IELTS Speaking Part 2 - Cue Cards: Topics and Questions

You should take no more than 30 seconds to write. If you have anything else to say, write the heading ‘others’ and jot down.
Note: Do not write full sentences. Just write the keywords so that it is easier to refer to them while giving the talk.

After brainstorming ideas, you will decide which points to talk about and arrange them in a logical order so that you sound coherent.
Note: You do not have to use each and every point under the headings. See which ones are the most suitable and talk about to it. 

Now, you’re ready to give your 2-minute talk. Your speech should be natural. 
Note: You can refer to your notes if necessary, but do not read out completely from notes. Maintain eye contact with the examiner while talking.

“Two years ago, I visited the United States of America to explore New York City specifically. The USA is located in North America, bordered by Canada to the north, Mexico to the south and the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Ocean to the east and west, respectively. 

I travelled to the USA by plane. The journey took around 18 hours from New Delhi to New York, with a 3-hour layover in Paris. Despite the long duration, the flight was comfortable, with in-flight entertainment and food. Due to bad weather there was minimal turbulence as well. When I arrived in New York, my relatives came to pick me up at the airport, and I stayed with them. 

During my stay, I visited iconic landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, and the Empire State Building. I even went to Times Square, where the vibrant energy was palpable. These landmarks show the city’s history and radiant culture. My cousins and I had a picnic in Central Park, as the weather was really nice. We had a lot of fun playing games and eating ice cream and world-famous NY pizza.

One of the highlights of the trip was attending a Broadway show. The performances were out of this world, and it was thrilling to be a part of such an enthusiastic audience. I also visited several world-class museums, like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art. I loved the art and history. I also enjoyed trying delicious street food like pizzas, hot dogs, and pretzels. New York City, also called "The Big Apple," is one of the most captivating places I've ever visited. I loved the fast pace of life and the mix of people from different walks of life.”

Cue Card Sample - Describe an Exciting Book that You Enjoy Reading

Response:
One famous person I’m really interested in is A. R. Rahman, the legendary Indian music composer and singer. He’s not only popular in India but also recognized all around the world for his incredible contributions to music.

I first discovered him when I was a child. My parents played his songs from movies like Roja and Bombay, and I was instantly drawn to the melodies. Later, I started noticing his name in almost every major Indian film soundtrack. As I grew older, I began reading about him, watching interviews, and following his work more closely.

A. R. Rahman is famous for creating music that blends Indian classical tunes with electronic music and global sounds. He composed the soundtrack for Slumdog Millionaire, which earned him two Oscars—one for Best Original Score and another for Best Original Song. That moment really made me proud because he was representing India on the world stage. He has also won several Grammy and BAFTA awards.

What I admire most about him is not just his musical genius, but also his personality. He is soft-spoken, spiritual, and incredibly humble, even after achieving so much success. He avoids the limelight and focuses purely on his work. I also respect the fact that he supports music education and runs a music conservatory in Chennai to train underprivileged children.

His journey from a modest background to becoming an international icon is truly inspiring. He has shown that with talent, discipline, and humility, it's possible to achieve greatness without losing your values. That’s why I find him so interesting and continue to follow his work closely.

Estimated Band Score: 9
Reasons:

• Fluency & Coherence: Smooth and logical flow of ideas.

• Lexical Resource: Wide range of vocabulary (e.g., “legendary,” “soundtrack,” “spiritual,” “conservatory”).

• Grammatical Range & Accuracy: Good mix of tenses and complex sentence structures, error-free.

• Pronunciation (if spoken): Would need to be clear and natural with stress and intonation.

Response:
One of the most interesting places I’ve ever visited is New York City in the United States. I went there about two years ago during my summer holidays, and it was a trip I’ll never forget.

The purpose of the visit was mainly to explore the city and spend time with my relatives who live there. I stayed with them for about ten days, and during that time, I got to experience the energy and diversity that New York is famous for.

I visited several iconic landmarks, like the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, and Times Square. I also went to some world-class museums like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art, which were both incredibly fascinating. Each day felt like a new adventure. One day I’d be walking through peaceful green spaces, and the next, I’d be surrounded by skyscrapers and flashing billboards.

What made the experience even more special was the cultural diversity of the city. People from all over the world live there, and you can see it reflected in the food, languages, and neighborhoods. I tried dishes from different countries, visited Chinatown and Little Italy, and spoke to people from various backgrounds.

What I found most interesting was the city's rhythm. It’s always moving, yet somehow, everyone seems to find their own space within the chaos. The combination of history, art, technology, and multiculturalism made it truly unique. I left feeling inspired and curious, and I hope to visit again one day to explore even more.

Estimated Band Score: 9
Reasons:

• Fluency & Coherence: Ideas flow logically with clear transitions.

• Lexical Resource: Rich vocabulary (e.g., “iconic landmarks,” “cultural diversity,” “multiculturalism”).

• Grammatical Range & Accuracy: Uses a variety of sentence structures with accurate tense usage.

• Pronunciation (if spoken): Would require clarity, natural rhythm, and intonation.

Response:
One photograph that I really like is a picture of my family taken at a beach in Goa. It shows me, my parents, and my younger sister standing together with the ocean in the background. The sun is setting, so the sky has a mix of orange, pink, and purple colors, which makes the whole scene look very beautiful.

This photo was taken about three years ago when we went on a vacation during my summer break. We had spent the whole day exploring the beach, swimming, and eating local food. In the evening, just before we left, my father asked a passerby to click our picture. It was a simple moment, but it became very special for me.

I like this photograph for many reasons. First, it reminds me of a very happy time with my family. We were all relaxed, smiling, and enjoying ourselves. We don’t often get to travel together because of everyone’s busy schedule, so this memory feels even more valuable. Also, the colors in the picture are so vibrant that it looks like something out of a painting.

I have kept this photo as my phone wallpaper, and every time I look at it, I feel calm and positive. It brings back warm memories and reminds me to take more time to enjoy life with the people I love.

Estimated Band Score: 7
Reasons:

• Task Response: Fully covers all bullet points with personal examples.

• Fluency & Coherence: Mostly fluent, a few pauses or basic transitions (e.g., “also,” “first,” “so”).

• Lexical Resource: Adequate vocabulary (e.g., “vibrant,” “relaxed,” “special”), though not highly varied.

• Grammatical Range & Accuracy: Some variety in tense and sentence structure, minor errors possible but do not affect understanding.

Response:
One time I was late was for a college interview I had last year at a reputed university in my city. It was an important opportunity, and I had been preparing for it for weeks. Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned that day.

I had scheduled my interview for 10 a.m., and I left home quite early, thinking I’d reach at least 30 minutes in advance. However, halfway through the journey, my cab got stuck in a massive traffic jam caused by an unexpected roadblock. I tried to remain calm, but as the minutes ticked by, I knew I wasn’t going to make it on time.

I ended up arriving almost 20 minutes late, which was embarrassing. The panel had already started interviews, and I had to wait until they could squeeze me in between other candidates. This delay made me feel flustered and anxious. I was worried it might leave a bad impression and affect my chances of getting selected.

Despite the shaky start, I managed to compose myself and gave a fairly confident interview. Fortunately, the panel was understanding, and I later received an offer letter. But the experience taught me a lesson—I’ve never relied solely on estimated travel times since then. I now leave even earlier for anything important.

Looking back, I felt disappointed and stressed at the time, but also relieved that it worked out in the end. It was a moment of panic that turned into a valuable life experience.

Estimated Band Score: 8
Reasons:

• Fluency & Coherence: Smooth narration with logical flow and well-organized ideas.

• Lexical Resource: Good use of vocabulary (e.g., reputed university, flustered, compose myself, panel, valuable experience).

• Grammatical Range & Accuracy: Accurate use of past tenses, conditional forms, and complex sentences.

• Pronunciation (if spoken): Would be natural with proper stress, intonation, and pacing.

Response:

One law that I think is really important is the ban on single-use plastic, which has been implemented in several Indian states. This law prohibits the use of plastic bags, straws, and other disposable plastic items that are harmful to the environment.

I first heard about this law on the news a few years ago, when it was introduced in Maharashtra. Since then, it’s been adopted in many other places as well. The government also promoted it on social media and through awareness campaigns in schools and public spaces.

This law affects both businesses and individuals. Shops and restaurants are not allowed to give out plastic bags or straws, and people are encouraged to carry reusable items instead. It also pushes manufacturers to find eco-friendly alternatives.

I think this law is extremely important because plastic waste is a huge problem. It pollutes rivers and oceans, harms wildlife, and takes hundreds of years to decompose. By reducing plastic use, we can protect the environment and promote sustainable habits. Of course, the law has faced challenges—some people still use plastic illegally—but overall, it has made a big difference.

Personally, this law made me more conscious of my habits. I now carry a cloth bag when I go shopping and avoid using plastic bottles. I believe that even small changes like this matter.

Estimated Band Score: 7.5
Reasons:

• Fluency & Coherence: Ideas are logically organised and clearly linked. Occasional pauses, but mostly fluent.

• Lexical Resource: Good range of vocabulary (eco-friendly, awareness campaigns, decompose, sustainable habits), with minor repetition.

• Grammatical Range & Accuracy: Mostly accurate sentence structures with a few minor slips that do not affect understanding.

• Pronunciation (if spoken): Clear and natural.

A: In this part of IELTS Speaking, you will deliver a 2-minute speech on a given topic. The topic will have 3-4 questions from which you can make your response. You will have 1 minute for preparation. You can make notes and can refer to them while speaking. Avoid reading out your notes.

A: If you cross the 2-minute time limit in IELTS Speaking Part 2, the examiner will politely stop you. Do not worry! This will not negatively impact your score - you will be assessed on the basis of the quality of the response not just its length. So, it is important to put across your points within the time limit. You won't be given extra time to speak.

A:No, you cannot change the topic in IELTS Speaking Part 2. Try to speak as closely to the topic as possible, try to relate it to your personal experience or use your imagination to create a fluent response. Just stay focused, and organize your thoughts properly. Speak with confidence within the topic framework.

A:

• Do not memorize the speech.
• Do not overuse lots of expressions.
• Do not underestimate your 1 minute prep time. Use that time wisely.
• Do not rush: speak naturally and in a relaxed manner.
• Do not write full sentences as your notes - it will waste your time; instead, write keywords.

A: If you make little slips, it is generally not a problem. Minor mistakes are expected and won't negatively affect your score. Just make sure not to make the same mistake multiple times. If you realize you have made a mistake, you can correct yourself and continue speaking. The key aspects are to maintain fluency, coherence, and clarity.

A: It is not difficult to get an 8.5 band score in Speaking.

• All you have to do is make a good first impression by speaking confidently and clearly.
• Speak at ease.
• Maintain eye contact with the examiner.
• Show good use of the English language both contextually and grammatically.