IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe a film you enjoyed: 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
  • A film, book, song or programme
  • 1 minute to prepare
  • 2 minutes to speak

The cue card

Describe a film you enjoyed.

You should say:

  • →The name of the film and where it was made?
  • →What kind of film it was?
  • →What the film was about?
  • →And explain why you enjoyed it.

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

A film, book, song or programme

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

  1. 1

    Jot down the film title and genre to avoid forgetting your main subject under pressure.

  2. 2

    Draft three adjectives describing the mood to help you use more descriptive vocabulary.

  3. 3

    Structure your notes by bullet point to ensure you cover each requirement systematically.

Model answer

Band 8 sample answer

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

I would like to talk about a film that truly left an impression on me, which is a South Korean masterpiece titled Parasite. It was directed by Bong Joon-ho and produced in Seoul. It falls squarely into the genre of a dark social satire, though it brilliantly weaves in elements of a tense thriller. The story follows the impoverished Kim family, who live in a cramped semi-basement apartment. Through a series of cunning deceptions, they infiltrate the household of the wealthy Park family by posing as highly qualified, unrelated individuals to take over various domestic roles. As the narrative progresses, the plot takes a jarring, unexpected turn when they discover a dark secret hidden within the basement of the mansion. What I found so captivating was the incredible juxtaposition between the two families, highlighting the stark class divide in modern urban society. The cinematography was breathtaking, particularly the way the architecture of the house mirrored the social hierarchy of the characters. I thoroughly enjoyed it because it managed to be both deeply entertaining and profoundly thought-provoking. The pacing was impeccable, keeping me on the edge of my seat throughout, yet it was the subtle symbolism—like the recurring motif of the smell of poverty—that really stuck with me long after the credits rolled. It is rare to find a film that is so technically polished while also offering such a scathing critique of capitalism. It was an intense emotional ride that forced me to reflect on societal structures in a way I hadn't considered before.

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8 words

Useful vocabulary for this cue card

  • dark social satire

    a film using humour to criticise societal flaws

  • cunning deceptions

    clever and deceitful actions to trick others

  • infiltrate

    to enter a place secretly to gain information

  • juxtaposition

    placing two things together for contrasting effect

  • stark

    a clear and unpleasant difference between two things

  • impeccable

    flawless and perfect in every single detail

  • motif

    a recurring element that has symbolic significance

  • scathing

    severely critical and harsh in a powerful way

6 questions

Part 3 follow-up questions

  1. 1Is going to the cinema a popular activity among people your age?
  2. 2What are the most popular types of films among people you know?
  3. 3Do you think it is more or less popular than it used to be?
  4. 4Is there too much violence in films these days?
  5. 5Do you think a lot of money needs to be spent to produce a good film?
  6. 6Do you think film stars have an easy life or is it difficult for them to cope with all the attention they get?

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 film you enjoyed."?+

Jot down the film title and genre to avoid forgetting your main subject under pressure.

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: a film, book, song or programme

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