IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe a program or app on your computer or phone: 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.
  • 262 words
  • A film, book, song or programme
  • 1 minute to prepare
  • 2 minutes to speak

The cue card

Describe a program or app on your computer or phone

You should say:

  • →What it is
  • →How often you use it
  • →When/how you use it
  • →When/how you found 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 keywords for each bullet point to ensure you cover all requirements.

  2. 2

    Choose an app you genuinely use so your enthusiasm sounds authentic and natural.

  3. 3

    Focus on how the app changes your workflow rather than just listing its features.

Model answer

Band 8 sample answer

Band 8262 words, about two minutes at a natural pace. Details are invented; use your own.

I would like to talk about an app called Obsidian, which has become an indispensable tool in my daily life. It is essentially a note-taking and knowledge-management application that functions as a personal digital brain. I use it almost religiously every single day, often starting my morning by drafting a to-do list and ending my evening by jotting down reflections on the books I have read. I access it primarily on my laptop, but I also keep the mobile version synced for whenever inspiration strikes while I am commuting. I stumbled upon this program about two years ago while I was spiralling down a YouTube rabbit hole, searching for ways to improve my productivity. A tech blogger described how it used a method called 'linked thinking', where you connect notes via hyperlinks rather than folders. That concept really resonated with me because it felt more like how a human brain actually operates. I decided to install it that very afternoon, and after a short learning curve, it became the backbone of my workflow. The reason I find it so incredibly useful is that it allows me to build a complex web of ideas over time. Unlike standard apps that just store information in a linear fashion, Obsidian helps me see patterns in my notes that I would have otherwise missed. It has transformed my writing process from a chaotic scramble into a structured, creative endeavour, making it far easier to retrieve information when I am working on a project or simply trying to remember a specific detail from a lecture months later.

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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.

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8 words

Useful vocabulary for this cue card

  • indispensable

    something that is absolutely necessary and essential

  • religiously

    doing something regularly and with great consistency

  • spiralling

    becoming quickly involved in a complex situation

  • rabbit hole

    a complex situation that leads to more

  • resonated

    evoked a sense of personal connection or agreement

  • learning curve

    the rate at which someone gains new skills

  • backbone

    the most important part of a complex system

  • endeavour

    a serious effort or attempt to achieve something

6 questions

Part 3 follow-up questions

  1. 1What are the differences between old and young people when using apps?
  2. 2Why do some people not like using apps?
  3. 3What apps are popular in your country? Why?
  4. 4Should parents limit their children's use of computer programs and computer games? Why and
  5. 5how?
  6. 6Do you think young people are more and more reliant on these programs?

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 program or app on your computer or phone"?+

Jot down keywords for each bullet point to ensure you cover all requirements.

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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