In this article we’ll be focusing on Part 2 of the IELTS Speaking section, we’ll be giving you candidate cue cards as well as common topics, questions and sample answers so that you can prepare for the IELTS Speaking test!
IELTS Speaking Practice Tests, Topics & Answers
IELTS Speaking Topics And Practice Tests Online For Free
IELTS Speaking Part 1: Topics, Questions & Answers
IELTS Speaking Part 3: Topics, Questions & Answers
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IELTS Speaking Part 2 Practice Test: Candidate Cue Card #1
You will have to talk about the topic for 1 to 2 minutes.
You have one minute to think about what you’re going to say.
You can make some notes to help you if you wish.Describe a song you like.
You should mention:
- What the song is about.
- When you first heard it.
- and explain why you like it.
Explanation
When talking about events in the past, you can mix the Past Simple and the Past Perfect. Talking about art often requires the use of adjectives that describe emotions and senses.
Suggestion
If I had to choose just one song it would be “Comes a Time” by Neil Young. You can find it in the album of the same name. It came out in the mid-70s.
It means a lot to me because when I first heard it, I was going through a difficult time as a teenager and the lyrics spoke to me in a special way. I had just broken up with my girlfriend and for some reason, it became my favorite song. And I remember that my older brother used to play that record a lot.
If you look at the lyrics they are not actually related to breakups or romantic situations. The song is more about life and how it goes on in spite of everything. And that song, in particular, gave me hope, it lifted my spirits. It helped me understand that no matter how bad I felt at the time, it was not a permanent thing. It only gets better. The song in itself is a kind of country-music song with acoustic guitars and fiddles which gives it a happy vibe. It’s not really a song you can dance to, but it definitely has a joyful feel.
Even today as a grownup I can listen to it and feel that it has meaning. I listen to it at least once or twice a year. Inevitably it will take me back to those early days and will bring back memories. Memories not only of the girl I longed for but of the way I felt back then in my parents’ home, surrounded by my siblings and the things that were happening back then in our lives.
IELTS Speaking Part 2 Practice Test: Candidate Cue Card #2
You will have to talk about the topic for 1 to 2 minutes.
You have one minute to think about what you’re going to say.
You can make some notes to help you if you wish.Talk about some interesting news that you read.
You should say:
- What it was about
- Where you read it
- When it happened
- and explain why you thought it was interesting news.
Explanation
Don’t forget to use good linking words like “although”. Remember to use comparatives and phrases for expressing preferences.
Suggestion
I would like to talk about some news I read a few days ago on a popular online news site. These days I get my news online but occasionally I still buy a newspaper to give my eyes a rest. The news I read was about a woman who broke the land speed record in a car she was driving. It caught my eyes because there was a happy, smiling photo of the woman at the top of the article. Unfortunately, she died during the attempt as her car hit something. It happened in 2019 but she is only being recognised for it now.
It was quite a sad story but with a positive side to it too. Her husband was saying that he wished they could have gone home that day instead of trying to get the record. He was very proud of her but he would rather she be alive than have the record. There was a video of her driving along at about 500 mph and it looked pretty impressive. That’s faster than I’ve ever been on the ground but I guess I have flown at that speed in the air.
I found this story extremely interesting because it left me with mixed emotions. Even in a bad situation something good can come from it. Every cloud has a silver lining. Although her husband is heartbroken, he knows that his wife died doing something she loved, and her name will go down in history. Not many people can say that.
I was left wondering whether achieving ambitions are worth the risks and hard work that it often takes to realise them. I guess it depends how important it is to the person involved.
IELTS Speaking Part 2 Main Topics, Sample Questions and Exercises
Down below you will find some popular topics for the part 2 of the IELTS Speaking Section:
Describing something important to you
This is a very popular subject for part 2. You mustn’t memorize a text for this – you’ll be heavily penalised if you do, but you should already have a potential subject in mind.
Describe something you own which is very important to you.
You should say:
- Where you got it from
- How long you have had it
- What you use it for
- Explain why it is important to you
You will have to talk about the topic for 1 to 2 minutes. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.
Childhood
This is also a popular subject – by asking about your childhood, it forces you to use different past tenses!
News
You should try to stay up-to-date with the news before your IELTS test, as this is a common question for Part 2.
Holidays
Technology
A Solution to a Problem
Something you would like to do
How Can I Prepare For the IELTS Speaking Part 2?
Lots and lots of practice with lots and lots of sample questions is a good start. There are many sample questions online, in books or an experienced tutor can write some for you.
You need to get used to working within the 1 minute preparation time frame and speaking for the 1- 2 minutes response time frame. You need to become familiar with a wide variety of topics in order to be able to prepare quickly and speak confidently. Many candidates look at the task card and are baffled by the topic or want some help from the examiner. The examiner is not permitted to offer assistance.
Think of the 5-P approach: Practice and preparation prevent poor performance.
Some Basic Considerations
- Provide details and examples. You have the time to develop your points, so do so.
- Do not stress. There isn’t a right or a wrong answer. The examiner just needs a language sample in order to assess you.
- Speak in sentences. One word answers are not good enough.
Make sure that you cover all the areas that the examiners assess you on while you practice: fluency and coherence, grammatical range and accuracy, lexical resources and pronunciation. When you hire a tutor or take a course ask them how they address each of these four domains. Make a schedule for your practice sessions so that you are consistent in your efforts.
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