IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe a piece of electronic equipment that you find useful: 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.
  • 245 words
  • An object
  • 1 minute to prepare
  • 2 minutes to speak

The cue card

Describe a piece of electronic equipment that you find useful.

You should say:

  • →What is it?
  • →How did you learn to use it?
  • →How long have you had it?
  • →And explain why you find this piece of electronic equipment useful.

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

An object

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

  1. 1

    Choose an item you use every single day to ensure you speak naturally.

  2. 2

    Jot down one sensory detail for each prompt to make your story more vivid.

  3. 3

    Focus your final minute on explaining the emotional or practical impact on your life.

Model answer

Band 8 sample answer

Band 8245 words, about two minutes at a natural pace. Details are invented; use your own.

I would like to talk about my noise-cancelling headphones, which have become an indispensable part of my daily routine. These are high-end Sony wireless over-ear cans that I picked up about two years ago from a specialist electronics store in London. I remember being quite overwhelmed by the technical specifications at first, but I spent an afternoon watching various online tutorials and reading user forums to understand how the active noise-cancellation technology actually works, particularly the way it creates an inverted sound wave to neutralise external noise. I have been using them consistently since then, and they go everywhere with me, from my daily commute on the Underground to long-haul flights. The reason I find them so incredibly useful is that they provide a sanctuary of silence in a world that is often chaotic and noisy. Whether I am working in a bustling open-plan office or trying to focus on a challenging project at home, slipping these on allows me to achieve a state of deep flow almost instantly. The battery life is phenomenal, lasting nearly thirty hours on a single charge, which means I rarely have to worry about them cutting out during a busy day. Beyond the practical utility, the sound quality is exquisite, making my favourite jazz records sound richer and more textured than ever before. Quite simply, they have transformed my ability to concentrate in distracting environments, and I honestly cannot imagine navigating my professional or personal life without them anymore.

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8 words

Useful vocabulary for this cue card

  • indispensable

    absolutely necessary and cannot be done without

  • neutralise

    to make something ineffective by counteracting it

  • sanctuary

    a place of refuge or perfect safety

  • bustling

    full of energetic and noisy activity

  • deep flow

    a state of total immersion in work

  • phenomenal

    very remarkable or exceptionally good

  • exquisite

    extremely beautiful and typically delicate

  • navigating

    successfully dealing with a difficult situation

6 questions

Part 3 follow-up questions

  1. 1What kinds of machines are used for housework in modern homes in your country?
  2. 2How have these machines benefited people?
  3. 3Are there any negative effects of using them?
  4. 4Do you think all new homes will be equipped with household machines in the future?
  5. 5What kinds of equipment do most workers need to use in offices today?
  6. 6How have developments in technology affected employment in your country?

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 piece of electronic equipment that you find useful."?+

Choose an item you use every single day to ensure you speak naturally.

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 object

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