What is IELTS Speaking Part 2?
Basic Information for IELTS Speaking Part 2
This part primarily tests your ability to present a topic, different from the Q&A format of Part 1. Part 2 is more like a short presentation where you speak by yourself. The examiner will give you a topic, which usually includes four sub-questions. You will typically be asked to describe people, events, items, etc. The total response time for this part is about 3-4 minutes: one minute to prepare and two minutes to discuss. During this one minute, you can write down keywords for your presentation on a piece of paper, which will help you organize your thoughts during the discussion.
Procedure Explanation for IELTS Speaking Part 2
Time Distribution: 1 minute to prepare + 2 minutes to respond
The examiner will give you a topic card with questions and related viewpoints. After receiving the card, you have 1 minute to prepare and can take notes on the provided draft paper. You will mainly talk about a person or an event, requiring specific and vivid descriptions (there will be some correlation with Part 3). Recommendations:
- The points on the card are not questions but references, so you don’t need to answer all the points on the card.
- You need to provide a detailed answer, describing what you want to describe, rather than focusing on answering the points on the card. Focusing on answering the questions can make you seem unnatural.
- Part 2 is your chance to showcase your fluency in the language, so use this opportunity to demonstrate a wide range of vocabulary, grammar, tenses, structures, etc.
High Score Tips for Answering IELTS Speaking Part 2
Here, I want to share a simple but practical method: the Three-Step Approach.
Step 1: Dig into Details
For the topic “Describe a memorable travel experience,” first recall a memorable travel experience, including not only the location and time but also some details, such as the purpose of the trip, friends who accompanied you, interesting things that happened, etc.
Step 2: Identify the Core Theme
In this example, you might find that the core theme is “Adventures and Discoveries.” You can connect all the details to this theme, such as adventure experiences during the trip, new cultural discoveries, and even personal growth experiences.
Step 3: Develop Logically
Now, you can unfold your answer in chronological order or logical sequence. For example, start from the preparation for the trip, then move on to the challenges during the trip, and finally the gains and feelings it brought. This way, your answer will be more layered and coherent.
Answer Template for IELTS Speaking Part 2
People-Talkface Learning Hub
Place-Talkface Learning Hub
Thing-Talkface Learning Hub
Action-Talkface Learning Hub
