IELTS SPEAKING
IELTS Speaking Part 2:
two minutes, one plan.
In short: In Part 2 the examiner gives you a task card with a topic and three or four prompts. You have one minute to make notes and then speak for one to two minutes; the examiner may ask a short follow-up question. Use the minute to note a few keywords for each prompt, tell it like a short story (when, what happened, why it mattered) and keep going until the examiner stops you.
Updated 26 October 2026 · Trestle editorial team, Qoodly
Key takeaways
- One minute to prepare, up to two minutes to speak.
- Write keywords, not sentences.
- Cover every prompt, then add detail: feelings, reasons, a comparison.
- Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and Pronunciation are scored equally.
How the Speaking test is structured
| Part | What happens | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction and questions about familiar topics | 4–5 minutes |
| 2 | Long turn on a task card: 1 minute to prepare, up to 2 minutes to speak | 3–4 minutes |
| 3 | Discussion of more abstract ideas linked to Part 2 | 4–5 minutes |
Use the minute well
- Choose fastPick a real example you can talk about easily. A true story is easier to extend.
- Note 2–3 keywords per promptEnough to remind you, not full sentences.
- Add one "why"Note why it mattered or how you felt; this gives you the second minute.
- Plan your opening lineStart immediately and confidently when the examiner says begin.
Sample task and plan
Describe a skill you learned that took a long time. You should say: what the skill was, when and how you learned it, what was difficult about it, and explain how you feel about it now.
- What: playing the guitar.
- When / how: at 16, online videos, then a teacher.
- Difficult: chord changes, sore fingers, losing motivation after month two.
- Now: proud; it taught me that slow daily practice works for anything, even English.
How to keep talking
- Move through the prompts in order; they are your structure.
- Add a contrast: "At first… but later…".
- Give a specific moment: a day, a place, what someone said.
- If you finish early, explain why it matters to you or what you would do differently.
Questions
How long should I speak in IELTS Speaking Part 2?
Up to two minutes. Aim to keep talking until the examiner stops you; very short answers make it hard to show fluency.
Can I make notes in Part 2?
Yes. You get paper and a pencil and one minute to prepare notes.
What if I don’t know anything about the topic?
Adapt a real experience or talk about someone you know. You are assessed on your English, not on the facts of the story.
How is IELTS Speaking scored?
Four equally weighted criteria: Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and Pronunciation.
Sources
Formats and scores can change. Confirm the details for your test date with the test maker before you book.
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