I’m quite a devoted listener of a radio programme called 'The Inquiry' on the BBC World Service. It’s a weekly documentary series that takes one complex global issue—anything from the ethics of deep-sea mining to the geopolitical fallout of a specific trade policy—and breaks it down over the course of thirty minutes. It’s essentially an investigative deep dive where the host interviews a panel of experts, economists, and sometimes people directly affected by the topic, trying to unpack the 'why' behind major headlines. I find myself tuning in every Tuesday evening while I’m cooking dinner because it’s incredibly intellectually stimulating. The production value is top-notch, featuring immersive sound design that makes you feel like you’re actually in the field, whether it’s a bustling market in Lagos or a silent laboratory in Switzerland. I listen to it because it cuts through the superficial noise of 24-hour news cycles, offering a nuanced perspective that is becoming increasingly rare. It forces me to challenge my own biases and think critically about subjects I’d normally ignore. If I could suggest one improvement, it would be to make the segments slightly more interactive. Currently, it’s a one-way broadcast, but I think it would be fascinating if they integrated a live digital forum or a Q&A session where listeners could submit follow-up questions to the experts in real-time. That would definitely bridge the gap between the audience and these high-level discussions, making the content feel more like a collective exploration than just a lecture.
The cue card
Which program on TV or radio do you often listen to?
You should say:
- →What is it?
- →What is that about?
- →Why do you listen to it?
- →And say what you think could be improved about its output.
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
Note down the show's name and genre to establish your focus immediately.
- 2
List three specific adjectives to describe the show's content and style during prep.
- 3
Ensure the improvement you suggest is realistic and linked to the user experience.
Model answer
Band 8 sample answer
Say it out loud and get a band
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.
Say it and get a band free →8 words
Useful vocabulary for this cue card
devoted listener
Someone who listens to a show very regularly.
geopolitical fallout
The negative consequences of political events between countries.
deep dive
A thorough and detailed analysis of a topic.
production value
The level of quality in a media programme.
superficial noise
Meaningless or shallow information that distracts from truth.
nuanced perspective
A view that considers many different small details.
challenge my biases
To question your own existing unfair personal opinions.
collective exploration
Learning about a subject together as a group.
6 questions
Part 3 follow-up questions
- 1How do most people get their news in your country?
- 2How has TV changed people's lives?
- 3Do you believe everything you read in the newspapers?
- 4What do you think of children watching TV?
- 5How has social media changed the way we get and share the news?
- 6How do you think people will get their news in the future?
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 "Which program on TV or radio do you often listen to?"?+
Note down the show's name and genre to establish your focus immediately.
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
- Describe a book or movie that has influenced you
- Describe a book that you enjoyed reading because you had to think a lot
- Describe a book you read that you found useful
- Describe a breaking news story you followed
- Describe a digital comic or graphic novel
- Describe a film trailer that impressed you
- All 705 IELTS cue cards 2026
- IELTS speaking practice with AI scoring
- IELTS Speaking Part 3 questions and answers
- IELTS Speaking Part 1 questions
- IELTS speaking predictions
- IELTS pronunciation practice
- Get the BandLadder app
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