2. IELTS Academic Speaking Part 2 Practice: Cue Card, Model Answer, Vocabulary, Phrases & Interactive Quiz

Example: If the card says “Describe a book you recently read”, underline “book,” “recently,” and “read.” These words tell you the tense to use (past) and the subject (book, not a film).

Example Notes: “Summer – mountains – camping – rainstorm – teamwork.” These simple words are enough to guide your speech naturally.

Universal IELTS Speaking Part 2 Template:

1) Introduction: “I’d like to talk about [topic]. It is something that has had a big impact on me.”

2) Background/Setting: “This happened [when/where]. At that time, [short context].”

3) Main Details: “One important aspect was [detail 1]. Another thing worth mentioning is [detail 2]. Also, [detail 3].”

4) Reflection/Outcome: “Looking back, I feel [emotion] because [reason/lesson]. Overall, it was a/an [positive/negative] experience.”

Cue Card

Describe a time when you learned a practical skill from someone.

You should say:

• what the skill was and who taught you,
• when and where you learned it,
• what steps you took to learn it,
• and explain how this skill has been useful to you.

Timers (Customisable)

Default settings: Preparation 60s • Speaking 120s. Adjust if needed.

Preparation — Countdown

Use this time to note 6–8 keywords and map your 1–2 minute talk.

Speaking — Timer & Recorder

Start the speaking timer when ready. Recording stops automatically when time ends.

Submission

Send your response via WhatsApp or Email. The message is auto‑composed.

Written Sample Answer

I would like to talk about a time when I learned a practical skill from my grandfather — how to repair a bicycle. This happened around five years ago, when I was still in secondary school and used my bike every day to travel to classes and meet friends.

One afternoon, my bicycle chain broke on the way home, and I had no idea what to do. Instead of taking it to a shop, my grandfather, who used to work as a mechanic, offered to teach me how to fix it. We spent the evening in his small garage, surrounded by the smell of oil and the sound of his old radio playing in the background.

He explained step by step how to remove the wheel, adjust the chain, and tighten the bolts. At first, I felt clumsy because my hands got dirty and I struggled to use the tools correctly. However, he patiently guided me, showing me small tricks like how to keep the chain in place with a screwdriver.

By the end of the lesson, not only had I repaired my bicycle, but I also gained a sense of independence. What impressed me most was his ability to teach through stories, comparing the bicycle to “a stubborn horse that just needed calm handling.” That metaphor made the process less stressful and even enjoyable.

Overall, this experience was extremely valuable. It taught me that practical skills are just as important as academic knowledge, and it gave me confidence to solve small problems on my own rather than relying on others. Even today, whenever my bike needs attention, I feel grateful for that evening with my grandfather.

Sample Answer — Audio

Listen to the sample answer recording:

1) Fluency & Coherence

1. The answer follows a clear narrative arc: introduction → background → process → reflection.

2. Ideas are well connected with linking phrases such as “at first,” “however,” and “overall.”

3. No long pauses or unfinished thoughts, which would hurt fluency, are present in the model.

4. Smooth transitions between description and reflection maintain coherence throughout.

5. The conclusion gives closure, showing awareness of time and structure.

2) Lexical Resource

6. The answer uses a wide range of vocabulary: “clumsy,” “tighten the bolts,” “metaphor,” “independence.”

7. Collocations are natural: “gain a sense of independence,” “teach step by step,” “solve small problems.”

8. Metaphorical language (“a stubborn horse”) adds creativity and shows advanced lexical range.

9. Topic-specific words (chain, screwdriver, bolts) demonstrate precision without overcomplication.

10. Paraphrasing is evident: instead of repeating “skill,” the speaker uses “valuable,” “confidence,” “independence.”

3) Grammatical Range & Accuracy

11. Accurate use of past tenses to describe the event: “happened,” “offered,” “spent.”

12. Present tense is used correctly for general truths: “Even today, whenever my bike needs attention…”

13. Variety of sentence structures: compound (“…my hands got dirty and I struggled…”) and complex (“What impressed me most was his ability to teach through stories”).

14. Subordinate clauses and relative clauses show grammatical flexibility.

15. No serious errors that would reduce clarity or require correction.

4) Pronunciation (for Recording)

16. Natural stress on key content words: “repair a bicycle,” “confidence to solve problems.”

17. Rhythm is conversational with short, manageable thought groups.

18. Linking sounds (“used to work,” “kind of”) reflect fluent, natural speech.

19. Intonation rises to signal interest in stories and falls to conclude ideas.

20. No monotone delivery, ensuring the examiner remains engaged.

Word: Repair

IPA (BrE): /rɪˈpeə/   IPA (AmE): /rɪˈper/

Part of Speech: Verb; Noun

Patterns: repair + object | need repair(s) | repair to sth

Definition: To fix something that is broken or damaged.

Example: “My grandfather taught me how to repair a bicycle chain.” (means: he showed me how to fix the broken chain)

Synonyms: fix, mend, restore

Common Mistakes: ❌ Saying “do a repair of” → Correct: “repair.” ❌ Confusing “repair” with “prepare.” ❌ Forgetting plural “repairs” when used as a noun.

Word: Mechanic

IPA (BrE): /məˈkæn.ɪk/   IPA (AmE): /məˈkæn.ɪk/

Part of Speech: Noun (countable)

Patterns: car/bike mechanic | work as a mechanic | skilled mechanic

Definition: A person whose job is to repair and maintain machines.

Example: “My grandfather used to work as a bicycle mechanic.” (means: his job was fixing bicycles)

Synonyms: technician, engineer, repairman

Common Mistakes: ❌ Writing “mechanical” when referring to a person. ❌ Mispronouncing stress (some learners say /ˈmekənɪk/). ❌ Forgetting the article: say “a mechanic,” not “mechanic” alone.

Word: Screwdriver

IPA (BrE): /ˈskruːˌdraɪ.və/   IPA (AmE): /ˈskruːˌdraɪ.vɚ/

Part of Speech: Noun (countable)

Patterns: use a screwdriver | flat-head screwdriver | screwdriver + to fix sth

Definition: A tool with a handle and a metal rod, used for turning screws.

Example: “He showed me how to use a screwdriver to keep the chain in place.” (means: he used the tool to adjust the chain)

Synonyms: tool, driver (informal)

Common Mistakes: ❌ Saying “screwer” (wrong). ❌ Forgetting it’s one word. ❌ Confusing with the drink “screwdriver.”

Word: Independence

IPA (BrE): /ˌɪn.dɪˈpen.dəns/   IPA (AmE): /ˌɪn.dɪˈpen.dəns/

Part of Speech: Noun (uncountable)

Patterns: independence + from sth | gain/achieve independence | sense of independence

Definition: The state of being able to do things by yourself without help from others.

Example: “Learning how to repair my bike gave me a sense of independence.” (means: it helped me rely on myself)

Synonyms: self-reliance, autonomy, freedom

Common Mistakes: ❌ Writing “independency” (rare, not natural). ❌ Using it as countable (“an independence”). ❌ Confusing with “independent” (adjective).

Word: Patience

IPA (BrE): /ˈpeɪ.ʃəns/   IPA (AmE): /ˈpeɪ.ʃəns/

Part of Speech: Noun (uncountable)

Patterns: have patience | teach with patience | require patience

Definition: The ability to stay calm and not get annoyed when something takes a long time.

Example: “My grandfather taught me the skill with great patience.” (means: he stayed calm and explained without rushing)

Synonyms: tolerance, composure, calmness

Common Mistakes: ❌ Saying “patiences” (uncountable). ❌ Confusing with “patients” (people in hospital). ❌ Mispronouncing as /ˈpæt.i.əns/ (wrong).

Expression: Learn the ropes

IPA (BrE): /lɜːn ðə rəʊps/   IPA (AmE): /lɝːn ðə roʊps/

Part of Speech: Idiom (verb phrase)

Patterns: learn the ropes + of sth | still learning the ropes

Definition: To learn how to do a new job or activity.

Example: “When I fixed my bike for the first time, I was just learning the ropes.” (means: I was beginning to understand how the repair process works)

Synonyms: get the hang of, pick up skills

Common Mistakes: ❌ Saying “learn ropes” (missing article). ❌ Using it literally for climbing ropes. ❌ Forgetting it is idiomatic and informal.

Expression: Hands-on experience

IPA (BrE): /ˌhændz ˈɒn ɪkˌspɪə.ri.əns/   IPA (AmE): /ˌhændz ˈɑːn ɪkˌspɪr.i.əns/

Part of Speech: Noun phrase

Patterns: gain hands-on experience | hands-on experience + in sth

Definition: Practical experience of doing something rather than just reading about it.

Example: “Repairing the bicycle gave me hands-on experience with tools.” (means: I learned by actually doing the repair)

Synonyms: practical experience, direct practice

Common Mistakes: ❌ Writing “hand on experience.” ❌ Thinking it means “experience with your hands only.” ❌ Using it for non-practical topics (like emotions).

Expression: Trial and error

IPA (BrE): /ˌtraɪəl ənd ˈer.ər/   IPA (AmE): /ˌtraɪəl ənd ˈer.ɚ/

Part of Speech: Noun phrase (uncountable)

Patterns: learn sth by trial and error | through trial and error

Definition: A way of learning that involves trying different methods until one works.

Example: “I learned how to tighten the chain mostly by trial and error.” (means: I tested several ways until I succeeded)

Synonyms: experimentation, experimentation process

Common Mistakes: ❌ Using plural (“trials and errors”) in this idiom. ❌ Thinking it means a legal trial. ❌ Overusing it for academic contexts (it’s informal).

Expression: Pass down knowledge

IPA (BrE): /pɑːs daʊn ˈnɒl.ɪdʒ/   IPA (AmE): /pæs daʊn ˈnɑː.lɪdʒ/

Part of Speech: Verb phrase

Patterns: pass down knowledge/skills/traditions | be passed down

Definition: To teach something to the next generation.

Example: “My grandfather passed down his knowledge of bike repair to me.” (means: he transferred his experience to me)

Synonyms: transmit, hand down, teach

Common Mistakes: ❌ Saying “pass knowledge” (missing ‘down’). ❌ Confusing with “pass away.” ❌ Using it only for physical objects.

Expression: Piece of cake

IPA (BrE): /piːs əv keɪk/   IPA (AmE): /piːs əv keɪk/

Part of Speech: Idiom (noun phrase)

Patterns: sth is a piece of cake | find sth a piece of cake

Definition: Something that is very easy to do.

Example: “After practising a few times, fixing a flat tire became a piece of cake.” (means: it became very easy for me)

Synonyms: very easy, simple task, no problem

Common Mistakes: ❌ Using literally for dessert. ❌ Saying “cake piece.” ❌ Using it in very formal IELTS writing (too informal for essays, but fine for speaking).