In Part 2, you speak on your own from a cue card. You have one minute to prepare, then you speak for one to two minutes. The examiner does not ask questions while you are talking, so it helps to plan a clear route through your answer.
1. Answer the Main Topic
The cue card gives you a topic and several prompts to help you develop it. Keep your answer focused on the main topic. Use the bullet points as a guide, and cover the ones that help you give a complete, relevant response. Don’t force a detail that does not fit.
2. Practise a Simple Structure
A basic plan can keep you from losing your way:
- Introduce the person, place, event, or object.
- Describe the main details.
- Explain why it matters to you.
- Finish with a brief reflection or result.
Practise this structure with different topics so you can adapt it during the test.
3. Practise Speaking, Not Memorizing
Memorized answers can sound unnatural and may not fit the cue card. Instead, practise organizing ideas quickly and speaking clearly. Record yourself and listen for pauses, unclear pronunciation, or places where you lose track of your point.
Useful language for describing the past, giving opinions, comparing ideas, and discussing possibilities can help you express yourself. Learn phrases in context and use ones that feel natural.
4. Use Your Preparation Minute Well
You won’t have time to write a full script. Make brief notes with keywords that remind you what to say. You might note the setting, what happened, why it mattered, and how you felt.
Time your practice answers so you get used to speaking for the required length without rushing or running out of ideas.
5. Develop a Few Ideas
A few well-developed details make a stronger response than a long list. To expand an idea, ask yourself:
- Who was involved?
- What happened?
- Where and when did it happen?
- Why was it important?
- How did you feel about it?
Choose questions that fit the topic. You can also describe what you saw, heard, smelled, or tasted when those details are relevant.
6. Use Experiences or Plausible Examples
A real experience is often easy to describe because you remember the details. If you have not experienced the situation in the cue card, use an imagined example or adapt a similar experience. Keep the details believable and consistent.
7. Keep Going After a Mistake
Small grammar or vocabulary mistakes happen. If you notice one, correct it briefly if needed, then continue. Dwelling on the mistake can disrupt your fluency and make it harder to finish your answer.
Focus on communicating your ideas clearly. You do not need to produce a flawless speech.