Welcome to the Active IELTS speaking part 2 page.
You can also go straight to General Advice, Part 1 and Part 3 .
In Part 2, the examiner gives you a topic on a card and you need to speak about it for about 2 minutes. Before
you speak you have one minute to make notes. The examiner gives you paper and a pencil to do this.
The topics are similar to the ones in Part 1 and they always ask you to talk about a personal experience.
The topic question looks like this:
Describe a famous person
You should say
and explain what you think about the person
You will have to talk about the topic for 1 to 2 minutes.
You have one minute to think about what you are going to say.
You can make some notes if you wish.
After you have spoken the examiner may ask you a quick question to finish this part of the test. Your answer can
be very short. For example:
Would you like to meet this famous person?
A suitable answer could be 'Yes, I would'. Or 'No, not really'. That is all you need to say.
In the exam
The most important thing in this part of the test is to show that you can keep talking. If you can do this then you
will get a better mark on one of the criteria, Fluency and Coherence
Keep talking until the examiner stops you, normally by saying 'Thank you'. Don't talk for 1 minute and then say
"I've finished' or 'Is that it?'.
Use the question to help you. Talking about everything in the question will help you keep going and give a better
answer.
Don't ask to change the topic if you don't like it or have nothing to say. You won't be able to do this. Invent
something.
Try to use the minute before you start speaking to prepare properly. Quickly choose your subject and then
make notes on all the questions on the card. This is important. You may think you have lots to say but two
minutes is a long time and you will need the notes to help you.
Even if you are ready quickly or decide not to make notes, wait for the examiner to say 'Can you start speaking
now please?'. This looks better than saying 'I'm ready' before the minute to make notes has finished.
Don't worry too much if you start talking about something that is different from the topic, or realise later than
you didn't understand the question. This is not important. The important thing is to talk, and talk well.
Ready to practise? See example questions
You can also go straight to General Advice, Part 1 and Part 3 .
In Part 2, the examiner gives you a topic on a card and you need to speak about it for about 2 minutes. Before
you speak you have one minute to make notes. The examiner gives you paper and a pencil to do this.
The topics are similar to the ones in Part 1 and they always ask you to talk about a personal experience.
The topic question looks like this:
Describe a famous person
You should say
- Who the person is
What he or she did
Why he or she is famous
and explain what you think about the person
You will have to talk about the topic for 1 to 2 minutes.
You have one minute to think about what you are going to say.
You can make some notes if you wish.
After you have spoken the examiner may ask you a quick question to finish this part of the test. Your answer can
be very short. For example:
Would you like to meet this famous person?
A suitable answer could be 'Yes, I would'. Or 'No, not really'. That is all you need to say.
In the exam
The most important thing in this part of the test is to show that you can keep talking. If you can do this then you
will get a better mark on one of the criteria, Fluency and Coherence
Keep talking until the examiner stops you, normally by saying 'Thank you'. Don't talk for 1 minute and then say
"I've finished' or 'Is that it?'.
Use the question to help you. Talking about everything in the question will help you keep going and give a better
answer.
Don't ask to change the topic if you don't like it or have nothing to say. You won't be able to do this. Invent
something.
Try to use the minute before you start speaking to prepare properly. Quickly choose your subject and then
make notes on all the questions on the card. This is important. You may think you have lots to say but two
minutes is a long time and you will need the notes to help you.
Even if you are ready quickly or decide not to make notes, wait for the examiner to say 'Can you start speaking
now please?'. This looks better than saying 'I'm ready' before the minute to make notes has finished.
Don't worry too much if you start talking about something that is different from the topic, or realise later than
you didn't understand the question. This is not important. The important thing is to talk, and talk well.
Ready to practise? See example questions
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Other useful pages
Ready to practise? See example questions
The speaking answer sheet
How is the IELTS speaking test marked?
Links and tips to help you
What does my score mean?
Which exam do I need to take?
IELTS questions and answers
Speaking general advice, Part 2 and Part 3
Ready to practise? See example questions
The speaking answer sheet
How is the IELTS speaking test marked?
Links and tips to help you
What does my score mean?
Which exam do I need to take?
IELTS questions and answers
Speaking general advice, Part 2 and Part 3