🧾 IELTS Speaking Part 2: Introduction

Описание: 📌 Overview:
Part 2 is also called the “Long Turn”.

You will be given a cue card with a topic and bullet points.

You must speak for 1–2 minutes on the topic.

You get 1 minute to prepare before you speak.

🎯 Purpose of Part 2:
To test your ability to:

Speak at length on a given topic

Organize your thoughts clearly

Use a wide range of vocabulary and grammar

Show fluency, coherence, and confidence in extended speech

🕒 Timing:
Stage Time
Examiner gives you a cue card + paper & pencil ~30 seconds
You have 1 minute to prepare your answer 1 minute
You must speak for 1–2 minutes 1–2 minutes
Examiner may ask 1–2 follow-up questions ~30 seconds

🧾 What the Cue Card Looks Like:
The cue card includes:

A main topic (e.g., "Describe a person who inspired you")

3–4 bullet points to guide your answer (e.g., who the person is, how you met, what they did, why they inspired you)

📌 Sample Cue Card:
Describe a book you recently read.
You should say:

what the book was

who wrote it

what it was about

and explain why you liked/disliked it

📝 Preparation Time – What to Do in 1 Minute:
Use this minute to:

Quickly outline your ideas (use the paper provided)

Think of 1–2 strong examples or details

Plan a clear beginning, middle, and end

Use the bullet points as your guide—but add extra if needed

🧠 Band 9 Techniques for Speaking Part 2
✅ 1. Follow the Structure:
A clear and effective structure helps you stay organized.

Suggested Flow:

Introduction sentence: "Today I’m going to talk about..."

Address each bullet point clearly

Add personal feelings/opinions

Conclude smoothly: “That’s why I found it memorable/useful/inspiring.”

✅ 2. Speak Fluently for 1–2 Minutes
Don’t stop too soon. Try to speak for at least 1.5 minutes.

Use linking phrases to keep going:

"Another thing I’d like to mention is..."

"What really stood out to me was..."

"As far as I remember..."

✅ 3. Add Details & Examples
Add:

Personal experiences

Background stories

Emotions and opinions
This adds depth and helps you fill the time naturally.

✅ 4. Use a Range of Vocabulary
Instead of basic words like "good" or "nice," use:

"Fascinating," "memorable," "inspiring," "outstanding"

Use idiomatic expressions or phrasal verbs:

"It blew my mind"

"I couldn’t put the book down"

"It left a lasting impression on me"

✅ 5. Use a Mix of Tenses
Part 2 often requires:

Past tense (when describing events)

Present tense (your opinions)

Future tense (plans or hopes)

🟢 Example:

"Last year, I read a novel called The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. It’s about a young shepherd who travels across deserts in search of treasure, but ends up discovering his destiny instead..."

🔄 Follow-up Question After Part 2:
After your long turn, the examiner may ask 1–2 quick follow-up questions related to the topic.

Example:

"Do you often read books like that?"
"Would you recommend it to others?"

Answer briefly but naturally.

🛑 Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake Why it’s a problem
Stopping too early Shows lack of fluency/confidence
Reading from notes Sounds unnatural and rehearsed
Ignoring bullet points Reduces coherence and structure
Going off-topic Makes answer confusing
Using very basic vocabulary Limits your Band score

📌 Example of a Strong Opening (Band 9 Style):
Cue Card: Describe a person who helped you in a difficult time.

Response Start:

"I’d like to talk about my older sister, Sara, who helped me a lot during my final year of university. It was a really stressful period because I had several deadlines and a part-time job, but she supported me emotionally and practically..."

📝 Tips for the 1-Minute Preparation Time:
Write 3–4 keywords for each bullet point

Think of an extra detail or story

Prepare a strong closing sentence