Learn how to answer a task card in IELTS Speaking Part 2

The IELTS Speaking is a 14-minute long test, where the examiner asks the candidate a set of questions divided into three parts. The second part of the speaking test requires the candidate to speak on a given topic for 1-2 minutes. 

Do you want to know how you can manage talking for 2 minutes fluently? Read on to find more about it.

What is Part 2 of IELTS Speaking?

This section called as 'individual long-turn' requires the candidate to speak on a topic, given in the task card, for about 1 to 2 minutes. Which means, the examiner does not interrupt and you, as the candidate, will have to maintain speaking fro the full 2 minutes. 

What is a task card?

A task card or a prompt card, is a piece of paper which will have a main statement given, along with 3- 4 sub-points which the candidate will have to develop in his/ her speaking. 

Let's have a look at one such task card.

Here on the card, the main statement says, 'talk about a course that you would like to do if you had enough time.' The candidate will have to speak on this topic. For instance, you can speak about learning a new language like French, German or Arabic, or it could be any other course such as pasta making, calligraphy or even contemporary dance. The sub-points given in the card are cues to help a candidate develop their speaking. Here is a sample:

What is the course? Contemporary Dance

What do you think you can learn from it? Modern dance moves

Do you think it would be easy to learn? No. As the moves require high body flexibility and gymnastic skills

I have answered the 3 sub-points but these will not help be retain my speech for 2 minutes. So what should I be doing? 

I should be developing each of these sub-points into mini-stories.

Let's take a look at an example.

What is the course? 

I've always wanted to try out one dance form or the other and recently, I've been intrigued by this contemporary dance form. I happened to see this on a TV show last month and since then, I've done a lot of research on contemporary dance forms. The more I learn about it, the more I'm eager to learn this dance form. So definitely, I want to try a hand at learning contemporary dance.

Look how I have developed this answer, which in my earlier example I had used just a few words to answer. So for each of these questions, when developed and pulled out into mini-stories, will help me sustain the speaking for around 1- 2 minutes.

This is the trick to the right approach to Speaking Part 2.

Now, let's practice!

Try talking for 1-2 minutes on this card. Happy learning!