IELTS Speaking Cue Cards September–December 2026
Quick answer
These are 39 free IELTS Speaking Part 2 practice cue cards in the style of the September–December 2026 topic season, grouped by topic and listed newest first. They are original IELTS-Bank practice cards, not questions reported from real tests; each one has examiner audio, a one-minute prep timer and a Band 8–9 model answer.
Updated 2 September 2026
Recently added cue cards
5 cards published in September 2026.
- Describe someone who made you laugh recently.You should say: who this person is · what happened · where you were at the timeeasyPractise with model answer
- Describe a friend who is very different from you.You should say: who this friend is · how you met · in what ways you are differentmediumPractise with model answer
- Describe a person who is very good at their job.You should say: who this person is · what their job involves · how you know about their workmediumPractise with model answer
- Describe the family member you spend the most time with.You should say: who this person is · what you usually do together · how often you see each othereasyPractise with model answer
- Describe a neighbour you get on well with.You should say: who this neighbour is · how long you have known them · what you usually do or talk about togethereasyPractise with model answer
People cue cards
10 cards. Cards that ask you to describe a person. Examiners want a clear identity, two or three concrete details about the relationship, and a reason the person matters to you. People topic guide
- Describe someone who made you laugh recently.You should say: who this person is · what happened · where you were at the timeeasyPractise with model answer
- Describe a friend who is very different from you.You should say: who this friend is · how you met · in what ways you are differentmediumPractise with model answer
- Describe a person who is very good at their job.You should say: who this person is · what their job involves · how you know about their workmediumPractise with model answer
- Describe the family member you spend the most time with.You should say: who this person is · what you usually do together · how often you see each othereasyPractise with model answer
- Describe a neighbour you get on well with.You should say: who this neighbour is · how long you have known them · what you usually do or talk about togethereasyPractise with model answer
- Describe an interesting conversation you had with someone.You should say: who you talked to · when and where it happened · what you talked about · why it was interestingmediumPractise with model answer
- Describe a good leader you know about.You should say: who the leader is · how you know about this person · what they have achieved · what qualities they havehardPractise with model answer
- Describe an old friend you are still in contact with.You should say: who this friend is · how you first met · how you keep in touch nowmediumPractise with model answer
- Describe a teacher who has influenced you.You should say: who the teacher was · what subject they taught · what they were likemediumPractise with model answer
- Describe a person you admire.You should say: who this person is · how you know about this person · what qualities they havemediumPractise with model answer
Media, books & films cue cards
3 cards. Cards about something you read, watched or listened to. Summarise the content briefly; the marks are in your reaction and the language you use to evaluate it. Media, books & films topic guide
- Describe a film you would recommend to other people.You should say: what the film is · what it is about · when you first saw it · who starred in iteasyPractise with model answer
- Describe a song or piece of music that means a lot to you.You should say: what the song is · when you first heard it · what it is aboutmediumPractise with model answer
- Describe a book that has influenced you.You should say: what the book was · when and where you read it · what it was aboutmediumPractise with model answer
Experiences & memories cue cards
10 cards. "Describe a time when…" cards. These reward a proper narrative: set the scene, tell what happened, then reflect on what you took away from it. Experiences & memories topic guide
- Describe a happy memory from your childhood.You should say: what the memory is · when it happened · who you were with · what you dideasyPractise with model answer
- Describe a time when you taught something to someone.You should say: what you taught · who you taught it to · how you taught it · how well they learned itmediumPractise with model answer
- Describe a time when you were surprised by something.You should say: what happened · when it happened · who else was involved · why it was surprisingmediumPractise with model answer
- Describe an important goal that you achieved.You should say: what the goal was · when you set it · how you worked towards it · how long it tookmediumPractise with model answer
- Describe a piece of advice you received that was helpful.You should say: what the advice was · who gave it to you · when you received it · how you used itmediumPractise with model answer
- Describe a time when you received some good news.You should say: what the news was · when you received it · how you found out about it · who told youmediumPractise with model answer
- Describe a time when you were very busy.You should say: when this happened · why you were so busy · what you had to domediumPractise with model answer
- Describe a gift you gave to someone.You should say: what the gift was · who you gave it to · why you chose that giftmediumPractise with model answer
- Describe an important decision you made that changed your life.You should say: what the decision was · when you made it · who was involvedhardPractise with model answer
- Describe a time when you helped someone.You should say: who you helped · what the situation was · how you helped themmediumPractise with model answer
Places cue cards
4 cards. Cards that ask you to describe a place. Strong answers locate the place quickly, then spend the time on atmosphere, what happens there and why you go back. Places topic guide
- Describe a historic building you have visited.You should say: what the building is · where it is · when it was built · what it looks likemediumPractise with model answer
- Describe an important river or lake in your country.You should say: where it is · how big it is · what it looks like · what people use it formediumPractise with model answer
- Describe a beautiful natural place you have visited, such as a mountain, river or forest.You should say: where the place is · when you went there · what it looked likemediumPractise with model answer
- Describe a public place, such as a park or square, that you like to visit.You should say: where this place is · how often you go there · what you do thereeasyPractise with model answer
Money & shopping cue cards
1 card. Cards about buying, saving and spending. Exact figures are never required; what earns marks is the reasoning behind the decision. Money & shopping topic guide
Culture & festivals cue cards
1 card. Cards about traditions and cultural life. Explain the custom as though the examiner has never heard of it, then say what it means to people locally. Culture & festivals topic guide
Technology cue cards
2 cards. Cards about devices, apps and online life. Avoid drifting into a product review: the examiner wants your use of it and its effect on you. Technology topic guide
- Describe a website you often use.You should say: what the website is · how you found out about it · how often you visit it · what you use it formediumPractise with model answer
- Describe a piece of technology that you find useful.You should say: what it is · how you use it · how often you use itmediumPractise with model answer
Objects & possessions cue cards
2 cards. Cards about a thing you own, made, borrowed or lost. Describe it physically for a few seconds, then move to the story attached to it — that is where the band comes from. Objects & possessions topic guide
Travel & transport cue cards
2 cards. Cards about journeys and getting around. Keep the itinerary short and spend your two minutes on one vivid moment from the trip. Travel & transport topic guide
- Describe a memorable journey or trip you have taken.You should say: where you went · who you travelled with · how you got theremediumPractise with model answer
- Describe a place you would like to visit in the future.You should say: where this place is · how you first heard about it · what you would do thereeasyPractise with model answer
Work & study cue cards
1 card. Cards about your working or studying life. Precise job and study vocabulary lifts Lexical Resource here more than in almost any other family. Work & study topic guide
Food & cooking cue cards
1 card. Cards about food and meals. Taste and texture vocabulary is the easy win; the risk is listing ingredients instead of telling the story of the meal. Food & cooking topic guide
Activities & hobbies cue cards
1 card. Cards about what you do for pleasure. Use the present tense for habits and the past for one memorable session — mixing both shows grammatical range. Activities & hobbies topic guide
Events & occasions cue cards
1 card. Cards about an occasion you attended or organised. Narrate in past tense, keep the sequence clear, and finish with why the day stayed with you. Events & occasions topic guide
How should you practise a cue card?
Open a card, listen to the examiner read it, take the full minute of notes, then speak until you are stopped at two minutes, covering every point on the card. Compare what you said with the model answer afterwards, not before. To practise the whole interview, including Part 3 follow-up questions, try the live AI Speaking Examiner.