IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe a desk lamp you use for studying

A Band 8 model answer with the one-minute plan behind it, the vocabulary that lifts it, and the Part 3 questions that follow.
  • 263 words
  • An object
  • 1 minute to prepare
  • 2 minutes to speak

The cue card

Describe a desk lamp you use for studying

You should say:

  • →what it looks like
  • →when and where you bought it
  • →how you use it for your study
  • →and explain why it provides such effective lighting for late hours.

One minute to prepare, then speak for one to two minutes.

An object

How to plan it in one minute

  1. 1

    Jot down physical features (matte black, flexible gooseneck, touch dimmer).

  2. 2

    Note why you bought it (harsh overhead flat lights, headaches during exams).

  3. 3

    Mention specific benefits for late studying (warm amber mode, no screen glare, reduced eye strain).

Model answer

Band 8 model answer

Band 8263 words, about two minutes at a natural pace. Details are invented; use your own.

I'd like to talk about a desk lamp that's become absolutely indispensable for my evening study routines. It's a sleek, matte black LED lamp with a flexible gooseneck design, which I bought about two years ago from a local homeware shop in my town centre just before my university exam period began.

At the time, my student flat had really harsh overhead lighting that gave me terrible headaches whenever I tried to revise late into the night. What makes this particular lamp so handy is its customisable settings. It has a sensitive touch panel on the base that lets me switch between different brightness levels and colour temperatures. Usually, earlier in the evening when I need to concentrate on reading dense textbooks, I set it to a crisp, cool white light. But once it gets past midnight, I switch over to a softer, warm amber glow. It even has a built-in USB port to charge my mobile phone while I work.

I find it exceptionally helpful because the directed beam illuminates my workspace without creating annoying glare on my laptop screen. It also means I don't disturb my flatmate if they happen to be asleep in the next room, since the rest of the bedroom stays relatively dim. On top of that, the gentle illumination really helps reduce eye strain, which used to be a massive issue for me when staring at notes for hours on end. To be honest, having that pool of warm light on my desk creates a sort of focused bubble that genuinely helps me stay calm and productive.

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8 words

Vocabulary from the answer

  • indispensable

    absolutely necessary or essential

  • gooseneck

    a flexible, adjustable shaft that holds a light

  • overhead lighting

    light fixtures mounted on the ceiling

  • customisable

    able to be modified to suit individual preferences

  • amber glow

    a warm, soft yellowish-orange light

  • glare

    unpleasant, harsh light that reflects into the eyes

  • eye strain

    tiredness or discomfort in the eyes from prolonged focus

  • pool of light

    a small, distinctly illuminated area in a dark space

5 questions

Part 3 questions that follow this card

  1. 1How does the physical study environment affect a person's concentration?
  2. 2Why do many people prefer working or studying late at night rather than early in the morning?
  3. 3In what ways has domestic lighting technology changed in recent decades?
  4. 4Do you think workplaces and schools pay enough attention to proper lighting conditions?
  5. 5How might lighting and workspaces evolve in the future?

Answer each in three to five sentences: position, reason, example, limit. Read Band 8 answers to these Part 3 questions: study environments and everyday lighting.

Frequently asked questions

How should I start the cue card "Describe a desk lamp you use for studying"?+

Jot down physical features (matte black, flexible gooseneck, touch dimmer).

How long should my answer be?+

Speak for the full two minutes, about 220 to 280 words at a natural pace. The examiner will stop you at two minutes, which is a good sign, not a problem.

Can I use this model answer in the exam?+

Use its structure and vocabulary, not its sentences. Examiners recognise memorised answers and mark fluency down; a shorter answer from your own memory scores higher than a recited one.

Keep practising

More cue cards: an object

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