IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe a live performance 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.
  • 260 words
  • An event
  • 1 minute to prepare
  • 2 minutes to speak

The cue card

Describe a live performance you enjoyed

You should say:

  • →What the performance was
  • →Where and when you saw it
  • →Who was performing
  • →And explain why you enjoyed the performance

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

    Choose a specific event you can vividly recall to make storytelling easier.

  2. 2

    Use bullet points during preparation to jot down key sensory details for each prompt.

  3. 3

    Spend ten seconds on each prompt to ensure you balance your answer evenly.

Model answer

Band 8 sample answer

Band 8260 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 a rainy Tuesday evening in November, which actually added to the intimate, moody atmosphere of the place. The artist taking the stage was a contemporary saxophonist named Julian Thorne, who has been gaining quite a reputation for his experimental fusion of jazz and electronic beats. I had been listening to his albums for months, so seeing him in such a compact space felt incredibly personal. The room was dimly lit, smelling faintly of roasted coffee and old wood, and the acoustics were phenomenal. What really made the evening stand out was the sheer spontaneity of the performance. Thorne didn't just play his recorded tracks; he improvised long, intricate solos that seemed to weave through the very air of the room. At one point, he stepped off the stage and played right in the middle of the audience, which was absolutely electric. I enjoyed the performance so much because of that tangible connection between the musician and the crowd. It wasn't just a passive listening experience; it felt like a shared journey. The energy in the room was palpable, and the way he manipulated the tension and release of the melodies kept everyone completely spellbound. It is rare to see an artist so utterly immersed in their craft, and that level of passion is truly infectious. I left the venue feeling completely invigorated, having witnessed something raw and unscripted that recordings simply cannot replicate.

Say it out loud and get a band

Record this card with the AI examiner: one minute of prep, two minutes to speak, then a band for fluency, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation with the words that cost you.

Say it and get a band free →

8 words

Useful vocabulary for this cue card

  • tucked-away

    Hidden or located in a quiet, remote place.

  • contemporary

    Belonging to the present time or modern era.

  • acoustics

    The properties of a room affecting sound quality.

  • spontaneity

    The quality of happening naturally without prior planning.

  • intricate

    Containing many small, complex, or detailed parts.

  • palpable

    So intense that it seems almost physically touchable.

  • spellbound

    Holding one's attention completely as if enchanted.

  • invigorated

    Feeling strong, healthy, and full of new energy.

5 questions

Part 3 follow-up questions

  1. 1What role does society play in shaping our attitudes towards this?
  2. 2Has the way people view this changed over the years?
  3. 3How do you think it will develop in the future?
  4. 4What are the benefits and drawbacks?
  5. 5Do you think the government should be involved in regulating this area?

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 live performance you enjoyed"?+

Choose a specific event you can vividly recall to make storytelling easier.

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

© 2026 BandLadder. Written and checked by the BandLadder team. You may quote or cite this page with credit to BandLadder and a link to it; republishing it in full needs our written permission. Content use policy

Say it and get a band free