IELTS Speaking preparation

4.2.1 Part 2: Individual Long Turn

Length: 3-4 minutes

After part one, the examiner will give you a topic and ask you to talk about it for one to two minutes.

The topic will be handed to you on a card and you will also be given a piece of paper and a pencil for making notes. On the card, you will see the speaking prompt and some points you can cover in your talk relating to this.

You will have exactly one minute to prepare and make notes before you speak.

Here is a sample Part 2 task:

Describe a beautiful place to visit in your city.

where it is

how to get there

what there is to do when you are there

and explain why you recommend this place

After the one-minute preparation, you will be asked to begin and the examiner will listen to you for two minutes. They may ask you a couple of follow up questions when the time is up before going on to the next section.

4.2.2 Tips for doing well in Part 2

• Take notes! The initial thoughts you jot down will help you remember what you have to say.
• Try to structure your talk with a simple beginning, middle and end.

You can use key words from the prompt to form an introductory sentence:

For example, take the words “beautiful place” “visit” and “city” from the above prompt and begin your talk with: “I would like to talk to you today about an area of my city that everyone should go see because its beauty is outstanding”.

Then, use the three bullet points to help you organise the middle of your talk and conclude by explaining why this is the place you most recommend.

• Extend each part of your answer with some details. You have two minutes to fill and you need show that you can enlarge on a topic and use a range of expressions, grammar structures and vocabulary.
• Use the full two minutes. Practice talking in front of a mirror on a subject for two minutes so you get a sense of the timing.