IELTS Cue Card Preparation Strategy: Pattern, Topics & Test Samples

IELTS Speaking Part 2, also called the Cue Card part, is one of the hardest parts in the IELTS exam. It checks how well you can speak clear and fluent on one topic for 1–2 minutes after getting only 1 minute to prepare.

IELTS Speaking Part 2 is often the most challenging part of the IELTS exam for many students. This section is also known as the IELTS Cue Card round. It feels like a big risk. Sometimes you are lucky and get a topic you know well, like your favorite hobby. But other times, you get a very tough question. For example, "describe a historical building". It is very hard to speak for 2 minutes without stopping or looking at notes. Many people get panic and run out of words in IELTS speaking.

But please do not worry. The best way is not to memorize answers from internet. If you use memorized answer, the examiner will catch you easily. This is bad for your score. Instead, you should learn a simple strategy.

In this article, we will look at the 5 most common types of topics: People, Events, Things, Places, and Activities. We will show you how to spot the important details like tenses so you don't make mistake. Also, we show you a 3-Step Approach to expand your ideas. Even if you don't know the topic, you can use your imagination. Follow this guide to beat the IELTS Speaking test easily.

What is an IELTS Cue Card?

An IELTS Cue Card is also called a task card. It ask you to talk about one topic in the IELTS Speaking test. On the card, there is one main topic and few bullet points that help you what to say. Sometimes you also get one small follow-up question. You will get paper and pencil to make notes in that one minute before you start. After that, you have to speak for around 1–2 minutes without stopping.

IELTS Speaking Test Format

The IELTS Speaking Test consists of three parts:

IELTS Cue Card Pattern

The IELTS Speaking Part 2 called Cue Card. Here examiner give you a topic with some points you talk. You get 1 minute to think and 2 minutes to speak.

• Examiner give cue card with topic and 3 or 4 points.
• You get 1 minute to make small notes.
• Then you speak 2 minutes without stopping.
• After you finish, examiner may ask 1 or 2 follow-up questions.
• This part check your fluency, English vocabulary, and how good you talk in English naturally.

These have been provided in the chart below:

IELTS Cue Card Topics

Cue Card IELTS: In this section of the article, we will cover some important IELTS Cue Card topics and their related questions:

Part 2 of the Speaking Test, i.e. the IELTS Cue Cards, is followed by Part 3, which is linked, to Part 2. Even though this article will cater to Part 2 of the Speaking Test, we have mentioned a few details about Part 3 so that you have a fair idea of how things work.

IELTS Speaking Test Part-3 (Discussion) Pattern

In this part of the examination, you will discuss with the examiner on the topic that was covered in Part 2. This will involve a back-and-forth conversation with the examiner. For example, if in Part 2 you were asked to describe your stay at a hotel, the discussion in Part 3 might involve something on hotel management. This is more of an abstract discussion where you are judged on your ability to express your opinions and your skill to explain a broader topic. Part 3 usually lasts for about 4-5 minutes.

IELTS Cue Card Topics with Answers

As mentioned above, there are 6 major heads under which the topics asked on the IELTS Cue Card fall. Let us look at some of the examples:

Example 1: ‘People’ question on the IELTS Cue Card

Sample Answer:

When I was small kid, I like play sports, mostly basketball. The athlete I admire most is Kobe Bryant, he always give me big inspiration. He also inspire many peoples who think success comes from hard work not just luck.

Kobe Bryant was very famous basketball player for Los Angeles Lakers. He win many NBA championships and also got many MVP awards in life. He not only play basketball, he also talk about motivation and life. His hard work and discipline make me feel I should try more and do better in life and job.

I been watch basketball many years and saw so many NBA games where Kobe play. Apart from games, he also come in ads and videos. You can find his motivational videos on YouTube, I watch them when I feel lazy or low, they give me more energy to keep going.

What I like most is his achievements and attitude. He work as player, coach and motivational speaker. He always win by hard work and focus. He never said success came just from talent, it’s always practice and effort for him.

He practice more than anyone, he love his work so much. That why he reach so far. I feel very inspired when I see him play or talk. His discipline, motivation and love for basketball make him my biggest role model. Kobe story teach me if you want something, you got work hard and never give up.

Must Read:- Common Mistakes in IELTS Speaking and How to Fix Them!

Example 2: ‘Things’ question on the IELTS Cue Card

Sample Answer:

I am going to talk about a meal I had when I was travelling to New Delhi. I am diet-conscious so it’s little difficult for me to find right food when I am on move.

I had this meal while travelling to New Delhi for some important meeting. On the way, I stop at small cosy coffee shop for little time. The owner of café was very polite and he also cook. I was not expecting much honestly, but the meal was really beyond my expectations.

I don’t remember the name of cook, who also owner of café, but I remember his hospitality and café’s nice feeling. I asked him secret of this recipe, he said secret is in freshness of vegetables. All vegetables were very fresh from market.

The freshness of salad and wonderful hospitality still make me remember this experience.

How to Spot Important Details and Tenses

Many students fail because they do not read the Cue Card carefully. They see the word "City" and start talking about their home city. But maybe the question asked about a city you want to visit. You must look for Keywords and Time references.

Here is a table to help you understand the difference:

Checklist for reading the card:

• Who: Is it someone I know or a famous person?

• When: Is it in the past (history) or future (dream)?

• What: Is it a positive thing (liked) or negative thing (didn't like)?

The 3-Step Approach to Expand Your Ideas

You do not need to memorize long scripts. Experts suggests a smart 3-Step Approach for IELTS Cue Card. This helps you speak naturally and fill the 2 minutes without stopping.

The Strategy Steps:

1. Step 1: The Main Idea

   • Don't overthink. Just pick one simple answer to the question.

   • Example: If the topic is "Describe a person," just pick "My Uncle."

2. Step 2: Add 2-3 Details

   • Think of two or three small things about that main idea. This is where you expand.

   • Example: Instead of just saying "He is nice," think: "He teaches me football" and "He tells funny jokes."

3. Step 3: Vocabulary (During the test)

   • Don't worry about big words while practicing. Focus on Step 1 and 2.

   • Let the vocabulary come naturally when you speak.

Example of the 3-Step Approach in action:

Topic: Describe a person who inspires you.

• Main Idea: My Math Teacher.

• Detail 1: She stays late after class to help weak students. (Shows kindness)

• Detail 2: She never gets angry when we make mistakes. (Shows patience)

• Result: "I want to talk about my Math teacher. She really inspires me because she is so patient. For example, she stays late every day to help us..."

By using this method, you always have enough to say!

IELTS Cue Card – Preparation Resources

Let us look at some of the IELTS preparation resources that you will need for preparing your Part-2 of the Speaking Test, or Cue Card.

• Visiting the ielts.org: It is the official IELTS website. Irrespective of the section, you want to prepare for, you must start with this website. It will give you in-depth knowledge of the test pattern. You can also go through the sample questions and read the official IELTS practice material.
• The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS: This book must form the base of your preparation. The official website and the official guide should be read and revised thoroughly.
• IELTS Speaking Strategies by Rachel Mitchell: This book provides strategies, explanations, structures, tips, and tricks. It will help you prepare for all the 3 Parts of the Speaking Test.
• Collins Speaking for IELTS: The book is well structured and has a good balance of theory, examples, and tips.
• Recorder: You can find a sufficient number of topics in the books mentioned above and on the internet. You should speak on these topics and record what you are speaking. You will get an understanding of how you speak and what areas need improvement. You can choose topics from newspapers and journals as well. Reading newspapers and journals will help you gain knowledge that might prove to be useful in Part 3 of the Speaking Test.
• Cambly App: You can connect with native speakers via one-on-one video chat. This will help you improve your listening and speaking skills both as you will be accustomed to the language and accent.