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IELTS Speaking Part 2

IELTS cue cards with Part 3 questions (page 7)

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 →

301. Describe a time when your usual way of getting around was unavailable.

You should say:
  • what happened
  • when and where it happened
  • how you managed to get around instead
  • and explain how the experience affected your view of transport options
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What alternatives do people commonly use when their usual form of transport is unavailable?
  2. How do the advantages of cycling compare with those of public transport in busy urban areas?
  3. Why do some people remain dependent on private cars despite the availability of other options?
  4. What can local authorities do to make it safer for people to walk or cycle around towns and cities?
  5. How might transport networks be designed to cope better with disruptions such as severe weather or technical failures?
  6. Will advances in technology make urban transport more accessible and resilient in the future, or could they create new problems?

302. Describe a conversation you had with someone you had not met before while eating at a restaurant, café or food stall.

You should say:
  • where you were and what the setting was like
  • who you spoke to
  • what you talked about
  • and explain why the conversation has stayed in your mind
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. In what kinds of eating places are customers most likely to strike up conversations with strangers, and why?
  2. How can the layout and pace of a place to eat affect whether people interact?
  3. Compared with the past, are people more or less inclined to talk to strangers while eating out?
  4. What role do restaurants and street-food venues play in the life of a neighbourhood?
  5. Why do some communities preserve independent food businesses while others increasingly rely on large chains?
  6. How might technology and changing urban lifestyles reshape the social role of places where people eat?

303. Describe a time when you felt a building or the ground vibrate.

You should say:
  • when and where it happened
  • what you were doing at the time
  • what you thought had caused the vibration
  • and explain how you reacted and why the experience stayed in your memory
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What kinds of everyday activity can cause noticeable vibrations in buildings or the ground?
  2. How might the risks from ground movement differ between older buildings and modern ones?
  3. Why can it be difficult for cities to balance the cost of construction with the need for seismic resilience?
  4. How can communities help people distinguish harmless vibrations from signs of a serious hazard?
  5. Why might people who face similar natural risks assess those risks very differently?
  6. How could advances in monitoring and predictive technology influence the way societies prepare for earthquakes and volcanic activity?

304. Describe a time when you noticed food packaging making a product seem healthier than it was.

You should say:
  • • where you were and what the product was
  • • what information or claim caught your attention
  • • what made you question the impression it gave
  • and explain what this experience made you think about nutrition claims
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What kinds of nutrition claims are commonly used to attract buyers?
  2. How can consumers judge whether claims on food packaging are trustworthy?
  3. Should governments regulate health-related claims on food products more strictly?
  4. How does access to nutritious food differ among groups in society?
  5. Why may people continue to choose less nutritious food even when healthier options are available?
  6. How might public policy and technology influence people's diets in the future?

305. Describe something useful you gave away to someone outside your household.

You should say:
  • what the item was
  • who received it
  • why you decided to give it away
  • and explain how you felt about giving it away
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What kinds of items are most commonly donated to community organisations?
  2. How can organisations make sure that donated goods are genuinely useful to the people who receive them?
  3. Why might some people prefer to give away possessions rather than make a financial donation?
  4. Compared with the past, do people now feel more or less responsible for redistributing goods they no longer need?
  5. How has consumer culture influenced people’s attitudes towards reusing and giving away possessions?
  6. In the future, could digital platforms make the redistribution of goods more effective, or might they create new difficulties?

306. Describe a menu in a restaurant or street-food place that caught your attention.

You should say:
  • where you saw the menu
  • what it looked like and what information it gave
  • what you chose, or how the menu influenced your choice
  • and explain what made the menu effective or memorable
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What information do people tend to look for first when they read a restaurant menu?
  2. How can the wording and layout of a menu affect what customers choose?
  3. Should restaurants make dietary and allergen information prominent, even if this makes menus more crowded?
  4. How might clear menu information benefit people with different needs or levels of familiarity with a cuisine?
  5. To what extent should restaurants be responsible for helping customers make informed food choices?
  6. How might digital menus change the way restaurants communicate with customers in the future?

307. Describe an activity you tried while visiting somewhere away from home.

You should say:
  • where you were
  • what the activity involved
  • who you did it with
  • and explain what you found memorable or worthwhile about it
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What kinds of hands-on activities are most likely to attract visitors to an unfamiliar destination?
  2. How might activities organised by local residents differ from standardised experiences sold by large operators?
  3. Why do some traditional skills or pastimes become popular with visitors while others remain overlooked?
  4. In what ways can visitor demand alter the activities and livelihoods of a host community?
  5. How should local authorities balance commercial opportunities with the risk of turning cultural practices into performances for outsiders?
  6. As digital media exposes local activities to global audiences, how might communities protect or adapt their traditions in the future?

308. Describe a change you have noticed in a place as it became more popular with visitors.

You should say:
  • where the place is and what it was like before
  • what changed as the number of visitors increased
  • when or how you became aware of the change
  • and explain how it affected people who live or work there
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What changes in daily life do residents commonly notice when visitor numbers rise in their area?
  2. How might residents’ priorities differ from those of visitors when a neighbourhood becomes popular?
  3. Why do some communities embrace increased tourism while others are wary of it?
  4. What practical steps can local authorities take to ensure that tourism benefits local businesses and residents?
  5. How should communities balance visitors’ access to popular sites with the need to protect them?
  6. How might the relationship between tourism and local communities change in the coming decades?

309. Describe a practical skill you learned and still use.

You should say:
  • what the skill is
  • when and how you learned it
  • what you found challenging about learning it
  • and explain why it has remained useful to you
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. Which practical skills do people most often learn outside formal education?
  2. How might the way people learn practical skills differ now from the way previous generations learned them?
  3. Why do some practical skills remain valuable even when technology can perform similar tasks?
  4. In what ways could robotics change the skills employers expect from workers?
  5. What might cause some groups in society to benefit more than others from advances in robotics?
  6. In the future, how should education balance technical expertise with distinctly human abilities?

310. Describe a person you know who encouraged other people to take part in an activity.

You should say:
  • who this person is
  • what activity they encouraged people to join
  • how they persuaded others to take part
  • and explain why their encouragement was effective
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What kinds of group activities tend to appeal to adults?
  2. How can organisers make activities such as community rides more welcoming to newcomers?
  3. Compared with the past, do people have more or fewer opportunities to take part in local activities?
  4. What qualities make someone influential in encouraging others to adopt a new leisure activity?
  5. Why might personal example be more persuasive than an advertising campaign?
  6. In the future, will digital platforms make people more or less willing to join activities in person?

311. Describe a time when you realised that food had affected your energy or concentration.

You should say:
  • where and when this happened
  • what you had eaten or drunk
  • how you felt afterwards
  • and explain what the experience made you think about diet and wellbeing
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What kinds of foods or eating patterns are most likely to influence people's energy during the day?
  2. Do the effects of diet on concentration differ between children, working adults and older people?
  3. Why can it be difficult for people to distinguish the effects of diet from other influences on their wellbeing?
  4. How useful are nutrition labels in helping the public make informed decisions about food?
  5. Should greater responsibility for healthy diets rest with individuals, food producers or public authorities?
  6. How might technology and scientific advances change public understanding of the relationship between diet and health?

312. Describe a time when you had a conversation with someone you did not know while eating at a restaurant or food stall.

You should say:
  • where you were
  • who you spoke to
  • what you talked about
  • and explain how you felt about the conversation
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What kinds of conversations are people likely to have with strangers in restaurants or food stalls?
  2. Why might some eating places encourage conversation between strangers more than others?
  3. Compared with previous generations, has casual conversation between strangers in public places become more or less common?
  4. What role do neighbourhood restaurants and food stalls play in the social life of a community?
  5. Why might these places matter more to some groups in society than to others?
  6. How could changes in urban design and digital technology affect the role of public eating places in the future?

313. Describe a time when you had to handle something delicate or valuable.

You should say:
  • what the item was and when you handled it
  • why it needed to be treated carefully
  • what you did to avoid damaging it
  • and explain how you felt about being responsible for it
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What kinds of occupations require people to handle objects with exceptional care?
  2. How do people typically learn to carry out delicate work reliably?
  3. In what ways might manual precision matter more in some professions than in others?
  4. Which industries are most likely to use robots for tasks that demand precise handling?
  5. What factors influence whether organisations trust robotic systems with delicate or high-value materials?
  6. As robots become more capable, how might societies decide which forms of skilled human work should remain in human hands?

314. Describe a time when you saw a place being repaired after it had been damaged.

You should say:
  • where the place was and when you saw it
  • what had been damaged
  • what people were doing to repair it
  • and explain why the experience stayed in your mind
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. How do communities usually organize repairs to shared spaces after a natural disaster?
  2. What factors can make the recovery of a damaged area faster or slower?
  3. How should decision-makers balance restoring buildings quickly with making them safer for the future?
  4. How has the way people assess the safety of buildings changed over time?
  5. Why do some societies invest more in preventing disaster damage than in repairing it afterwards?
  6. How might new technology change the way cities prepare for earthquakes and other geological hazards?

315. Describe a possession from your childhood that you remember well.

You should say:
  • what the possession was
  • how you came to have it
  • what you used to do with it
  • and explain why it has stayed in your memory
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What kinds of toys or possessions tend to be especially memorable for children?
  2. How has the way children play changed compared with previous generations?
  3. What role do parents play in deciding which toys or activities children have access to?
  4. Why do some childhood possessions remain emotionally important well into adulthood?
  5. How does the design of children's products reflect changing social values?
  6. How might children's play and the objects they use change in the future?

316. Describe a time when eating out cost more than you had expected.

You should say:
  • where and when it happened
  • who you were with
  • what you had expected to pay and what the final cost was
  • and explain how you felt about the difference
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. How do the prices of food tend to differ between restaurants and street-food stalls?
  2. What factors influence how much customers are willing to pay for a meal?
  3. How might rising food prices affect people's eating-out habits in the future?
  4. In what ways can restaurants and street-food businesses contribute to the character of a neighbourhood?
  5. Why do some communities value small, independent food businesses more than large chains?
  6. How might changes in urban planning or technology reshape the role of places where people eat?

317. Describe an advertisement you remember seeing in a public place.

You should say:
  • where you saw it
  • what it was promoting
  • what visual features you remember
  • and explain why it has stayed in your mind
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What visual features tend to make advertisements noticeable in crowded public spaces?
  2. How do printed advertisements compare with digital displays in influencing passers-by?
  3. Why do businesses increasingly rely on imagery rather than detailed written explanations?
  4. How can advertising affect the appearance and atmosphere of shared spaces?
  5. Should there be stricter limits on advertising aimed at children or other vulnerable groups? Why?
  6. How might advances in digital technology change the visual character of public spaces in the future?

318. Describe a time when you witnessed an effort to reduce food waste.

You should say:
  • when and where this happened
  • what led to the effort
  • what people did to reduce the waste
  • and explain why you thought the effort was worthwhile
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What kinds of food are most commonly wasted in households?
  2. How do food-waste practices differ between households and businesses such as restaurants?
  3. What practical steps can communities take to prevent edible food from being thrown away?
  4. Who should bear the greatest responsibility for reducing food waste: consumers, retailers, or producers?
  5. Why can food be wasted on a large scale in societies where many people still struggle to afford a nutritious diet?
  6. How might technology and public policy change the way food is distributed and wasted in the future?

319. Describe an item that was repaired instead of being thrown away.

You should say:
  • what the item was
  • how it became damaged
  • who repaired it
  • and explain why it was worth repairing
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What kinds of items are most commonly repaired rather than replaced?
  2. How do people usually decide whether an item is worth repairing?
  3. Why might a society that once valued repair come to favour replacing things?
  4. In which industries could robots make repairs more precise or efficient?
  5. How might robotic repair compare with work carried out by skilled human technicians?
  6. What effect could advances in robotics have on repair services and employment in the future?

320. Describe a time when you had to eat at an unusual time.

You should say:
  • when it happened and why your usual schedule was disrupted
  • where you were and what food was available
  • how you felt before and afterwards
  • and explain whether the experience affected how you think about meal timing
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. How common is it for people in different kinds of jobs to eat outside conventional mealtimes?
  2. What practical difficulties can people face when their work or daily commitments disrupt their usual eating schedule?
  3. Why might irregular eating patterns become more common as working hours and lifestyles change?
  4. How can employers and public institutions make nutritious food more accessible to people with demanding or unpredictable schedules?
  5. Why do some communities have far fewer opportunities to obtain fresh, balanced food than others?
  6. How might technology and changes in working life reshape access to nutritious food in the future?

321. Describe a time when you took practical steps to protect something valuable.

You should say:
  • when it happened
  • what you wanted to protect
  • what steps you took
  • and explain why those steps mattered to you
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. How do households in areas prone to earthquakes tend to protect their homes and possessions?
  2. How might these precautions differ from measures taken against hazards such as floods or storms?
  3. Why do some people invest in prevention while others delay taking protective measures?
  4. What responsibilities should public authorities have in ensuring that buildings are resilient to natural hazards?
  5. How might approaches to protecting communities differ between densely populated areas and remote ones?
  6. How could advances in building design change the way societies prepare for natural hazards in the future?

322. Describe a change you have noticed in a place you know that has become more popular with visitors.

You should say:
  • where the place is
  • when you first noticed the increase in visitors
  • what changes have taken place there
  • and explain how these changes may affect local residents
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What changes do growing visitor numbers tend to bring to local shops and services?
  2. How can an increase in tourism affect residents’ access to housing and public spaces?
  3. In what ways might the benefits and costs of tourism be distributed unevenly within a community?
  4. How do the effects of tourism differ between a small community and a large city?
  5. Why do some places prioritise visitor growth even when residents raise concerns about its consequences?
  6. How might communities balance the economic value of tourism with the need to protect local life in the future?

323. Describe a time when you had to share a road or path with people cycling.

You should say:
  • where you were and when it happened
  • what the circumstances were
  • how you and the cyclists behaved
  • and explain what made the experience memorable
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What kinds of difficulties can arise when pedestrians and cyclists use the same paths?
  2. How does sharing a busy road compare with using a designated cycle lane?
  3. Why do tensions sometimes develop between cyclists and other road users?
  4. How can a city’s transport choices affect the quality of life of its residents?
  5. Why might some communities invest more in cycling infrastructure than others?
  6. How do you think the role of bicycles in urban life may change in the future?

324. Describe a visit to a museum or gallery that you remember.

You should say:
  • when and where you went
  • who you went with
  • what you saw or did there
  • and explain what made the visit memorable for you
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What features can make a museum or gallery appealing to people who do not usually visit one?
  2. How do museums differ in the way they present traditional and contemporary art?
  3. Why might some communities be more successful than others at making museums accessible to a broad public?
  4. How can exposure to visual art influence the way people understand experiences beyond their own?
  5. Should public funding support art that many people find challenging or difficult to interpret?
  6. How might digital technology change the role of museums and galleries in society over the next few decades?

325. Describe a journey you made that was longer than you expected.

You should say:
  • when and where the journey took place
  • why you were making the journey
  • how you travelled and what made it take longer
  • and explain how the unexpected length affected you
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What are some common reasons why journeys take longer than expected?
  2. How might people’s reactions to delays differ depending on the purpose of their journey?
  3. To what extent should transport providers be responsible for helping passengers cope with major delays?
  4. How do tourists typically weigh up speed, cost and convenience when choosing transport?
  5. How has the growth of tourism affected transport infrastructure in popular destinations?
  6. How might efforts to make tourism more sustainable change the way people travel in the future?

326. Describe a meal you were served that looked especially appealing.

You should say:
  • where and when you had the meal
  • what the meal consisted of
  • what made its presentation memorable
  • and explain how its appearance affected your experience
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. How much attention do restaurants generally pay to the presentation of food?
  2. Why can the same dish seem more appetising when it is arranged carefully?
  3. How has the popularity of online food images changed the way meals are presented?
  4. In what ways does visual design influence people's choices in everyday life?
  5. Why do some societies place greater emphasis on appearance than on practicality?
  6. How might technology change people's standards of visual appeal in the future?

327. Describe a small change to a street or public space that you have noticed.

You should say:
  • where the change took place
  • what was changed
  • who seemed to benefit from it
  • and explain what effect it had on how people used the space
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What features make a street feel safe and convenient for people travelling by bicycle?
  2. How do dedicated cycling routes affect the way cyclists, pedestrians and motorists share urban streets?
  3. How might the design of cycling infrastructure change as cities become more crowded?
  4. When public space is limited, how should local authorities balance the needs of cyclists, drivers and pedestrians?
  5. Why do some groups have less access than others to safe, affordable ways of getting around?
  6. How might changing attitudes towards transport influence the design of public spaces in the future?

328. Describe a time when you rearranged a room or indoor space to make it more practical.

You should say:
  • where the space was
  • what prompted you to change its layout
  • what you did to reorganise it
  • and explain how the new arrangement affected the people using the space
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What features of a home make it easier for domestic robots to move around safely?
  2. How might the design requirements for robots differ between homes and workplaces?
  3. Why can adapting an existing building for robotic systems be more difficult than designing a new one?
  4. Who should have a say in deciding how much robotics is incorporated into shared spaces?
  5. Could widespread use of domestic robots widen the gap between affluent and less affluent households? Why?
  6. How might expectations of homes and public buildings change as robotics advances?

329. Describe a time when leftover food was put to good use.

You should say:
  • When and where this happened
  • What food was left over
  • How it was used
  • and explain why you think making use of leftovers matters
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What kinds of food are most commonly wasted in people's homes?
  2. How do attitudes towards leftovers differ between older and younger generations?
  3. Why do some households waste more food than others?
  4. How can restaurants and supermarkets reduce the amount of food they discard?
  5. Who should take the greatest responsibility for reducing food waste: consumers, businesses or governments?
  6. How might technology and changing social attitudes affect food waste in the future?

330. Describe a time when you felt you got good value for money while eating out.

You should say:
  • where and when it happened
  • what you ate or drank
  • what made it seem worth the price
  • and explain whether value for money influences people’s decisions about eating out
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. How do people’s expectations of value differ between a sit-down restaurant and a street-food stall?
  2. What factors, beyond the price on the menu, shape whether customers regard eating out as affordable?
  3. As living costs rise, how might the idea of an affordable meal change, and which groups could be excluded from eating out?
  4. In what ways can independent food businesses affect a neighbourhood’s character compared with large chains?
  5. Why do some communities regard inexpensive places to eat as important social spaces, rather than simply commercial venues?
  6. How might automation, delivery platforms and changing urban life reshape the social role of restaurants and street-food vendors?

331. Describe a household appliance that has influenced the way you eat.

You should say:
  • what the appliance is
  • when or how it became part of your household
  • how you use it
  • and explain how it has influenced the food you eat
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. How have household appliances changed the way people store and consume food?
  2. What differences might there be between households that have access to a range of appliances and those that do not?
  3. Why do some people favour appliances that make everyday eating more convenient, even if the results are not always nutritious?
  4. How does the widespread use of food technology affect the nutritional quality of diets in society?
  5. Why can access to nutritious food vary so considerably between different social groups?
  6. How might advances in household and food technology shape people’s diets in the future?

332. Describe a decision you made after considering the risks involved.

You should say:
  • what the decision was and when you made it
  • what options you considered
  • what possible risks influenced your choice
  • and explain why you ultimately chose that course of action
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. How can public organisations explain the risks of rare but potentially severe events in a way that people will take seriously?
  2. Why might people underestimate some dangers while becoming highly anxious about others?
  3. Do you think new forms of media will make public understanding of risk more reliable in the future?
  4. How do the priorities of communities in areas prone to natural hazards differ from those in safer locations?
  5. Why do people continue to build homes and businesses in places where serious natural hazards are possible?
  6. In the future, should societies focus more on protecting vulnerable communities where they are, or on encouraging them to relocate?

333. Describe a time you looked after someone else's pet.

You should say:
  • when and where it happened
  • what kind of pet you cared for
  • what you had to do
  • and explain how you felt about taking on the responsibility
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. In what ways do people in a neighbourhood commonly help one another with practical responsibilities?
  2. What tends to make informal arrangements, such as pet-sitting, work well—or break down?
  3. Compared with organised volunteer schemes, what are the advantages and disadvantages of this kind of reciprocal help?
  4. Why do some people commit time to unpaid care when their schedules are already demanding?
  5. How should society recognise unpaid contributions without turning every act of generosity into a transaction?
  6. As lifestyles become more mobile and digitally mediated, do you think informal volunteering will become more or less common, and why?

334. Describe a sporting event you watched, either in person or through a screen.

You should say:
  • What kind of event it was
  • When and where you watched it
  • What you remember most vividly about it
  • and explain why the event made an impression on you
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What kinds of sporting events tend to attract the largest audiences?
  2. How does the experience of watching a live event differ from watching it on a screen?
  3. In what ways has digital technology changed the relationship between sporting events and their spectators?
  4. What can communities gain from hosting large public sporting events?
  5. Why might some groups have fewer opportunities than others to take part in organised sport?
  6. How might the role of public sporting events in society change in the future?

335. Describe a time when you ate at a restaurant or food stall at an unusual time of day.

You should say:
  • when and where it happened
  • why you ate at that time
  • who, if anyone, was with you
  • and explain what you thought of eating then
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. Which kinds of work are most likely to disrupt people's usual mealtimes?
  2. How might meal schedules differ for people with fixed working hours and those with irregular shifts?
  3. Why do traditional mealtimes seem less important to some people than they once were?
  4. How do restaurants and street-food vendors cater to people who eat at unconventional hours?
  5. What factors influence whether a food business extends its opening hours?
  6. How might technology and changing work patterns reshape access to prepared food in the future?

336. Describe a time when you had to reorganise your usual routine because circumstances changed.

You should say:
  • what brought about the change
  • how you altered the sequence of your usual activities
  • what you found challenging or unexpectedly helpful
  • and explain what the experience taught you about routines and flexibility
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. In which types of workplaces or homes can robots make the most practical contribution at present?
  2. How do the roles of robots and human workers tend to differ in everyday settings?
  3. Why might some occupations be more suitable for robotic assistance than others?
  4. What effects can workplace automation have on employees’ skills and job security?
  5. How can societies ensure that the benefits of robotics are shared fairly?
  6. As robots become more capable, what responsibilities should remain distinctly human, and why?

337. Describe a conversation you had with someone who lived in a place you were visiting.

You should say:
  • who you spoke to and where the conversation took place
  • what you talked about
  • what you learned from the conversation
  • and explain how it influenced your impression of the place
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. In what situations do visitors and local residents most often interact?
  2. How might these interactions differ between a small community and a large city?
  3. What helps make contact between visitors and residents mutually rewarding rather than purely transactional?
  4. How can tourism help keep local traditions alive?
  5. Why do some communities embrace cultural exchange while others are more cautious about it?
  6. How might changing travel habits shape the way visitors understand local cultures in the future?

338. Describe a time when you planned to save money for something.

You should say:
  • What you wanted to save money for
  • When this happened
  • How you saved the money
  • and explain how you felt about your plan
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. Why do some people save money instead of spending it?
  2. What do people often save money to buy?
  3. How do young people and older people spend money differently?
  4. Why is it hard for some people to save money?
  5. Should schools teach children how to plan their money?
  6. How might people's ways of saving money change in the future?

339. Describe a video you watched on a smartphone.

You should say:
  • When and where you watched it
  • What the video was about
  • Who watched it with you, if anyone
  • and explain why you watched it
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What kinds of videos do people often watch on their phones?
  2. Where do people usually watch videos on their phones?
  3. Do adults and young people watch the same kinds of videos?
  4. Why do some people prefer watching videos on a phone rather than on a television?
  5. How can watching many short videos affect people’s free time?
  6. How might people watch videos differently in the future?

340. Describe a story about your family or friends that you have heard many times.

You should say:
  • where you heard the story
  • who told it
  • what the story is about
  • and explain why people still remember it
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What kinds of stories do families often tell?
  2. Why do older people tell stories about the past to younger people?
  3. Do people tell family stories differently now than in the past?
  4. How do phones and computers affect the way people remember information?
  5. Why do some stories from the past disappear over time?
  6. How might people keep memories and stories in the future?

341. Describe a time when you laughed a lot.

You should say:
  • when and where it happened
  • who was with you
  • what made you laugh
  • and explain how you felt afterwards
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. Where do people usually laugh together?
  2. Do children and adults find the same things funny?
  3. Why do people enjoy watching funny films or shows?
  4. How can humour help people talk to each other?
  5. Is it easier to make people laugh in person or online?
  6. How might people's sense of humour change in the future?

342. Describe a smartphone that you have owned.

You should say:
  • when and where you got it
  • what it looks like
  • what you use it for
  • and explain why you chose it or why it is important to you
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What do people usually look for when they buy a smartphone?
  2. How are smartphones today different from older phones?
  3. Why do some people replace their smartphones often?
  4. How have smartphones changed the way people communicate?
  5. Why do some people find it hard to stop checking their phones?
  6. How might smartphones affect people's lives in the future?

343. Describe a change you made to your home to make it more comfortable.

You should say:
  • what you changed
  • when you made the change
  • who helped you
  • and explain why it made your home more comfortable
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. Why do some people like having pets in their homes?
  2. What problems can pets cause in a home?
  3. Is it easier to keep pets in a house or in an apartment?
  4. What should people think about before they bring a pet into their home?
  5. How can towns and cities help people care for animals?
  6. How might homes and cities change in the future to better suit pets?

344. Describe a game you played as a child and still remember how to play.

You should say:
  • what the game was
  • where and when you played it
  • who you played it with
  • and explain why you still remember it
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What games do children often play together?
  2. Who usually teaches children traditional games?
  3. Do children play different games now from the games children played in the past?
  4. Why are old games important to some communities?
  5. How can schools help children learn games from the past?
  6. Do you think traditional games will disappear in the future? Why?

345. Describe a local event you attended.

You should say:
  • when and where it took place
  • who you went with
  • what you saw or did there
  • and explain why you remember this event
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What kinds of local events do people enjoy?
  2. Why do families go to events together?
  3. How are public events different from events in the past?
  4. Where can people see traditional crafts today?
  5. Why is it important to keep traditional crafts alive?
  6. How might traditional crafts change in the future?

346. Describe a time when a leisure activity did not go as planned.

You should say:
  • Where you were
  • What you planned to do
  • What went wrong and what you did
  • and explain how you felt about the experience
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What do people often do when their plans for free time change?
  2. What problems can stop people from enjoying a leisure activity?
  3. Why is it useful for people to be flexible in their free time?
  4. What kinds of games do people often play together?
  5. How are games played in groups different from games played alone?
  6. How might games and leisure activities change in the future?

347. Describe a time when you used a digital tool to learn something.

You should say:
  • what you wanted to learn
  • which digital tool you used
  • how you used it
  • and explain what you liked or disliked about learning this way
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. How do students use phones or computers to study?
  2. How is learning online different from learning in a classroom?
  3. Why do some people find digital learning difficult?
  4. Do adults have enough chances to learn new things?
  5. Why do some groups of people have fewer chances to get an education?
  6. How might education change in the future?

348. Describe something interesting you read on a smartphone.

You should say:
  • what you read
  • where and when you read it
  • what it was about
  • and explain why you found it interesting
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What kinds of things do people often read on their phones?
  2. Do people read news on phones more than in newspapers? Why?
  3. What are the good and bad things about reading on a phone?
  4. How are people's reading habits different now from the past?
  5. Why might some people find it hard to concentrate when reading on a phone?
  6. How might phones change the way people read in the future?

349. Describe an old object that people in your home still use.

You should say:
  • what the object is
  • where it came from
  • who uses it
  • and explain why people still use it
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What old objects do many families keep in their homes?
  2. Why do some people keep old things instead of throwing them away?
  3. Is it better to repair an old object or buy a new one?
  4. What handmade things do people often buy?
  5. Why are fewer people learning traditional crafts today?
  6. Do you think traditional crafts will be popular in the future? Why or why not?

350. Describe a game that was popular when you were a child.

You should say:
  • what the game was
  • where and when people played it
  • who you played it with
  • and explain why children enjoyed it
Part 3 questions (6)
  1. What games do children often play today?
  2. Are children's games today different from games in the past?
  3. Why are some traditional games becoming less popular?
  4. How can games help people make friends?
  5. Why do some adults enjoy playing games?
  6. How might technology change the games people play in the future?

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 (page 7) | ielts.coach