After completing their IELTS written tests, students often feel confident about tackling the speaking test and cue card round. With the right preparation, they can effectively express their thoughts with clarity. The key to success lies in practicing in advance through mock tests, which help build fluency and articulation. With just a minute to prepare and two minutes to speak, consistent practice ensures that candidates can confidently impress the examiner with their responses.
Thousands of Indian students looking to study in international universities attempt the IELTS or the International English Language Testing System, every year. The cue card topic is a vital component of the speaking test as it assesses a candidate’s English proficiency by giving them a spontaneous topic to speak on. If you are looking to explore the most common IELTS cue card topics with answers, this is the perfect platform to master them.
A cue card in the IELTS speaking test is a small card given to the candidate taking the test in Part 2 of IELTS. It contains a topic along with a few prompts to guide the response of the test taker. The candidate is expected to speak continuously for 2 minutes on a given topic in the IELTS Speaking Test cue card round while the examiner assesses their fluency and coherence in spoken English.
📌 IELTS Speaking Test Part 2 – Cue Card Round
🃏 Cue Card Given – Contains a topic with prompts ⏳ 1 Minute Prep Time – Take quick notes 🗣2 Minutes Speaking – Speak continuously on the topic ✅ Skills Evaluated – Fluency, coherence, vocabulary, pronunciation
🎯 Tip – Use examples & opinions to structure your response
Common IELTS Cue Card Topics with Sample Answers: Your Guide to Effective Preparation
The IELTS Speaking Test Format contains three parts:
Part 1 - Introduction and interview (4–5 minutes)
Part 2 - Individual long turn (3–4 minutes)
Part 3 - Two-way discussion (4–5 minutes)
The IELTS Speaking Test Part 2 is a cue card topic round where candidates receive a topic with a few prompts on the topic. They get 1 minute to prepare for the topic like taking notes before speaking and they are required to speak continuously for 2 minutes including relevant details, opinions, and examples in your 2 minute speech. The cue card topic mainly evaluates the fluency, coherence, vocabulary, and pronunciation of the candidate.
Let’s explore a few main heads under which the cue card topics are categorized and some common topics with suggested answers below:
1. Personal Experience & Memories
Description: This is one category of the IELTS cue card round and it includes a range of topics on memories, experiences, and personal events, which has an impact on the candidate. These topics allow the test takers to show their ability to describe the event or the experience by connecting them with personal emotions and stories to portray a vivid representation of the situation.
Key Tips:
Emphasize crucial details like people involved in the memory/experience you are talking about, the precise time when it happened, the location, and the feelings you have had during the time.
Be honest and expressive while describing the event. Remember that personal experiences are unique and relatable.
Topic 1: Describe a memorable trip you had.
Cue to Answer: Describe the location, people, and your experiences. Discuss what made it memorable and any lessons you have learned.
Topic 2: Describe a time when you helped someone.
Cue to Answer: Explain the situation, the person you helped, what precise action you took to help the person, and what impact it had on both of you.
Topic 3: Describe a childhood memory you cherish.
Cue to Answer: Reflect on a particular event or moment from your childhood, why it’s significant, and how it shaped you.
Description: This category of cue card asks the candidate to describe a place or location that they have visited or would like to visit. These topics assess the ability of test takers to describe their surroundings and explain why the place is significant. The topic may talk about features, experiences, or memories related to the place.
Key Tips:
Include details like the place you saw or would like to see, any particular sound you heard like the gushing sound of a flowing river, etc., to make your description more engaging.
Discuss why the place is important to you or what makes it stand out.
Topic 1: Describe a place you want to visit.
Cue to Answer: Discuss the destination you are talking about, the reason you want to visit it or why you went there, and what you did there or would like to do there.
Topic 2: Describe a place in your hometown that you enjoy visiting.
Cue to Answer: Mention the place you like to visit, what makes the place interesting, and why you love it. Also, explain the activities you like to do there.
Topic 3: Describe a beautiful location amidst nature you have been to.
Cue to Answer: Explain the beauty of the place, your experience, and the emotions and feelings you underwent when you visited the place.
Description: This particular category asks test takers to talk about or describe important people who matter in their life including a family member, a friend, or someone they admire. These are topics that evaluate the ability of the candidate to express feelings and describe the relationship they share with the person. You can talk about their personality, qualities, and the impact they have on you.
Key Tips:
Highlight specific traits of the person you are discussing that make him/her special.
Try to relate how this person influences your life or what connection you have with the person.
Topic 1: Describe a person you admire.
Cue to Answer: Talk about the person’s qualities, what makes them admirable, and how they influence you.
Topic 2: Describe your best friend.
Cue to Answer: Discuss the characteristics of your best friend, how long you have known the person, and what makes your friendship strong.
Topic 3: Describe a family member you are close to.
Cue to Answer: Share details about the family member you are talking about, your relationship with him/her, and how you support each other.
Description: In this category, the examiner might ask the candidate to talk about hobbies, interests, or activities that the candidate is regularly engaged in. The goal is to assess how well you can describe things you enjoy doing and explain why these activities are meaningful to you. Whether it’s a sport, creative activity, or something more passive like reading, the emphasis is on your enthusiasm and involvement in the activity.
Key Tips:
Explain why you enjoy the activity you are talking about and how often you practice it.
Share any personal achievements or experiences related to the hobby.
Topic 1: Describe a hobby you enjoy.
Cue to Answer: Explain your favorite hobby, why you enjoy it, and how often you practice it.
Topic 2: Describe a sport or game you like to play.
Cue to Answer: Discuss the sport, how you got into it, and the benefits it brings to your life.
Topic 3: Describe a book you recently read.
Cue to Answer: Mention the book title, the plot, why you found it interesting, and any lessons you learned from it.
Description: This category of cue card topic focuses on your everyday life and routine. Here, the examiner can ask the candidates to describe a typical day, a meal, or a weekly activity they do. The topic evaluates the ability of test takers to narrate a sequence of events in life or explain regular activities they pursue. This can also include topics on how you manage your time daily or your everyday responsibilities.
Key Tips:
Describe your activities in a logical order starting from the first thing in the morning to the last thing in the evening.
Be specific about how these activities impact your daily routine.
Topic 1: Describe a typical day in your life.
Cue to Answer: Walk through your usual day, mentioning key activities and how you manage your time.
Topic 2: Describe a meal you recently enjoyed.
Cue to Answer: Describe the meal, what made it special, and who you had it with.
Topic 3: Describe an activity you do every weekend.
Cue to Answer: Explain the activity, why you enjoy it, and how it helps you relax or stay active.
Description: Technology has a significant role to play in our lives and hence this category covers topics related to gadgets, apps, and technological advancements. You may be asked to discuss how certain technologies impact your life or how you use them to solve problems.
Key Tips:
Discuss how technology has changed your daily life and your work.
Be clear about how a gadget or app helps you when discussing it.
Topic 1: Describe an electronic gadget you use regularly.
Cue to Answer: Talk about a gadget such as your mobile phone that you use regularly, its benefits, and how it makes your life easy.
Topic 2: Describe an app you find useful.
Cue to Answer: Discuss the app such as a grocery app, a shopping app, etc. How do you use it, and how does it benefit you in daily life?
Topic 3: Describe a time when technology helped you solve a problem.
Cue to Answer: Share a specific example of how technology assisted you in a challenging situation and helped you come out of it.
Description: Social issues and global topics are relevant and they revolve around current events, societal issues, or global challenges. The examiner may ask you to describe a particular issue or reflect on its impact. These types of questions assess your awareness of the world around you and your ability to form opinions on important topics.
Key Tips:
Stay informed about global and social issues to provide relevant answers.
Discuss the problem, its causes, and any suggestions to solve it.
Topic 1: Describe an environmental issue you are concerned about.
Cue to Answer: Discuss the issue, its causes, and any actions you think should be taken to address it.
Topic 2: Describe a recent news event that caught your attention.
Cue to Answer: Share the event, why it was significant, and your thoughts on its impact.
Topic 3: Describe an important social issue in your country.
Cue to Answer: Explain the issue, what are its implications, and what steps can be taken to solve it.
Description: In this category, the examiner might ask you about your future goals and aspirations. These topics assess your ability to talk about your career or education plans, as well as your personal goals and your determination to achieve them.
Key Tips:
Be specific about your plans and how you intend to achieve them.
Explain why these goals are important to you and how they align with your values.
Topic 1: Describe your future career goals.
Cue to Answer: Discuss your ambitions, the steps you plan to take, and why these goals are important to you.
Topic 2: Describe a skill you want to learn in the future.
Cue to Answer: Talk about the skill, why you want to learn it, and how you plan to acquire it.
Topic 3: Describe a place you would like to live in the future.
Cue to Answer: Share the place, why you want to live there, and how it aligns with your future lifestyle.
Examiners assess your IELTS speaking cue card performance against 4 criteria - Fluency and coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and accuracy, and pronunciation - each of which contributes 25% of the total scores. Your Speaking results are given as band scores which range from band 0 to band 9.
1. Fluency and Coherence
Fluency implies speaking smoothly without unnecessary pauses, repetition, or fillers like "uh," "um," or "you know." You should sound natural and confident, making it easier to express emotions and communicate clearly. Coherence is how well your ideas connect and flow together. It ensures your response is logical and easy to follow, making it comfortable for the examiner to listen and understand.
2. Lexical Resources
It refers to the variety of words you use. Expanding your vocabulary helps you use uncommon phrases and idioms naturally in your speech. Here are a few examples
Lexical Resource
Meaning
Authenticity
The quality of being genuine, real, or true to oneself and one's values
Brilliance
Exceptional brightness, intelligence, talent, or skill.
Paraphrase
To express the same idea in different words
Articulate
Able to express thoughts and ideas clearly and effectively
3. Grammatical Range and Accuracy
The use of your grammatical range is a key factor in evaluating your speaking skills in the IELTS cue card round. To score well just use a mix of sentence types, like using active and passive voice correctly. Try to use a mix of structures to perform better in this section.
4. Pronunciation
Don’t confuse pronunciation with accent in the IELTS test. You don’t need a specific accent—just speak clearly so the examiner understands every word. Good pronunciation improves your chances of scoring well. Practice IELTS Speaking Part 2 questions to improve your pronunciation.
A well-structured answer for your cue card topic helps the test taker to stay fluent and coherent. By following the below approach while answering your cue card, you can maintain clarity:
Using the 4-Point Approach (What, When, Where, Why/How)
While speaking on the cue card topic, try to organize your answer on the following four key elements:
1. What: Identifying the ‘What’ in your given cue card topic is crucial as this is the core subject of your response. It can be anything ranging from a situation, an event, a person, or an experience. Explaining the ‘What’ clearly and concisely with a brief introduction, explaining the topic, and its relevance helps the examiner understand what you are going to talk about.
Example:
Topic: Describe a Book You Enjoyed
Let’s say you loved reading The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. So, to explain the ‘What’ you can give the name of the book and the writer and the gist in line or two.
Tips to Answer ‘What’ effectively:
Be clear and keep it very short
Use relevant adjectives where necessary to describe the detail of the ‘What’
Try to be engaging
2. When: ‘When’ of the topic states the time frame of the incident or event you are describing. To answer ‘When’, mention the specific time when the incident, situation, or experience happened by giving the date or a general timeframe as relevant. Use natural phases with clarity to state the time. Let’s say instead of just saying ‘last year’, you can mention precisely ‘last year during my winter break’
Example:
Topic: Describe a Book You Enjoyed
Explain the ‘When’ by saying “I read this book about two years ago, during my college break. I had some free time and wanted to read something inspiring”
Tips to Answer ‘When’ effectively:
Be precise about the timeframe
Use expressions that go naturally
Explain why the time is important and why you remember it so well
3. Where: The ‘Where’ in the cue card topic provides the location of your experience to make your answer more vivid and add depth to your story. Try to mention the location. You can add some additional details to make it more significant.
Example:
Topic: Describe a Book You Enjoyed
To explain the ‘Where’, you can say, you read this book at home, mostly in your bedroom. You enjoy reading in a quiet environment where you can focus without distractions.
Tips to Answer ‘When’ effectively:
Be specific about the “Where”
Make it engaging with small details
Explain why the place is important in the context
4. Why/How: The ‘How’ and Why of the topic are important because they answer the significance of the topic and how it influences you. You may add a personal connection to add more details.
Example:
Topic: Describe a Book You Enjoyed
To explain the ‘Why/How’, you can state the reason why this book inspired you. You can say that it teaches valuable life lessons about following dreams and overcoming challenges, which motivates you.
Tips to Answer ‘When’ effectively:
Show how the topic relates to you
Add real-life situation to support your point
Talk about your emotions after reading the book
The Role of Fluency and Coherence
To maintain fluency and coherence, you can speak smoothly without pausing
Use transition words like ‘On the other hand’, ‘Moreover’ etc., to connect ideas naturally
Also, try to maintain a natural flow while speaking
Tips for Expanding Your Response
Add any relevant detail like a brief anecdote or a background
Use words that are descriptive to make the topic engaging
Link your experience to a lesson you learned
How to Prepare for Different Cue Card Scenarios?
Here are some tips to prepare for different cue card scenarios:
Practice Topics on common themes such as experiences, events, places, etc.
Quickly Evaluate the Topic by studying the topic and the prompts given in the cue card.
Use the Preparation Time of 1 minute wisely to jot down key ideas to construct your response.
Try to Follow a Structure including a brief introduction of the topic followed by describing the topic in detail. You can add personal experience or opinion and finally wrap it up with a short conclusion.
Describe Your Responses in detail with examples, and personal experiences using storytelling techniques to make them engaging.
Stay Calm and Confident even if you don’t have much knowledge about the cue card topic. Try to relate it with an experience or your views, etc.
Download IELTS Preparation Guide For Free
Get to know about the latest updates on the IELTS Exam, Eligibility, Preparation Tips, Test procedure, Exam Pattern, Syllabus, Registration Process, Important Exam Dates, and much more!! This guide is a one-stop solution for every IELTS Aspirant who aims to crack the exam with an impressive band score.
Practice Tips to Improve Your IELTS Speaking Score
Below are some tips to improve Your IELTS Speaking Score:
Practice Daily: Practice speaking aloud for 2 minutes on a cue card topic daily to improve your English. You may just describe your day or a thought aloud or pick any other topic to talk about.
Practice Using a Timer: Try to simulate real exam conditions by using a timer to speak for 2 minutes on a cue card topic. Setting a timer will help you manage time duration, improve fluency, and help to practice speaking without pausing too much.
Record Yourself to Analyze Your Answers: By recording yourself you can go back and listen to what you spoke to identify areas for improvement. This will help you work on your fluency, pronunciation, and grammar for IELTS.
Use Mock Test Strategies for Better Fluency: Use mock test strategies to simulate real exam conditions, improve fluency, and boost confidence for the IELTS Speaking test.
Expand Vocabulary: Expand your vocabulary by learning new words, using synonyms, and practicing phrases which can enhance your IELTS Speaking score. Make sure to use words that fit naturally in your speech.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in the IELTS Cue Card Round
The IELTS Cue Card topic is the Part 2 test of the IELTS Speaking test. Hence, by the time you have reached this stage of your IELTS exam, you have already cleared Part 1, which includes the introduction and identity of candidates and some general questions asked by the examiner on familiar topics. Hence, it is crucial to appear for this cue card topic with confidence and preparation to clear it in one go.
Below are some common mistakes to avoid in the IELTS cue card round to boost your chances of success:
Ignoring the prompts given in the cue card
The cue card given by the examiner contains some prompts along with the topic name. Candidates need to utilize the 1 minute given for preparation to look into the prompts and address them while speaking for the next 2 minutes to keep their responses relevant.
Speaking too little or too much
Not considering the time when speaking and keeping on talking beyond the prescribed time should be avoided. Similarly, it is better to avoid talking too little for less than a minute.
It is better to utilize the 2 minutes allotted to speak about the topic properly. If you can’t stretch it to 2 minutes at least ensure to speak for 1 minute or more.
Memorizing Answers
When you speak on the IELTS cue card topic, you interact with the examiner face-to-face. Hence, memorizing answers to not talking spontaneously may not have the best impression on the examiner. Hence, rather than memorizing to give a pre-learned response, speaking naturally is better.
Making errors in Grammar and Pronunciation
Another thing to avoid is making mistakes in grammar and pronunciation. Try to speak clearly using correct grammar and focus on proper pronunciation.
Pausing often while speaking
Pausing frequently while speaking affects fluency. Hence, try to keep a natural flow while attempting the cue card topic.
Repeating ideas instead of elaborating
Try to avoid repeating the same ideas and words again and again. Include a rich vocabulary in your language and try to elaborate and explain your ideas.
Not Making Use of Preparation Time
Candidates must use the 1-minute preparation time to note key points and to stay organized.
Using overly complex vocabulary incorrectly
It is better to avoid using overly complex vocabulary as well as using incorrect terminologies in your sentences while speaking on the 2-minute cue card topic.
How upGrad Can Help Candidates Prepare Well for the IELTS Cue Card Topics?
Mastering the IELTS Cue Card Topic requires consistent practice to improve your English-speaking skills to speak fluently for 2 minutes on a given topic to score high in this global competitive exam. It also establishes your authority in the English language to help with your admissions to the best universities in these countries.
With the support of upGrad, a digital learning platform, students can boost their preparation journey to improve their chances of scoring well in this exam. upGrad helps aspirants with cue card topics for practice and IELTS tips and tricks to crack the round.
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A cue card is a small card with a topic in the IELTS speaking test that candidates must speak about for two minutes. This is a way to assess the spoken English fluency of the candidates. The cue card question is a specific type of Speaking task in the IELTS exam where candidates are presented with a cue card topic containing a brief description and some prompts related to the topic.
How long do I have to speak for a cue card topic?
Candidates should aim to speak for the recommended duration of 2 minutes. They get 1 minute to prepare for the topic before speaking on it.
Do I get any preparation time I get before speaking?
Yes, in the IELTS speaking test, candidates are given one minute to prepare for the topic before speaking on it. They can use this time to make notes to speak on the topic using the given prompts.
What happens if I know nothing about the given cue card topic?
If you get an unfamiliar cue card topic in the IELTS Speaking test that you are not sure about you should acknowledge your lack of knowledge rather than start panicking. Try to use the prompts given in the cue card to relate it to something to create a story or share an experience to demonstrate your fluency and skills in the language.
How can I prepare for IELTS cue card topics effectively?
To prepare effectively for the IELTS cue card topic, you can practice mock speaking using real IELTS cue cards. Also, use the 1 minute’s preparation time wisely. You don’t have to use all the prompts given in the cue card, however, try to speak for the recommended 2 minutes. Practice with a stopwatch for effectiveness.
Can I ask the examiner to change my cue card topic?
No, you cannot ask the examiner to change your cue card topic during the IELTS Speaking test. You must try to speak the best you can on the given topic to prove your English skills and fluency.
How can I improve my fluency and coherence while speaking?
For fluency and coherence while speaking for the IELTS cue card topic, try to practice regularly using real IELTS speaking test topics. Also, expand and enrich your vocabulary, practice reading aloud to improve your rhythm and flow of language, and listen to native speakers.
Will I lose marks if I pause while speaking?
It is important to speak at length about the cue card topic, which is a criterion for marking in the test. Candidates must aim for 2 minutes of continuous speaking and avoid hesitations and pauses as it may impact their score.
How important is vocabulary in the IELTS cue card section?
Learning vocabulary is important for the IELTS speaking test cue card section because it counts for 25% of the candidates’ scores.
Can I use personal experiences while answering cue card topics?
Yes, using personal experiences while answering IELTS cue card topics is highly recommended as it makes your response more engaging. Moreover, examiners assess your fluency and coherence and not the factual accuracy of what you are speaking. So, candidates can share their real-life experiences or use their imagination if needed.
How can I practice IELTS cue cards at home?
To practice IELTS cue cards at home, you can create a list of topics by collecting some common IELTS cue card topics. You can practice regularly using a stopwatch or timer. Record what you speak to check your fluency, grammar, and pronunciation. Also, try to enrich your vocabulary by reading, listening, and watching test samples.
Mrinal Mandal is a study abroad expert with a passion for guiding students towards their international education goals. He holds a degree in mechanical engineering, earned in 2018. Since 2021, Mrinal has been working with upGrad Abroad, where he assists aspiring students in realizing their dreams of studying abroad. With his expertise and dedication, he empowers individuals to navigate the complexities of international education, making their aspirations a reality.
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