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IELTS Speaking Part 2

IELTS cue cards with Part 3 questions (page 8)

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 →

351. Describe a mistake you made.

You should say:
  • what the mistake was
  • when and where it happened
  • what you did after you noticed it
  • and explain how you felt about the mistake
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. How do people often react when they make a small mistake at work or school?
  2. Why do some people find it hard to admit a mistake?
  3. Do people learn more from mistakes or from success?
  4. How can schools and workplaces help people learn from mistakes?
  5. Are people today more accepting of mistakes than people in the past?
  6. How might people's attitudes to mistakes change in the future?

352. Describe a game you played when you were younger.

You should say:
  • what the game was
  • where and when you played it
  • who you played it with
  • and explain why you remember this game
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What games do children often play today?
  2. How are traditional games different from digital games?
  3. Why do many children enjoy playing games on screens?
  4. What do adults often do in their free time?
  5. How has technology changed the way people spend their free time?
  6. How might people's leisure activities change in the future?

353. Describe something interesting you listened to on a smartphone.

You should say:
  • What it was
  • When and where you listened to it
  • Why you chose to listen to it
  • and explain what you thought of it
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What kinds of audio do people often listen to on their smartphones?
  2. Where do people usually listen to audio on their phones?
  3. Do people listen to more audio now than in the past? Why?
  4. What are some good and bad effects of listening to audio on smartphones?
  5. Why are some people choosing phone audio instead of radio or other media?
  6. How might the way people listen to audio change in the future?

354. Describe a gift you gave to someone who has a pet.

You should say:
  • who you gave it to
  • what the gift was
  • when you gave it
  • and explain why you chose it
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What kinds of things do people buy for their pets?
  2. Where do people usually buy these things?
  3. Why might some people spend a lot of money on pet products?
  4. How can pets be helpful to people in everyday life?
  5. Are pets more common in towns or in the countryside? Why?
  6. How might people's attitudes towards pets change in the future?

355. Describe a time you watched someone play a game.

You should say:
  • Who you watched
  • Where you were
  • What game they played
  • and explain what you thought about watching them
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What games do people often enjoy watching?
  2. Why might people like watching someone else play a game?
  3. How is watching a game different for children and adults?
  4. How have phones and computers changed the way people play games?
  5. What good and bad effects can games have on people's free time?
  6. How might games and the way people watch them change in the future?

356. Describe a film or TV programme about an animal that you watched.

You should say:
  • what it was
  • where and when you watched it
  • what happened in it
  • and explain why you remember it
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What kinds of animals are often shown in films or TV programmes?
  2. Why do many people enjoy stories about animals?
  3. Are animal stories different now from stories in the past?
  4. How can pets help people in their daily lives?
  5. Why do some families have pets while other families do not?
  6. How might people's relationships with animals change in the future?

357. Describe a time when you found it easy to talk to someone new.

You should say:
  • who the person was
  • where you met
  • what you talked about
  • and explain why it was easy to talk to them
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. Where do people often start talking to someone they do not know?
  2. Is it easier for children or adults to talk to new people?
  3. Why do some people find it hard to start a conversation?
  4. How do phones affect the way people speak face to face?
  5. Is it easier to get to know someone online or in person?
  6. How might the way people meet and talk change in the future?

358. Describe someone you know who works for themselves.

You should say:
  • who the person is
  • what kind of work they do
  • where and when they do this work
  • and explain what you think about their work
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What kinds of jobs can people do for themselves?
  2. How is working for yourself different from working for a company?
  3. Why do some people choose to work for themselves?
  4. How can small businesses help people in a local area?
  5. Why can it be hard for small businesses to compete with large companies?
  6. How might small businesses change in the future?

359. Describe a time when you found a new way to do a task.

You should say:
  • What the task was
  • Where and when you did it
  • What new way you used
  • and explain how you felt about the result
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What tasks do people often try to do in a new way at work?
  2. How can a new idea make a job easier?
  3. Do young people and older people have different ways of solving work problems?
  4. Why do some people find it hard to accept new ideas?
  5. How can schools help people become more creative?
  6. What kinds of new ideas may be important for society in the future?

360. Describe a school day you remember well.

You should say:
  • where you were
  • what you did that day
  • who you spent the day with
  • and explain why you remember that day
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What activities do children usually do during a school day?
  2. How are school days today different from school days in the past?
  3. Why do schools have regular routines?
  4. What kinds of things can adults learn after they finish school?
  5. Why do some people have more chances to study than others?
  6. How might technology change education in the future?

361. Describe a time when you studied while you were also working.

You should say:
  • when this happened
  • what you were studying
  • how you managed your time
  • and explain how you felt about working and studying at the same time
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What kinds of courses do adults often take while they have a job?
  2. How can people find enough time for both work and study?
  3. Is it easier for adults to study now than it was in the past?
  4. Why do some adults have fewer chances to continue their education?
  5. How can employers help workers continue their education?
  6. What changes might there be in adult education in the future?

362. Describe a piece of advice someone gave you that you still remember.

You should say:
  • who gave you the advice
  • when you heard it
  • what the advice was
  • and explain why you still remember it
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. Who do people usually ask for advice?
  2. What kinds of advice do adults often give young people?
  3. How can good advice help people make choices?
  4. Why do some words stay in people's memories for a long time?
  5. How has technology changed the way people remember advice?
  6. In the future, will people depend more on technology or on their own memory? Why?

363. Describe a person you learned something from by watching them.

You should say:
  • Who this person was
  • Where you watched them
  • What you learned from them
  • and explain how this lesson has helped you
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What kinds of things can children learn by watching adults?
  2. What skills can people learn by watching others at work?
  3. Is it easier to learn by watching someone or by listening to instructions?
  4. Who can be a good role model for people in a community?
  5. How have role models changed compared with the past?
  6. How might online videos affect the way people learn from others in the future?

364. Describe a piece of homework or schoolwork you remember doing.

You should say:
  • what the task was
  • when you did it
  • how you completed it
  • and explain why you remember it
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. Why do schools give students homework?
  2. What kinds of homework do children often do?
  3. How is homework different for young children and older students?
  4. How can homework help students learn?
  5. Should all children have the same amount of homework?
  6. How might homework change in the future?

365. Describe a film or TV programme you remember watching.

You should say:
  • what it was about
  • when you watched it
  • who you watched it with
  • and explain why you remember it
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What kinds of films do people enjoy watching?
  2. Do many people watch films at home?
  3. How are films today different from films in the past?
  4. Why do some people remember films for a long time?
  5. Do people remember stories better when they see them or hear them?
  6. How might new technology change the way people remember films?

366. Describe a time when you had to follow a rule about using a smartphone.

You should say:
  • when and where it happened
  • what the rule was
  • what you did
  • and explain how you felt about the rule
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What rules about smartphone use do people often see in public places?
  2. Why do some public places ask people to put their phones away?
  3. Are smartphone rules in public places stricter now than in the past?
  4. What rules about smartphone use are common in workplaces?
  5. Why do some employers limit phone use during work?
  6. How might rules about smartphone use at work change in the future?

367. Describe a school event you attended.

You should say:
  • - when and where it happened
  • - who you went with
  • - what happened at the event
  • and explain why you remember it.
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What kinds of events do schools often hold?
  2. Why do schools invite families to some events?
  3. Are school events different now from those in the past?
  4. How can school events help people feel part of a community?
  5. Why might some schools hold more events than others?
  6. How do you think school events may change in the future?

368. Describe a person you know about who made a hobby into a job.

You should say:
  • who the person is
  • what the person's hobby was
  • how the person made it a job
  • and explain what you think about this change
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What hobbies do people often turn into jobs?
  2. What can be difficult about earning money from a hobby?
  3. Are people more likely to make a job from a hobby now than in the past?
  4. What kinds of jobs can people do from home?
  5. How is working for a large company different from working alone?
  6. How might technology change the way people start businesses in the future?

369. Describe a change you made to the way you use your smartphone.

You should say:
  • what your old habit was
  • when you changed it
  • what you do differently now
  • and explain why you made this change
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. How do people use smartphones in their daily lives?
  2. Do younger and older people use smartphones in the same way?
  3. Why do many people spend a lot of time on their smartphones?
  4. How do families use smartphones to stay in touch?
  5. How have smartphones changed the way people talk face to face?
  6. Will online communication become more common in the future? Why?

370. Describe a time when you bought a handmade item.

You should say:
  • what the item was
  • where you saw it
  • why you decided to buy it
  • and explain how you felt about buying something made by hand
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. Why do some people like buying handmade items?
  2. Are handmade items different from things made in factories?
  3. How can buying handmade items help the people who make them?
  4. What can make a small business selling handmade items successful?
  5. Why do some small businesses find it hard to compete with large companies?
  6. In the future, will more people buy handmade products? Why or why not?

371. Describe a time when you listened carefully to someone.

You should say:
  • who the person was
  • where you were
  • what the person talked about
  • and explain why you listened carefully
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. In what situations do people need to listen carefully?
  2. How is listening face-to-face different from listening on the phone?
  3. Why do some people find it hard to listen to others?
  4. How can schools help children become better listeners?
  5. Do people listen to each other more or less than in the past? Why?
  6. How might technology change the way people communicate in the future?

372. Describe a time when you tried to remember someone's name.

You should say:
  • who the person was
  • where you met them
  • what you did to remember the name
  • and explain how you felt
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. Why do people sometimes forget names?
  2. What can people do to remember a new person's name?
  3. Is it important for people to remember the names of others?
  4. How do phones and computers help people remember information?
  5. Do people rely on technology more than they did in the past?
  6. In the future, could technology change the way people remember things?

373. Describe a time when you recommended a product to someone.

You should say:
  • what the product was
  • who you recommended it to
  • why you liked it
  • and explain how the person reacted
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. Why do people ask friends or family for advice about products?
  2. Are recommendations from people more trusted than advertisements?
  3. Why do some products become popular through word of mouth?
  4. How can businesses find out what customers want?
  5. Is social media more useful than television for promoting products?
  6. How might businesses promote their products in the future?

374. Describe an animal that helps a person.

You should say:
  • what kind of animal it is
  • who it helps
  • what it does to help
  • and explain why this help is important
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What kinds of animals help people in everyday life?
  2. How can an animal help a person with a disability?
  3. Do animals help people in different ways now than in the past?
  4. Why do some people choose to keep pets?
  5. What problems can happen when people are not ready to care for a pet?
  6. How might people's lives with pets change in the future?

375. Describe a time when you used a smartphone to arrange a meeting with other people.

You should say:
  • When it happened
  • Who you arranged to meet
  • How you used your smartphone
  • and explain why using your smartphone was helpful
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. How do people use smartphones to arrange meetings?
  2. Is it easier to make plans now than it was in the past?
  3. Why do people sometimes change their plans at the last minute?
  4. Where do people often meet their friends or family?
  5. Why is meeting people face to face important?
  6. Do you think people will meet in person less often in the future?

376. Describe a photograph of a pet that you remember seeing.

You should say:
  • Where and when you saw it
  • What the pet looked like
  • What was happening in the photograph
  • and explain why you remember this photograph
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. Why do people take photographs of their pets?
  2. Where do people often share photographs of pets?
  3. Are photographs of pets more popular now than they were in the past?
  4. Why do some families choose to keep pets?
  5. How can pets affect life in a neighbourhood?
  6. Do you think more people will keep pets in the future?

377. Describe a library you have visited.

You should say:
  • Where the library was
  • When you went there
  • What you did there
  • and explain why the library was useful or important to you
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What services do public libraries offer?
  2. How are libraries different from online sources of information?
  3. Why can libraries be important places for a community?
  4. What places help adults learn outside schools?
  5. Do people have more ways to learn now than in the past?
  6. How might public learning services change in the future?

378. Describe a gift you chose for someone.

You should say:
  • Who you chose it for
  • What the gift was
  • Why you chose it
  • and explain how the person reacted
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What gifts do people often give for birthdays?
  2. Why do people enjoy receiving gifts?
  3. Are handmade gifts as popular as shop-bought gifts?
  4. How can craft workers sell their products to more people?
  5. Why are some traditional crafts becoming less common?
  6. What role might traditional crafts have in society in the future?

379. Describe a time when being outdoors affected your mood or behaviour.

You should say:
  • when and where it happened
  • what you were doing
  • who you were with
  • and explain how being outdoors affected you
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What outdoor places do people often visit to relax?
  2. How can a walk outside change how people feel?
  3. Do people feel better in parks than in busy streets?
  4. Why do some people choose to stay indoors when the weather is good?
  5. How can the design of a town affect people's daily behaviour?
  6. In the future, will people spend more time outside or at home? Why?

380. Describe a pet you know that helps a person.

You should say:
  • what kind of animal it is
  • where you saw it
  • who it helps and what it does
  • and explain why it is helpful
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. How can pets help people in their daily lives?
  2. Which people may get the most help from having a pet?
  3. Are pets as helpful as other kinds of support for people?
  4. What can people in a community do to help animals?
  5. Why do some people find it hard to care for a pet properly?
  6. How might the way people care for pets change in the future?

381. Describe a time when you played a game with people who were much older or younger than you.

You should say:
  • where you were
  • who you played with
  • what game you played
  • and explain how you felt about playing with them
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What games do people of different ages often play together?
  2. Where do families or groups usually play games together?
  3. Are games for older adults different from games for young people?
  4. Why can playing games help people of different ages talk to each other?
  5. How has the way people of different ages spend leisure time changed?
  6. Will games bring people of different ages together more or less in the future?

382. Describe a time you chose a game for a group of people.

You should say:
  • When and where it happened
  • Who was there
  • What game you chose
  • and explain why you chose it and how people reacted
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What games do adults often play together?
  2. Where do people usually play games in groups?
  3. What are some good things about playing games with other people?
  4. How are games played in groups different from games played alone?
  5. Why do some people prefer games to other kinds of leisure activities?
  6. How might people’s leisure activities change in the future?

383. Describe a time you played a game with people of different ages.

You should say:
  • Where and when you played it
  • Who played the game
  • What the game was like
  • and explain how people felt about playing together
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What kinds of games can people of different ages play together?
  2. Are games for mixed-age groups different from games for people of the same age?
  3. Why can games help people of different ages communicate?
  4. How do people use games to learn useful skills?
  5. Do adults and children use games in different ways?
  6. How might games change people's lives in the future?

384. Describe a time when you recognized someone you had not seen for a long time.

You should say:
  • who the person was
  • where you saw them
  • how you recognized them
  • and explain how you felt when you saw them
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. Is it easy for people to recognize faces in a crowd?
  2. Do adults or children usually recognize people more easily?
  3. Why are some people better at remembering faces than others?
  4. How do phones help people keep information about friends and family?
  5. Can using phones too much make people remember less by themselves?
  6. How might technology change the way people remember others in the future?

385. Describe a time you saw a pet being trained.

You should say:
  • where and when you saw it
  • what kind of pet it was
  • what the pet was learning to do
  • and explain what you thought about the training
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What kinds of pets do people commonly train?
  2. Are some pets easier to train than others?
  3. Why is good training important for pets and their owners?
  4. Where can people get help with training their pets?
  5. Should towns offer low-cost pet-training classes?
  6. How might people's ideas about training pets change in the future?

386. Describe a talk or presentation you heard.

You should say:
  • where and when you heard it
  • who gave the talk
  • what the talk was about
  • and explain what you remember about it
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What kinds of talks do people enjoy listening to?
  2. How are talks different from videos people watch online?
  3. Why do some speakers use stories or examples in their talks?
  4. Where can adults go to learn new things in their community?
  5. Why do some people have more chances to learn as adults than others?
  6. How might adult learning change in the future?

387. Describe a place where you shared a space with other people.

You should say:
  • Where the place was
  • Who you shared it with
  • What people did there
  • and explain how you felt about sharing the space
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What kinds of places do people often share with strangers?
  2. What problems can happen in shared places?
  3. How are shared places different now from the past?
  4. Why do people need personal space?
  5. Why do some people follow rules in shared places while others do not?
  6. How might shared places change in the future?

388. Describe a souvenir you bought on a trip.

You should say:
  • what the souvenir was
  • where and when you bought it
  • why you chose it
  • and explain why you remember it
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What kinds of souvenirs do visitors often buy?
  2. Why do people like to take home something from a trip?
  3. How have the souvenirs people buy changed over time?
  4. Why is it important to keep traditional crafts alive?
  5. What difficulties can people face when they make and sell traditional crafts?
  6. How might traditional crafts change in the future?

389. Describe a time you visited an animal centre.

You should say:
  • When and where you went
  • Who you went with
  • What you saw or learned there
  • and explain what you thought of the visit
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What kinds of services do animal centres offer to the public?
  2. How are animal centres in towns different from those in the countryside?
  3. Why do some communities give money or time to animal centres?
  4. Why do many people think pets are important in family life?
  5. How have people's attitudes towards keeping pets changed over time?
  6. What changes might there be in the way society cares for pets in the future?

390. Describe a day when bad weather affected your plans.

You should say:
  • where and when it happened
  • what the weather was like
  • what happened to your plans
  • and explain how you felt about the experience
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What problems can bad weather cause for people in a town or city?
  2. How can neighbours help each other during a storm?
  3. Are communities better prepared for storms now than they were in the past?
  4. Why do some places experience more serious storms than others?
  5. How can people balance the need for new buildings with the risk of bad weather?
  6. What changes might people make in the future to deal with more extreme weather?

391. Describe a time when you shared a hot drink with other people.

You should say:
  • when it happened
  • where you were
  • who you were with and what you drank
  • and explain why you enjoyed or remember this time
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. Where do people often go to meet and have a drink?
  2. How are cafés different from having a drink at home?
  3. Why can cafés and similar places be important for a community?
  4. What things influence whether people choose tea, coffee, or another drink?
  5. Why have people's choices of drinks changed over time?
  6. How might people's drink habits and meeting places change in the future?

392. Describe a time when you received good service from a shop, restaurant, or other business.

You should say:
  • where you were
  • what you needed help with
  • what the worker did
  • and explain how you felt about the service
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What kinds of help do customers often need in shops?
  2. How can shop workers make customers feel welcome?
  3. Why do some businesses give better service than others?
  4. What are the differences between speaking to a worker and using a self-service machine?
  5. Why are more businesses using technology to help customers?
  6. How might customer service change in the future?

393. Describe a meal you enjoyed eating.

You should say:
  • what the meal was
  • where and when you ate it
  • who you ate it with
  • and explain why you enjoyed this meal
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What kinds of food do people often grow on farms?
  2. How is food from a farm different from food made in a factory?
  3. Why do some farms use machines instead of doing all the work by hand?
  4. Why do people choose to buy food from local farms?
  5. How can people's food choices affect farming?
  6. How might farming change in the future?

394. Describe a storm you remember experiencing.

You should say:
  • When and where it happened
  • What the weather was like
  • What you did during the storm
  • and explain how you felt about the experience
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. How can people prepare for a storm?
  2. What should people do if a storm becomes dangerous?
  3. Do people in cities and small towns prepare for storms in different ways?
  4. How can storms affect a whole community?
  5. Why do some communities recover from storms more quickly than others?
  6. How might communities prepare for storms in the future?

395. Describe a time you visited a health centre or clinic.

You should say:
  • when you went
  • why you went there
  • what happened during the visit
  • and explain how you felt about the visit
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. How do people usually get medical help when they feel unwell?
  2. Are health centres easier to use in towns or in villages?
  3. Why do some people wait before seeing a doctor?
  4. Where do people learn about common illnesses?
  5. How has the way people get health advice changed over time?
  6. What could public services do to help people make healthier choices in the future?

396. Describe a film or television programme that you watched recently.

You should say:
  • What it was about
  • Where or how you watched it
  • Who you watched it with, if anyone
  • and explain what you liked or disliked about it
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What kinds of films and television programmes are popular with adults?
  2. How have people's viewing habits changed in recent years?
  3. Why do some people prefer watching films at home while others prefer a cinema?
  4. How can films and television affect the way people think about social issues?
  5. Why do people from different age groups sometimes enjoy different kinds of programmes?
  6. How might film and television change in the future?

397. Describe a time when you visited a health centre, clinic, or doctor's office.

You should say:
  • When you went there
  • Why you went there
  • Who went with you
  • and explain how you felt about the visit
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What kinds of health services do people use most often?
  2. How can people in small towns get care like people in big cities?
  3. Why do some people wait a long time before seeing a health worker?
  4. Where do people usually get advice about health?
  5. How can schools and workplaces help people stay well?
  6. How might public health advice change in the future?

398. Describe a household appliance you often use.

You should say:
  • what the appliance is
  • when and where you use it
  • what you used to do before you had it
  • and explain how it helps people in daily life
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What household appliances do people use most often?
  2. How have appliances changed the way families share housework?
  3. Why do some people prefer newer appliances while others keep older ones?
  4. What do people usually do when an appliance stops working?
  5. Why do many people replace appliances instead of repairing them?
  6. How might household appliances change in the future?

399. Describe a journey when you used audio to pass the time.

You should say:
  • Where you were going
  • What you listened to
  • Who you were with
  • and explain how it affected the journey
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What kinds of audio do people often listen to when they travel?
  2. Why might people choose a podcast or radio instead of reading during a journey?
  3. Do younger and older people usually listen to different kinds of audio?
  4. How can radio and podcasts help people learn about news or new ideas?
  5. Why do some people prefer listening to audio alone rather than sharing the experience?
  6. How might the way people listen to audio change in the future?

400. Describe a time you did some gardening or helped care for plants.

You should say:
  • where and when it happened
  • what you did
  • who was with you
  • and explain how you felt about it
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. Why do some people enjoy growing plants?
  2. How can gardens be useful in towns and cities?
  3. Should schools teach children how to grow food?
  4. How are small farms different from large farms?
  5. Why do some young people choose not to work in farming?
  6. How might farming change 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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IELTS cue cards with Part 3 questions (page 8) | ielts.coach