IELTS speaking part 2
IELTS speaking part 2 can be considered the heart of the speaking module. How you perform in it impacts a lot on your overall band score
What is IELTS speaking part 2
IELTS speaking part 2 consists of giving a speaking topic to the candidates on which they have to speak for 1 to 2 minutes. These topics are also known as cue cards.
The cue cards are extremely significant in terms of impressing the examiner as well as getting a higher band score.
Generally, the candidates are given 1 minute for the preparation and then the time to speak for a minimum of one to a maximum of two minutes.
IELTS speaking part 2 lasts for 3 to 4 minutes.
Part 3 or follow up questions are asked once you complete your task 2 or cue cards.
Below is the example of how IELTS speaking part 2 is asked in the IELTS exam.
Part 2
Describe the person you admire the most.
- Who is this person?
- How do you know him?
- What qualities he has?
- And explain why do you admire him?
“You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you are going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.
How to prepare for IELTS speaking part 2
IELTS speaking has four parameters to evaluate candidate’s ability.
- Fluency and coherence
- Vocabulary or lexical resources
- Grammatical range and accuracy
- Pronunciation, tone, and accent.
Fluency and Coherence.
You must have understood the word fluency. It means that you are able to speak with a natural flow, without hesitation and stumbling. Coherence means how you are able to connect your ideas with proper liking words and conjunctions.
Grammatical range and accuracy
IELTS is a formal advanced exam which asks the students to use a wide range of grammar. The candidates who are able to use advanced grammar, complex sentences and passive construction with perfection and with minimum mistakes are given a higher band score.
Lexical resources
Your ability to use words is called Lexical resources. Vocabulary is very important for getting a higher band score in IELTS.
Pronunciation:
Pronunciation is the ability of the student to speak the word with proper tone. Students often mix it with an accent. It is o.k if you are not able to speak like native speakers. Your own accent is valid in IELTS.
Many teachers and online platforms give students complicated advice that they have to do this and that and most of the time they confuse the students. Though IELTS is an advanced exam. It is not confusing. It has very specific criteria for each module.
As far as the speaking module is concerned. It has above mentioned criteria. If you want to get higher band score in IELTS speaking in general and IETLS speaking part 2 in particular. You just have to work up on these parameters.
Proper preparation and not the cramming will give higher band score in IELTS speaking part 2
As I mentioned earlier. Most of the students get confusing and misleading advice from many sources. In IELTS speaking you do not have to worry about lot many things. You just have to worry about the four simple parameters above.
Now, if we talk about IELTS speaking. You already know it is a face to face communication with examiner. The topics which are asked as IELTS speaking cue cards has wide horizon.
The students can be asked any topic. It is not like certain topics are more frequent than others. And recently some institutions are giving prediction to the student about which topics will be asked in the exam. I tell you this is the worst advice you get from someone. It may ruin your speaking ability.
Your ability to speak naturally on any given topic gives you the band and the Cramming of some random topics which given by institutions and classes.
Now what you can do to improve your score in speaking part 2.
IELTS speaking has different categories for speaking. To understand it better, read the following cue cards.
Topic 1: Describe the country you like the most:
Topic 2: Describe your Favorite dish.
Topic 3: Describe the person you admire the most.
Topic 4: Describe a time when you received a good service from a restaurant.
Topic 5: Describe a country you would like to visit.
Topic 6: Describe a writer you would like to meet.
Topic 7: Describe an important choice/decision you had to make in life.
Topic 8: Describe something healthy you enjoy doing.
Topic 9: Describe an idea you have had for improving something at school, college, or work.
All these cue cards represent certain topics or ideas. Topic 1 is about country, topic 2 describes the dish. Topic 3 is about the person. Likewise we have got so many category representations in IELTS speaking.
To get the mastery over natural fluency. You have to read as much as possible on these categories.
“Readers digest” magazine is one of the best magazines for this purpose. It covers extensive topics with loads of words and ideas.
Apart from that, you can do the following simple things.
Go to Google and Type “articles on food and dishes or any categories you would like to have information on.
For example:
- Articles on food and dishes
- Articles on social media
- Articles on famous person
- Articles on seasons.
There would be plenty of articles on Google. You will find articles like below.
These articles are having abundant information on your topic. Read those articles on daily basis. Note down the words which you do not know or the words which interest you. Note down the ideas also.
Practice this on daily basis. Soon you will find that your vocabulary as well as natural thinking in speaking is improving. If you keep on reading like this you do not have to cram anything in IELTS speaking in general and IELTS speaking part 2 in particular.
IELTS speaking part 2 sample topics:
Together with above mentioned strategies you have to prepare specifically for speaking cue cards.
In this page I have given 100 IELTS speaking part 2 topics together with a link for the sample answer. But keep in mind that these sample answers have been written to give you ideas. They are not for cramming.
Don’t cram these sample answers. Try to get the ideas. Try to practice the words which have been applied here daily, otherwise you would not speak them perfectly.
In practicing them, Try to follow the below-mentioned steps for each cue card. Anyone can get 7 band score in the speaking test provided they keep on following the steps mention below.
- Read the sample answers from our website
- Also read sample answers from other authentic, reliable and informative websites.
- Gather information regarding the topic.
- Make your own answer by reading different sample topics.
- Practice them daily with your friends
In the IELTS exam cramming is your enemy. If the examiner finds you have prepared answers in your mind or your fluency is not natural, he would not get impressed. The obvious result of this is a lower band score.
So prepare well before you take the examination date.
I am now enlisting 100 topics for IELTS speaking part 2. Link for the sample answer has been provided. You just have to click on the topic.
IELTS speaking part 2 sample topics:
Topic 1: Describe the country you like the most:
Topic 2: Describe your Favorite dish.
Topic 3: Describe the person you admire the most.
Topic 4: Describe a time when you received a good service from a restaurant.
Topic 5: Describe a country you would like to visit.
Topic 6: Describe a writer you would like to meet.
Topic 7: Describe an important choice/decision you had to make in life.
Topic 8: Describe something healthy you enjoy doing.
Topic 9: Describe an idea you have had for improving something at school, college, or work.
Topic 11: Describe a party you enjoyed.
Topic 12: Describe a friend of your family you remember from your childhood.
Topic 13: Describe a restaurant you enjoyed going to.
Topic 14: Describe a game or sport you enjoy playing.
Topic 15: Describe something you own which is very important to you.
Topic 16: Describe a meeting you remember going to school, college or work.
Topic 17: Describe a song or music you like.
Topic 18: Describe a time when you have taken part in the survey or questionnaire.
Topic 19: Describe any advertisement which you find interesting.
Topic 20: Describe a website that you frequently visit.
Topic 21: Describe an interesting historic place.
Topic 22: Describe your favorite movie.
Topic 23: Describe an interest or hobby that you enjoy
Topic 24: Describe a child that you know.
Topic 25: Describe an open-air or street market which you enjoy visiting.
Topic 26: Describe a school or a college in which you have studied.
Topic 27: Describe a teacher who has influenced you in your education.
Topic 28: Describe a Book that had a major influence on you.
Topic 29: Describe a house/apartment that someone you know lives in.
Topic 30: Describe an interesting animal.
Topic 31: Describe someone you know who has started a business.
Topic 32: Describe an article on health that you read from a magazine or online
Topic 33: Describe a day when you thought the weather was perfect.
Topic 34: Describe one of your friends.
Topic 35: Describe a festival that is important in your country.
Topic 36: Describe an interesting story that you heard or read about in the news.
Topic 37: Describe an interesting place that you have visited as a tourist.
Topic 38: Describe a special event [e.g. a festival, carnival, or other celebration] that takes place in your country.
Topic 39: Describe a popular teacher that you know.
Topic 40: Describe a television program that you watch.
Topic 41: Describe someone you know who has started a business
Topic 42: Describe a time when you started using a new technological device.
Topic 43: Describe an interesting discussion you had as part of your work or studies.
Topic 44: Describe a TV documentary you watched that was particularly interesting.
Topic 45: Describe a hotel that you know.
Topic 46: Describe a famous business person that you know about.
Topic 47: Describe an interesting television program that you watched about a science topic.
Topic 48: Describe a memorable event in your life.
Topic 49: Describe an interest or hobby that you enjoy
Topic 50: Describe a river, lake, or sea which you like
Topic 51: Describe a job that you have done.
Topic 52: Describe a competition (e.g. TV, college/work, or sports competition) that you took part in.
Topic 53: Describe a time when you helped someone.
Topic 54: Describe a book that you enjoyed reading because you had to think a lot.
Topic 55: Describe something you liked very much which you bought for your home.
Topic 56: Describe a very difficult task that you succeeded in doing as part of your work or studies.
Topic 57: Describe an occasion when you had to wait a long time for someone or something to arrive.
Topic 58: Describe a toy which you used to play with when you were a child
Topic 59: Describe an interesting discussion you had about how you spend your money.
Topic 60: Describe a time when you lost something important.
Topic 61: Describe an interesting teacher from your secondary school.
Topic 62: Describe a historical period or event that interests you.
Topic 63: Describe an unexpected happening or outcome in your life.
Topic 64: Describe the most expensive object you have ever purchased.
Topic 65: Talk about a small accident or injury you have suffered.
Topic 66: Talk about a library you belong to or you have visited
Topic 67: Describe a museum or art gallery you have visited
Topic 68: Describe one of your favorite photographs.
Topic 69: Describe a subject taught in your school.
Topic 70: Describe any invention before the age of the computer.
Topic 71: Describe one of your favorite movies.
Topic 72: Describe your favorite newspaper or magazine.
Topic 73: Describe a children’s game. (Sports not suggested).
Topic 74: Describe one of your neighbors.
Topic 75: Describe one of the shopping centers you often go to.
Topic 76: Describe your favorite animal (Domestic or Pet)
Topic 77: Describe an important letter.
Topic 78: Describe the best present you received.
Topic 79: Describe the most populated area in your country.
Topic 80: Describe the activity near the water.
Topic 81: Describe any method of saving money.
Topic 82: Describe a person who has apologized to you.
Topic 83: Describe the uniform you like.
Topic 84: Describe the most important or impressive time of your life.
Topic 85: Describe the law in your country which you like.
Topic 86: Describe a wedding you have attended.
Topic 87: Describe an important conversation.
Topic 88: Describe an occasion when you helped someone.
Topic 88: Describe an interesting discussion.
Topic 89: Describe any Crowed place you have visited.
Topic 90: Describe any new or challenging activity you have done.