IELTS Speaking Part 2

IELTS cue cards with Part 3 questions (page 9)

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 →

401. Describe a time when you had to protect something from bad weather.

You should say:

When it happened
What the weather was like
What you protected and what you did
and explain how you felt about the experience

Part 3 questions (6)

What do people commonly do to protect their homes from strong rain or wind?
How are newer homes different from older homes in dealing with bad weather?
Why do some people prepare for storms more than others?
How can local services warn people about dangerous weather?
Are people in towns and in the countryside affected by storms in different ways?
How might communities prepare for more extreme weather in the future?

402. Describe an item that helps you in bad weather.

You should say:

what the item is
when and where you use it
how you got it
and explain why it is useful to you

Part 3 questions (6)

What kinds of clothes do people wear in different types of weather?
Why do some people spend more money on clothes for bad weather?
How have clothes for extreme weather changed over time?
What can local communities do to help people during severe storms?
Why do some people not follow weather warnings?
How might towns prepare for severe weather in the future?

403. Describe a place where you have watched a film.

You should say:

where the place was
when you went there
what the place was like
and explain why you remember the experience

Part 3 questions (6)

What facilities do people expect to find in a modern cinema?
Do people enjoy watching films in a cinema more than at home?
Why do some cinemas find it difficult to stay open?
How have streaming services changed the way people watch films?
How can films affect the way people think about society?
What do you think will happen to cinemas in the future?

404. Describe a day when you spent most of your time indoors because of heavy rain.

You should say:

when and where it happened
who you were with
what you did indoors
and explain how you felt about spending the day inside

Part 3 questions (6)

What do people usually do for fun on rainy days?
Do families and young adults spend rainy days in different ways?
How can rainy weather affect small shops and cafés?
What help should local communities offer people during very heavy rain?
Why are some towns more affected by heavy rain than others?
How might communities prepare for heavier rainfall in the future?

405. Describe a time when a member of staff helped you use a service.

You should say:

Where you were
What service you needed
How the staff member helped you
and explain how you felt about the help

Part 3 questions (6)

What kinds of places do people often ask staff for help?
What makes a staff member helpful?
Why do some people find it difficult to ask for help?
How is getting help from a person different from getting help online?
Why do some services use fewer staff than they did in the past?
How might technology change the way people get help in the future?

406. Describe a cinema or other place where you have watched a film.

You should say:

where the place was
when you went there
what the place was like
and explain why you remember watching a film there

Part 3 questions (6)

Why do some people prefer watching films at a cinema?
What can cinemas offer that people may not get at home?
How have cinemas changed in recent years?
How does watching films with other people compare with watching them alone?
Why do some communities have more places for entertainment than others?
How might the way people watch films change in the future?

407. Describe a meal you shared with other people.

You should say:

when and where you had the meal
who you shared it with
what you ate
and explain why you remember this meal

Part 3 questions (6)

Where do people often eat together with family or friends?
Why do many people enjoy sharing meals?
How have people's eating habits changed over time?
How can schools help children learn about healthy food?
Why do some people find it difficult to eat a balanced diet?
How might people's food choices change in the future?

408. Describe a time when you asked someone for help in a public place.

You should say:

where you were
what help you needed
who helped you
and explain how you felt about the help

Part 3 questions (6)

What kinds of workers often help people in public places?
How is asking a worker for help different from asking a stranger?
Why is it important for workers in public places to communicate clearly?
Why do some people find it difficult to ask strangers for help?
Do people help strangers more often now than in the past?
How might technology change the way people get help in public places in the future?

409. Describe a time when you prepared a meal using fresh ingredients.

You should say:

when and where you prepared the meal
what ingredients you used
how you prepared the meal
and explain why you enjoyed or did not enjoy making it

Part 3 questions (6)

What kinds of food do farmers grow in your area?
How are small farms different from large farms?
What problems might farmers face in the future?
Where do many people buy their food?
How are home-cooked meals different from ready-made meals?
Why might people's food habits change in the future?

410. Describe a time a weather forecast helped you make a decision.

You should say:

when it happened
what the forecast said
what decision you made
and explain why the forecast was useful

Part 3 questions (6)

How do people usually find out what the weather will be like?
What information is most useful in a weather forecast?
How have weather forecasts changed compared with the past?
How do communities prepare for dangerous weather?
Why are some communities better prepared for severe weather than others?
How might changes in the weather affect the way communities plan for the future?

411. Describe a short break you take during the day.

You should say:

when and where you usually take it
what you do during the break
how you feel afterwards
and explain why this break is useful to you

Part 3 questions (6)

What do people usually do during short breaks at work or school?
Why do some people have tea or coffee during a break?
How have people's break habits changed in recent years?
When do people commonly offer hot drinks to visitors?
How can tea or coffee help people start a conversation?
How might people's hot-drink habits change in the future?

412. Describe a radio or podcast programme you listened to and found interesting.

You should say:

what the programme was about
when and where you listened to it
who you listened with, if anyone
and explain why you found it interesting

Part 3 questions (6)

What kinds of radio programmes or podcasts are popular with people?
How are podcasts different from traditional radio?
Why do some people prefer listening to programmes rather than watching videos?
How can radio programmes and podcasts help people learn new things?
What problems can happen when people get information from audio programmes?
How might radio and podcasts change in the future?

413. Describe a time you stayed at home because you were ill.

You should say:

when it happened
what symptoms you had
what you did while you were at home
and explain how you felt about staying at home

Part 3 questions (6)

What do workplaces usually do when workers become ill?
How are workers' choices different when they have paid sick leave?
Why might people still go to work when they feel ill?
What kinds of public health messages help people understand how illness spreads?
Are people more likely to trust health advice from doctors or online sources?
How might public health messages change in the future?

414. Describe an open place you have visited.

You should say:

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

Part 3 questions (6)

What do people usually do when they visit open spaces?
Why are parks and open areas useful for families?
How are open spaces in towns different from places in the countryside?
How does farming help people who live in rural areas?
Why do some communities build on farmland?
How might farming and the use of land change in the future?

415. Describe a time you made an appointment or reservation for a service.

You should say:

when and where it happened
what the appointment or reservation was for
how you arranged it
and explain how you felt about the experience

Part 3 questions (6)

Why do people book appointments or reservations in advance?
Is it easier to make an appointment now than it was in the past?
Why do some services need customers to book a time before visiting?
How have online booking systems changed the way people use services?
What are the differences between booking online and speaking to a staff member?
How might booking services change in the future?

416. Describe a song you heard on the radio that you liked.

You should say:

what the song was
when and where you heard it
who you were with
and explain why you liked the song

Part 3 questions (6)

Where do people often listen to music in their daily lives?
Why do people of different ages sometimes enjoy different kinds of music?
Do you think music will remain an important part of people's lives in the future?
Why do some people still listen to radio stations when they can choose music online?
How can radio and online audio be different sources of information for the public?
How might the way people listen to audio change in the future?

417. Describe a time when you stayed at home to recover from an illness.

You should say:

when it happened
what symptoms you had
what you did to feel better
and explain how you felt about staying at home

Part 3 questions (6)

What do people usually do when a common illness spreads in their community?
Why might people go to work even when they feel ill?
How can employers make it easier for sick workers to stay at home?
Where do people usually learn about ways to protect their health?
How has the way people get health advice changed compared with the past?
How might public health campaigns change in the future?

418. Describe a café or another place where you enjoy having a drink.

You should say:

where it is
when you usually go there
what people do there
and explain why you enjoy spending time there

Part 3 questions (6)

What do people usually do when they visit cafés?
Why are cafés popular places for people to meet?
How have cafés changed in recent years?
How are small cafés different from large café chains?
Why do some people prefer having drinks at home, while others go out?
How might cafés change in the future?

419. Describe a time when you visited a doctor or health centre.

You should say:

where and when you went
why you went there
who went with you, if anyone
and explain how you felt about the visit

Part 3 questions (6)

What services can people usually get at a health centre?
How might health services in a large town be different from those in a small community?
Why do some people wait a long time before asking for medical help?
Where do people usually get information about health?
How has the way people get health advice changed over time?
How could public health advice affect people's choices in the future?

420. Describe an outdoor place that looks different in different kinds of weather.

You should say:

where the place is
when you usually go there
what it looks like in different weather
and explain why you like visiting this place

Part 3 questions (6)

How does the way people use parks change in different weather?
Why do some people enjoy spending time outdoors in every season?
Are outdoor spaces in towns different from those in the countryside?
What can local governments do to make public outdoor spaces useful in different weather?
Why is it important for towns to prepare for more extreme weather?
How might public outdoor spaces change in the future as weather patterns change?

421. Describe a time you had to wait in a queue.

You should say:

where you were
what you were waiting for
what you did while you waited
and explain how you felt about the wait

Part 3 questions (6)

Where do people often have to wait in queues?
What makes a queue feel fair to the people waiting?
Why do some queues move faster than others?
How can technology help shops and public services manage waiting times?
Can digital systems make it harder for some people to get a service? Why?
How might the way people wait for services change in the future?

422. Describe a time when you had difficulty choosing a film or television programme to watch.

You should say:

when and where this happened
what you wanted to watch
what made the choice difficult
and explain what you chose in the end

Part 3 questions (6)

What information do people use when they choose a film or television programme?
Do younger and older adults choose what to watch in different ways?
Why do people sometimes spend a long time choosing something to watch?
How do online suggestions affect the programmes people watch?
Are suggestions from friends more useful than suggestions from apps?
How might technology change the way people choose what to watch in the future?

423. Describe a time when you used a delivery service.

You should say:

what you ordered
how you arranged the delivery
what happened when it arrived
and explain what you thought of the service

Part 3 questions (6)

Why do many people use delivery services?
How is getting something delivered different from buying it in a shop?
How might delivery services change in the future?
What makes communication between service workers and customers important?
Why do some customers expect very quick service?
How has technology changed the way businesses serve people?

424. Describe a news report you remember seeing on television.

You should say:

when you saw it
what the report was about
where you were when you watched it
and explain why you remember it

Part 3 questions (6)

Where do people usually get news about events in their local area?
Why do some people prefer to watch news on television?
What can make a television news report easy to understand?
How is television news different from news on the internet?
Why can incorrect news spread quickly among people?
How might people get news in the future?

425. Describe a time when you listened to the radio or a podcast while doing a task at home.

You should say:

when it happened
what task you were doing
what kind of audio you listened to
and explain how listening affected the task

Part 3 questions (6)

What household tasks do people often do while listening to audio?
Do people today listen to audio while doing more tasks than people did in the past?
Why do some people like to combine listening with other activities?
How are radio and podcasts different for people who listen at home?
How has digital technology changed the way people listen to audio?
What changes might happen to radio and podcasts in the future?

426. Describe a piece of technology that helps people keep in touch.

You should say:

what it is
when people usually use it
how it helps people communicate
and explain why it is useful to people

Part 3 questions (6)

What kinds of technology do people use to communicate?
How has technology changed the way people keep in touch?
What problems can happen when people use technology to communicate?
How is communication between people different now from in the past?
Why is face-to-face communication still important?
How might technology change the way people communicate in the future?

427. Describe a time when the electricity stopped working during bad weather.

You should say:

where and when it happened
what you were doing at the time
what you did while the electricity was off
and explain how the power cut affected you

Part 3 questions (6)

What problems can a power cut cause for people at home?
How can a power cut affect shops and other businesses?
Do power cuts cause more problems now than they did in the past? Why?
How can local services help people during severe weather?
Why may some communities be more affected by storms than others?
What changes could help protect electricity supplies from storms in the future?

428. Describe a time when you took a photograph of a special moment.

You should say:

where and when you took the photograph
who or what was in it
why the moment was special to you
and explain what you did with the photograph afterwards

Part 3 questions (6)

When do people most often take photographs?
Do older and younger people take photographs in different ways?
Why do some people take many photographs at social events?
How do people usually keep or store their photographs?
How has digital photography changed the way people share memories?
In the future, do you think people will still print photographs? Why or why not?

429. Describe a café or restaurant you visited and remember well.

You should say:

Where it was
Who you went with
What you did there
and explain why the visit was memorable

Part 3 questions (6)

What makes people choose one café or restaurant over another?
How are small cafés different from large restaurant chains?
Why do people share their experiences of restaurants with others?
How has technology changed the way restaurants serve customers?
Why do people expect faster service now than in the past?
How might restaurants and their service change in the future?

430. Describe a useful skill that someone taught you.

You should say:

who taught you the skill
what the skill was
when and where you learned it
and explain how it has helped you

Part 3 questions (6)

What practical skills do people often learn from others?
Is it better to learn a skill by watching someone or by reading instructions?
Why might some adults find it difficult to learn new skills?
What kinds of things do people learn from radio or podcasts?
How are podcasts different from radio as a way to learn?
How might people use audio programmes for learning in the future?

431. Describe a time when you helped someone prepare for bad weather.

You should say:

Who you helped
What kind of weather was expected
What you did to help
and explain how you felt about helping them

Part 3 questions (6)

What can people do to prepare their homes for very bad weather?
How can neighbours help each other when bad weather is expected?
Why is it important for communities to prepare before bad weather happens?
How do people get weather information today, compared with the past?
Why do some people take weather warnings more seriously than others?
How might weather forecasts and warnings change in the future?

432. Describe a journey you made by public transport.

You should say:

where you went
when you made the journey
who you travelled with
and explain how you felt about the journey

Part 3 questions (6)

What kinds of public transport are common in towns and cities?
Why do some people choose buses or trains instead of cars?
What problems can people face when travelling by public transport?
How has technology changed the way people travel?
Why do some places have better transport systems than others?
How might public transport change in the future?

433. Describe a character from a film or television series that you remember well.

You should say:

who the character is
what the character is like
when or where you saw this character
and explain why you remember this character

Part 3 questions (6)

What qualities make a character popular with viewers?
Why do viewers often enjoy characters who are different from themselves?
How have popular screen characters changed over time?
How can characters in films and television influence people's ideas about different kinds of people?
Why is it important for screen stories to show a wide range of people and lives?
How might the way characters are shown change in the future?

434. Describe a public sports facility you have used.

You should say:

where it is
when you went there
what you did there
and explain how you felt about using it

Part 3 questions (6)

What kinds of public sports facilities are common in towns and cities?
Who usually uses these facilities?
Are public sports facilities more useful than private sports clubs?
How can local governments encourage people to be more physically active?
Why do some people find it difficult to exercise regularly?
How might public sports facilities change in the future?

435. Describe a time when you did some physical activity with other people.

You should say:

what activity you did
where and when you did it
who you did it with
and explain how you felt about the experience

Part 3 questions (6)

What places do people in your area use for exercise?
How are public sports facilities different from private ones?
What could local communities do to make these facilities more useful?
Why do some people enjoy exercising with others, while others prefer to exercise alone?
How can taking part in sport affect relationships between people?
How might people’s exercise habits change in the future?

436. Describe a time when you took steps to keep your personal information safe online.

You should say:

when it happened
what information you wanted to protect
what steps you took
and explain why keeping this information safe was important to you

Part 3 questions (6)

What kinds of personal information do people need to protect online?
How can businesses help people keep their personal information safe?
How can people learn to recognise suspicious messages or websites?
Why do some people ignore online safety advice even when they know the risks?
How has people's trust in technology changed over time?
How might online safety affect people's lives in the future?

437. Describe a time when you moved to a different home.

You should say:

when it happened
why you moved
what the new home was like
and explain how you felt about the move

Part 3 questions (6)

Why do people decide to move to a different home?
What difficulties do people often face when they first move?
How do the reasons for moving differ between younger and older adults?
How can people moving into an area change the local community?
What can make it difficult for newcomers and long-term residents to build relationships?
How might more people moving between areas affect communities in the future?

438. Describe a special meal you shared with other people.

You should say:

when and where you had the meal
who you shared it with
what you ate and what happened
and explain why this meal was special to you

Part 3 questions (6)

What kinds of meals do people often share at celebrations?
How is eating with a group different from eating alone?
Why do shared meals remain important in many communities?
How have celebration meals changed compared with the past?
What can people learn about a community from its food traditions?
How might the way people celebrate with food change in the future?

439. Describe a time when you had to explain something to someone.

You should say:

when it happened
who you explained it to
what you explained and how you did it
and explain how you felt about the experience

Part 3 questions (6)

What kinds of things do people often need help understanding in everyday life?
How do people explain ideas differently to children and adults?
Why is clear communication important in workplaces and public services?
How has technology changed the way people communicate with each other?
Why do some people find it difficult to learn another language?
How might communication between people change in the future?

440. Describe a time when you had to change a password.

You should say:

what the password was for
when and why you changed it
how you felt about changing it
and explain why people should choose strong passwords

Part 3 questions (6)

What do people usually think about when choosing a password?
Why do some people use the same password for several accounts?
How might people's password habits change in the future?
How can schools and workplaces teach people about online safety?
Are adults or young people more likely to need help with online safety, and why?
Who should take more responsibility for protecting people online in the future: individuals, companies, or governments?

441. Describe a celebration or special event that you enjoyed.

You should say:

what the event was
where and when it took place
who you shared it with and what happened
and explain why you enjoyed this event

Part 3 questions (6)

How do families usually celebrate important events?
Why do some families prefer small celebrations while others prefer large ones?
How have family celebrations changed over time?
What can festivals and public events offer a local community?
How are local festivals different from large commercial events?
How might public celebrations change in the future?

442. Describe a time when you used a different way to communicate with someone.

You should say:

what was happening
who you were communicating with
what way of communicating you used
and explain how well it worked

Part 3 questions (6)

What kinds of technology do people often use to communicate?
How has sending messages changed the way people keep in touch?
Why might people misunderstand each other in online conversations?
How does communication today differ from communication in the past?
Why is it useful for people to learn another language?
How might language learning and communication change in the future?

443. Describe a visit to a museum or exhibition that you found interesting.

You should say:

where it was
when you went there
what you saw there
and explain what made the visit interesting for you

Part 3 questions (6)

What kinds of exhibits do people usually enjoy seeing in museums?
How are science museums different from art museums?
Why do some people find museums more interesting than others?
How can museums help children learn about science?
Is learning from objects and displays more effective than learning from books?
How might museums change in the future as technology develops?

444. Describe a time when you had to get used to a new environment.

You should say:

where it was
why you were there
what was different from what you were used to
and explain how you adjusted to the new environment

Part 3 questions (6)

What difficulties do people often face when they settle in an unfamiliar town or neighbourhood?
How can local people help newcomers feel welcome?
Do children and adults usually adjust to a new community in different ways?
How has technology changed the way people settle into a new place?
Why do some communities welcome newcomers more easily than others?
In the future, do you think it will become easier for people to build a sense of belonging in a new place?

445. Describe a time when you used a computer or another device that other people also used.

You should say:

where and when you used it
what you used it for
who else used the device
and explain how you felt about using it

Part 3 questions (6)

Where might people need to use shared computers or devices in public places?
How are shared devices used differently by older and younger people?
Why might shared computers become less common in the future?
Who should be responsible for protecting people's information when they use online services?
Why do some people find it difficult to judge whether a website or message is safe?
How might people's expectations of online privacy change in the future?

446. Describe a documentary or television programme you watched about an ancient animal, such as a dinosaur.

You should say:

When and where you watched it
What it showed
What you learned from it
and explain why you remember it

Part 3 questions (6)

What kinds of science programmes are popular with adults?
How are science programmes different from science books?
Why do some people find scientific topics more interesting when they are shown on screen?
How can discoveries about fossils change what people think about ancient life?
Why do societies spend money on research into the distant past?
How might new technology change the way people study fossils in the future?

447. Describe a picnic or outdoor meal you enjoyed.

You should say:

when and where you had it
who you were with
what you ate or did
and explain why you enjoyed the experience

Part 3 questions (6)

Why do people enjoy eating outdoors?
Where do people usually go for an outdoor meal?
How can sharing a meal outdoors help people spend time together?
How do green spaces in towns and cities benefit local people?
Why do some communities have more green spaces than others?
How might outdoor spaces in cities change in the future?

448. Describe a time you had to work with other people to complete a task.

You should say:

When and where it happened
Who you worked with
What you had to do
and explain how you felt about working together

Part 3 questions (6)

Why do many jobs require people to work in teams?
What problems can arise when coworkers have different ways of working?
How can managers help people cooperate more effectively?
How has technology changed the way people work together?
Why can it be difficult for remote workers to communicate well?
How might technology change teamwork in the future?

449. Describe a time you worked with other people to achieve something.

You should say:

where it happened
who you worked with
what you did together
and explain how you felt about the experience

Part 3 questions (6)

What kinds of jobs usually require people to work in teams?
What are some advantages of teamwork in the workplace?
How is teamwork different in a small workplace and a large organisation?
Why do some people find it difficult to work with others?
How can schools and communities help people become better at working together?
How might technology change the way people work in teams in the future?

450. Describe a time you noticed a suspicious message or link online.

You should say:

when and where you saw it
what the message or link looked like
what you did after noticing it
and explain how you felt about the experience

Part 3 questions (6)

How can people check whether an online message is genuine?
Are younger and older people equally good at noticing suspicious messages?
Why do misleading messages continue to spread online?
What should schools and workplaces teach people about online safety?
What responsibilities should social media companies have for dealing with online scams?
How might the way people protect themselves online 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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