Faisal from Lucknow spent his preparation minute writing one perfect opening sentence. When the examiner asked him to start, he had that sentence and no plan.

In IELTS Speaking Part 2, spend the preparation minute picking an example fast and writing a handful of keywords: one or two per card point, including the ‘explain’ line. Keywords let you speak naturally while covering everything the card asks.

What Happens in Part 2

The examiner gives you a task card with a topic, some points to cover and an instruction to explain one aspect of it. You have one minute to prepare, and the examiner provides a pencil and paper for notes.

You then speak for up to two minutes, and the examiner stops you when your time is up. The examiner may ask one or two questions on the same topic before Part 3.

Candidates sometimes call this task card a cue card. Our Speaking test format guide covers the timings of all three parts.

A Rough Plan for Your Minute

This plan is advice, not an IELTS rule:

  1. Choose fast: Pick the first personal memory that fits the topic.
  2. Write keywords: Note one or two words per point, including the ‘explain’ line.
  3. Plan your opening: Decide your first sentence in your head while you finish your notes.

Incorrect: “I should write full sentences so I speak without mistakes.”

Correct: Write one or two keywords per point. IDP IELTS says you are not tested on what you write, so abbreviations and quick signs are fine.

Incorrect: “I can ignore the final ‘explain why’ point if I run short on time.”

Correct: Save one keyword for it: it is the natural place to reflect and keep talking.

Pick the Easiest Example, Not the Most Impressive

The four criteria describe your spoken English, not how impressive your story is. Choose the memory you can talk about most easily, such as a family weekend in Nainital, a hill town in Uttarakhand.

If the card describes something you haven’t done, choose a related memory you can describe easily.

Practice Task Card and Keyword Notes

Here is how the preparation looks on paper.

Practice task card

Describe a place you visited that you would like to go back to. You should say:

  • where it is
  • when you went there
  • what you did there
  • and explain why you would like to return.

Your notes during the minute could look like this:

  • Where: Munnar, Kerala hills
  • When: two summers ago
  • What: tea estate walks
  • What: rented bicycle
  • Explain why: cool air
  • Explain why: peace and quiet

Six short notes, and not one full sentence.

Sample opening (illustrative Band 7)

A place I’d love to go back to is Munnar, a hill station in the Western Ghats in Kerala. I went there two summers ago for my cousin’s wedding, and I loved it so much that I stayed on for a few days. Most mornings I walked through the tea estates, and in the afternoons I explored on a rented bicycle.

This opening covers where, when and what you did, using the notes as its outline.

To keep going until the examiner stops you, read our guide on talking for the full two minutes.

What Your Notes Are For

Use your notes as a prompt: a quick glance at your keywords can help you move to the next point. Keywords remind you, so speak in your own words rather than reading them out. IDP IELTS suggests you keep writing until the examiner asks you to begin your talk.

For more on preparing stories, see our guide to Part 2 task card types. To see how the descriptors change across levels, read our Band 5 versus Band 7 guide.

Tip

Practise making keyword notes on paper with a pencil and a one-minute timer, so the real minute feels familiar.

Try It

Look at this practice task card:

Practice task card

Describe a person who taught you something useful. You should say:

  • who this person is
  • what they taught you
  • how they taught it to you
  • and explain why this skill was important to you.

Set a one-minute timer and write keyword notes only.

Show sample answer
  • Uncle Ramesh, retired maths teacher
  • budgeting
  • Sundays, grocery receipts
  • spreadsheet
  • independence, no debt

Key Takeaways

  • Write a handful of keywords rather than full sentences.
  • Choose the memory you can talk about most easily.
  • Aim to cover every point on the card, especially the ‘explain’ line.
  • Use your notes as a prompt, then speak in your own words.

The bottom line: Treat your preparation minute as an outline for spoken ideas, not a script to be read aloud.