IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe a game or sport that you enjoy playing: 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.
  • 249 words
  • An activity or habit
  • 1 minute to prepare
  • 2 minutes to speak

The cue card

Describe a game or sport that you enjoy playing

You should say:

  • →What kind of sport is that?
  • →Who do you play it with?
  • →Where do you play it?
  • →And explain why you enjoy playing it.

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

An activity or habit

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

  1. 1

    Note down the sport and the specific person you play with to anchor the story.

  2. 2

    Sketch the location and one sensory detail, such as the indoor lighting or court surface.

  3. 3

    List two distinct reasons for your enjoyment to ensure you have enough content for two minutes.

Model answer

Band 8 sample answer

Band 8249 words, about two minutes at a natural pace. Details are invented; use your own.

I have always been a fan of various physical activities, but the one that truly resonates with me is badminton. It is a fast-paced racquet sport that requires a great deal of agility and quick reflexes. I usually play this with my childhood friend, Marcus, who is remarkably competitive. We share a friendly rivalry that keeps our matches intense and incredibly engaging. We typically head down to a local community sports centre near my flat, which has well-maintained indoor courts. Playing indoors is essential because the shuttlecock is so lightweight that even the slightest breeze outside would completely ruin the game. I absolutely love playing badminton for a few reasons. Firstly, it is a fantastic full-body workout that leaves me feeling energised rather than exhausted. The constant lunging and jumping help me maintain my fitness levels without the monotony of a gym session. Beyond the physical aspect, I find the mental focus required to track the shuttlecock’s trajectory to be a form of meditation. It forces me to be entirely present in the moment, clearing my mind of any work-related stress. Furthermore, the social element is brilliant. Whether we are locked in a tense rally or just sharing a laugh over a botched serve, the game provides a perfect way to catch up and decompress at the end of a long week. It is more than just a sport to me; it is a vital outlet that balances my busy lifestyle while allowing me to sharpen my physical coordination.

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8 words

Useful vocabulary for this cue card

  • fast-paced

    involving a lot of action and very quick

  • agility

    ability to move quickly and with great ease

  • friendly rivalry

    competition between people who still like each other

  • shuttlecock

    the feathered projectile used in the game badminton

  • full-body workout

    exercise routine that uses all major muscle groups

  • monotony

    lack of variety and interest in daily routine

  • trajectory

    the curved path of an object through space

  • decompress

    to relax and relieve stress after working hard

6 questions

Part 3 follow-up questions

  1. 1What types of sports are popular in your country?
  2. 2What are the benefits of playing a sport?
  3. 3Do you often play a sport?
  4. 4Are you good at sport?
  5. 5Do you think the types of sports that are popular will change in the future?
  6. 6Why are some international sports more popular than others?

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 game or sport that you enjoy playing"?+

Note down the sport and the specific person you play with to anchor the story.

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 activity or habit

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