Master the Cue Card: Practice real IELTS Speaking Part 2 questions and model answers!
In this section, you'll find a typical Part 2 "cue card" question, guiding prompts, and a sample answer. Listen, read, and practice to boost your fluency and confidence for the real exam.
Describe a book you have recently read cue card
You should say:
The book I recently finished is called "The Midnight Library" by Matt Haig. It's a novel about a woman named Nora Seed who, at her lowest point, finds herself in a magical library between life and death. This library contains an infinite number of books, each one representing a different life she could have lived. She gets the chance to try out these different lives and see what might have happened if she had made different choices. I decided to read this book because a few friends had highly recommended it, and I was looking for something thought-provoking but not too heavy. The premise of exploring alternate lives really intrigued me. It's a concept I think everyone has wondered about at some point. I would absolutely recommend "The Midnight Library" to others. It's an incredibly hopeful and uplifting book. It makes you think about regret and the choices you make, but in a way that feels empowering rather than depressing. It's a reminder that even small decisions can lead to big changes, and that there's always a possibility for a different, better life. The writing is also very accessible and easy to get into.
This answer effectively addresses all parts of the cue card by providing a clear and concise summary of the book, along with personal reflections.
What the name of the book is: The speaker immediately identifies the book and its author. "The book I recently finished is called 'The Midnight Library' by Matt Haig."
What the book is about: A brief but detailed synopsis of the plot is provided. The speaker explains the central concept of the magical library and the protagonist's journey. "It's a novel about a woman named Nora Seed who... finds herself in a magical library... She gets the chance to try out these different lives..."
Why you decided to read it: The speaker gives two main reasons for choosing the book. First, it came as a recommendation from friends. Second, the central theme was personally appealing. "I decided to read this book because a few friends had highly recommended it, and I was looking for something thought-provoking but not too heavy."
And explain whether you would recommend it to others: The speaker gives a strong, positive recommendation and explains the reasons why. They mention the book's emotional impact and its message. "I would absolutely recommend 'The Midnight Library' to others. It's an incredibly hopeful and uplifting book."
The sample answer uses a variety of grammatical structures that are common in fluent speech. Mastering these will help you sound more natural and accurate.
Present Simple Tense: Used to describe general truths,
facts, and the plot of a story.
Examples from the answer: "It's a novel about a woman named Nora Seed," "This library contains an infinite number of books."
Tip: When you're summarizing a book or movie, use the present simple to describe the events as if they are happening now. This makes the narrative more engaging.
Relative Clauses: These clauses add more information
about a noun without starting a new sentence. They are a great way to make your sentences more complex
and descriptive.
Examples from the answer: "a woman named Nora Seed who, at her lowest point, finds herself in a magical library," "each one representing a different life she could have lived."
Tip: Use words like which, who, and that to link a phrase to a noun. This is an excellent way to show a higher level of grammatical skill.
Modal Verbs: Words like would, could, and might are used
to express possibility, ability, or a hypothetical situation.
Examples from the answer: "...a different life she could have lived," "see what might have happened," "I would absolutely recommend it."
Tip: Using modals helps you express nuanced ideas about possibility, past situations that didn't happen, and your personal opinion.
| Word/Phrase | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Thought-provoking | Making you think seriously about a particular subject. | The documentary was incredibly thought-provoking and made me question my own beliefs. |
| Intrigued | Very interested and wanting to know more. | The mysterious letter intrigued her, so she decided to investigate. |
| Premise | The main idea or theory on which a statement or action is based. | The premise of the movie was that a group of strangers was trapped in a single room. |
| Uplifting | Making you feel more hopeful, happy, or full of energy. | The movie had an uplifting message that left the audience feeling inspired. |
| Accessible | Easy to understand or appreciate. | The author's writing style is very accessible, even for those who don't usually read philosophy. |
| Empowering | Giving someone the power or authority to do something; making someone feel stronger and more confident. | She found the confidence to speak up after an empowering talk with her mentor. |
| Synopsis | A brief summary or general survey of something. | I read the synopsis of the film before deciding to watch it. |
| Compelling | Evoking interest, attention, or admiration in a powerful and irresistible way. | The characters were so compelling that I couldn't stop reading. |
| Profound | Very great or intense; showing great knowledge or insight. | The book had a profound impact on my perspective on life. |
| Highly recommended | Strongly advised or suggested due to its good quality. | This restaurant is highly recommended by food critics. |
| Narrative | A spoken or written account of connected events; a story. | The author's narrative was engaging and kept me on the edge of my seat. |
| Engaging | Holding one's attention or interest. | The professor's lecture was so engaging that the time flew by. |
Structure Your Answer: Follow the structure of the cue card's bullet points. This will ensure you cover all the necessary information and keep your answer organized.
Tell a Story: Don't just list facts. Think of your answer as a short story with a beginning (why you read it), a middle (what the book is about), and an end (why you recommend it).
Use Linking Words: Connect your ideas smoothly using phrases like I'd like to talk about..., The story follows..., I first came across this..., and I would strongly recommend it for....
Vary Your Tenses: Use the simple past for narration and the present tense for general statements or your current feelings about the book.
Practice and Record Yourself: Practice speaking your answer out loud. Record yourself and listen back to identify areas where you can improve your fluency or pronunciation. This is the most effective way to prepare!
In this part-3 of the IELTS Speaking test, you will answer questions related to the cue card topic above. These questions require you to discuss more abstract ideas and issues.
Do you think the concept of "The Midnight Library" is realistic or purely fictional? Why?
What do you think is the main message or moral of the story in "The Midnight Library"?
If you had the chance to visit the Midnight Library, what is one life you would want to try out?
How does the character of Nora change throughout her journey in the library?
The book emphasizes the idea that a person's life is defined by their choices. Do you agree with this, or do you think other factors like fate or luck play a bigger role?
Would you recommend "The Midnight Library" to someone who is feeling lost or unhappy? Why or why not?