IELTS Speaking Part 2: Cue Cards 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A typical cue card prompt begins with which phrase?
- Describe a... (Correct answer)
- Choose the correct...
- Fill in the...
- Underline the...
Correct answer: Describe a...
Most cue cards start with 'Describe a' followed by a person, place, object, or event.
Question 2: The bullet points on a cue card are best used as what?
- A guide to structure your answer (Correct answer)
- Questions you must answer in writing
- Rules you cannot deviate from
- A list to read aloud verbatim
Correct answer: A guide to structure your answer
The bullet points help you organize and expand your response, not restrict it.
Question 3: Why is it acceptable to invent details in a Part 2 answer?
- You are assessed on language, not truthfulness (Correct answer)
- Examiners verify your facts later
- Inventing earns bonus points
- It is required by the rubric
Correct answer: You are assessed on language, not truthfulness
IELTS assesses your English ability, so making up plausible details is perfectly fine.
Question 4: Which of these is a common cue card category?
- Describe a person you admire (Correct answer)
- Solve this math problem
- Translate this sentence
- Define this vocabulary word
Correct answer: Describe a person you admire
Describing a person, such as someone you admire, is a frequent cue card theme.
Question 5: What final bullet point often appears on a cue card?
- And explain why... (Correct answer)
- And spell the word...
- And list ten facts...
- And read the passage...
Correct answer: And explain why...
Cue cards usually end with an 'explain why' prompt asking for reasons or feelings.
Question 6: Using a past-tense narrative is most natural for which cue card type?
- Describe an event you attended (Correct answer)
- Describe your daily routine
- Describe your future plans
- Describe a general opinion
Correct answer: Describe an event you attended
Describing a past event naturally calls for past-tense storytelling.
Question 7: If a cue card asks you to describe an object, a good detail to include is what?
- Its appearance and why it matters to you (Correct answer)
- Its exact market price only
- The factory that produced it
- A scientific formula about it
Correct answer: Its appearance and why it matters to you
Describing how it looks and its personal significance gives a rich, relevant answer.
IELTS Speaking Part 2: Cue Cards 3
A typical cue card prompt begins with which phrase?