IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe a Subject that you would like to learn in the future

Describe a Subject that you would like to learn in the future.

You should say:

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

How to plan it in one minute

  1. Choose a subject you genuinely care about to ensure you sound enthusiastic and natural.
  2. Use the bullet points to map out your one-minute plan chronologically.
  3. Include a specific location or institution to add authenticity to your narrative.

Band 8 model answer

I have always been fascinated by the intricacies of celestial navigation, so the subject I am eager to delve into is practical astronomy. I have spent many nights gazing at the constellations from my balcony in Brighton, but I lack the technical knowledge to truly understand the mechanics of the night sky. I intend to enrol in a short course at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, where I can learn through a blend of guided lectures and hands-on observation using their high-powered telescopes. I want to learn this because it would provide a much-needed mental escape from my screen-heavy professional life. There is something profoundly grounding about understanding the physics of distant stars and how they have guided sailors across oceans for centuries. It feels like a way to reconnect with the natural world on a cosmic scale. As for the difficulty, I suspect it will be quite challenging. While the romantic idea of star-gazing is appealing, the reality involves mastering complex spherical trigonometry and understanding the orbital mechanics of planetary motion. I am not particularly gifted with mathematics, so grasping the formulas required to track stellar coordinates will likely require significant perseverance. However, the prospect of being able to identify obscure nebulae or map out the seasonal shift of the galaxies makes the prospective struggle feel entirely worth it. I am hoping that by dedicating a few weekends to this study, I can turn a vague, passive interest into a tangible skill that allows me to navigate the night sky with genuine confidence and technical precision.

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

Vocabulary from the answer

intricacies
the complicated and detailed parts of something
delve into
to reach inside and search for information
celestial
positioned in or relating to the sky
grounding
having a sensible and realistic attitude
spherical trigonometry
mathematics dealing with triangles on curved surfaces
perseverance
continued effort to achieve despite many difficulties
tangible
clear enough to be easily seen or touched
obscure
not discovered or known about by many

Part 3 questions that follow this card

Answer each in three to five sentences: position, reason, example, limit. See the Part 3 guide.

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Frequently asked questions

How should I start the cue card "Describe a Subject that you would like to learn in the future."?

Choose a subject you genuinely care about to ensure you sound enthusiastic and natural.

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.

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