IELTS Speaking Part 2, also known as the “long turn” or the “cue card.” For many test-takers, this is the most daunting part of the entire Speaking test. You have to organize your thoughts, structure a coherent talk, and speak continuously for up to two minutes, all on your own.
You’re in the middle of your IELTS Speaking test. The examiner has just finished with the warm-up questions of Part 1. They hand you a piece of paper and a pencil.
“I’m going to give you a topic,” the examiner says, “and I’d like you to talk about it for one to two minutes.”
This is it.
The biggest fear students have is that their mind will go blank and they will run out of things to say after just 30 seconds. This leads to long, awkward pauses that can kill your Fluency score.
But there is a secret to mastering Part 2. The key is not to have a brilliant, spontaneous speech. The key is to have a clear and simple structure.
This guide will provide you with a powerful, 4-part structure that you can use to answer any cue card topic. We will show you exactly how to use your 1-minute preparation time effectively and how to build a talk that is logical, well-developed, and long enough to impress the examiner. This method is your blueprint for turning Part 2 from a source of anxiety into your best opportunity to achieve a high score.
IELTS Speaking Part 2: Goal. Key Areas of Focus
Before you can build a structure, you need to understand what the examiner is testing. In Part 2, they are assessing your ability to:
- Speak at length on a topic without prompting or help.
- Organize your ideas in a coherent and logical way.
- Use a range of vocabulary and grammar appropriate to the topic.
The cue card is not there to trick you; it’s there to help you. The bullet points provide a ready-made structure for your talk.
A Typical Cue Card:
Describe a teacher who had a positive influence on you.
You should say:
– who the teacher was and what subject they taught
– what this teacher was like
– how this teacher helped you
and explain why you remember this teacher in particular.
The Most Important Minute: Your Preparation Time
You have exactly one minute to prepare before you start speaking. This minute is absolutely critical. Do not waste it by trying to write full sentences. You will never have enough time.
Your only goal during this minute is to create a simple keyword plan.
How to Make a Keyword Plan (The Smart Way):
- Divide your paper into four sections. You can draw a simple grid.
- Write the main idea of each bullet point at the top of each section.
- Quickly jot down 2-3 keywords or short phrases for each bullet point. These are your memory joggers.
Example Plan for the “Teacher” Cue Card:
- Who/What: Mr. Smith – History – High School
- What Like: passionate, funny, storyteller, made history exciting
- How Helped: believed in me, extra help, built confidence, inspired me to study history at university
- Why Remember: changed my perspective, not just a teacher but a mentor, taught me how to think
This simple plan, which you can easily create in one minute, is now the perfect roadmap for a fluent, well-structured, two-minute talk.
The 4-Part Structure for a Perfect 2-Minute Talk
Now that you have your plan, you can deliver your talk with confidence. Follow this simple, 4-part structure.
Part 1: The Introduction (1 Sentence – approx. 10 seconds)
Don’t just jump straight into the first bullet point. Start with a clear, simple introductory sentence that paraphrases the main topic from the cue card.
- Formula: “I’d like to talk about…” or “The [person/place/thing] I’m going to describe is…”
- Example: I’d like to talk about a teacher who had a significant and positive influence on my life.
This immediately shows the examiner that you have understood the topic and gives your talk a clear beginning.
Part 2: Covering the Bullet Points (The Main Body – approx. 90 seconds)
This is the main part of your talk. Your job is to work through your keyword plan, addressing each of the bullet points on the cue card.
- How to Do It:
- Dedicate a few sentences to each bullet point.
- Use your keywords to trigger your ideas.
- Use linking words to smoothly transition from one point to the next (e.g., “In terms of what he was like…”, “When it comes to how he helped me…”).
- Tell a story. The best Part 2 talks are not just a list of facts; they are personal stories. Try to add some detail and emotion.
Crucial Tip: You do not have to cover every single bullet point, and you do not have to cover them in order. They are a guide, not a strict set of rules. However, for most people, following the order of the bullet points is the easiest and most logical way to structure the talk.
Part 3: The “Why” Question (The Most Important Point)
The final bullet point on the cue card is almost always the most important one. It’s usually a “why” question that asks you to explain your feelings or opinions.
- Example: …and explain why you remember this teacher in particular.
You should dedicate a good amount of time (perhaps 30-40 seconds) to this final point. This is where you can show off a wider range of vocabulary and more complex grammar as you discuss more abstract ideas like “inspiration” or “changing your perspective.”
Part 4: The Conclusion (1 Sentence – approx. 10 seconds)
Just as you had a clear beginning, you should have a clear end. Don’t just suddenly stop talking when you’ve finished your last point.
- How to Do It: End with a simple concluding sentence that summarizes your feelings or the main point of your talk.
- Formula: “So, that’s why…” or “Overall, he/she/it was…”
- Example: So, that’s why Mr. Smith is the teacher I remember most fondly from my school days.
This provides a neat and satisfying end to your talk and signals to the examiner that you are finished.
A Band 9 Model Answer and Analysis
Let’s put it all together.
(Introduction)
I’d like to talk about a teacher who had a significant and positive influence on my life. His name was Mr. Smith, and he was my history teacher during my final two years of high school.
(Bullet Point 1 & 2)
In terms of what he was like, he was completely different from any other teacher I’d had. He was incredibly passionate about his subject, and he had this amazing ability to bring history to life. He wasn’t just a teacher; he was a brilliant storyteller. Instead of just making us memorize dates and names, he would tell us the stories behind the events, which made everything so much more engaging and memorable.
(Bullet Point 3)
When it comes to how he helped me, the main thing was that he built my academic confidence. Before I was in his class, I was a very average student and I didn’t think I was particularly smart. But he saw some potential in me and gave me a lot of extra encouragement. I remember he once spent his own lunch break helping me to structure an essay, and that small act of kindness really made me feel like I could succeed.
(Bullet Point 4 – The “Why”)
The main reason I remember him so fondly, however, is that he fundamentally changed my perspective on learning. He taught me that history wasn’t just a boring school subject, but a fascinating way to understand the world we live in today. He inspired my curiosity and, in fact, he is the main reason I went on to study history at university.
(Conclusion)
So, overall, he was far more than just a teacher to me; he was a true mentor, and that’s why I’ll never forget him.
This structured, detailed, and personal response is exactly what the examiner is looking for. By using this 4-part framework, you can turn the dreaded “long turn” into your best opportunity to showcase your fluency and coherence.
Ready to practice your storytelling?
👉 Take a full, computer-based IELTS Speaking Mock Test and try this structure on a real Part 2 topic.