At a glance
| Category | Example card |
|---|---|
| A person | Describe a teacher who influenced you |
| A place | Describe a place you would like to visit |
| An object | Describe something you own that is important to you |
| An event | Describe a celebration you enjoyed |
| An experience | Describe a time you helped someone |
| An activity | Describe a hobby you started recently |
| Media | Describe a book or film that made you think |
Step 1 · One-minute notes
Notes made in the one minute: Lodhi Garden, Sundays, walk + read, quiet, old tombs, chai outside
Step 2 · Sample answer
The place I’d like to talk about is Lodhi Garden in Delhi. It’s a large park with old tombs from the fifteenth century, and I try to go most Sunday mornings. I usually walk one full round, which takes about forty minutes, and then sit under a tree near one of the tombs to read. The reason I like it so much is that it feels quiet even though it’s in the middle of a busy city. After a week of college and traffic, it’s the one place where I can switch off. And there’s a small tea stall just outside the gate, so the morning usually ends with a cup of chai.
Step 3 · Why it works
It covers every prompt in order, uses specific details, and ends naturally rather than stopping abruptly.
Step 4 · Common mistake
Students often say "It is a very beautiful and peaceful place" and then run out of things to say. General adjectives do not give you material. Details do.
1A one-minute plan that works
Write single words, not sentences. For "Describe a teacher who influenced you" you might write: Mrs Iyer, maths, Class 10, patient, made me like numbers, still in touch. That is enough to talk for two minutes because each word reminds you of a story.
2What examiners listen for
Fluency, a range of vocabulary, grammar and clear pronunciation. Specific details help all four. "She stayed after class every Friday to help us" is far better than "She was very helpful", because it gives you more to say and more language to show.
Practice questions
Try each card yourself. Spend one minute planning and speak for two. Then tap to see a set of possible notes.
- 1
Describe a skill you would like to learn. Say what it is, why you want to learn it, how you would learn it, and how it would help you.
Answer: Notes: swimming, never learned as a child, weekend classes, fitness and safety on holidays
Each prompt gets one keyword, and one extra detail is ready if you run out.
- 2
Describe a time you were late for something important.
Answer: Notes: college exam, train delay, ran from station, 10 minutes late, now leave early
Tell it in time order. Stories are the easiest way to keep talking.
- 3
Describe a gift you gave someone.
Answer: Notes: watch for father, 50th birthday, saved for months, his reaction, still wears it
The reaction and "still wears it" give a natural ending.
Up next
IELTS Speaking
A 11–14 minute interview in 3 parts
Written by the AdmitVerse team. Last reviewed on . AdmitVerse is not affiliated with IELTS, the British Council or IDP. For official rules and test dates, see ielts.org.