to provide a service?
How do you think online privacy will change as digital technology becomes more advanced?

496. Describe a time you helped organise an event with other people.

You should say:

What the event was
When and where it took place
What you and the other people did to prepare
and explain what you learned from working together

Part 3 questions (6)

What kinds of events are often organised by groups of people?
What helps people share tasks effectively when they are planning an event?
How has organising events in a group changed compared with the past?
How do digital tools help people coordinate plans for events?
Do online tools make group planning easier, or can they create new problems?
How might technology change the way people work together in the future?

497. Describe an interview you took part in for a job, course, or other opportunity.

You should say:

what the interview was for
where and when it took place
how you prepared for it
and explain how you felt about the experience

Part 3 questions (6)

What usually happens during a job interview?
How are online interviews different from face-to-face interviews?
What qualities can interviewers assess most effectively in a short meeting?
How do employers decide which applicant is the best fit for a position?
Why might some people find it harder than others to succeed in interviews?
How might the way people are interviewed for jobs change in the future?

498. Describe a place in your area where people gather for public events.

You should say:

Where the place is
What it looks like
What kinds of events are held there
and explain why it matters to the community

Part 3 questions (6)

What kinds of public places are commonly used for large community gatherings?
What features make a public space suitable for events attended by people of different ages?
How do places for public gatherings in large towns differ from those in smaller communities?
Why do communities organize public events to mark important occasions?
How have public celebrations changed as people's lifestyles and technology have changed?
In the future, do you think public celebrations will become more or less important to society? Why?

499. Describe a time when someone gave you useful feedback on a piece of work.

You should say:

what the work was
who gave you the feedback
what the feedback was about
and explain how you responded to it

Part 3 questions (6)

How do managers or teachers usually give feedback to people?
What are the advantages of giving feedback in person rather than in writing?
Why do some people find it difficult to accept criticism?
How does learning through practical experience compare with formal training?
Why do some workers have more opportunities to develop their skills than others?
How might workplace training change in the future?

500. Describe a community event you took part in that included activities for the public.

You should say:

- when and where it took place
- what activities people could do
- who you went with or met there
- and explain what made the event memorable for you

Part 3 questions (6)

What kinds of activities are often included in public events?
How can organisers make these activities enjoyable for people of different ages?
How have public events changed compared with those in the past?
Why do people enjoy attending events with others in their community?
How can public events help people from different backgrounds understand one another?
What role might community events play in society in the future?

Frequently asked questions

How long do I have to prepare a cue card?

One minute, with paper and a pencil for notes. Then you speak for one to two minutes, and the examiner may ask one or two short questions on the same topic.

Do I have to cover every point on the card?

It's strongly recommended. The points help you organise a two-minute talk, and covering them all shows you can develop a topic.

What if I have no experience of the topic?

You can talk about someone you know or describe something you'd like to do; the examiner is assessing your English, not the truth of the story.

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