IELTS Speaking Part 2 Cue Card
Part 2 — the individual long turn — is where many candidates either run out of things to say after 40 seconds or rush and finish too early. With a simple structure and a clear 1-minute planning method, you can speak confidently for the full 2 minutes.
What happens in Part 2
You get a cue card with a topic and 4 bullet points (what, where, when, why / how). You have 1 minute to prepare and make notes, then 1–2 minutes to speak. The examiner will stop you at 2 minutes.
How to use your 1 minute
Write 4 short notes, one per bullet point. Do not write full sentences — just a keyword or two for each. Spend the last 10 seconds thinking about how you will start and end.
The 4-part structure
Opening sentence (what it was + context), Point 1 (first bullet, ~30 sec), Point 2 (second and third bullets, ~45 sec), Point 3 (final explain why bullet, ~45 sec). This gets you reliably to 2 minutes.
What to do if you finish early
Do not panic and stop. Add a final thought: "And that is probably why I still think about it today" or "It was genuinely one of the best experiences I have had." A short reflective closing is perfectly fine.
Frequently asked
Do I have to cover every bullet point?
Yes — missing a bullet point lowers your Fluency & Coherence and Task Achievement marks. Make sure you at least touch on each one.
Can I use notes during the talk?
Yes, you can keep your notes and glance at them — but try not to read from them directly.
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