IELTS Speaking Part 2 Topics, Cue Cards & Band 9 Answers (2026)

IELTS Speaking Part 2 is known as the "Long Turn." It is the most challenging part of the exam for many students because you must speak alone for 2 minutes without stopping.

The examiner will give you a Cue Card with a topic and 3-4 bullet points. You have exactly 1 minute to prepare your notes, and then you must speak. If you stop too early (under 90 seconds), your Fluency score will drop. If you ramble without structure, your Coherence score will suffer.

Latest IELTS Speaking Part 2 Topics (2026)

The list below covers the most common topics for 2026, organized into 6 Essential Categories. To see the Band 9 model answers and vocabulary lists, CLICK on the blue Topic Name (e.g., Describe a Person You Admire).

1. People

These questions test your ability to describe physical appearance, personality, and relationships. You need vocabulary related to character traits (e.g., generous, inspiring) and influence.

• Describe a Person You Admire

• Describe a Family Member You Are Close To

• Describe a Famous Person You Want To Meet

2. Places

These topics require descriptive language regarding atmosphere, visuals, and location. You must be able to describe both the physical details and the feeling of the place.

• Describe Your Dream House

• Describe a Place You Often Visit

• Describe a Place You Want to Visit

• Describe a historical building

• Describe a quiet place you go to relax

3. Objects

You will be asked to describe a physical item. Focus on the appearance, the material, the function, and the sentimental value of the object.

• Describe a Gift You Received

• Describe a Piece Of Modern Technology You Own (not a computer)

• Describe an old object your family has kept

• Describe a piece of clothing you wear often

4. Media

This category covers the content you consume. Unlike "Objects," these answers focus on the story, the message, and your opinion of the content.

• Describe a Movie You Watched Recently

• Describe a Website You Use Often

• Describe a Book You Read Recently

• Describe an App You Use a Lot

• Describe a Song or Piece of Music You Like

5. Past Events

This is the largest category. It tests your ability to tell a story using past tense verbs. The key here is to have a clear beginning, middle (the problem/climax), and end (the result).

• Describe a Time You Gave Advice

• Describe a Time You Helped Someone

• Describe A Time When You Lost Your Way

• Describe a Long Journey You Had

• Describe a Time You Were Busy

• Describe a Difficult Decision You Made

6. Future Plans

These questions test your ability to use future tenses and modals (e.g., would like to, hope to, plan to). They focus on your ambitions and self-improvement.

• Describe a Skill You Want to Learn

• Describe Your Dream Job

• Describe a small business you want to start

• Describe a healthy habit you want to start

How to Answer Part 2 Cue Cards: The 3 Strategies

To score a Band 7+, you cannot just list facts. You need a structure to keep you speaking for 2 minutes. We recommend three specific strategies depending on the category.

1. The IDEA Strategy Best for: People, Places, Objects, Media.

• I - Introduce: Say what it is directly.

• D - Describe: Give visual details and facts.

• E - Explain: Share the background or story.

• A - Add Impact: Explain why it is important to you or society.

2. The AAAE Strategy Best for: Past Events (Storytelling).

• A - Answer: Briefly state what the event was.

• A - Add Detail: Set the scene (When? Where? Who?).

• A - Anecdote: Tell the specific story of what happened (The climax).

• E - Explain: Reflect on how you felt or what you learned.

3. The DALE Strategy Best for: Future Plans & Ambitions.

• D - Describe: What do you want to do/have?

• A - Add Detail: How will you achieve it?

• L - Link to Self: Why does this match your personality?

• E - Example: Imagine a specific day in this future life.

Want to master these techniques? Read our full guide on IELTS Speaking Part 2 Strategies: Cue Cards Made Easy.

Create Your Own Band 9 Answers

Reading sample answers is helpful, but you shouldn't memorize them. Examiners are trained to spot memorized scripts. Your answers need to be true so that you can easily recall them during a stressful exam.

IELTS Speaking Lab helps you turn your real ideas into Band 9 answers.

1. Select topic and cue card (e.g., Describe a skill you want to learn).

2. Input your rough idea (e.g., "I want to learn coding because I want a better job").

3. Get personalized Band 9 answers instantly, with the perfect vocabulary for your story.

Start Generating Your Personal Answers Now →