Ever felt that sudden wave of panic when the examiner hands you a topic card and says, “You have one minute to prepare”? You’re not alone. For many of my students, IELTS Speaking Part 2 – often called the “Long Turn” – is the most nerve-wracking part of the test.

But here’s the thing: it doesn’t have to be. In fact, with the right strategy, it can be the easiest section to boost your score because you are in control for a full two minutes.

In this guide, I’m going to walk you through exactly how to handle Part 2, share the most common topics we’re seeing in 2026, and give you a Band 9 model answer to show you how it’s done. Ready? Let’s dive in.

What is IELTS Speaking Part 2?

Just to make sure we’re on the same page: in Part 2, the examiner gives you a Cue Card with a topic and some bullet points. You get:

• 1 minute to prepare and take notes (yes, use the pencil and paper!).
• 1 to 2 minutes to speak on the topic.

The examiner won’t interrupt you until your two minutes are up. This is your time to shine. It’s essentially a mini-speech.

The “Golden Minute”: How to Prepare

That one minute of preparation flies by. I’ve seen so many candidates waste it by staring at the card or trying to write full sentences. Don’t do that!

Here’s my top tip: Write down keywords, not sentences. If your topic is “Describe a holiday,” don’t write “I went to Paris last summer.” Just write: Paris – Summer – Eiffel Tower – Amazing food.

Also, think about the structure. I always tell my students to use the PPF Method if they get stuck (more on that in a moment).

Common Cue Card Topics for 2026

While we can’t predict the exact card you’ll get, IELTS topics tend to revolve around four main themes. If you prepare stories for these categories, you’ll be ready for almost anything.

1. People

You might be asked to describe a family member, a teacher, a famous person, or someone who helped you.
Check out our vocabulary guide for words to describe personality.

2. Places

Common topics include a holiday destination, a quiet place you like, a polluted city, or your hometown.
Sound familiar? You can reuse ideas from current speaking topics.

3. Objects / Technology

Describing a gift you received, a piece of technology you use, something you lost, or a piece of furniture.

4. Events / Experiences

A time you were late, a party you enjoyed, a difficult decision, or a time you helped someone.

Sample Cue Card & Model Answer

Let’s look at a realistic example. Imagine you get this card:

Band 9 Model Answer

(Note: Read this out loud to hear the natural flow!)

“I’d like to talk about my grandfather. He’s passed away now, but he was a huge influence on my life growing up.

I’ve known him, obviously, since I was born, but I really got to know him well during my teenage years when I used to spend my summer holidays at his house in the countryside.

He wasn’t famous or wealthy, but what made him remarkable was his work ethic. He was a farmer, and he worked incredibly hard every single day, rain or shine. I remember watching him fix fences in the pouring rain without ever complaining. He taught me that if you want something, you have to work for it; it won’t just be handed to you.

The reason he inspired me so much is actually quite simple. Despite having a tough life, he was the most generous person I’ve ever met. He would literally give you the shirt off his back. Seeing his kindness and resilience really shaped who I am today. Whenever I’m having a bad day or feel like giving up, I think of him, and it gives me that extra push to keep going.”

Why this works:

• Natural Phrasing: “He’s passed away now,” “Rain or shine,” “Shirt off his back.” These are natural collocations, not robotic textbook English.
• Structure: I covered all the bullet points but didn’t just list them. I wove them into a story.
• Emotion: I explained why he inspired me, which adds depth to the answer.

How to Extend Your Answer: The PPF Method

Worried about running out of things to say before the two minutes are up? It happens to the best of us.

Use the PPF Method:

• Past: Talk about the background or a past memory related to the topic.
• Present: Describe the situation now.
• Future: Talk about your future plans or hopes related to it.

For example, if describing a place: Talk about when you first went there (Past), what it’s like now (Present), and when you plan to return (Future). This simple trick guarantees you’ll keep talking!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Memorising answers: Examiners can spot a memorised script a mile away. It sounds unnatural and can lower your score. Just be yourself.
2. Worrying about the truth: This is a language test, not a lie detector test! If you can’t think of a real “time you were late,” make one up! It’s perfectly fine.
3. Stopping too early: Try to keep speaking until the examiner stops you. It feels awkward, I know, but it shows you have plenty of language to use.

Final Thoughts

Speaking Part 2 is your chance to show off your fluency. Don’t be afraid to show some personality and tell a story. Practise with a timer at home—you’ll be surprised how quickly you get the hang of it.

For more strategies, have a look at our complete speaking tips guide or brush up on your idioms to really impress the examiner.

You’ve got this!