Top 10 Most Asked IELTS Speaking Part 2 Cue Cards in 2026 (with Sample Band 9 Answers)
Last update: September 2026
If you’re preparing for the IELTS Speaking test in 2026, certain Part 2 cue cards keep appearing. Preparing these in advance helps you speak naturally and confidently under pressure. In this blog, we cover the 10 most frequently asked cue cards in 2026, each with a Band 9-style sample answer you can learn from.
To take your preparation further, we strongly recommend booking a mock speaking test with a certified examiner at Preptical. This gives you precise feedback on your fluency, structure, pronunciation, and vocabulary, so you know exactly what to improve and your current English level.
What Makes a Band 9 Answer?
- Addresses all bullet points fully, with clear and relevant detail.
- Organised structure (introduction, body, conclusion) with linking words (for example, “furthermore”, “in addition”).
- Fluent and continuous delivery, with minimal hesitation.
- Rich and accurate vocabulary and grammar, including complex structures.
- Authentic content, based on real stories—not memorised scripts.
10 Cue Cards with Band 9 Sample Answers
1. Describe a person who inspires you
You should say: who the person is, how you know them, what they do, and explain why they inspire you.
Sample answer:
A person who inspires me deeply is my high school music teacher, Ms Klein. I first met her in my junior year when I joined the school choir. She was not only passionate about music but also incredibly encouraging. Whenever I felt nervous performing solo, she helped me rehearse and praised even small improvements. That praise boosted my confidence.
Ms Klein treated teaching as a calling. She shared stories about music, introduced us to different musical styles, and made each rehearsal engaging. Because of her, I started taking private singing lessons and joined community performances.
What inspires me most is her dedication—her creativity and care for students. Watching her work made me want to help others find their own confidence. In the future, I hope to volunteer as a music teacher for underprivileged children, using her example as inspiration.
2. Describe a place you would like to visit
You should say: where it is, when you want to go, what you’d like to do there, and why you want to visit it.
Sample answer:
I would love to visit Kyoto, Japan, especially during cherry blossom season in spring. Kyoto appeals to me because it beautifully blends tradition and modern life. I’d spend time visiting ancient temples like Kinkaku‑ji and walking through the torii gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine.
I’d explore local street food—particularly matcha sweets—and attend a traditional tea ceremony. As I love photography, I’d capture images of serene gardens and blooming cherry trees.
What fascinates me about Kyoto is its cultural harmony and respect for art, nature, and mindfulness. I believe this journey would refresh my creativity and deepen my appreciation for a peaceful way of living.
3. Describe a skill you have learned or want to learn
You should say: what it is, how you learned or plan to learn it, why it is important, and how you will use it.
Sample answer:
A skill I taught myself is graphic design using Canva. I began watching short video tutorials online and practised by creating posters and social-media graphics weekly. At first, I struggled with layout and colour balance, but gradually I learned typography and visual hierarchy.
Graphic design matters to me because visuals are powerful. In my part-time role at a local nonprofit, I now design event flyers and social posts. As a result, attendance at youth workshops rose by about 30%.
In the future, I plan to learn Adobe Illustrator and possibly volunteer as a designer for community groups. I believe strong visuals help communicate ideas more effectively.
4. Describe a memorable journey you took
You should say: where you went, when, why you went, what happened, and why it was memorable.
Sample answer:
Last summer, my friend and I traveled to the Dolomite mountains in Italy. We spent a week hiking, exploring alpine villages, and camping near mountain lakes. One morning, we climbed to the top of Seceda Ridge to watch a pink sunrise shining on the peaks—a breathtaking memory.
One rainy afternoon, we found shelter in a mountain hut and met a local family who offered us hot soup and told us folklore stories. That simple human connection made the trip unforgettable.
This journey taught me adaptability and humility. It reminded me how nature’s power and kindness of strangers bring new perspectives. Whenever I feel stressed, I think back to that mountain view and the warmth of strangers’ generosity.
5. Describe a time you gave or received advice
You should say: what the advice was, who gave or got it, the situation around it, and explain how it helped.
Sample answer:
In my final year at university, a friend advised me to take an online public speaking course before applying for jobs. At that time, I felt confident writing resumes but was anxious about interviews.
He insisted, saying public speaking helped him earn a scholarship. So I signed up for a week-long course. Through practice speeches, feedback, and breathing exercises, I gained the tools to speak confidently.
Later, during interviews, I answered questions calmly and clearly. One interviewer even noted my articulate delivery, which left a strong impression. That advice boosted my confidence and helped me secure a job offer.
6. Describe a piece of technology or app that you found useful
You should say: what the technology or app is, when you started using it, how it helps you, and explain why you find it useful.
Sample answer:
An app that I rely on daily is Notion, which I started using about a year ago when I needed to organize university assignments, freelance work, and IELTS practice.
Notion combines notes, task lists, databases, and calendars. I use it to plan studies, track IELTS practice scores, and manage deadlines. I built a “Study Tracker” page to set weekly goals and record progress. It’s very visual and clean.
Notion helps me by reducing mental clutter—I always know where to find my notes and tasks. It improves productivity and lowers stress. I’ve recommended it to friends, and many now use it too.
7. Describe an environmental or community event you attended
You should say: what the event was, where and when it took place, what happened, and explain why it was important to you.
Sample answer:
Last April, I attended a tree planting event for Earth Day in a local park. It was organized by an environmental NGO to highlight climate action and encourage greener city spaces.
Over 200 saplings were planted with help from volunteers—families, students, and even local officials. We learned proper planting techniques and listened to short speeches on reducing plastic use. Children shared their own ideas too.
This event mattered to me because it was my first hands‑on act on an environmental issue. Planting trees made me feel part of a larger solution. Working alongside strangers for a shared cause felt powerful. Since then, I’ve joined cleanup drives and started composting at home.
8. Describe something you taught someone or helped with
You should say: who the person was, what you taught or helped with, how you did it, and explain how you felt about the experience.
Sample answer:
I helped my younger cousin prepare for his high-school math exam. He struggled with algebra and lacked confidence. Since I was good at math, I offered to tutor him on weekends.
We used online whiteboards and video calls to review lessons, and I created step-by-step notes. I taught tricks to remember formulas and guided practice questions.
Soon, he became considerably more confident and faster at solving problems. When he told me he scored an A grade—my cousin was delighted, and I felt immense pride. It showed me how much I enjoy teaching and helping others learn.
9. Describe a book or movie that impressed you
You should say: what the book or movie was, what it was about, why it impressed you, and explain how it affected you.
Sample answer:
The movie The Pursuit of Happyness, starring Will Smith, impressed me deeply. It tells the true story of Chris Gardner—a man who goes from homelessness to becoming a successful stockbroker, all while raising his young son.
The film portrays his struggles—losing his job, shelter challenges, and financial strain—yet he never gives up. His dedication and love for his son kept him going. I was moved by his resilience and hope.
After watching it, I felt inspired to face my own challenges with greater resolve. It reminded me how perseverance and belief can drive change. Whenever I feel discouraged, I recall his journey—and it motivates me to keep going.
10. Describe a problem you had and how you solved it
You should say: what the problem was, when and where it happened, how you solved it, and explain what you learned.
Sample answer:
Last semester, my laptop crashed three days before my final project deadline. It contained all my research, notes, and project work—I hadn’t backed up anything.
Initially, I panicked. Then I acted fast: I took the laptop to a local repair shop to recover my files and borrowed a friend’s device to start recreating work from printed notes. Thankfully, the technician retrieved my data the next day, and I worked nonstop to finish on time.
From that experience, I learned two lessons: always back up important work, and stay composed under pressure. I also improved my ability to plan ahead. Since then, I use cloud storage regularly and stay prepared for emergencies.
What to Do Next: Practice Tips
- Time yourself: Use 1 minute to prepare and 2 minutes to speak.
- Use linking words: Phrases like “Moreover,” “However,” “As a result,” improve cohesion.
- Avoid memorisation: Learn structures and themes, but tailor your answer each time.
- Record and review your speaking: Notice pauses, pronunciation, and grammatical errors.
- Get feedback: Most helpful when given by experienced IELTS teachers or certified examiners.
How to assess your readiness?
Reading model answers is useful, but to really improve, you need to know your own level. A mock speaking test with a certified examiner at Preptical offers:
- A full score breakdown: fluency, grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation.
- Personalised feedback on your strengths and weaknesses.
- Clarity on where you need to improve for a higher band score.
Many test-takers who used Preptical moved up a whole band score, because they discovered exactly what to work on next.
With structured practice and real feedback, achieving Band 8+ or even Band 9 becomes realistic. Speak with confidence—and good luck with your IELTS journey!
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