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IELTS Speaking Part 2

IELTS cue cards with Part 3 questions

500 practice cue cards in the real Part 2 format, each with its Part 3 discussion questions. Give yourself one minute to make notes, then talk for two minutes, and record yourself if you can.

Want feedback on your talk? In the app you speak (or type) your answer and get a band for each of the four criteria in about 20 seconds. How to answer Part 2 →

1. Describe a public place that you often visit.

You should say:
  • where it is
  • what people do there
  • what you like or dislike about it
  • and explain why this place is important to people in the area
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What kinds of public places do people use in towns and cities?
  2. How are public parks different from shopping areas?
  3. Why do people need places where they can meet?
  4. What problems can make it difficult to plan a good town or city?
  5. Why is it important for people to have easy access to public places?
  6. How might towns and cities change in the future?

2. Describe a piece of clothing you bought and wear often.

You should say:
  • what the item is
  • when and where you bought it
  • why you chose it
  • and explain why you still wear it
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. Where do people usually buy everyday clothes?
  2. How do older and younger people choose clothes differently?
  3. Why do some people buy more clothes than they need?
  4. How do adverts affect the clothes people buy?
  5. Why do some people feel pressure to wear fashionable clothes?
  6. How might people buy clothes differently in the future?

3. Describe a journey you made by public transport, such as a train or bus journey.

You should say:
  • Where you went
  • Who you went with
  • What you saw or did during the journey
  • and explain how you felt about the journey
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What problems can people have when travelling by train?
  2. How is travelling by train different from travelling by bus?
  3. Why do some people choose trains for long journeys?
  4. How can public transport help people in a town or city?
  5. Why do some places have better public transport than others?
  6. How might public transport change in the future?

4. Describe a meal you had with your family.

You should say:
  • when and where you had the meal
  • who was there
  • what you ate
  • and explain why you remember this meal
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. How do families usually decide what to eat?
  2. Who often prepares meals in a family?
  3. Are family meals more common now or in the past?
  4. What activities do families often enjoy together?
  5. Why is spending time together important for family relationships?
  6. How might family activities change in the future?

5. Describe a time when you tried to save water.

You should say:
  • when and where it happened
  • why you wanted to save water
  • what you did
  • and explain how you felt about it
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. How do people use water in their homes?
  2. What are some easy ways for people to use less water?
  3. Why do some people use more water than they need?
  4. Why is it important for towns and cities to have clean water?
  5. What problems can happen when there is not enough water?
  6. How might people’s use of water change in the future?

6. Describe a family meal you remember.

You should say:
  • where and when it happened
  • who was there
  • what food you ate
  • and explain why you remember it
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What kinds of food do families often eat together?
  2. Do families today eat together as often as they did in the past?
  3. Why do some families find it hard to share meals?
  4. What do parents and teenagers often talk about at home?
  5. Is communication between young people and adults different today?
  6. How might family relationships change in the future?

7. Describe a railway station you have visited.

You should say:
  • When you visited it
  • Where it was
  • What you saw or did there
  • and explain how you felt about the station
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What facilities do people need at a railway station?
  2. Why can railway stations become crowded?
  3. How have railway stations changed over time?
  4. Why do some people choose trains instead of cars?
  5. How can train travel help reduce traffic problems?
  6. What changes might make railways more useful in the future?

8. Describe a photo you saw on social media.

You should say:
  • where and when you saw it
  • what was in the photo
  • who or what shared it
  • and explain why you remember it
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What kinds of photos do people often share online?
  2. Do younger and older people share different kinds of photos?
  3. Why do people like to share photos with others?
  4. What problems can happen when someone shares a photo of another person?
  5. Why are some people more careful about their privacy online than others?
  6. How might the way people share photos change in the future?

9. Describe a time when there was a problem with water or plumbing in your home.

You should say:
  • When it happened
  • What the problem was
  • What you did about it
  • and explain how you felt about the problem
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. How do people usually get water for their homes?
  2. What do people do when the water supply stops?
  3. Are water problems harder for some households than others?
  4. Why is it important for towns and cities to have clean public toilets?
  5. Who should be responsible for keeping public toilets clean?
  6. How might public sanitation change in the future?

10. Describe a time when you had a problem with water at home.

You should say:
  • • when it happened
  • • what the problem was
  • • what you did about it
  • and explain how you felt about the situation
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What water problems can happen in people’s homes?
  2. How can a water problem affect a family’s daily life?
  3. Why do some homes have more water problems than others?
  4. How do people in towns and villages get water?
  5. Why is it important for everyone to have clean water?
  6. How might water supplies change in the future?

11. Describe a time you tried an activity that felt exciting or a little frightening.

You should say:
  • what the activity was
  • where and when you did it
  • who was with you
  • and explain how you felt during or after it
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What safety equipment do people often use when doing sports?
  2. How can sports clubs help people avoid injuries?
  3. Should activities with serious risks have stricter rules?
  4. Why do some people enjoy activities that feel exciting or dangerous?
  5. How are outdoor activities different from activities people do indoors?
  6. How might technology change adventure activities in the future?

12. Describe a useful thing you learned from a post or video on social media.

You should say:
  • what you learned
  • where you saw it
  • how you used it
  • and explain why it was useful to you
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What kinds of useful skills do people learn from online posts?
  2. Do adults and young people learn different things online?
  3. Why might online learning become more common in the future?
  4. How can people check if advice on social media is true?
  5. Why do some people trust online advice more than advice from experts?
  6. How might people's trust in social media change in the future?

13. Describe a time when there was a problem with water at home.

You should say:
  • what the problem was
  • when it happened
  • what you did about it
  • and explain how you felt about the problem
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. Where do people usually get drinking water in towns and villages?
  2. How can access to clean water differ between rich and poor areas?
  3. What problems could make it difficult to provide clean water in the future?
  4. What public places need toilets and places to wash hands?
  5. Why are some public toilets cleaner than others?
  6. How could public sanitation improve in the future?

14. Describe an activity you enjoyed doing with a family member.

You should say:
  • who you did it with
  • what the activity was
  • when and where you did it
  • and explain why you enjoyed it
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What activities do family members often enjoy doing together?
  2. Do adults and children usually enjoy the same activities?
  3. Why might families spend less time doing activities together now?
  4. How can shared activities help family members understand each other?
  5. Are family relationships different today compared with the past?
  6. How might family life change in the future?

15. Describe a time when you cared for a plant or helped in a garden.

You should say:
  • When and where this happened
  • What plant or garden you cared for
  • What you did to look after it
  • and explain how you felt about the experience
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. Why do some people grow plants in shared spaces?
  2. What kinds of plants are often grown in public gardens?
  3. How can shared gardens improve a neighbourhood?
  4. How do farmers use water to grow food?
  5. Why might some farms have difficulty getting enough water?
  6. How might the way farms use water change in the future?

16. Describe a time when you were outside in the rain.

You should say:
  • when it happened
  • where you were
  • what you did
  • and explain how you felt
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. How does rain affect people's journeys?
  2. Do people in towns and villages experience rainy days differently?
  3. Why is rain important for people's daily lives?
  4. What problems can heavy rain cause for a community?
  5. Why should communities collect rainwater?
  6. How might communities deal with rainwater in the future?

17. Describe a school event you remember from when you were a teenager.

You should say:
  • what the event was
  • where and when it took place
  • who you were with
  • and explain how you felt about the event
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What kinds of events do schools often organise for teenagers?
  2. Why do many teenagers enjoy taking part in school events?
  3. Are school events different now from those in the past?
  4. How can school events help young people feel part of a community?
  5. Why is it useful for teenagers to do activities with people their own age?
  6. How might school events change in the future?

18. Describe a sports event you watched.

You should say:
  • what the event was
  • where and when you watched it
  • who you watched it with
  • and explain what you liked or disliked about it
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What sports events do people in your area like to watch?
  2. Why do many people enjoy watching sports?
  3. What are the differences between watching a sports event live and watching it on TV?
  4. What dangers can people face when they take part in sports?
  5. Why do some people choose sports that are more dangerous than others?
  6. How might safety rules in sports change in the future?

19. Describe a public place you have visited that had very clean toilets.

You should say:
  • where the place was
  • when you visited it
  • what the toilets were like
  • and explain why you remember this place
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What makes a public toilet clean and comfortable?
  2. Are public toilets cleaner now than they were in the past?
  3. Why are some public toilets cleaner than others?
  4. Why is it important for towns to provide clean public toilets and water?
  5. Who should be responsible for keeping public facilities clean?
  6. How might public toilets and sanitation change in the future?

20. Describe a time you carried drinking water for a journey or activity.

You should say:
  • when it happened
  • where you were going
  • how you carried the water
  • and explain why you needed to take it with you
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. Where can people usually get drinking water in public places?
  2. What kinds of public places should have drinking water?
  3. How are public drinking water services different in cities and small towns?
  4. Why do some communities have less clean water than others?
  5. What can local governments do to make sure people have enough water?
  6. How might people's use of water change in the future?

21. Describe a useful thing you learned from a family member.

You should say:
  • who taught you
  • what you learned
  • when you learned it
  • and explain why it has been useful to you
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What useful skills do children often learn from their families?
  2. How can family members teach practical skills at home?
  3. Do children learn more from watching family members or from being told what to do?
  4. How has the way people learn skills changed compared with the past?
  5. Why do some families find it difficult to pass knowledge between generations?
  6. In the future, what skills might people learn from their families, and what might they learn elsewhere?

22. Describe a time when a food you usually eat was not available.

You should say:
  • when it happened
  • what food was not available
  • what you ate instead
  • and explain how you felt about the change
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. Where do people usually get fresh food in a town or city?
  2. Is it easier for people to find fresh food in cities or in the countryside?
  3. Why might some people have trouble getting enough healthy food?
  4. Why do shops and homes throw away food?
  5. What can shops do to waste less food?
  6. How might people get food in the future?

23. Describe a meal you prepared that needed a lot of water.

You should say:
  • what the meal was
  • when you prepared it
  • who ate the meal with you
  • and explain why you chose to make it
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What kinds of food need a lot of water to prepare?
  2. How is cooking at home different from cooking in a large restaurant?
  3. Why might people choose foods that need less water?
  4. What services do communities need to provide clean water?
  5. How can water services in cities differ from those in small communities?
  6. What changes might affect public water supplies in the future?

24. Describe a time when you had to follow safety rules.

You should say:
  • where and when it happened
  • what the safety rules were
  • who asked you to follow them
  • and explain why the rules were important
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What safety rules are important in extreme sports?
  2. What safety equipment do people need for these sports?
  3. Who should check that sports clubs follow safety rules?
  4. Why do some people enjoy taking risks in sport?
  5. Do younger and older people have different ideas about risky sports?
  6. How might extreme sports change in the future?

25. Describe a discussion you saw on social media.

You should say:
  • where you saw it
  • what it was about
  • what people said
  • and explain what you thought about it
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What topics do people often discuss on social media?
  2. How are online discussions different from face-to-face conversations?
  3. Why do some online discussions become angry?
  4. How can online discussions help people learn about problems in their community?
  5. Why are some people more influenced by online opinions than others?
  6. How might social media discussions change in the future?

26. Describe a time when the price of a food item changed and affected what you bought.

You should say:
  • what food it was
  • when and where you bought it
  • what you did after the price changed
  • and explain how you felt about the change
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. Which food items do people often notice becoming more expensive?
  2. How can higher food prices affect families with different incomes?
  3. Why can some people manage food price rises more easily than others?
  4. How does food usually get from farms to shops?
  5. What problems can make it harder for shops to get enough food?
  6. What could communities do in the future to help everyone get enough healthy food?

27. Describe a journey when you saw an interesting view.

You should say:
  • where you were going
  • how you travelled
  • what you saw
  • and explain why the view was interesting to you
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What kinds of places do people enjoy looking at during a journey?
  2. Can people see more of the countryside from a train or from a car?
  3. Why do some people enjoy looking at the view when they travel?
  4. How can railways help people living in towns and villages?
  5. Why do some people choose to travel by train instead of by car?
  6. How might train travel change in the future?

28. Describe a time when you rode a bicycle.

You should say:
  • Where and when you rode it
  • Who you were with
  • Why you rode a bicycle
  • and explain how you felt during or after the ride
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What safety equipment do cyclists need?
  2. How is cycling in a city different from cycling in the countryside?
  3. How can towns make cycling safer in the future?
  4. What kinds of extreme sports are popular with people?
  5. Why do some people choose sports that can be dangerous?
  6. Do you think extreme sports will become more popular in the future?

29. Describe a train ride that you found relaxing.

You should say:
  • when you took the train
  • where you were going
  • what you did during the ride
  • and explain why you found it relaxing
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. Why do some people choose trains for everyday travel?
  2. How can train services help people who live far from city centres?
  3. What problems can crowded trains cause for passengers?
  4. How are trains and cars different for people travelling in a group?
  5. Why do some towns have better train services than others?
  6. How might train travel change in the future?

30. Describe a journey when you chose to travel by train instead of using another way of travelling.

You should say:
  • where you were going
  • why you chose the train
  • what happened during the journey
  • and explain how you felt about your choice
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. Why do some people choose trains for short journeys?
  2. How is travelling by train different from travelling by car?
  3. Why might more people choose trains in the future?
  4. How can railway lines help towns and cities?
  5. Why do some places have better train services than others?
  6. How might railways change the way people live in the future?

31. Describe an important decision that was made in your family.

You should say:
  • when it happened
  • what the decision was
  • who was involved
  • and explain why it was important
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. How do families usually make important decisions?
  2. Do adults and children usually have the same influence on family decisions?
  3. Why can family members find it difficult to agree?
  4. How have the roles of adults and children in families changed over time?
  5. What has caused these changes in family roles?
  6. How might families make decisions differently in the future?

32. Describe a time when you had to find safe drinking water while away from home.

You should say:
  • when and where it happened
  • why you needed drinking water
  • how you found it
  • and explain how you felt about the experience
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What are common ways for people to get drinking water in towns and villages?
  2. Why do some areas have safer drinking water than others?
  3. How might communities provide safe drinking water in the future?
  4. What public facilities help people keep clean when they are away from home?
  5. How can public toilets in busy areas differ from those in quiet areas?
  6. What changes could make public sanitation better in the future?

33. Describe a time when you washed clothes by hand.

You should say:
  • when and where it happened
  • what clothes you washed
  • why you washed them by hand
  • and explain how you felt about it
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. Where can people go if they do not have a washing machine at home?
  2. How are washing clothes at home and using a public laundry different?
  3. Why might some people find it hard to wash their clothes regularly?
  4. How have the ways people wash clothes changed over time?
  5. Why is it important for communities to have clean water for washing?
  6. What changes might make washing clothes easier for people in the future?

34. Describe a time you spent time at a beach, lake, or river.

You should say:
  • where the place was
  • who you were with
  • what you did there
  • and explain how you felt about the day
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What water activities do people enjoy in their free time?
  2. Are water sports more popular with young people or older people?
  3. Why do some people enjoy activities that feel dangerous?
  4. What safety equipment should people use for sports in or on the water?
  5. Should people have training before they try a risky sport?
  6. Will more people try extreme sports in the future? Why or why not?

35. Describe a social media account you enjoy following.

You should say:
  • what the account is about
  • when you started following it
  • what you like about its posts
  • and explain why you continue to follow it
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What kinds of accounts are popular on social media?
  2. How do businesses use social media accounts to reach people?
  3. Why do some posts get many more views than others?
  4. How has social media changed the way people communicate?
  5. Do younger and older people use social media in different ways?
  6. How might social media use change in the future?

36. Describe a time when you had guests at your home.

You should say:
  • who visited you
  • why they came to your home
  • what you did together
  • and explain how you felt about the visit
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What do people usually do when they have guests at home?
  2. What food or drinks do people often offer their guests?
  3. Why do some people enjoy having guests, while others do not?
  4. How are visits between friends and family different from online conversations?
  5. Why do some people visit each other less often than in the past?
  6. How might the way people visit friends and family change in the future?

37. Describe a time when you saw a view from a high place.

You should say:
  • where you were and when you went there
  • who you were with
  • what you could see from that place
  • and explain how you felt about the view
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What kinds of extreme sports do people enjoy watching or doing?
  2. Why do some people enjoy sports that have risks?
  3. What safety rules should people follow when doing dangerous sports?
  4. Why do people visit high places with a good view?
  5. How are views from tall buildings different from views in the countryside?
  6. How might the way people visit high places change in the future?

38. Describe a time when you bought or used a train ticket.

You should say:
  • when and where you bought or used the ticket
  • why you were travelling
  • how you got the ticket
  • and explain whether it was easy to buy or use
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. How do people usually buy train tickets?
  2. What problems can people have when buying train tickets?
  3. Why might some people prefer paper tickets to digital tickets?
  4. Who benefits most from having good train services?
  5. Why do some towns have better public transport than others?
  6. How might train services change in the future?

39. Describe a friend you had when you were a teenager.

You should say:
  • Where and when you met
  • What you did together
  • What this person was like
  • and explain why you remember this friendship
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What do teenagers usually enjoy doing with their friends?
  2. How are friendships between teenagers different from friendships between adults?
  3. Why are friends important to young people?
  4. How can schools help young people make friends?
  5. Why do some friendships last longer than others?
  6. How might technology change the way young people make friends in the future?

40. Describe a time when you used water to clean something.

You should say:
  • what you cleaned
  • when and where you cleaned it
  • how you cleaned it
  • and explain why water was useful
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What things do people often use water to clean at home?
  2. Do people use more water for cleaning now than in the past?
  3. Why do some people find it difficult to use less water at home?
  4. Where can people usually get clean water in their community?
  5. What problems can a lack of clean water cause for a community?
  6. How might communities protect their water supplies in the future?

41. Describe a place where you saw people growing food.

You should say:
  • Where the place was
  • What kind of food people grew there
  • What people did in the place
  • and explain what you thought about this place
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What kinds of food can people grow in a garden?
  2. Who might work in a community garden?
  3. Is it easier to grow food in a town or in the countryside? Why?
  4. Why do some people have trouble getting enough food?
  5. How can local groups help people who do not have enough food?
  6. How might the way food is grown change in the future?

42. Describe a time you bought a ticket for a journey.

You should say:
  • where you were going
  • how you bought the ticket
  • who you were travelling with
  • and explain how you felt about buying the ticket
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. Where do people usually buy tickets for journeys?
  2. What information do people need before they buy a travel ticket?
  3. Why might some people prefer to buy tickets in person?
  4. How has buying travel tickets changed in recent years?
  5. Why can online ticket systems be difficult for some people to use?
  6. How might travel ticket services change in the future?

43. Describe a time when you drank water from a source you did not usually use.

You should say:
  • where you were
  • what the water came from
  • why you drank it
  • and explain what you thought of the water
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. Where do people usually get drinking water in towns and cities?
  2. What differences are there between tap water and bottled water?
  3. Why might people worry about the quality of their drinking water?
  4. Why is it important for communities to have clean drinking water?
  5. What can make it difficult for some people to get safe water?
  6. How might the way people get drinking water change in the future?

44. Describe a family event you attended.

You should say:
  • when it was
  • where it took place
  • who was there
  • and explain how you felt about the event
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What kinds of events do families often celebrate together?
  2. How are family celebrations different from celebrations for children?
  3. Why are family celebrations important to many people?
  4. What public events bring people in a community together?
  5. Why do some people enjoy large public events more than small gatherings?
  6. How might the way people celebrate events change in the future?

45. Describe a game you enjoy playing in your free time.

You should say:
  • what the game is
  • when and where you usually play it
  • who you usually play it with
  • and explain why you enjoy playing it
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What kinds of games do people often play together?
  2. How can playing games help people get to know each other?
  3. Do people of different ages tend to enjoy different kinds of games?
  4. Why do some people prefer playing games alone?
  5. How has technology changed the way people play games?
  6. What kinds of games might become more popular in the future?

46. Describe a handmade object that you have used or owned.

You should say:
  • what the object is
  • who made it or where you got it
  • what you use it for
  • and explain why it is special to you
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What kinds of handmade products do people buy in shops?
  2. Why might some people prefer handmade products to factory-made ones?
  3. How are handmade products different from similar products made by machines?
  4. How do people usually learn traditional craft skills?
  5. Why are some traditional craft skills becoming less common?
  6. What do you think will happen to traditional crafts in the future?

47. Describe an important event that you remember well.

You should say:
  • what the event was
  • where and when it happened
  • who was there and what happened
  • and explain why you remember this event
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. How do people commonly record important events?
  2. How have photographs and videos changed the way people remember events?
  3. Why do some events stay in people's memories for a long time?
  4. Why are shared events, such as festivals or family celebrations, important to communities?
  5. How can shared memories help people feel connected to each other?
  6. How might people in the future remember important events differently?

48. Describe an animal you have spent time with.

You should say:
  • what kind of animal it was
  • where and when you spent time with it
  • what you did together
  • and explain how you felt about the animal
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What kinds of pets are popular with people?
  2. How is keeping a pet different for people who live in a flat and people who live in a house?
  3. Why do you think more people may choose to keep pets in the future?
  4. Who should be responsible for caring for pets that do not have owners?
  5. How can schools teach children to treat animals well?
  6. What changes might happen in the way society cares for animals in the future?

49. Describe a project or activity that you helped to start.

You should say:
  • What the project or activity was
  • Why it was started
  • What you did to help
  • and explain how you felt about the result
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What kinds of projects do people often start in their local area?
  2. How are projects started by groups different from projects started by one person?
  3. Why do some people find it difficult to turn an idea into action?
  4. In what ways can new businesses or services help a community?
  5. How might the effects of new businesses differ in cities and small towns?
  6. How could new technology change the way people start businesses in the future?

50. Describe a time when you had to remember something important.

You should say:
  • When it happened
  • What you had to remember
  • How you remembered it
  • and explain why it was important
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What kinds of information do people need to remember in their daily lives?
  2. Do younger and older people use different ways to remember things?
  3. Why do some memories stay clear while others are forgotten?
  4. How have phones changed the way people remember appointments and important dates?
  5. What are the advantages of writing information down compared with storing it on a device?
  6. In the future, do you think people will rely more on technology to remember things?

Frequently asked questions

How long do I have to prepare a cue card?

One minute, with paper and a pencil for notes. Then you speak for one to two minutes, and the examiner may ask one or two short questions on the same topic.

Do I have to cover every point on the card?

It's strongly recommended. The points help you organise a two-minute talk, and covering them all shows you can develop a topic.

What if I have no experience of the topic?

You can talk about someone you know or describe something you'd like to do; the examiner is assessing your English, not the truth of the story.

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IELTS cue cards with Part 3 questions | ielts.coach