IELTS speaking

IELTS Speaking Part 2: How to Answer Any Cue Card

By Lumi English Academy · Updated July 2026

Part 2 — the "long turn" — is where many candidates freeze or run out of things to say. The fix is a simple structure you prepare in the 1 minute you're given, so you can talk smoothly for the full 2 minutes.

The rules

You get a cue card with a topic and 3–4 bullet points, 1 minute to make notes, then you must speak for 1–2 minutes. The examiner will not help you — fluency and staying on topic are what's scored.

Use the 1 minute of prep

Don't write sentences — jot 4–5 keywords, one for each bullet plus a "feeling/why". This gives you a map to follow so you never go blank.

A structure for any cue card

1. Introduce it (1 sentence): "I'd like to talk about…"
2. The facts (who / what / where / when): answer the bullet points.
3. The story / detail: what happened, or why it matters — this is where you fill time.
4. Your feeling (why it's memorable): "The reason this stayed with me is…"

Example — "Describe a place you like to visit"

"I'd like to talk about a small tea café near my home that I love visiting. It's tucked away on a quiet street, and I usually go there on weekend mornings. What makes it special is the calm atmosphere — soft music, the smell of cardamom tea, and big windows looking onto a garden. I often take a book and stay for an hour or two. I remember one rainy afternoon when I sat there for hours, just watching the rain and chatting with the owner, who has become a friend. The reason this place stays with me is that it feels like an escape from a busy life — a small pocket of peace where I can slow down and think."

Keep going until they stop you

Aim to still be talking at the 2-minute mark — the examiner will stop you, and that's fine. Running out at 45 seconds signals a lower band. If you finish a point early, add a "why" or a related detail.

Extend everything with because, for example, and which means. These three phrases turn short answers into fluent, band-7 speech.

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Band scores from Lumi tools are AI practice estimates (±0.5), not official IELTS results.