Last updated: October 19, 2026
Looking for the latest IELTS Speaking cue cards for 2026? If your IELTS test is coming up, practising recently reported Speaking Part 2 topics can help you prepare for the kinds of questions you might encounter.
In IELTS Speaking Part 2, you'll receive a cue card asking you to describe a person, place, object, event, or experience. You'll have one minute to prepare your answer before speaking for up to two minutes.
In this guide, we'll explore recently reported IELTS cue card topics from September to December 2026, provide realistic practice questions and sample answers, and show you how to improve your IELTS Speaking score.
If you’re looking for free IELTS cue card practice, then click the button below to answer a Speaking Part 2 cue card and get a free AI score.
play_circle_outline Start Free Cue Card PracticeTable Of Contents
- Latest IELTS Speaking Cue Cards: September–December 2026
- IELTS Cue Cards 2026: People
- IELTS Cue Cards 2026: Places
- IELTS Cue Cards 2026: Experiences and Events
- IELTS Cue Cards 2026: Objects, Technology, and Media
- IELTS Cue Card Sample Answer 2026
- Another IELTS Cue Card Sample Answer
- IELTS Cue Card Video Samples
- How to Answer Any IELTS Cue Card in Two Minutes
- How Long Our Learners Speak in Part 2
- IELTS Speaking Part 3 Questions for 2026
- How to Improve Your IELTS Speaking Score with BestMyTest
- All IELTS Speaking Part 2 Cue Card Practices
- Frequently Asked Questions About IELTS Cue Cards 2026
Latest IELTS Speaking Cue Cards: September–December 2026
IELTS preparation websites commonly organize candidate-reported Speaking topics into three periods:
- January to April
- May to August
- September to December
Some topics appear in multiple periods, while others are newly reported.
For September–December 2026, published question collections include topics about influential people, important decisions, interesting places, technology, personal achievements, and memorable experiences.
The questions below are based on topics identified in recent 2026 collections. We've adapted the wording and added speaking prompts to help you practise. These are not official IELTS questions, and their appearance in a report does not guarantee they will appear on your test.
IELTS Cue Cards 2026: People
1. Describe an Older Person You Admire
Describe an Older Person You Admire
You should say:
- Who this person is
- How you know this person
- What qualities this person has
- Why you admire this person
Practise this cue card and get an instant AI score
Sample ideas: A grandparent, a former teacher, an experienced colleague, or an older relative who overcame challenges.
Possible Part 3 questions:
- Why do young people admire older generations?
- Are older people always good role models?
- How can different generations learn from one another?
2. Describe a Person Who Is Good at Making Things by Hand
Describe a Person Who Is Good at Making Things by Hand
You should say:
- Who this person is
- What they make
- How they learned this skill
- Why you find their ability impressive
Practise this cue card and get an instant AI score
Sample ideas: Someone who enjoys woodworking, sewing, cooking, painting, or making handmade gifts.
3. Describe a Person You Met Once and Would Like to Know Better
Describe a Person You Met Once and Would Like to Know Better
You should say:
- Who this person was
- Where you met
- What you talked about
- Why you would like to meet this person again
Practise this cue card and get an instant AI score
Sample ideas: A person you met while travelling, a guest speaker, a new colleague, or someone at a social event.
4. Describe a Person Who Successfully Overcame a Difficult Challenge
Describe a Person Who Successfully Overcame a Difficult Challenge
You should say:
- Who the person is
- What challenge they faced
- How they dealt with it
- Why their success impressed you
Practise this cue card and get an instant AI score
Sample ideas: Someone who started a business, learned a difficult skill, recovered from a setback, or completed a demanding course.
5. Describe a Happy Person You Know
Describe a Happy Person You Know
You should say:
- Who the person is
- How you know them
- What they usually do
- Why you think they are a happy person
Practise this cue card and get an instant AI score
Sample ideas: A cheerful friend, a positive family member, or a colleague who maintains a good attitude in difficult situations.
IELTS Cue Cards 2026: Places
6. Describe a City You Visited and Would Like to Visit Again
Describe a City You Visited and Would Like to Visit Again
You should say:
- Where the city is
- When you visited
- What you did there
- Why you would like to return
Practise this cue card and get an instant AI score
Sample ideas: A memorable holiday destination, a city where you studied, or somewhere you visited with family.
7. Describe a Noisy Place You Have Visited
Describe a Noisy Place You Have Visited
You should say:
- Where the place was
- When you went there
- Why it was noisy
- How you felt about the experience
Practise this cue card and get an instant AI score
Sample ideas: A busy market, a concert, a sporting event, or a crowded shopping street.
8. Describe a Natural Place in Your City That You Enjoy Visiting
Describe a Natural Place in Your City That You Enjoy Visiting
You should say:
- Where it is
- What the place looks like
- What you usually do there
- Why you enjoy visiting it
Practise this cue card and get an instant AI score
Sample ideas: A park, lake, riverside walking path, forest, or botanical garden.
9. Describe a Building You Enjoy Visiting
Describe a Building You Enjoy Visiting
You should say:
- Where the building is
- What it looks like
- What people do there
- Why you enjoy spending time there
Practise this cue card and get an instant AI score
Sample ideas: A library, museum, shopping center, historical building, or community center.
IELTS Cue Cards 2026: Experiences and Events
10. Describe an Important Decision You Changed
Describe an Important Decision You Changed
You should say:
- What the original decision was
- Why you initially made it
- What caused you to change your mind
- How you felt about your final decision
Practise this cue card and get an instant AI score
Sample ideas: Changing your university major, accepting a different job, postponing a trip, or changing an important purchase.
11. Describe a Time You Worked Successfully in a Team
Describe a Time You Worked Successfully in a Team
You should say:
- What the task was
- Who you worked with
- What your responsibilities were
- Why the teamwork was successful
Practise this cue card and get an instant AI score
Sample ideas: A school project, workplace assignment, sports competition, or volunteer activity.
12. Describe an Enjoyable Evening You Spent with Friends
Describe an Enjoyable Evening You Spent with Friends
You should say:
- When it happened
- Where you went
- What you did together
- Why you enjoyed the evening
Practise this cue card and get an instant AI score
Sample ideas: A birthday dinner, movie night, outdoor gathering, or special celebration.
13. Describe a Time You Helped Someone
Describe a Time You Helped Someone
You should say:
- Who you helped
- What problem they had
- What you did to help
- How you felt afterward
Practise this cue card and get an instant AI score
Sample ideas: Helping a classmate understand a lesson, assisting a colleague, or supporting a family member.
14. Describe a Time You Received Excellent Customer Service
Describe a Time You Received Excellent Customer Service
You should say:
- Where it happened
- What you were buying or doing
- How the employee helped you
- Why the service impressed you
Practise this cue card and get an instant AI score
Sample ideas: An employee who solved a problem, recommended a useful product, or handled a complaint professionally.
15. Describe a Time You Saved Money to Buy Something Important
Describe a Time You Saved Money to Buy Something Important
You should say:
- What you wanted to buy
- Why you wanted it
- How you saved the money
- How you felt when you finally bought it
Practise this cue card and get an instant AI score
Sample ideas: A laptop, bicycle, camera, holiday, or musical instrument.
IELTS Cue Cards 2026: Objects, Technology, and Media
16. Describe a Gift You Would Like to Buy for a Friend
Describe a Gift You Would Like to Buy for a Friend
You should say:
- Who the friend is
- What gift you would choose
- Why you would choose it
- How you think your friend would react
Practise this cue card and get an instant AI score
Sample ideas: A useful electronic device, a personalized present, or something related to your friend's hobbies.
17. Describe a Book You Found Exciting
Describe a Book You Found Exciting
You should say:
- What the book is
- When you read it
- What the story is about
- Why you found it interesting
Practise this cue card and get an instant AI score
Sample ideas: A mystery novel, adventure story, autobiography, or science fiction book.
18. Describe an App You Regularly Use
Describe an App You Regularly Use
You should say:
- What the app is
- When you started using it
- What you use it for
- Why you find it useful
Practise this cue card and get an instant AI score
Sample ideas: A language-learning app, calendar, fitness tracker, navigation tool, or messaging app.
19. Describe Something Important You Cannot Live Without
Describe Something Important You Cannot Live Without
You should say:
- What the object is
- How long you have owned it
- How you use it
- Why it is important to you
Practise this cue card and get an instant AI score
Sample ideas: Glasses, a notebook, a musical instrument, or an important everyday item other than your phone or computer.
20. Describe an Interesting Piece of Local News
Describe an Interesting Piece of Local News
You should say:
- What the news was about
- When you heard about it
- How people reacted
- Why you found it interesting
Practise this cue card and get an instant AI score
Sample ideas: A new public facility, a local environmental project, a community achievement, or a significant event in your city.
IELTS Cue Card Sample Answer 2026
Let's look at how to answer one of the recently reported cue card topics.
Sample Cue Card: Describe an Older Person You Admire
Describe an older person you admire.
You should say:
- Who this person is
- How you know this person
- What this person is like
- And explain why you admire this person.
Sample Speaking Answer
I'd like to talk about my grandfather, who is probably one of the most hardworking people I've ever known.
He's in his seventies now, and even though he's retired, he's still incredibly active. He spends a lot of his time gardening, reading, and helping people in our neighborhood.
What I admire most about him is his attitude toward life. He didn't have many opportunities when he was younger, and he had to start working at a very early age. But instead of complaining about his situation, he worked hard to support his family and gradually built a successful small business.
I remember something he told me when I was having a difficult time at university. I was worried about failing one of my courses, and he said that making mistakes wasn't the problem. The important thing was learning from them and continuing to improve.
That conversation really stayed with me because, well, I think I was taking everything a little too seriously at the time.
Another thing I really admire is how patient he is. Whenever I ask him for advice, he listens carefully before saying anything. He never makes me feel that my problems are unimportant.
I guess the main reason I look up to him is that he's achieved a lot without losing his kindness or humility.
And I hope that when I'm his age, I'll have a similar attitude toward life.
Why This Is a Strong Sample Answer
Notice how the answer develops naturally rather than simply listing the cue card points.
The speaker:
- Introduces the person clearly.
- Describes his personality and background.
- Shares a specific personal experience.
- Explains how that experience influenced the speaker.
- Finishes by explaining why the person is admired.
The answer also uses natural expressions such as "look up to," "stayed with me," and "taking everything too seriously."
These expressions help communicate ideas naturally, but using them does not guarantee a particular band score. Delivery, fluency, grammar, and pronunciation also affect the result.
Another IELTS Cue Card Sample Answer
Sample Cue Card: Describe an Important Decision You Changed
Describe an important decision you changed.
You should say:
- What decision you originally made
- Why you made it
- Why you changed your mind
- And explain how you felt afterward.
Sample Speaking Answer
I'd like to talk about a decision I made about my university studies a few years ago.
Originally, I was planning to study business because I thought it would give me more career opportunities. Quite a few of my friends were choosing business degrees, and at the time, it seemed like a sensible decision.
But a few months before university started, I began having doubts.
I realized that I was much more interested in technology, especially programming and software development. I had already spent a lot of time learning basic coding online, and I genuinely enjoyed it.
So I started researching computer science programs and talking to people who worked in the technology industry.
Eventually, I decided to change my major.
To be fair, it was a little stressful because my family wasn't completely convinced at first. They thought I was making a last-minute decision without thinking about the consequences.
But after I explained my reasons, they became more supportive.
Looking back, I'm really glad I changed my mind. The new program was challenging, but I found the subjects much more interesting, and I felt motivated to keep learning.
I think that experience taught me something important. Sometimes changing a decision doesn't mean your original choice was wrong. It just means you've learned more about what you actually want.
IELTS Cue Card Video Samples
The two cue cards below come from our IELTS Speaking Part 2 practice tests. Watch the examiner give you the task, use one minute to plan, and record your own answer for up to two minutes. Then open the sample response and compare it with yours.
Describe Your Dream Job
This cue card is from our IELTS Speaking Part 2 Practice 51.
candidate task card
Describe your dream job.
You should say:
What kind of things you would do in that job
What the working conditions would be like
What kind of workplace you would work in
And say if you think you will be able to get a job like that or not, and why
-
Sample Response
Well, my dream job is to be a freelance writer, and, um, today I’ll explain a little bit about what it means to be a freelance writer, as well as why it interests me.
So, if I were a writer, I would use my computer to write things for different clients. You know, a freelance employee does not have to work at an office, or at any specific company. My ideal workplace, if I were a freelance writer, would be a home office. I mean, I would like to set up a comfortable desk in a quiet space at home, for an environment that keeps me focused.
And so, as a freelance writer, I would be able to do my writing from any place I choose, while also having some control over my work schedule. However, most writers will need to complete assignments by a specific date, so there would still be some time constraints. I would probably have some stress over meeting deadlines on time, but, um, I think I could handle it.
Now, as far as finding a job as a freelance writer is concerned, I think it may be possible in the future. First, I’ll need more experience writing, so that reputable companies will want to hire me. And, most importantly, I’ll need to be financially stable enough that I can handle working fewer hours in the beginning.
So overall, becoming a freelance writer would allow me independence, while doing something I enjoy. I believe, with skill and patience, my dream of being a freelance writer will come true someday.
Read the cue card, then click to record your answer.
Practice speaking questions in our appDescribe People You Know Who Are Very Good Parents
This cue card is from our IELTS Speaking Part 2 Practice 33.
Describe people that you know and believe to be very good parents.
You should say:
- who they are
- how you met them
- why you think they are good parents
and explain what it takes to be good parents.
-
Sample Response
Well, although I’ve met many great parents throughout my life, I think some of the people I know who best exemplify good parenting are, um, my best friend from high school’s parents.
So, my friend Delilah and I met when I was about 14 years old. Her parents moved to the country where I grew up from a different country, so their cultural background was a little different than my family’s. You know, when I would go to her house, her parents would always make a point to have a short conversation with me. They genuinely seemed interested in our lives.
I mean, the reason why I respect and admire Delilah’s parents so much is that they always treated us with respect, gave us our space, and yet seemed very attentive to us at the same time. With their own daughter Delilah, they had established clear boundaries as far as what was expected from her, but they also gave her quite a bit of freedom. And the most important reason why I think they are good examples as parents is that they had their own hobbies and interests, and helped Delilah to do the same. So, when she expressed interest in something, they gave her as many opportunities as possible to do it.
Read the cue card, then click to record your answer.
Practice speaking questions in our appHow to Answer Any IELTS Cue Card in Two Minutes
One of the biggest challenges in IELTS Speaking Part 2 is continuing to speak when you don't have much to say about a topic.
The solution isn't to memorize dozens of answers. Instead, learn how to turn a few simple ideas into a complete explanation.
Step 1: Use Your One-Minute Preparation Time
When you receive your cue card, write down a few keywords that will help you remember your ideas.
For example, for "Describe a city you would like to visit again," your notes might look like this:
City: Kyoto, Japan
When: Two years ago, family holiday
Activities: Temples, traditional streets, local food
Best experience: Walking through an old neighborhood
Why return: More places to explore
You don't need complete sentences. Your notes should simply remind you what to talk about.
Step 2: Build Your Answer Around a Personal Experience
Start with a short introduction explaining what you're going to describe.
Then develop your answer by explaining:
- The background or situation
- What happened or what makes it special
- One or two specific details
- Your feelings or personal opinion
If you run out of ideas, think about why something happened, how it affected you, or what you learned from it.
These additional details can help you continue speaking naturally.
Step 3: Practise Speaking Without Long Pauses
After preparing your notes, record yourself answering the cue card.
Try to speak for the full two minutes without reading a script.
If you struggle to continue speaking, listen to your recording and identify where you ran out of ideas.
Then practise expanding that part of your answer with explanations and examples. You can record and score a full answer in our free IELTS Speaking Part 2 practice.
How Long Our Learners Speak in Part 2
Across 2,437 Part 2 recordings by our learners, the average answer lasted 98.5 seconds and contained 169 words, at about 87 correctly spoken words per minute. In our speech scoring, grammar was the lowest criterion most often, in 81% of Part 2 answers. You have up to two minutes, so if your recordings are much shorter, use the personal-experience method above to keep going.
IELTS Speaking Part 3 Questions for 2026
After Speaking Part 2, the examiner will ask broader questions related to the topic.
For example, if your cue card is about an older person you admire, the Part 3 discussion might include:
Question 1: Why is it important for young people to have role models?
Young people can learn a lot from observing people who have already achieved something meaningful. A good role model can also motivate them to set goals and make better decisions.
Question 2: Do you think older people are more knowledgeable than younger people?
In some areas, yes, because older people generally have more life experience. However, younger people may have stronger knowledge of newer technologies and current trends, so I think both generations have something valuable to offer.
Question 3: How have relationships between younger and older generations changed?
I think technology has changed the way generations communicate. Younger people now have access to information and opinions from many different sources, so they may rely less on their parents or grandparents for advice than people did in the past.
In Speaking Part 3, aim to explain your opinion, support it with reasons, and provide an example when appropriate. For the topic areas expected in all three parts this period, see our IELTS Speaking prediction 2026, and for Part 1, our IELTS Speaking Part 1 questions. For the full Speaking test and how each part is scored, see our IELTS Speaking test guide, and for topic words, our IELTS speaking vocabulary pages.
How to Improve Your IELTS Speaking Score with BestMyTest
Practising IELTS cue cards is useful, but recording the same response repeatedly won't necessarily help you improve.
You need to understand what you're doing well and which speaking skills require more attention.
Our IELTS preparation course helps you build a more effective speaking practice routine.
Step 1: Practise Our IELTS Speaking Questions
Start by choosing an IELTS Speaking Part 2 question from our practice course.
Take one minute to prepare and then record your response.
Try to speak naturally without memorizing an answer.
Step 2: Review Your Speaking Performance
After completing the speaking task, review your available AI Speaking feedback.
Pay attention to areas such as fluency, pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary.
Look for specific problems, such as frequent pauses, repeated sentence patterns, or difficulty developing ideas.
You can also use our Interactive Learning Guide to learn how to organize and develop longer Speaking answers. See how feedback works in our IELTS speaking review guide.
Step 3: Improve with Our AI Tutor
Our AI Tutor helps you focus on the speaking skills that need improvement through targeted exercises.
Instead of simply repeating the same question, you can practise developing your ideas, organizing your answer, and using more accurate and varied English.
Try one now. This AI Tutor exercise walks you through a real IELTS Speaking Part 2 cue card from our bank, step by step:
Task Achievement — IELTS Speaking 2
Learn how to answer this question in a step-by-step interactive exercise
Task Achievement — IELTS Speaking 2
在 **IELTS 口语 Part 2** 中，你有 **1 分钟准备时间**，然后要说 **1–2 分钟**。考官会给你一张**题卡**、一支**铅笔**和一张用来记笔记的**纸**。
好好利用这段准备时间。首先，在构思回答之前先读题卡。
现在还不用写，也不用说。只要确保你明白每个要点在问什么。下一步，你将为**每个要点写一个简短的想法**。
现在，想好每个题卡要点你要说什么。每个要点只写**一个简短的主要想法**。
简要想法只需要**几个词或一个短语**，**不是**一个**完整的句子或完整的口语回答**。每个要点写**一行短句**就够了。
在接下来的步骤中，你将为每个想法加上一个**支撑细节**和一个**个人感受、决定或结果**。
对于第一个**题卡要点**，保留你已经写好的简要想法，再加上**一两个支撑细节**。
**不要**想把要说的话全部写出来。在 1 分钟准备时间里，只为题卡要点写 **4–5 个简短的词或短语**，按你想讲的顺序排好。
用**第二行**补充一个有用的细节，比如**谁、什么、在哪里、什么时候、为什么、一个例子或简短的描述**。
用**第三行**加一些个人内容，比如**你当时的感受、你做了什么决定，或之后发生了什么**。不必全部都写，选最合适的一个就行。
如果不知道怎么开始，可以点击 **Show an Idea**，自动填好第二行和第三行。
在这一步中，其他题卡要点会保持关闭。
对于第二个**题卡要点**，保留你已经写好的简要想法，再加上**一两个支撑细节**。
**不要**想把要说的话全部写出来。在 1 分钟准备时间里，只为题卡要点写 **4–5 个简短的词或短语**，按你想讲的顺序排好。
用**第二行**补充一个有用的细节，比如**谁、什么、在哪里、什么时候、为什么、一个例子或简短的描述**。
用**第三行**加一些个人内容，比如**你当时的感受、你做了什么决定，或之后发生了什么**。不必全部都写，选最合适的一个就行。
如果不知道怎么开始，可以点击 **Show an Idea**，自动填好第二行和第三行。
在这一步中，其他题卡要点会保持关闭。
对于第三个**题卡要点**，保留你已经写好的简要想法，再加上**一两个支撑细节**。
**不要**想把要说的话全部写出来。在 1 分钟准备时间里，只为题卡要点写 **4–5 个简短的词或短语**，按你想讲的顺序排好。
用**第二行**补充一个有用的细节，比如**谁、什么、在哪里、什么时候、为什么、一个例子或简短的描述**。
用**第三行**加一些个人内容，比如**你当时的感受、你做了什么决定，或之后发生了什么**。不必全部都写，选最合适的一个就行。
如果不知道怎么开始，可以点击 **Show an Idea**，自动填好第二行和第三行。
在这一步中，其他题卡要点会保持关闭。
对于第四个**题卡要点**，保留你已经写好的简要想法，再加上**一两个支撑细节**。
**不要**想把要说的话全部写出来。在 1 分钟准备时间里，只为题卡要点写 **4–5 个简短的词或短语**，按你想讲的顺序排好。
用**第二行**补充一个有用的细节，比如**谁、什么、在哪里、什么时候、为什么、一个例子或简短的描述**。
用**第三行**加一些个人内容，比如**你当时的感受、你做了什么决定，或之后发生了什么**。不必全部都写，选最合适的一个就行。
如果不知道怎么开始，可以点击 **Show an Idea**，自动填好第二行和第三行。
在这一步中，其他题卡要点会保持关闭。
现在，借助你的笔记给出完整的回答。说一到两分钟，讲到题卡上的每个要点。
按照笔记从第一个要点讲到最后一个。每个要点都把想法、细节和个人回应连成一小段话。不需要背下具体措辞。一直说，直到讲完四个要点。
After completing the exercises, try another cue card and apply what you've learned.
This creates a learning cycle in which you practise, review your weaknesses, improve your skills, and apply those improvements to new questions.
All IELTS Speaking Part 2 Cue Card Practices
Every IELTS Speaking Part 2 cue card in our question bank is listed below. Open any card to prepare for one minute, record your two-minute answer, and get an instant AI score.
Frequently Asked Questions About IELTS Cue Cards 2026
helpWhat are the latest IELTS cue cards for September–December 2026?expand_moreexpand_less
Recently published topic collections include questions about older people you admire, important decisions, successful people, memorable experiences, favorite places, books, gifts, and technology. However, there is no official public list of upcoming IELTS Speaking questions.
helpHow often do IELTS cue card topics change?expand_moreexpand_less
Preparation websites generally organize cue cards into January–April, May–August, and September–December periods. Some topics continue across multiple periods, and IELTS does not officially publish exact rotation dates.
helpCan I prepare the same story for different cue cards?expand_moreexpand_less
Yes. A single personal experience can often be adapted to several questions. For example, a story about your grandfather might help you answer questions about a person you admire, someone who taught you a skill, or a person who overcame difficulties. Just make sure you answer the actual question on your cue card.
helpHow long should I speak in IELTS Speaking Part 2?expand_moreexpand_less
You should be prepared to speak for up to two minutes. The examiner will tell you when to stop.
helpShould I memorize IELTS cue card answers?expand_moreexpand_less
It's better to prepare flexible ideas and practise speaking naturally. Memorized answers may not match the question you receive, and they won't help you develop the ability to respond to unfamiliar topics.
helpHow can I improve my IELTS Speaking band score?expand_moreexpand_less
Practise speaking regularly, record your answers, review your mistakes, and complete targeted exercises to improve fluency, pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary. With our IELTS Speaking practice questions, AI feedback, Interactive Learning Guide, and AI Tutor, you can identify your weaknesses and work on improving them before test day.
The figures on this page come from the BestMyTest IELTS learner performance data, our records of IELTS practice on BestMyTest up to October 2026. That page explains how we measure each figure. Last updated 15 October 2026.