IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe a time when you started using a new technological device (e.g. a new 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.
  • 251 words
  • An object
  • 1 minute to prepare
  • 2 minutes to speak

The cue card

Describe a time when you started using a new technological device (e.g. a new computer or phone).

You should say:

  • →What device did you start using?
  • →Why did you start using it?
  • →This device how easy or difficult it was to use?
  • →And explain how helpful this device was to you.

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

    Jot down the device name and three specific reasons you started using it.

  2. 2

    Draft a quick timeline for the learning process to ensure a logical flow.

  3. 3

    List two specific benefits to ensure you have enough detail for the final section.

Model answer

Band 8 sample answer

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

A few months ago, I finally decided to retire my ageing laptop and invested in a high-end tablet, specifically the latest iPad Pro. I made this switch because my work often requires me to travel between different client sites, and lugging around a heavy, overheating machine was becoming a significant burden. I wanted something portable that could handle heavy multitasking while also serving as a digital sketchbook for my design projects. Initially, I was quite apprehensive about the transition. Moving from a traditional desktop operating system to a touch-based interface felt counter-intuitive. I struggled with the file management system for the first week, as it was vastly different from the folders and directories I had used for over a decade. The lack of a physical keyboard also meant my typing speed plummeted during the first few days. However, once I purchased a dedicated keyboard case and spent an evening watching tutorials on the gesture controls, the learning curve flattened significantly. The device has been an absolute game-changer for my productivity. The screen resolution is so crisp that it brings my architectural renders to life, and the responsiveness of the stylus feels just like pen on paper. Having the ability to edit documents on the train or join video calls from a coffee shop has streamlined my workflow in ways I had not anticipated. It has fundamentally changed how I approach my daily tasks, allowing me to be far more mobile and creative than I ever was tethered to my home office.

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8 words

Useful vocabulary for this cue card

  • retire

    To stop using something that is old.

  • lugging around

    Carrying something heavy with a lot of effort.

  • apprehensive

    Feeling worried or anxious about the future.

  • counter-intuitive

    Going against what one would naturally expect.

  • plummeted

    Fallen or dropped very suddenly and sharply.

  • learning curve

    The rate at which one learns something new.

  • game-changer

    Something that significantly alters an existing situation.

  • tethered

    Being tied or restricted to a specific place.

6 questions

Part 3 follow-up questions

  1. 1Do you agree or disagree that computers will replace teachers one day?
  2. 2Do you think that schools should use more technology to help children learn?
  3. 3What is the best age for children to start computer lessons?
  4. 4How much has technology improved how we communicate with each other?
  5. 5Do you agree that there are still many more major technological innovations to be made?
  6. 6Could you suggest some reasons why some people are deciding to reduce their use of technology?

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 time when you started using a new technological device (e.g. a new computer or phone)."?+

Jot down the device name and three specific reasons you started using it.

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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