IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe a skill you would like to learn: 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.
  • 251 words
  • An activity or habit
  • 1 minute to prepare
  • 2 minutes to speak

The cue card

Describe a skill you would like to learn

You should say:

  • →What is this skill?
  • →Why do you want to learn it?
  • →How would you go about learning it?
  • →How would it benefit you?

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

    Choose a skill you are genuinely interested in to make your delivery sound more passionate.

  2. 2

    Use the bullet points as a chronological map to ensure you cover all required aspects.

  3. 3

    During the prep minute, jot down three specific adjectives or sensory words to add detail.

Model answer

Band 8 sample answer

Band 8251 words, about two minutes at a natural pace. Details are invented; use your own.

I have always been fascinated by the intricate art of carpentry, specifically the craft of hand-making bespoke wooden furniture. While I have spent years working at a desk, there is something deeply satisfying about the tactile nature of shaping raw timber into something functional and beautiful. I want to learn this because I find the digital world quite ephemeral; I crave the ability to create tangible objects that could potentially last for generations. There is a certain romance in the smell of cedar wood and the precision required to join pieces without modern screws or nails. To begin, I would enrol in a weekend apprenticeship at a local workshop in Hackney called 'The Grain Studio', which is run by a master craftsman named Arthur. I believe learning under someone with decades of experience is far more effective than just watching tutorials online. Initially, I would focus on the fundamentals, like sharpening chisels, understanding wood grain patterns, and mastering traditional joinery techniques such as dovetails. I would dedicate my Saturday mornings to this practice, allowing the skills to marinate over time rather than rushing the process. Learning this skill would be immensely beneficial, primarily as a form of mindfulness. In our fast-paced society, the slow, meditative process of planing a piece of mahogany helps me disconnect from screen fatigue and lowers my stress levels. Furthermore, gaining this proficiency would allow me to furnish my home with unique, sustainable pieces, reducing my reliance on mass-produced, flat-pack items that often lack soul and durability.

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8 words

Useful vocabulary for this cue card

  • bespoke

    custom-made items designed for a specific individual

  • ephemeral

    lasting for a very short period of time

  • tangible

    something that can be physically touched or felt

  • joinery

    the craft of connecting pieces of wood together

  • marinate

    to allow an idea or skill to develop

  • mindfulness

    the practice of being fully present and aware

  • screen fatigue

    tiredness caused by spending too long on devices

  • mass-produced

    manufactured in large quantities using assembly lines

4 questions

Part 3 follow-up questions

  1. 1How has the way people acquire new skills changed due to the internet?
  2. 2Do you believe that practical manual skills are becoming less valued in modern society?
  3. 3In what ways might the decline of traditional crafts affect our cultural heritage?
  4. 4Should schools place more emphasis on vocational training rather than purely academic subjects?

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 skill you would like to learn"?+

Choose a skill you are genuinely interested in to make your delivery sound more passionate.

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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