If you plan to study, work or migrate to an English-speaking country, you might have heard of the International English Language Testing System or IELTS exam. It is the world’s most trusted English test and the best choice for governments, universities and employers globally. In India alone, 1.3 to 1.4 million people take the IELTS test annually.
Popular English-speaking countries like Australia, the USA, the UK, Canada, and New Zealand recognise the IELTS Exam as an essential measure of English language proficiency. With 3 million tests booked worldwide annually, it is safe to say that the IELTS exam is the go-to choice. Additionally, there are four modules in the exam, each of which tests different language skills namely
- Reading
- Writing
- Speaking
- Listening
| IELTS Speaking Test | |
| Administrative Authority | IDP India |
| Duration | 11-14 minutes |
| Parts | 3 Parts |
| Total Band Score | 0-9 |
| Syllabus | Same for general and academic |
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Top 10 IELTS Speaking Cue Card in 2024
- Describe a Person You Know Who Likes to Talk a Lot
- Describe a Place Where You Would Like to Relax
- Describe a Long-Term Goal You Would Like to Achieve
- Describe Something in Your Country That You Are Interested In
- Describe a Job You Would Not Like to Do in the Future
- Describe a Sportsperson That You Admire
- Describe A Situation When You Helped Someone
- Describe A Skill That You Learned In Your Childhood
- Describe an Unusual Holiday You Had
- Talk About an Interesting Old Person You Met Recently
What is an IELTS Cue Card?
The IELTS Speaking Test is divided into 3 sections, out of which the Cue Card section is one of the most challenging. This section requires you to speak on a topic given to you on the spot. A Cue Card contains a topic or task you must talk about for 2 minutes, followed by a discussion with the examiner for another minute.
The IELTS Speaking Cue Card section assesses your ability to speak fluently, organise your thoughts, and use various vocabulary and grammatical structures. You will be given one minute to prepare after getting the Cue Card. The Cue Card topics cover many subjects, from personal experiences to abstract concepts. This blog will help you familiarise yourself with the test format and prepare for success.
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Parts of the IELTS Speaking Test
In the IELTS Speaking Test, you are interviewed by an examiner to assess your fluency in spoken English. The interview begins with general questions, and then there is a Cue Card round with a topic to talk about for a minute.
The IELTS Speaking Test consist of three main parts. These include the topic, prompts to structure your response and follow-up questions.
Let’s look into the 3 parts of the IELTS Exams in detail.
| IELTS Speaking Parts | What does each part involve? |
| Part 1 – Introduction and Interview | In this part, the examiner asks you general questions about yourself, your interests, and your experiences. This part usually lasts about 4-5 minutes and covers your personal life, achievements, friends and family. |
| Part 2- Individual Long Turn | You must speak on a topic on a cue card in this part. You will have one minute to prepare and then deliver a speech for two minutes on the given topic. |
| Part 3- Two-way Discussion | This part involves the examiner asking you questions about the topic you spoke about in Part 2. This part allows you to share further ideas or opinions on the topic. This part of the interview lasts for 4-5 minutes. |
Analysing IELTS Speaking Cue Card Topics
Below are examples of IELTS Speaking Cue Card topics categorised according to different themes. These cue cards cover the latest topics in the last year’s IELTS exam.
| IELTS Speaking Cue Card Topics | Review |
| Person | The question might ask you to talk about a friend, a person you like or someone who impacted you. |
| Study | In these topics, you must discuss the courses you want to pursue. |
| Work | In the following questions, you will be asked about your accomplishments. |
| Favourites | In these topics, you need to write about the things you like. |
| Emotions | You talk about your happy, sad or angry emotions in questions like these. |
| Object | You need to discuss objects like phones, clothes or any other object mentioned in the question. |
| Achievement | In the following questions, you will be asked about your accomplishments. |
| Time-based | In such topics, you will be required to discuss events or situations that have occurred in the past, are happening in the present, or may happen in the future. |
| Place | You will be asked about places you have visited or will visit in these topics. |
| Occasions | These topics include discussions of birthdays, festivals or anniversaries. |
IELTS Cue Card Marking Criteria
The IELTS speaking test includes a section where you will be given a cue card with a topic to talk about. You will have 11-15 minutes to discuss the topic, and your performance will be evaluated based on certain criteria:
1. Fluency and Coherence evaluates your ability to speak English smoothly and clearly without pauses, repetitions, or interruptions.
2. Lexical Resource is your vocabulary, including the range of words used and their appropriateness in context.
3. Grammatical Range evaluates the grammatical structures used in your speech, including the correct use of tenses, parts of speech, and sentence structures.
4. Pronunciation assesses your ability to pronounce English words correctly, including sounds, stress, rhythm, and intonation, regardless of their native language.
List of IELTS Speaking Cue Card Topic Questions
Here are some IELTS Speaking Cue Cards Topics. You must be familiar with the different Cue Card formats you may encounter during the assessment.
By doing so, you can prepare yourself accordingly and increase your chances of success.
1. Discuss a person who has significantly impacted your life.
- Who is the person?
- How did you meet this person?
- In what ways have they influenced you?
- How has your life changed because of them?
2. Describe an achievement you are proud of.
- What is the achievement?
- When did it happen?
- How did you accomplish it?
- Why is it significant to you?
3. Describe a successful small business that you know about. You should say:
- What business/company is it
- What this business does
- How do you know about this business
Explain why you think this business/company is successful.
4. Talk about a hobby or activity you enjoy.
- What is the hobby/activity?
- When and how did you start doing it?
- What do you like about it?
- How does it benefit you or make you feel?
5. Describe a person often in the news and who you would like to meet. You should say:
- Who is this person?
- How do you know them?
- Why are they often in the news?
And explain why you would like to meet them.
6. Discuss a cultural event or festival you have attended.
- Which event or festival was it?
- When and where did it take place?
- What were the highlights of the event?
- How did you feel about the experience?
7. Describe a recent travel experience.
- Where did you go?
- Who did you travel with?
- What did you do there?
- What did you enjoy the most about the trip?
8. Describe a performance you enjoyed watching. You should say:
- What was the performance?
- When and where did you watch the performance?
- Who was performing (or who performed)?
And explain why you enjoyed the performance.?
9. Talk about your favourite book or movie.
- What is the title of the book/movie?
- What is the genre and the storyline?
- Why is it your favourite?
- Would you recommend it to others? Why?
10. Describe a crowded place you’ve been to. You should say:
- When you go there?
- Where the site is (or was)?
- In addition to that, who do you go with?
And explain how you felt about the site.
Sample of a Cue Card Topic With Answers
Here is a sample for the IELTS Speaking Cue Card:
Q. Discuss a person who has had a significant impact on your life.
- Who is the person?
- How did you meet this person?
- In what ways have they influenced you?
- How has your life changed because of them?
You’ll have one minute to prepare for the topic, and then you’ll need to speak about it for approximately two minutes.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to answer this question skillfully.
First, state who the person is and your relationship with them.
“My grandfather has significantly impacted my life. He has been a constant presence in my life. He has influenced me in numerous ways as he has always guided me whenever I lost track of things, and I am grateful for his guidance and support.”
Then, provide the details of your relationship and how they influenced you.
“My grandfather has always been a role model for me. He is a kind and compassionate person who always puts others before himself. He has taught me the importance of hard work, honesty, and integrity. He has encouraged me to pursue my dreams and never give up.“
“One of the ways my grandfather has influenced me is by teaching me how to be a good listener. He always takes the time to listen to what I have to say and offers his advice and support. He has also taught me the value of patience and understanding.”
Lastly, summarise your answer and ensure you have covered all the pointers in the Cue Card.
“My life has changed in many ways because of my grandfather. He has helped me become a better person and has given me the confidence to pursue my goals. I am grateful for his love and support, and I hope to be able to repay him someday.”
Sample Answer
My grandfather has significantly impacted my life. He has been a constant presence in my life. He has influenced me in numerous ways as he has always guided me whenever I lost track of things, and I am grateful for his guidance and support.
My grandfather has always been a role model for me. He is a kind and compassionate person who always puts others before himself. He has taught me the importance of hard work, honesty, and integrity. He has encouraged me to pursue my dreams and never give up.
One of the ways my grandfather has influenced me is by teaching me how to be a good listener. He always takes the time to listen to what I have to say and offers his advice and support. He has also taught me the value of patience and understanding.
My life has changed in many ways because of my grandfather. He has helped me become a better person and has given me the confidence to pursue my goals. I am grateful for his love and support, and I hope to be able to repay him someday.
Tips for Acing IELTS Speaking Cue Card Round
If you’re preparing for the IELTS Speaking test, knowing how to excel in Cue Card topics is essential. Here are some tips to help you do just that:
1. Understand the task: Ensure you understand what you’re asked to do. Read the Cue Card topic carefully and take note of any specific instructions.
2. Plan your response: Take a few moments to plan your response before you start speaking. Think about what you want to say and how you want to say it.
3. Use the prompts: The Cue Card topic will include some prompts to help you structure your response. Make sure you use these prompts to guide your answer.
4. Speak clearly and confidently: Speak clearly and confidently, and maintain a natural pace. Take your time with your response, but pace yourself.
5. Use Examples: They support your points and make your response more interesting. This will also help you to demonstrate your language skills.
6. Practice: Practice as much as you can before the test. Record yourself speaking and listen back to identify areas for improvement.
Remember, the IELTS Speaking Test assesses your ability to communicate effectively in English. By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to achieving the IELTS Speaking Cue Card Topics and a high test score.
Brief Recap
The IELTS Speaking Test is an essential part of the IELTS exam, and the IELTS Speaking Cue Card section is one of the most challenging parts of the test. It requires you to speak on a topic given to you on the spot, and you need to organise your thoughts coherently, use various vocabulary and grammatical structures, and speak fluently.Â
By understanding the three parts of the IELTS Speaking Test, familiarising yourself with the different Cue Card formats, and following the tips provided, you can prepare yourself accordingly and increase your chances of success. Remember to practice as much as you can before the test and speak clearly and confidently during the test.
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IELTS Speaking Practice Cue Card Topics
- Describe your Favourite Singer: IELTS Cue Card
- Describe A Cafe You Like To Visit Cue Card
- Describe a Long Car Journey You Went On
- Describe A Person Who Wears Unusual Clothes
- Describe Your First Day At School IELTS Cue Card
- Describe a Time When You Observed The Stars
- Describe a difficult thing you did with the IELTS Cue Card
- Describe a Chocolate You Didn’t Like: IELTS Speaking Cue Card
- Describe a Daily Routine That You Enjoy IELTS Cue Card
- Describe a Skill That you can teach other people
- Describe a Place you Visited Where the Air was Polluted
- Describe a Famous Person that you are Interested in
- Describe a Course That You Want to Learn
- Describe a Person who Solved a Problem in Smart Way
- Describe a Prize That You Received
- Describe a Volunteering Experience You Have Had
- Describe a Piece of Good News
- Describe Something you Taught to Your Friend
- Talk About an Interesting Old Person you Met Recently
- Describe a Dinner you Really Enjoyed
- Describe a Story or Novel That Was Interesting to You
- Describe a Time When you Shared Something with Others
- Describe a Toy you Liked in Childhood
- Describe an Interesting Neighbour
- Describe a Competition You Would Like to Take Part In
- Describe an interesting activity that you remember enjoying most in your Primary School
- Describe Your Childhood Friend
- Describe an Object You Find Particularly Beautiful
- Describe a Place Where you are Able to Relax
- Describe a person you know who likes to talk a lot
- Describe a place where you would like to go to relax
- Describe a period when you were busy
- Describe a long-term goal you would like to achieve
- Describe a situation when you helped someone
- Describe a job you would not like to do in the future
- Describe a time when you used a map
- Describe a skill that you learned in your childhood
- Describe an unusual holiday you had
- Describe an exciting activity that you experienced with someone else
- Describe a person who is good at making people feel welcome in his/her home
- Describe A Time You Successfully Did Something Difficult
- Describe Something in Your Country That You Are Interested In
- Describe a Beautiful City
- Describe something you do regularly that helps you work and study better
- Describe a photo that you took and are proud of
- Describe a party that you enjoyed
- Describe a useful object in your home that you can’t live without
- Describe a good advertisement that you think is useful
- Describe an occasion when someone or something made noise
- Describe a sportsperson that you admire
- Describe something that you picked up that was thrown by someone else
- Describe a time that something changed your life in good ways
- Describe a successful person who you once studied or worked with
Frequently Asked Questions
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 Q. Do IELTS Cue Cards repeat?
A. Yes, IELTS Cue Cards can be repeated. However, the topics may vary slightly or have a different focus. The IELTS Speaking Cue Cards are refreshed every four months, meaning the topics may change or be updated. It’s crucial to stay up-to-date with the latest Cue Cards and prepare for various topics to perform well in the IELTS Speaking Test. Preparing for a wide range of topics is essential to increase your chances of success in the IELTS Speaking Test.
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Q. How can I practice the IELTS cue card?
A. To practice the IELTS Cue Card, you can start by selecting a random topic and giving yourself one minute to prepare before speaking for two minutes.Â
Record yourself and listen back to identify areas for improvement. You can also practise with a partner or a tutor to receive feedback and improve your speaking skills. -
Q. What are the topics for IELTS Cue Card speaking?
A. The IELTS Speaking Test consists of three parts, with the Cue Card section being one of the most challenging. It requires you to speak on a topic given to you on the spot for 2 minutes, followed by a discussion with the examiner for another minute. The Cue Card topics cover many subjects, from personal experiences to abstract concepts—for instance, family, friends, achievements, study, work, etc.
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Q. How do you prepare Cue Cards easily?
A. Prepare IELTS Speaking Cue Cards effectively by understanding the test format and potential topics. Create a list of diverse subjects, practice speaking on them, and record yourself for self-assessment. Focus on speaking confidently, using varied vocabulary and grammatical structures. Anticipate follow-up questions, preparing thoughtful responses. Regular, targeted practice ensures familiarity with different themes and boosts confidence in articulating ideas during the exam.
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Q. What happens if I speak for less than 2 minutes in IELTS?
A. If you cannot speak for the full two minutes during IELTS Speaking Part 2, it may affect your Fluency score, an essential factor in achieving a score of 7 or higher. While there is no specific penalty for not speaking for the full two minutes, speaking as much as possible is recommended to demonstrate your language proficiency.
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Q. How can I start IELTS practice at home?
A. You can start by acquainting yourself with the test’s format and organisation. Access online resources that offer sample test papers and practice materials. Enhance your English proficiency by reading books, watching English films, and listening to English podcasts. Regularly practice speaking and writing in English to refine your language skills further.
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Q. Is it OK to speak slowly in IELTS?
A. It’s important to maintain a moderate pace while speaking during the IELTS Speaking Test. Speaking too slowly can lead to a lower score as it limits the amount of language you produce. However, speaking too fast doesn’t necessarily indicate good fluency. It’s recommended to speak naturally and avoid rushing through your responses.
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Q. What are some of the most common IELTS Speaking Cue Card topics?Â
A. Some of the most typical IELTS Speaking Cue Card topics include describing a person who has influenced you, discussing a memorable childhood event, discussing a book or movie you enjoyed, describing a place you have visited, and discussing a current social issue. It is important to prepare for various topics to be ready for any cue card that may be given during the IELTS Speaking Test.
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Q. How do you talk for 2 minutes in IELTS?
A. To talk for 2 minutes in IELTS, you must structure your response and organise your thoughts coherently.Â
Start by introducing the topic and giving a brief overview. Then, provide supporting details and examples to elaborate on your main points.Â
Use a variety of vocabulary and grammatical structures to showcase your language proficiency.Â
Finally, conclude your speech by summarising your main points and providing a final thought. -
Q. What are the 3 parts of the IELTS speaking test?
A. The IELTS speaking test consists of three parts. In Part 1, the examiner asks general questions about your life, interests, and experiences. In Part 2, you are given a topic to speak about for two minutes, after which the examiner asks follow-up questions. In Part 3, the examiner asks more abstract questions related to the topic in Part 2, allowing you to demonstrate your ability to express opinions and ideas more complexly.
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Q. How do you prepare a Cue Card in 1 minute?
A. Make the most of the one-minute preparation time by brainstorming ideas about the topic you will be discussing. Jot down any relevant keywords that come to mind during this time. This is your chance to plan the content you want to cover in your speech, so use it wisely.
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Q. How do you crack the IELTS Speaking Cue Card?Â
A. To excel in the IELTS Speaking Cue Card section, one must prepare meticulously in advance. This involves understanding the test format and the types of topics that may appear, practising speaking on various subjects and recording oneself to identify areas for improvement. It is important to speak confidently and fluently during the speech, using a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures. In the follow-up discussion, be prepared to answer questions related to the topic and share your opinions and ideas.
