IELTS Speaking Part 2

IELTS cue cards with Part 3 questions (page 5)

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 →

201. Describe a time when you and other people improved a shared space.

You should say:

Where the space was
What needed to be improved
What you and the others did
and explain why the experience was meaningful

Part 3 questions (6)

What kinds of shared spaces are most important in a neighbourhood?
How can local residents contribute to keeping shared spaces in good condition?
Why do some public spaces attract more visitors than others?
How does the way people use public spaces differ between urban and rural areas?
What factors encourage people to take part in community projects?
How might people’s involvement in their local areas change in the future?

202. Describe a time when you received particularly good service in a restaurant or food stall.

You should say:

when and where it happened
who you were with
what the staff did
and explain why the service stood out to you

Part 3 questions (6)

What makes customers feel that they have received good service in a restaurant?
In a busy restaurant, is friendly service more important than serving customers quickly?
Why do some customers complain about service while others are more tolerant?
How does technology, such as ordering through an app, affect the experience of dining out?
What are the main differences between the service offered by independent restaurants and large chains?
How might customers' expectations of restaurant service change in the future?

203. Describe a building you have seen that was repaired or improved.

You should say:

where the building is
what it was like before the work
what changes were made and why
and explain what you thought of the improvements

Part 3 questions (6)

What kinds of repairs are most commonly needed in buildings?
Why might people choose to renovate an older building rather than replace it?
How can improvements to buildings make daily life more comfortable for the people who use them?
How should authorities balance the cost of safer construction with other public needs?
Why do some communities place greater value on preserving old buildings than on building new ones?
How might changes in technology and climate affect the way buildings are designed in the future?

204. Describe a time when you took part in an effort to improve a place used by the public.

You should say:

where the place was
who took part in the effort
what people did to improve it
and explain how you felt about the result

Part 3 questions (6)

What kinds of community projects are most likely to attract volunteers?
How can local groups encourage people with different skills to take part?
How does volunteering in a group compare with giving money to support a cause?
Who should be responsible for looking after shared public spaces?
Why do some people feel a strong sense of responsibility for places used by everyone, while others do not?
How might communities' attitudes towards caring for public spaces change in the future?

205. Describe a place where you stayed overnight away from home.

You should say:

where the place was
when you stayed there
what the accommodation was like
and explain what made the stay memorable

Part 3 questions (6)

What factors do people usually consider when choosing accommodation for a holiday?
How do people’s expectations of accommodation differ from those they had in the past?
How might technology change the way people find and use accommodation in the future?
In what ways can tourism benefit businesses in a local community?
Why can the needs of tourists sometimes conflict with the needs of local residents?
How could communities make tourism more sustainable in the long term?

206. Describe a piece of advice about healthy eating that you have heard.

You should say:

where or when you heard it
what the advice was
whether people generally follow it
and explain why it stayed in your mind

Part 3 questions (6)

Where do people commonly get information about healthy eating?
How can people tell whether advice about nutrition is reliable?
How has social media affected the way people learn about food and nutrition?
What can schools do to help children develop healthy eating habits?
Why might some communities have less access to nutritious food than others?
How do you think public attitudes towards nutrition will change in the future?

207. Describe a time when you borrowed or lent a bicycle or another useful item.

You should say:

what the item was
who borrowed or lent it
why it was needed
and explain how you felt about the arrangement

Part 3 questions (6)

How common is it for people to borrow things from friends or neighbours?
What kinds of items are most suitable for sharing?
What makes people more or less willing to lend their belongings?
Why might people prefer to own things rather than share them?
How have online platforms changed the way people share or rent goods?
Do you think shared ownership will become more common in the future, and why?

208. Describe a product package or label that you remember noticing.

You should say:

what the product was
what the package or label looked like
where and when you noticed it
and explain why it has stayed in your memory

Part 3 questions (6)

What features of product packaging tend to attract people’s attention in shops?
How might packaging influence a person’s choice between similar products?
Why do companies invest in distinctive packaging?
What kinds of packaging create the most waste in people’s daily lives?
Why can it be difficult for businesses and consumers to reduce packaging waste?
How might product packaging change in the future as environmental concerns grow?

209. Describe a piece of news that you discussed with someone.

You should say:

when and where you heard about it
what the news was about
who you discussed it with
and explain why it stayed in your mind

Part 3 questions (6)

Where do people generally get their news these days?
How do the news habits of younger and older people tend to differ?
Why might people choose one news source over another?
How can news coverage influence the way the public responds to an issue?
Why is it difficult for journalists to balance speed with accuracy?
How might the role of journalism in society change in the future?

210. Describe a live performance you attended.

You should say:

when and where it took place
who you went with
what happened during the performance
and explain what made the experience memorable for you

Part 3 questions (6)

What kinds of live music performances tend to attract the largest audiences?
How do the venues available affect the atmosphere of a live performance?
Why might some people prefer attending a live performance to listening to recorded music?
How has technology changed the way people discover and experience music?
Do people’s musical tastes tend to become more varied or more fixed as they get older?
How might the role of live music in society change in the future?

211. Describe a practical change you made at home to reduce energy use.

You should say:

what the change was
when and why you made it
whether it was easy or difficult to maintain
and explain how it affected your daily life

Part 3 questions (6)

What are some simple ways households can use less energy?
Why might people find it difficult to maintain energy-saving habits?
How do people’s energy-saving choices differ depending on their living arrangements?
What responsibilities should businesses have for reducing the energy they use?
Why do some societies rely more heavily on renewable energy than others?
How might changes in energy production affect people’s lives in the future?

212. Describe a place you visited that helped you imagine how people lived in the past.

You should say:

where the place was
when you visited it and who you were with
what you saw or learned there
and explain why the visit made an impression on you

Part 3 questions (6)

What kinds of historic places are most commonly preserved in towns and cities?
How might the priorities for preserving old buildings differ from those for preserving archaeological remains?
Why do some societies invest heavily in protecting historic places while others give greater priority to development?
How can museums and educational institutions make the past more engaging for the general public?
Why can people interpret the same historical evidence in different ways?
How might new technology change the way future generations explore and understand the past?

213. Describe a walk or hike in a natural place that you remember well.

You should say:

where you went
who you went with
what you saw or did during the walk
and explain why the experience was memorable for you

Part 3 questions (6)

What benefits can regular walking in natural surroundings bring to people's health?
How do the experiences of hiking alone and hiking in a group differ?
Why might access to outdoor activities become more important in the future?
What effects can visitors have on mountain communities and their local environment?
Why can it be difficult to balance tourism with the protection of natural areas?
How might mountain tourism need to change to remain sustainable in the future?

214. Describe a natural place you visited that felt very different from your usual surroundings.

You should say:

where the place was
when and why you went there
what you saw or did there
and explain how the experience made you feel

Part 3 questions (6)

What facilities do visitors generally expect to find at natural attractions?
How do people’s experiences differ between well-known natural sites and more remote ones?
Why might visits to remote landscapes become more popular in the future?
Who should take the lead in protecting fragile natural environments: governments, local communities, or visitors?
Why can the economic benefits of tourism conflict with the need to conserve natural places?
How might societies balance public access to natural landscapes with their long-term preservation?

215. Describe a time when information from a newspaper, website, or broadcast helped you make a practical decision.

You should say:

what decision you needed to make
where you found the information
what information was especially useful
and explain why it influenced your decision

Part 3 questions (6)

What signs do people look for when deciding whether a news report is reliable?
How has social media affected the way news organisations check information?
What factors can cause public trust in journalism to increase or decline?
In what ways can news coverage influence everyday decisions about health, money, or safety?
Should news outlets give similar attention to local issues and major international events? Why?
How might new technologies change the role of journalism in society in the future?

216. Describe a time when you had to complete an important task somewhere other than your usual workplace or study space.

You should say:

when and where it happened
what you needed to do
what the place was like
and explain how working or studying there affected your experience

Part 3 questions (6)

What practical advantages can working in different locations offer people?
How does working from home compare with working in a shared workplace?
Why might some employers be reluctant to let staff work remotely?
How has communication technology changed the way people maintain working relationships?
Why do some people benefit more than others from having access to remote work?
How might the growing use of remote work affect communities and cities in the future?

217. Describe a natural place you have visited that you think should be protected.

You should say:

where it is and what kind of landscape it has
when you visited and what you did there
what makes the place distinctive
and explain why you think it deserves protection

Part 3 questions (6)

What practical steps can local communities take to look after natural areas that are open to the public?
Why do some visitors take greater care of natural places than others?
How might people’s use of protected natural areas change in the future?
How should governments balance conservation with activities that create jobs and income?
Why can economic development and wildlife conservation come into conflict?
Do you think societies will place greater value on protecting natural habitats in the future? Why or why not?

218. Describe a place you visited where the weather was much hotter or drier than you were used to.

You should say:

where the place was
when you went there and who you were with
what you did while you were there
and explain how the weather affected your experience

Part 3 questions (6)

How can very hot or dry weather affect people’s everyday routines?
What differences might there be between daily life in a hot, dry area and in a cooler, wetter one?
Why do some communities adapt to extreme heat more successfully than others?
What benefits can tourism bring to places with distinctive desert landscapes?
How can authorities balance tourism with the protection of fragile natural environments?
How might climate change alter the way people live in, and travel to, hot and dry regions in the future?

219. Describe a change to your daily routine that you found difficult at first.

You should say:

What the change was
When it happened
Why it was difficult at first
and explain how you adapted to it

Part 3 questions (6)

What are some practical differences between working from home and working in a shared workplace?
Why do some employers allow people to choose where they work?
How might the growth of remote work change the way people think about a good career in the future?
How do households usually manage when several people need to use the same space for work or study?
Why can it be difficult for people to separate their working lives from their personal lives?
In the future, could flexible working arrangements change how communities and cities are designed?

220. Describe an outdoor activity that was more demanding than you expected.

You should say:

where and when you did it
who you did it with
what made it challenging
and explain how you felt about the experience afterwards

Part 3 questions (6)

What makes some outdoor activities appealing to people of different ages?
How does access to outdoor spaces differ between people living in cities and those living in rural areas?
Why might people be more willing to take physical risks during leisure activities than in other parts of their lives?
How can tourism benefit communities near popular outdoor destinations?
What tensions can arise between encouraging tourism and protecting natural landscapes?
How might people’s attitudes towards outdoor recreation change as cities grow and the climate becomes less predictable?

221. Describe a building you have visited that seemed to make good use of natural light or energy.

You should say:

where the building was
what it looked like
which feature you found especially interesting
and explain how the design affected your experience of the building

Part 3 questions (6)

What features can make public buildings more energy-efficient?
How might energy-efficient buildings differ from older buildings?
Why do some communities invest more in renewable energy than others?
Who should bear the main responsibility for making buildings more sustainable: governments, businesses or individuals?
How can the design of buildings influence people’s attitudes towards environmental issues?
What changes in energy use and building design are likely to become more common in the future?

222. Describe a piece of music that you enjoy listening to.

You should say:

when you first heard it
where or when you usually listen to it
what it sounds like
and explain why you enjoy listening to it

Part 3 questions (6)

How can background music affect the atmosphere in places such as cafés or shops?
Why might businesses choose different styles of music for different settings?
How has the use of music in public spaces changed over recent decades?
How does access to music education vary among children from different backgrounds?
Why is music sometimes considered less important than academic subjects?
What role might music education play in society in the future?

223. Describe an old object that you have seen or used.

You should say:

When and where you saw or used it
What it looked like
What it was used for
and explain why it made an impression on you

Part 3 questions (6)

Why do people often keep objects that have little practical value?
How can an ordinary object become important to a family or community?
How should museums decide which everyday objects are worth preserving?
How has the availability of mass-produced goods changed people's relationship with their possessions?
Why do some societies place greater value on repairing and reusing objects than others?
What kinds of objects from the present day might help future generations understand how people lived?

224. Describe a time when you took part in a challenging outdoor outing, such as a long hike.

You should say:

where you went and when
who you went with
what made the outing challenging
and explain how you felt about the experience afterwards

Part 3 questions (6)

What kinds of outdoor facilities are most useful for people living in towns and cities?
How does access to outdoor recreation differ between urban and rural areas?
Why should public authorities invest in places where people can exercise outdoors?
What benefits and drawbacks can tourism bring to communities near popular hiking areas?
How can tourism businesses balance making outdoor destinations accessible with protecting the natural environment?
How might people’s attitudes towards outdoor travel change in the future?

225. Describe an occasion when you chose music for a social gathering.

You should say:

what the occasion was and who attended
how you selected the music
how people responded to your choices
and explain why the music suited the occasion

Part 3 questions (6)

What kinds of music are commonly played at social gatherings?
How can music influence the atmosphere at an event?
Why do some families or communities have particular musical traditions for celebrations?
Where do people encounter background music in public places?
What factors should businesses consider when choosing music for their premises?
How might the role of music at social events change in the future?

226. Describe a time when you saw a news report about a place you know well.

You should say:

when and where you saw the report
what the report was about
what you thought of the way the place was portrayed
and explain why the report stayed in your mind

Part 3 questions (6)

How do local news outlets usually decide which events in a community deserve coverage?
What differences might there be between local and national coverage of the same event?
Why can sustained media coverage of local issues be important to society?
What responsibilities do journalists have when reporting on communities that are unfamiliar to their audience?
How can the way a place is portrayed in the media affect the people who live there?
How might technology change the way communities are represented in the news in the future?

227. Describe a museum or exhibition you enjoyed visiting.

You should say:

where it was and when you went
who you went with, if anyone
what you saw or did there
and explain why the visit stayed in your memory

Part 3 questions (6)

What makes a museum exhibition engaging for visitors of different ages?
How can museums make archaeological discoveries easier for the general public to understand?
Do people learn about the past more effectively through museum displays or through books and films?
Why do societies invest in preserving objects and sites from earlier periods?
How should museums balance the need to protect fragile artefacts with the public’s desire to see them?
In what ways might digital technology change how people experience museums in the future?

228. Describe a power cut you experienced.

You should say:

when and where it happened
what you were doing at the time
how you and other people responded
and explain how the power cut affected you

Part 3 questions (6)

How can a power cut disrupt people’s everyday lives?
Which groups in society are likely to be most affected by interruptions to electricity supplies, and why?
How might communities become more resilient to power cuts in the future?
What are the main advantages and disadvantages of generating electricity from renewable sources?
Why do some communities adopt renewable energy more quickly than others?
How do you think the balance between renewable and conventional energy sources will change in the future?

229. Describe a time when you had to manage with less than you expected.

You should say:

When and where this happened
What was limited or unavailable
What you did to manage the situation
and explain what you learned from the experience

Part 3 questions (6)

What kinds of shortages are most disruptive to people in their everyday lives?
Do people tend to cope differently with a shortage of time and a shortage of money?
Why are some people more resourceful than others when they face difficult circumstances?
How can communities prepare for shortages of essential resources such as water or energy?
Who should take the greatest responsibility for preventing resource shortages: individuals, businesses or governments?
How might climate change and new technology affect the way societies manage scarce resources in the future?

230. Describe a news report or article about an ordinary person's experience that you found memorable.

You should say:

when and where you came across it
what the story was about
what made it stand out to you
and explain why it has stayed in your memory

Part 3 questions (6)

What kinds of stories about ordinary people tend to attract public attention?
How does coverage of everyday people differ from coverage of celebrities or public figures?
Why might audiences respond strongly to stories about individual lives?
What responsibilities do journalists have when reporting on people in difficult circumstances?
How can human-interest reporting influence the way society views particular groups?
How might the role of human-interest stories in journalism change in the future?

231. Describe a journey you made to a place that was difficult to reach.

You should say:

where you went
why you decided to go there
how you travelled there and what challenges you faced
and explain what made the journey worthwhile

Part 3 questions (6)

What forms of transport do people commonly use to reach remote natural areas?
How does access to popular mountain areas differ from access to less-visited ones?
What improvements in transport or facilities might make remote areas easier to reach in the future?
How can tourism in mountain regions benefit people who live there?
How can communities balance visitors’ access to natural areas with the need to protect them?
Do you think governments will place greater restrictions on tourism in fragile environments in the future? Why or why not?

232. Describe a time when you had to manage without electricity for a while.

You should say:

when and where this happened
what caused the electricity to stop working
how you managed during that time
and explain how the experience affected your view of having a reliable power supply

Part 3 questions (6)

What difficulties do people usually face when electricity supplies are interrupted?
How can power cuts affect essential services and businesses in a community?
Are communities better prepared for electricity disruptions than they were in the past?
How might greater use of renewable energy affect the reliability of electricity supplies?
Why do some communities adopt renewable energy more readily than others?
What role is energy storage likely to play in the transition to low-carbon energy?

233. Describe a museum exhibition about life in the past that you visited.

You should say:

where and when you saw it
what the exhibition featured
what you learned from it
and explain why it stayed in your mind

Part 3 questions (6)

How do exhibitions in large museums tend to differ from those in smaller local museums?
Why do some visitors find interactive displays more engaging than objects shown behind glass?
Should museums focus more on educating the public or on entertaining visitors?
What challenges arise when archaeological sites are opened to tourists?
Why do some societies invest more in preserving archaeological heritage than others?
How might technology change the way people learn about archaeological discoveries in the future?

234. Describe a change you made to reduce the amount of waste you produce.

You should say:

what the change was
when and why you decided to make it
whether it was easy or difficult to maintain
and explain what difference, if any, you think it has made

Part 3 questions (6)

What kinds of household waste can people reduce most easily?
Why do some people find it harder than others to adopt less wasteful habits?
How might people’s approach to consumption change in the future?
What practical steps can communities take to protect wildlife?
How should responsibility for wildlife conservation be divided between individuals, businesses and governments?
Do you think society will place greater value on wildlife conservation in the future? Why or why not?

235. Describe a place you visited where you enjoyed a particularly good view.

You should say:

where the place was
how you got there
who you were with
and explain why the view made an impression on you

Part 3 questions (6)

What kinds of outdoor places do people in your area like to visit?
How can local authorities make scenic places easier for people to access?
Why do some people prefer physically demanding activities, such as hiking, to more relaxing leisure activities?
How can tourism benefit communities that are near mountains or other scenic landscapes?
What difficulties can arise when large numbers of visitors go to popular natural areas?
How might people's relationship with the outdoors change in the future?

236. Describe a time when you used music to help you relax.

You should say:

When it happened
Where you were
What you were doing at the time
and explain how the music helped you relax

Part 3 questions (6)

How do people commonly use music to manage stress in everyday life?
Why might different types of music affect people’s moods in different ways?
Should music play a larger role in public services that support people’s wellbeing?
How has digital technology changed the way people discover and listen to music?
Do recommendation algorithms broaden people’s musical tastes or make them more predictable?
How might technology change the role music plays in society in the future?

237. Describe a time when the weather disrupted your plans.

You should say:

when and where it happened
what you had planned to do
how the weather affected the situation
and explain how you responded to the change

Part 3 questions (6)

What kinds of weather are most likely to disrupt people’s everyday activities?
How do businesses and public services tend to respond when severe weather affects a community?
Why might the same weather conditions be considered a serious problem in one place but quite manageable in another?
How can towns and cities be designed to cope better with heat or other extreme weather?
Why do some communities adapt to environmental challenges more effectively than others?
How might people’s relationship with extreme weather change in the coming decades?

238. Describe an interview you watched, listened to or read that you found interesting.

You should say:

when and where you came across it
who was being interviewed
what the interview was mainly about
and explain why it held your attention

Part 3 questions (6)

How can interviews help the public understand complicated issues?
How do interviews on traditional broadcast media differ from those on podcasts or online platforms?
What qualities make an interview both engaging and fair?
How can interviews with well-known or influential people shape public opinion?
Why might audiences trust some interviewers more than others?
How might the role of interviews in journalism change in the future?

239. Describe a trip you took to a place with hills or mountains.

You should say:

where you went and when
who you went with
what you did there
and explain what made the trip worthwhile

Part 3 questions (6)

What tends to attract visitors to mountain regions?
How do the needs of local residents differ from those of tourists in these areas?
What responsibilities should tourism businesses and visitors have as the number of people visiting mountain regions increases?
Why has walking become a popular leisure activity among adults?
Compared with gyms or organised sports, what advantages and disadvantages does hiking offer to communities?
How might changing lifestyles and technology affect the way people use walking trails in the future?

240. Describe a skill you learned mostly by yourself.

You should say:

what the skill was
why you decided to learn it
how you went about learning it
and explain how useful that skill has been to you

Part 3 questions (6)

What kinds of practical skills do adults often learn independently?
How does learning a skill on your own differ from being taught in a formal class?
Why might self-directed learning become more important in the future?
What skills are employers increasingly expecting workers to develop without formal training?
How might professional development opportunities differ between remote and office-based workers?
Could widespread remote work change who is responsible for workers’ ongoing training?

241. Describe a project or task you completed with other people, where some of the work was done independently.

You should say:

what the project or task was
who took part
how the responsibilities were divided
and explain what made the experience successful or challenging

Part 3 questions (6)

What kinds of tasks are usually better suited to a group than to one person?
How does collaboration differ when people work together in person and when they work remotely?
Why do some groups produce better results than others, even when their members have similar abilities?
What advantages and drawbacks do digital tools bring to people working together from different locations?
Why are some organisations more willing than others to let employees work remotely?
How might the growth of remote work change workplaces and local communities in the future?

242. Describe a news source you have used, such as a television programme, website, newspaper or radio station.

You should say:

• when and how you first came across it
• what kinds of stories it usually covers
• what you like or dislike about the way it presents the news
and explain why you have continued to use it or stopped using it

Part 3 questions (6)

How do people of different ages tend to get their news nowadays?
What are the main differences between getting news from television and getting it from online platforms?
Why have some traditional news sources lost their audiences?
What responsibilities do journalists have when reporting on sensitive events?
Why can it be difficult for news organisations to balance accuracy with the pressure to publish quickly?
How might journalism need to change to remain valuable to society in the future?

243. Describe a building you have visited that has been given a new use.

You should say:

Where the building is
What it was used for before
What it is used for now
and explain what you thought about the change

Part 3 questions (6)

What features of an older building are most worth preserving?
How can local authorities decide which buildings should be protected?
Should historic buildings be adapted for modern use, even if this means altering some of their original features?
Why might developers choose to demolish an older building rather than reuse it?
How can the redevelopment of old buildings affect the communities around them?
In the future, how might societies balance the demand for new buildings with the need to preserve traces of the past?

244. Describe something you learned about an animal that surprised you.

You should say:

what animal you learned about
when and how you learned about it
what surprising information you discovered
and explain why this information stayed with you

Part 3 questions (6)

Where do people commonly learn about wildlife?
How might children's education about animals differ from adults'?
Why do some wildlife stories attract more public attention than others?
What factors make it difficult to protect endangered species?
Who should take greater responsibility for wildlife conservation: governments, businesses, or individuals?
How might people's attitudes towards wildlife conservation change in the future?

245. Describe a place you visited that had a memorable view.

You should say:

where the place was
when you went there and who was with you
what you could see from there
and explain why the view made an impression on you

Part 3 questions (6)

Why do people travel to places with impressive natural views?
What effects can tourism have on communities near popular scenic areas?
How might technology change the way people experience these places in the future?
Why do some people prefer outdoor recreation to activities in built-up areas?
How does access to outdoor spaces differ between social groups or regions?
What role should governments play in encouraging outdoor recreation while protecting natural areas?

246. Describe a plant you have cared for.

You should say:

what the plant was and how you got it
where you kept or grew it
what you did to look after it
and explain what you enjoyed or learned from caring for it

Part 3 questions (6)

Why do many people like having plants in their homes?
How does access to parks and gardens differ between urban and rural areas?
Why might some communities invest more in public green spaces than others?
What are some practical ways households can reduce the water they use for gardening?
Should local authorities encourage drought-tolerant plants instead of water-intensive lawns?
How might changing climate conditions affect the kinds of plants people grow in the future?

247. Describe a task you completed with the help of technology.

You should say:

what the task was
when and where you did it
what technology you used
and explain how useful the technology was

Part 3 questions (6)

How have digital tools changed the way people carry out tasks at work?
In what ways can online collaboration differ from working together in person?
Why might some workplaces be slow to adopt new technology?
How can digital services make employment opportunities more accessible?
Which groups of people may find it difficult to benefit from technology at work?
How might automation reshape employment and social mobility in the future?

248. Describe an interview you watched or listened to that you found interesting.

You should say:

when and where you watched or listened to it
who was being interviewed
what the interview was about
and explain what made it interesting to you

Part 3 questions (6)

Why do some people enjoy watching or listening to interviews?
What qualities make an interviewer effective?
How do interviews compare with written profiles as a way of presenting someone's views?
Why might public figures be willing to discuss their experiences in the media?
How can interviews influence the way society views a person or an issue?
How do you think interviews will change as media technology develops?

249. Describe an animal that you think should be protected.

You should say:

what the animal is
where it lives
what threatens its survival
and explain why it is important to protect it

Part 3 questions (6)

How can schools and public institutions help people learn about endangered animals?
Are documentaries or social media more effective at changing people's attitudes towards wildlife?
Why do some threatened species receive much more public attention than others?
Who should take the lead in funding wildlife conservation: governments, businesses or individuals?
How can societies balance protecting wildlife with creating jobs and developing land?
What changes do you think will shape wildlife conservation in the future?

250. Describe a device you use to listen to music.

You should say:

what the device is
when and how you got it
how you usually use it
and explain why you prefer it to other ways of listening to music

Part 3 questions (6)

How do modern music-listening devices differ from those people used in the past?
Why have portable devices become so popular for listening to music?
How might advances in technology change the way people listen to music in the future?
How has the growth of music-streaming services affected musicians and other people working in the music industry?
Does having easy access to a vast range of music encourage people to explore different styles, or does it make listening more superficial?
How might the relationship between musicians and their audiences change as music technology continues to develop?

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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