IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe a concert or performance you attended: IELTS cue card with sample answer

An IELTS cue card for Speaking Part 2 with a Band 8 sample answer, the one-minute plan behind it, the vocabulary that lifts it and the Part 3 follow-up questions the examiner can ask next.
  • 254 words
  • An event
  • 1 minute to prepare
  • 2 minutes to speak

The cue card

Describe a concert or performance you attended

You should say:

  • →What type of performance it was
  • →When and where it took place
  • →Who performed
  • →And explain why you enjoyed it

One minute to prepare, then speak for one to two minutes.

An event

How to answer this cue card: a one-minute plan

  1. 1

    Note down three descriptive adjectives to bring your story to life during your prep time.

  2. 2

    Use chronological order to ensure you cover all four bullet points without losing your flow.

  3. 3

    Focus on sensory details like lighting or sound to make your narrative feel authentic.

Model answer

Band 8 sample answer

Band 8254 words, about two minutes at a natural pace. Details are invented; use your own.

A couple of years ago, I had the privilege of attending a live jazz performance at a tucked-away venue called The Blue Note in London. It was an intimate, candlelit basement club that felt worlds apart from the bustling city streets outside. The performance featured a world-renowned saxophonist, Marcus Thorne, alongside his quartet. I had been following his work for some time, so seeing him in such a small, atmospheric setting was truly a dream come true for me. The night began with some smooth, improvisational pieces that set a mellow tone, but as the evening progressed, the band shifted into more high-energy, bebop-inspired tracks that left the audience completely mesmerised. What made this performance so memorable was the palpable chemistry between the musicians; they weren't just reading sheet music, they were communicating through sound. I remember being struck by the sheer technical prowess of the drummer, whose intricate rhythms anchored the entire set. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience because of the authenticity of the sound. Unlike listening to a studio recording, which can feel somewhat sterile or over-produced, this live set was raw and unpredictable. Being physically present in the room allowed me to feel the resonance of the double bass in my chest and witness the genuine joy on the performers' faces as they riffed off each other. It was an immersive sensory experience that reminded me why live music remains so vital, as it creates an ephemeral connection between the artist and the listener that simply cannot be replicated through headphones.

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8 words

Useful vocabulary for this cue card

  • tucked-away

    Hidden or located in an inconspicuous, quiet place.

  • palpable

    So intense that it seems almost physically touchable.

  • bebop-inspired

    Influenced by a fast-paced, complex style of jazz.

  • technical prowess

    Exceptional skill or ability in a specific field.

  • sterile

    Lacking in character, warmth, or creative originality.

  • resonance

    The quality of sound being deep and full.

  • ephemeral

    Lasting for a very short period of time.

  • riffed off

    To improvise based on someone else's musical idea.

6 questions

Part 3 follow-up questions

  1. 1How has the music industry changed with technology?
  2. 2What role does music play in society?
  3. 3Do you think live performances are better than recorded music?
  4. 4How important is it for children to learn music?
  5. 5What makes a good performer?
  6. 6How do you think entertainment will change in the future?

Answer each in three to five sentences: position, reason, example, limit. See how to answer IELTS Speaking Part 3.

Frequently asked questions

How should I start the cue card "Describe a concert or performance you attended"?+

Note down three descriptive adjectives to bring your story to life during your prep time.

How long should I speak on an IELTS cue card?+

You get one minute to prepare, then speak for the full two minutes, about 220 to 280 words at a natural pace. The examiner will stop you at two minutes, which is a good sign, not a problem.

How is the cue card scored?+

Part 2 is not scored on its own. Your whole Speaking test gets one band from four criteria: fluency and coherence, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation. The cue card is where the examiner hears whether you can keep going for two minutes.

Can I use this sample answer in the exam?+

Use its structure and vocabulary, not its sentences. Examiners recognise memorised answers and mark fluency down; a shorter answer from your own memory scores higher than a recited one.

Keep practising

More cue cards: an event

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