. The list comes from our season snapshot of 26 October 2026. For the same cards month by month, see the October 2026 and November 2026 cue card pages, or this month's IELTS speaking predictions with the season's Part 1 topics.
19 cards
A person
- Describe a famous business person that you know aboutWho this person is? · What kind of business this person is involved in? · What you know about this business person? · And explain what you think of this business person.
- Describe a film/movie actor from your country who is very popularWho this actor is? · What kinds of films/movies does he/she act in? · What you know about this actor's life? · And explain why this actor is so popular.
- Describe a friend from your childhoodWho he/she is? · Where and how you met each other? · What you often do together? · And explain what made you like him/her.
- Describe a friend of your family you remember from your childhoodWho the person was? · How your family knew this person? · How often this person visited your family? · And explain why you remember this person.
- Describe a person in the news that you want to meetWho he or she is? · What did this person show up on TV for? · How do you know what this person is? · Why do you want to meet him?
- Describe a person who has done a lot of work to help peopleWho this person is/was? · Where does this person live? · What he/she has done to help people? · And explain how you know about this person.
- Describe a person you like to work or study withWho this person is? · How long have you known this person? · How you met? · Why you want to work or study with this person?
- Describe a person you met at a party who you enjoyed talking withWhat party it was? · How you meet this person? · What you talked about? · And explain why you enjoyed talking with him or her.
- Describe a person you really enjoy studying/working withWho this person is · When you often study/work together · What you study/Work together · And explain why you enjoy Studying/working with him/her
- Describe a successful sports person you admireWho he/she is · What you know about him/her · What he/she is like in real life · What achievement he/she has made · And explain why you admire him/her.
- Describe a teacher who has influenced you in your educationWho this teacher was? · What subject he/she taught? · What was so special about him/her? · And explain why this person influenced you so much in your education.
- Describe a writer you would like to meetWho the writer is? · What did you know about this writer already? · What you would like to find out about him/her? · And explain why you would like to meet this writer.
- Describe an old person you admireWho this person is? · Where did you meet with him? · What characteristics do you most like about him? · Why do you admire this person?
- Describe someone in your family who you likeHow is this person related to you? · What does this person look like? · What kind of person he/she is? · And explain why you like this person.
- Describe someone or something that made a lot of noiseWho made the noise? · What the noise was like? · What do you do when you hear the noise? · And how do you feel about it?
- Describe someone who had a big influence (good or bad) on you when you were a young child growing upWho the person was? · What kind of person they were? · What your relationship with them was like? · And explain the way in which they influenced you.
- Describe someone you know who has started a businesswho this person is? · what work does this person do? · why did this person decide to start a business? · and explain whether you would like to do the same kind of work as this person.
- Describe the person in your family who you most admireWhat their relationship is to you? · What they have done in their life? · What do they do now? · And explain why you admire them so much.
- Describe your favorite teacherWho this teacher was? · What this teacher taught? · How long you had this teacher? · And explain why you liked this teacher so much.
13 cards
A place
- Describe a beautiful place to visit in your countryWhere it is? · How to get there? · What there is to do? · When you are there? · Explain why you recommend this place.
- Describe a big city you would like to visitWhich big city you would like to visit? · How you would travel there? · What do you do there? · And explain why you would like to visit this big city.
- Describe a foreign country you would like to learn aboutWhat is it? · Where is it? · How did you know it? · Why do you want to learn more about this country?
- Describe a historical place that you know aboutWhat the place is? · Where it is located? · What is the historical significance of the place?
- Describe a hotel that you knowWhere this hotel is? · What does this hotel look like? · What facilities does this hotel have? · And explain whether you think this is a nice hotel to stay in.
- Describe a new public place/building you would like to visitWhere is it? · What it is like? · How do you know this place? · And explain why you would like to visit it.
- Describe a place in your country or part of your country that you would like to recommend to visitors/travelersWhat it is? · Where it is? · What people can do there? · And explain why you would like to recommend it to visitors/travelers.
- Describe a place you visited that has been affected by pollutionWhere it is? · What kind of pollution it has? · What causes pollution? · And explain how you feel about that place.
- Describe a restaurant that you enjoyed going toWhere the restaurant was? · Why did you choose this restaurant? · What type of food did you eat in this restaurant? · And explain why you enjoyed eating in this restaurant.
- Describe a school you went to in your childhoodWhere was it? · What was it like? · What did you learn there? · How did you feel about it?
- Describe a tourist attraction you enjoyed visitingWhat this tourist attraction is? · When and why did you visit it? · What you did do there? · And explain why you enjoyed visiting this tourist attraction.
- Describe an interesting historic placeWhat it is? · Where it is located? · What you can see there now? · And explain why this place is interesting.
- Describe an open-air or street market that you enjoyed visitingWhere the market is? · What does the market sell? · How big the market is? · And explain why you enjoyed visiting this market.
8 cards
An object
- Describe a gift you have received that was important to youWho gave it to you and for what occasion? · What it looks like and how you use it? · Why it is important to you?
- Describe a luxury item you would like to own in the futureWhat item you would like to own? · What does this item look like? · Why you would like to own this item? · And explain whether you think you will ever own this item.
- Describe a piece of electronic equipment that you find usefulWhat is it? · How did you learn to use it? · How long have you had it? · And explain why you find this piece of electronic equipment useful.
- Describe a piece of technology that you feel is difficult to useWhat it is · What you got it for · How often do you use it · How you feel about it
- Describe a time when you started using a new technological device (e.g. a new computer or phone)What device did you start using? · Why did you start using it? · This device how easy or difficult it was to use? · And explain how helpful this device was to you.
- Describe a time you spent a lot of money on somethingWhat did you buy? · When did you buy it? · Where did you buy it? · Explain why you spent a lot of money to buy it.
- Describe some technology (e.g. an app, phone, software program) that you decided to stop usingWhen and where did you get this technology? · Why did you start using this technology? · Why did you decide to stop using it? · And explain how you feel about the decision you made.
- Describe something you liked very much that you bought for your homeWhat you bought? · When and where you bought it? · Why did you choose this particular thing? · And explain why you liked it so much.
7 cards
An event
- Describe a competition (e.g. TV, college/work or sports competition) that you took part inWhat kind of competition it was and how you found out about it? · What you had to do? · What the prizes were? · And explain why you chose to take part in this competition.
- Describe a meeting you remember going to at work, college, or schoolWhen and where the meeting was held? · Who was at the meeting? · What the people at the meeting talked about? · And explain why you remember going to this meeting.
- Describe a party that you enjoyedWhose party was it and what was it celebrating? · Where was the party held and who went to it? · What did people do during the party? · And explain what you enjoyed about this party.
- Describe a wedding ceremony you attendedWhen and where it was? · Who was getting married? · What happened at the wedding? · And explain what type of wedding ceremony it was.
- Describe an environmental problem or eventWhat is it? · Where is it happening? · What problems does it cause?
- Describe an important event in your lifeWhen it happened? · Who you were with? · What happened? · And explain why you feel it was important.
- Describe an important piece of news that you received via text messageWho shared the message with you? · What the news was about? · How was it written? · Explain why the news was important?
21 cards
An experience
- Describe a bad service you received in a restaurant/shopWhen and where it happened? · What happened? · How you reacted? · And explain how you felt about the experience.
- Describe a day when you thought the weather was perfectWhere you were on this day? · What the weather was like on this day? · What did you do during the day? · And explain why you thought the weather was perfect on this day.
- Describe a difficult task that you completed at work/study that you felt proud ofWhat the task was? · How you complete it? · Why the task was difficult? · Why you were proud of the completion of the task?
- Describe a job that you have doneHow do you get the job? · What did the job involve how long did the job last? · Describe how well you did the job.
- Describe a journey [e.g. by car, plane, boat] that you remember well]Where you went · How you travel · Why you went on the journey · And explain why you remember this journey well.
- Describe a period of time from your studies that was the most difficult for you so farWhen it was? · Why was it hard? · What you were doing at that time?
- Describe a review you read about a product or serviceWhere did you read the review? · What the product or service was? · What information did the review give about the product or service? · And explain what you did as a result of reading this review.
- Describe a service from a company or shopWhat the service was? · When and where you received the service? · Whom you were with? · Explain how you feel about it.
- Describe a time when you taught a friend/relative somethingWho you taught · What/how you taught · What the result was · And explain how you felt about the experience
- Describe a time you made a mistake and learned something from itWhat the mistake was? · How you made the mistake? · What you did to correct the mistake? · And explain what you learned from this experience.
- Describe a typical day in your life when you were a childWho was/were around you? · What you ate? · What took care of you? · And say what you most enjoyed doing in your childhood days.
- Describe a very difficult task that you succeeded in doing as part of your work or studieswhat task you did do? · why this task was very difficult? · how do you work on this task? · and explain how you felt when you completed this task.
- Describe an idea you had for improving something at work or collegeWhen and where did you have your idea what was your idea? · Who did you tell about your idea? · And explain why you thought your idea would improve.
- Describe an important choice you had to make in your lifeWhen do you have to make this choice? · what do you have to choose between? · Whether you make a good choice? · And explain how you felt when you were making this choice.
- Describe an important text message you receivedWho sent it to you? · Why still remember it? · And explain how you felt after you received it.
- Describe an interesting discussion you had as part of your work or studiesWhat the subject of the discussion was? · Who do you discuss the subject with? · What opinions were expressed? · Explain why you found the discussion interesting.
- Describe an interesting journey you have been onWhere are you going? · How do you travel there? · Who do you go with? · And explain what was so memorable about the journey.
- Describe an occasion you forgot an important thingWhen did it happen? · What you forgot? · Why did you forget it? · And how do you feel about it.?
- Describe an unusual experience of traveling. Describe a place you visited with your friends and you had a good timeWhere you go? · When you go there? · Who you were with? · What you did do there? · Explain why it is unusual.
- Describe an unusual meal you hadWhen you had it · Where you had it · Whom you had it with · And explain why it was unusual.
- Describe the life-changing experience you have hadWhere does it take place? · Who was with you? · What happened & how do you feel about it? · And explain how it changed your life.
6 cards
An activity or habit
- Describe a game or sport that you enjoy playingWhat kind of sport is that? · Who do you play it with? · Where do you play it? · And explain why you enjoy playing it.
- Describe a leisure activity you like doing in your free timeWhat kind of activity it is? · How often do you do it? · What equipment do you need to do it? · And explain why you enjoy doing it.
- Describe a practical skill(driving, swimming...) you learned recentlyWhen you learn it? · How you learned it? · And explain why you think it was important.
- Describe a Subject that you would like to learn in the futureWhat it is? · Where and how you want to learn it? · Why do you want to learn it? · And explain if it will be difficult to learn it.
- Describe something that you did with someone/a group of peopleWhat it was? · Who you do it with? · How long it took you to do this? · And explain why you did it together.
- Describe a sport or exercise that you do for fitnessWhat it is? · How often do you do it? · Why do you do it? · and explain how this activity or sport helps your fitness.
10 cards
A film, book, song or programme
- Describe a book that you enjoyed reading because you had to think a lotWhat this book was? · Why you decided to read it? · What reading this book made you think about? · And explain why you enjoyed reading this book.
- Describe a book you read that you found usefulWhat it is? · When you read it? · Why do you think it is useful? · And explain how you felt about it.
- Describe a film you enjoyedThe name of the film and where it was made? · What kind of film it was? · What the film was about? · And explain why you enjoyed it.
- Describe a good advertisement that you think is usefulWhere you can see it · What it shows · Why you think it is useful · And explain how you feel about it.
- Describe a movie you watched recently and would like to watch againWhat type of movie it was? · What it was about? · Where you watch it? · And explain why you would like to watch it again.
- Describe a newspaper or a magazine that you like to readWhat the publication is? · What kind of information it contains? · How often do you read it? · And explain why you read it.
- Describe a TV documentary you watched that was particularly interestingWhat the documentary was about why did you decide to watch it? · What did you learn during the documentary? · And explain why the TV documentary was particularly interesting.
- Describe a website that you bought something fromWhat the website is? · What do you buy from this website? · How satisfied you were with what you bought? · Explain what you liked or disliked about using this website.
- Describe a website you use that helps you a lot in your work or studiesWhat is the website? · How often do you use the website? · What information does the website give you? · Explain how your work or studies would change if this website didn't exist.
- Describe an interesting TV programme you watched about a science topicWhat science topic this TV programme was about? · When you saw this TV programme? · What you learn from this TV programme about a science topic? · And explain why you found this TV programme interesting.
1 cards
Other topics
Frequently asked questions
What are the IELTS cue cards for September–December 2026?+
The 85 cards on this page: the Part 2 topics in the BandLadder bank for the September–December 2026 season, chosen to match what candidates report from their tests. IELTS does not publish its cue cards, so no list, including this one, is official.
Are these leaked or confirmed IELTS questions?+
No. They are reported and predicted topics, used as practice cards. Nobody can tell you which card you will get on the day, so prepare across people, places, objects, events and experiences rather than a shortlist.
What does a cue card season mean?+
IELTS Speaking topics rotate in sets that change roughly every four months. Candidates and teachers track which cards come up, and that shared list is called the season. The September to December season runs to the end of December.
Will older cue cards still come up?+
Often, yes. Cards on people, places, objects and experiences recur in new wording from season to season, which is why the full list of IELTS cue cards is still worth practising.
How should I practise with this list?+
Pick one card from each category, prepare for one minute, speak for two, then compare your answer with the model on the card's page. Do not memorise the model answers: examiners mark memorised speech down on fluency and coherence.
Related
Speaking guides
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