Hi, I’m Daniel Hughes, and in this guide we’ll explore the IELTS Speaking Part 2 Cue Card Format and Timing — the part where you speak alone for 1–2 minutes.
Many students fear this section, but once you understand its clear structure and timing, it becomes far easier to handle.
According to the official IELTS Speaking test format on IELTS.org, Part 2 is designed to test your ability to organise ideas, develop a topic, and speak fluently without interruption.
The examiner gives you a cue card with a topic and four bullet points.
You get:
You’ll also receive a pencil and paper for notes.
After you finish, the examiner asks 1–2 follow-up questions to conclude the topic.
Stage | Time Limit | What to Do |
Preparation | 1 minute | Read the topic, underline key words, make brief notes. |
Speaking | 1–2 minutes | Talk fluently following the four points. |
Follow-up | ≈ 30 seconds | Answer examiner’s short questions naturally. |
The British Council recommends using your one minute wisely to plan main ideas and examples before you start.
A typical cue card might say:
Describe a book you recently read.
You should say:
• what the book is about
• when you read it
• what you learned from it
• and explain why you would recommend it
💡 Tip: These bullet points are guides, not rules. You don’t need to follow them in order — you can add extra details if they fit naturally. Examiners value flow, not memorisation.
You should aim for around 1 minute 30 seconds. If you finish too early, you may sound under-developed; if you go beyond 2 minutes, the examiner will stop you politely.
Practising with a timer helps you build a sense of duration — the IDP IELTS Speaking test page includes video examples you can use for timing practice.
Here’s a simple structure I recommend to my students:
Time Split | Action |
First 20 seconds | Underline the key words on the card. |
Next 20 seconds | Write 3–4 main ideas or bullet notes. |
Final 20 seconds | Decide a clear order ( Beginning → Details → Feelings ). |
Write keywords only — not sentences. For example:
Book → self-help / read last month / friend recommended / lesson: motivation.
I teach a simple three-part framework called PDR – Past, Details, Reflection.
Step | Focus | Example Question | Sample Answer Idea |
Past | When / Where / Background | When did it happen? | I first read the book last summer… |
Details | Description / Example | What did you do / see / feel? | It was about setting goals and self-discipline… |
Reflection | Opinion / Lesson / Result | Why was it important? | It taught me to stay consistent with my plans. |
This method keeps your answer organised and natural without memorising scripts.
Describe a place you like to visit in your free time.
You should say where it is, how often you go there, what you do there, and explain why you enjoy it.
Model Answer (≈1 min 40 sec)
I often visit a small coffee shop near my office. It’s quiet and cosy, with soft music in the background. I usually go there after work to read or write in my journal. The staff know me quite well now, so it feels like a second home. I enjoy it because it helps me unwind and think clearly after a busy day.
✅ This answer covers all points, uses varied tenses, and shows natural reflection — perfect for Band 7–8.
Unlike Part 1, you speak continuously — so rhythm matters.
Practise using BBC Learning English’s “Tim’s Pronunciation Workshop” to train intonation and stress.
Skill | Focus | Example |
Stress | Highlight meaning words | I LOVE spending time at the BEACH. |
Intonation | Rise and fall for emotion | It was such a WON-der-ful experience! |
Pausing | Breathe every 2 clauses | “I went there last year / and it was amazing.” |
Try this home exercise:
This builds natural timing awareness before the real test.
Mistake | Fix |
Reading from notes word for word | Only use keywords to guide speech. |
Speaking too fast to fill time | Pause naturally; clarity > speed. |
Finishing too early (< 1 min) | Add a short reflection at the end. |
Ignoring cue card points | Cover each briefly in your structure. |
Memorising templates | Personalise answers for authenticity. |
Stay relaxed. Smiling helps maintain breathing control
After each cue card practice, ask yourself:
1️⃣ How long should I speak for in Part 2?
About 1–2 minutes — ideally 1 minute 30–45 seconds.
2️⃣ Can I look at my notes while speaking?
Yes, briefly — it’s allowed. Just don’t read them continuously.
3️⃣ Will the examiner stop me if I go too long?
Yes, politely. You won’t lose marks for that.
4️⃣ Do I have to follow the bullet points exactly?
No, they guide you. You can re-order or expand naturally.
5️⃣ Where can I find official cue card samples?
See the IELTS Speaking sample questions on IELTS.org or watch video demos on IDP IELTS.
Mastering the cue card format and timing is the foundation of a high-band Part 2 performance.
Use your one minute to plan, speak for around 90 seconds with a clear structure, and practise timing until it feels natural.
Next, move on to Structuring Your Talk to learn advanced organisation techniques for your 2-minute speech.
Or revisit the IELTS Speaking Overview for full criteria and test strategy.
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