Cue card 1
Describe a teacher who had a positive influence on you
- Who this teacher was
- What subject they taught
- What made them special
- And explain how they influenced you
Discussion: What qualities help a teacher motivate students?
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IELTS Speaking practice: cue cards and recording
Choose one of 10 platform cue cards, prepare for one minute, then speak for up to two minutes. Use the follow-up question to develop your opinion afterwards.
These are practice exercises for Academic and General Training, not confirmed exam questions or predictions. Try a recorded examiner prompt, timed preparation and answer recording without signup.
Try a cue card with your examiner
Listen, prepare for one minute, then record your two-minute answer.
Claire
Describe a teacher who had a positive influence on you
No signup needed. Your recording stays on this device.
10 platform cue cards to practise
For each card, describe the topic, cover the prompts and explain why the experience or subject matters to you. Use a personal example rather than memorising a script.
Cue card 2
Describe a time when you experienced extreme weather
- What type of weather it was
- When and where it happened
- What you were doing at the time
- And explain how you felt about it
Discussion: How can communities prepare for extreme weather?
Cue card 3
Describe a time when you had to learn something new for work
- What you had to learn
- Why you needed to learn it
- How you learned it
- And explain how useful it was
Discussion: Why is learning new skills important at work?
Cue card 4
Describe a traditional celebration in your culture
- What the celebration is
- When it takes place
- How people celebrate it
- And explain why it's important to your culture
Discussion: How do celebrations help people connect with their culture?
Cue card 5
Describe a concert or performance you attended
- What type of performance it was
- When and where it took place
- Who performed
- And explain why you enjoyed it
Discussion: What makes live performances different from recorded entertainment?
Cue card 6
Describe a time when you bought something expensive
- What you bought
- Why you bought it
- How you felt about the purchase
- And explain whether it was worth the money
Discussion: How can people decide whether an expensive purchase is worthwhile?
Cue card 7
Describe a time when you had difficulty communicating with someone
- Who you were trying to communicate with
- What the difficulty was
- How you tried to solve the problem
- And explain what you learned from the experience
Discussion: What helps people communicate across language differences?
Cue card 8
Describe a family member you admire
- Who this person is
- What they do
- What makes them admirable
- And explain why you look up to them
Discussion: How can family members influence a person’s ambitions?
Cue card 9
Describe a dream or goal you have for the future
- What your dream or goal is
- Why you have this dream
- How you plan to achieve it
- And explain how important it is to you
Discussion: Why do some people find it difficult to achieve long-term goals?
Cue card 10
Describe your hometown
- Where is it located?
- What is it famous for?
- What do you like most about it?
- Would you like to live there in the future?
Discussion: What changes can improve life in a growing town?
How to turn one attempt into progress
Make brief notes before speaking: an example, two details and why it matters. After your attempt, identify one place where you lost your thread. Repeat the task once with a clearer sequence, then move to an unfamiliar card.
Select “Try this cue card” and allow microphone access. Recording starts after the one-minute preparation countdown and stops after two minutes. Replay or download your answer, then continue to platform practice for saved AI feedback.
Is this a full IELTS Speaking mock?
No. This is a Part 2 recording exercise with discussion prompts. The complete Speaking test has three parts and takes around 11–14 minutes. See IELTS’s official format.
Plan your next session
- September speaking practice: a seven-day plan
- IELTS Speaking guide
- Free IELTS study materials
- IELTS mock test options
Cue cards and recorded examiner media from the BandLadder platform. Format checked 17 September 2026. BandLadder is an independent preparation platform.