Speaking Part 2 Series

IELTS Lessons, written by Sam Morgan and Tom Speed

How to Prepare

Speaking, Speaking | Part 2

In part 2 of the test you have 1 minute to prepare and 2 minutes to talk about a topic.
We have already looked at What Part 2 is and Part 2 Topic Example Cards.

In this lesson we will study how to use that 1 minute to prepare a great talk.


Exercise 1

Read the cue card that the examiner gives to the candidate in part 2 of the test. Question words have been omitted. Choose the correct question words to complete the cue card. One question word is unnecessary.
when   who   why   how   what  
Click or touch a word above
Describe a photograph that you particularly like
Mention:
• took the photograph
• the photograph was taken
• the photograph shows
And mention you particularly like this photograph.

​Vocabulary Note
To omit (verb) | (omitted) (verb 2) – this is an academic verb meaning to ‘leave out’ or ‘not include’.
The question words have been omitted.

IELTSTutors Planning Tip
​Most candidates find part 2 of the speaking test the most difficult and scary part of the speaking test. You should definitely prepare for it to improve your chances of getting a high score.
A good way to approach the planning for speaking part 2 is to divide your note paper in to 4 sections. Have a look at the example plan by a candidate below.
Picture

Why do we divide our notes into 4?
​There are 4 questions on the cue card. You will make notes in each box about a different question. This will help you to organise your ideas and remember your place as you talk.

What notes should I make?
You only have 1 minute to make your notes so they must be simple. Note down any important vocabulary, such as interesting and high level adjectives or nouns, because these will increase your band score for lexical resource.
(Notice the vocabulary item ‘isolated‘ in the student example. This is a high level adjective that means ‘far away from other people’)

Never write any complete sentences – you simply don’t have enough time.
This technique can be difficult to learn so you need to practice it a lot. Always time yourself. Start with 5 minutes of preparation time. When you feel comfortable with that, try 4 minutes and then 3 and then 2 and finally 1. Try with many different questions and you are guaranteed to see an improvement.


​Exercise 2

Are the following statements about the IELTSTutors tips above true or false?

1. I shouldn’t make any notes in the planning phase.
2. I should make simple notes.
3. I should make very detailed notes.
4. I should divide my paper in to 3 sections. As there are 3 questions on the cue card.
5. I should divide my paper in to 4 sections. As there are 4 questions on the cue card.
6. I should make notes about different questions in different sections on my paper.
7. My notes should be whole sentences.
8. My notes should be individual words or phrases such as particularly important vocabulary that I want to show off to the examiner.
9. This technique is easy and fast to learn.
10. I should practice this part 2 preparation technique as much as possible as it will certainly make me better able to get a good score in part 2 of the speaking test.


Exercise 3

There are 4 questions on the cue card. Another candidate has made notes on the 4 questions. Connect the questions to the candidates notes.

1. Group of friends in centre
Who took the photograph?
When was the photograph taken?
What does the photograph show?
Why do you particularly like this photograph?
2. Happy/carefree times which I want to remember
Who took the photograph?
When was the photograph taken?
What does the photograph show?
Why do you particularly like this photograph?
3. Helpful/friendly Cleaner
Who took the photograph?
When was the photograph taken?
What does the photograph show?
Why do you particularly like this photograph?
4. Last holiday with university friends
Who took the photograph?
When was the photograph taken?
What does the photograph show?
Why do you particularly like this photograph?
5. Stunning/tranquil gardens of ancient mansion in Florence
Who took the photograph?
When was the photograph taken?
What does the photograph show?
Why do you particularly like this photograph?
6. Reminds me of end of an era (university)
Who took the photograph?
When was the photograph taken?
What does the photograph show?
Why do you particularly like this photograph?

See the Full Notes

Picture

Vocabulary Notes
​
To remind (verb) – helps you to remember
The photo reminds me of a great group of friends.

Tranquil (adjective) – calm and quiet
In the busy city, the gardens are a tranquil place to get away from the crowds.

A mansion (countable noun) – a large and usually old house.
The family live in a huge mansion in the countryside.
​
The end of an era (noun phrase) – the end of an important time.
I finished my degree last week. It feels like the end of an era. Now I need to start looking for a job and deciding what to do next.

Try practicing what you have learned here on our list of example Part 2 topic cards. 

In the next lesson we study How to begin our 2 minute talk and how to add details.

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