IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe an important piece of news that you received via text message: 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.
  • 249 words
  • An event
  • 1 minute to prepare
  • 2 minutes to speak

The cue card

Describe an important piece of news that you received via text message.

You should say:

  • →Who shared the message with you?
  • →What the news was about?
  • →How was it written?
  • →Explain why the news was important?

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

An event

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

  1. 1

    Identify the sender and the context of the message immediately to establish the scene.

  2. 2

    Describe the tone or style of the text to show your range of vocabulary.

  3. 3

    Focus on the personal impact of the news to explain its importance effectively.

Model answer

Band 8 sample answer

Band 8249 words, about two minutes at a natural pace. Details are invented; use your own.

A couple of months ago, my younger brother, Sam, who is currently studying architecture in Manchester, sent me a brief text message that completely changed my weekend plans. I was sitting in a crowded café in London, mindlessly scrolling through my phone, when his notification popped up. The message was characteristically concise: 'Just got the call, I’ve landed the summer internship at Foster + Partners. Celebrating tonight!' It was written in a casual, upbeat tone, punctuated with an exclamation mark and a celebratory emoji, which really captured his sheer excitement. I remember reading it twice just to let the weight of the news sink in. It was incredibly important because Sam had been through a gruelling six-month application process, facing rejection after rejection from various top-tier firms. He had spent countless nights refining his portfolio and preparing for technical interviews, often feeling quite disheartened by the competitive nature of the industry. Hearing that his perseverance had finally paid off was a massive relief not just for him, but for our entire family. It meant that he had secured a foothold in a prestigious firm, which is a pivotal step for his future career. Beyond the professional implications, the news served as a powerful reminder that hard work and resilience eventually yield results. Knowing he had achieved such a significant milestone after so much struggle made me incredibly proud, and I immediately left the café to call him, eager to hear all the details behind how he secured the position.

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8 words

Useful vocabulary for this cue card

  • characteristically

    in a way that is typical of someone

  • concise

    giving a lot of information clearly briefly

  • gruelling

    extremely tiring and demanding in nature

  • top-tier

    belonging to the highest level of quality

  • disheartened

    having lost determination or confidence in something

  • foothold

    a secure position from which to advance

  • pivotal

    of crucial importance in relation to development

  • yield

    to produce or provide a desired result

6 questions

Part 3 follow-up questions

  1. 1What kinds of news are popular in India?
  2. 2Why do people like negative news?
  3. 3How do people in India deliver important information?
  4. 4What are the advantages of sending messages via social applications?
  5. 5Why do some people dislike sending text messages?
  6. 6What is the information that cannot be communicated via text messages?

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 an important piece of news that you received via text message."?+

Identify the sender and the context of the message immediately to establish the scene.

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

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