I vividly recall a departmental meeting held last November in the main boardroom at my previous workplace, a creative agency in central London. It was a rather grey, rainy Tuesday morning, and the room felt quite claustrophobic with twelve of us huddled around a polished mahogany table. The attendees included the entire creative team, our department head, Sarah, and a couple of representatives from the marketing division. We were there to brainstorm concepts for a high-stakes rebranding project for a major international coffee chain. The atmosphere was initially quite tense because the client had rejected our previous three proposals, so there was a palpable sense of urgency in the air. We spent nearly two hours dissecting the brand identity, debating everything from colour palettes to the target demographic's psychological triggers. Everyone had strong opinions, and at one point, there was quite a heated exchange between the lead designer and the marketing manager regarding the use of minimalist graphics. I remember this meeting so distinctly for two reasons. Firstly, it was the moment our team finally experienced a breakthrough; halfway through, someone suggested a bold, retro-inspired aesthetic that immediately silenced the room and gained unanimous support. Secondly, the sheer level of intellectual engagement was invigorating. It wasn't just a routine check-in; it was a genuine collaborative effort where ideas were being tossed around and refined in real-time. Walking out of that boardroom, I felt an immense sense of relief and professional pride, knowing that we had finally cracked the code and found a direction that truly resonated with everyone involved.
The cue card
Describe a meeting you remember going to at work, college, or school.
You should say:
- →When and where the meeting was held?
- →Who was at the meeting?
- →What the people at the meeting talked about?
- →And explain why you remember going to this meeting.
One minute to prepare, then speak for one to two minutes.
An event
How to answer this cue card: a one-minute plan
- 1
Note the setting and participants to ground the story in a specific context.
- 2
Use a clear narrative arc to move from the meeting's purpose to its conclusion.
- 3
Focus on one specific outcome or feeling to explain why the memory remains vivid.
Model answer
Band 8 sample answer
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
Claustrophobic
A small space that feels uncomfortable or cramped.
Palpable
An atmosphere so intense it feels almost physical.
Dissecting
Analysing something in great detail and with care.
Unanimous
Full agreement from everyone present in the room.
Invigorating
Something that makes you feel energised and alert.
Cracked the code
Successfully solved a very difficult or complex problem.
Resonated
Something that connects deeply with people's own ideas.
High-stakes
A situation where the potential consequences are significant.
6 questions
Part 3 follow-up questions
- 1What are the different types of meetings that people often go to?
- 2Some people say that no-one likes to go to meetings?
- 3Why can it sometimes be important to go to meetings?
- 4what do you think?
- 5Why do you think world leaders often have meetings together?
- 6What possible difficulties might be involved in organising meetings between world leaders?
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 meeting you remember going to at work, college, or school."?+
Note the setting and participants to ground the story in a specific context.
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
- Describe a book signing or launch event
- Describe a busy public holiday event in your town
- Describe a celebration to welcome a new baby
- Describe a celebratory meal with friends
- Describe a community or yard sale you joined
- Describe a community park clean-up event
- All 705 IELTS cue cards 2026
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- IELTS Speaking Part 3 questions and answers
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- IELTS speaking predictions
- IELTS pronunciation practice
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