IELTS Speaking Part 2-style cue cards, practised with true stories
Every card below is original (never a past exam question) and comes with a true story that answers it: a one-minute note grid, a model outline, and a recorded retelling with feedback on pace, fillers, pauses and which facts you covered.
Updated · The full Part 2 practice method
1 minute to prepare · up to 2 minutes to speak · you speak alone. The official format on ielts.org has the details; every card below is our own practice wording, never a past exam question.
SoulfulStories is an independent speaking-practice tool. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to IELTS, the British Council, IDP: IELTS or Cambridge University Press & Assessment. IELTS is a trademark of its respective owners. Our feedback is practice feedback, not an IELTS score or band.
Animals
Art and music
- Describe a painting or work of art that you know aboutPractise the "describe a painting" cue card with the forger who fooled Göring: the card, a note grid, a model outline and recorded feedback.
- Describe a song that has an interesting story behind itPractise the "describe a song" cue card with the true story behind The Lion Sleeps Tonight: ten shillings, a note grid, a model outline and feedback.
Discovery and science
- Describe a food that has an interesting historyPractise the "describe a food" cue card with the fortune cookie's true history: Kyoto origins, a San Francisco twist, a note grid and a model outline.
- Describe a scientist whose work you admirePractise the "describe a scientist" cue card with Barry Marshall, who drank the bacteria: the card, a note grid, a model outline and feedback.
Inventions and technology
Journeys
People you admire
People who helped others
- Describe a person whose work has helped many other peoplePractise the "describe a person who helps others" cue card with Louis Braille: the card, a note grid, a model outline and recorded feedback.
- Describe a person you admire for their determinationPractise the "describe a person you admire" cue card with Dashrath Manjhi's true story: the card, a note grid, a model outline and recorded feedback.
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Teaching Part 2? See the Founding Tutor Pilot.
IELTS is a registered trademark of its owners. SoulfulStories is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to IELTS, the British Council, IDP or Cambridge. We don't give band scores.