IELTS Speaking Part 2 topics and notes to get perfect score

First, you need to understand the structure of the test and the evaluation criteria to make the best preparations.

1.1 Structure of the IELTS Speaking Part 2

The IELTS Speaking Part 2 is a monologue. You will receive a card containing a topic along with paper and a pen to prepare for 1 minute. After that, you will present on the topic for 1 - 2 minutes, and the IELTS examiner will ask 1 - 2 questions at the end of the test. Note that all parts of the test are recorded by the examiner.

Basic structure of the speech for IELTS Speaking Part 2 topics

>>>Read more: IELTS test schedule at IDP

1.2 Criteria for evaluating the Speaking test

A Speaking test is evaluated by the examiner based on the following 4 factors:

The test is fluent, ideas are logically and coherently developed

Fluency and Coherence is one of the top criteria for evaluating your speaking test. To assess whether a part of the test is fluent, the evaluation system combines the following factors: the ability to give sufficiently long answers; how questions are handled; how pauses and breaks are managed during the presentation; speaking speed; use of connectors; the ability to self-correct mistakes.

Based on these factors, you will achieve a high speaking score when using relatively long sentences, incorporating connectors and conjunctions to create compound sentences. In terms of coherence, the ideas in the answer should be logical, tightly connected, directly addressing the question, without digressing or going off-topic.

Ability to use a wide range of vocabulary accurately

You should use vocabulary focused on the topic being asked. Additionally, you can combine synonyms to explain the ideas you want to convey. The subtle and natural use of idioms also makes your test more highly evaluated.

Use correct grammar and a variety of structures

Using complex sentences appropriately to address IELTS Speaking Part 2 topics will make the examiner highly appreciate your speaking. You can refer to some complex sentence structures such as conditional sentences, relative clauses, comparative sentences, etc.

Besides, you should avoid making basic tense and grammatical errors. If you notice a mistake, you can correct it yourself by using phrases like “Sorry, I mean” or “What I mean is” to show your tactfulness and politeness.

Ability to pronounce, intonate, and speak at an appropriate speed

You should pronounce vowels and consonants accurately, while also emphasizing and using rhythm, intonation to make your speech more engaging. Additionally, speaking speed is also considered; you should speak at a steady, slow, and continuous pace without interruptions.

Learn more about the evaluation criteria in the article: IELTS Speaking skill scoring criteria

Below are 4 common IELTS Speaking Part 2 topics:

2.1 Describe a person

Describing a person is one of the common topics in IELTS Speaking Part 2, for example, you are asked to describe someone (a close friend, someone you admire, a family member, etc.). Usually for this topic, you need to mention the content

• Who is that person

• How do you know this person

• What kind of person is that person

• Explain why that person is... (depending on the topic)

As well as combining vocabulary describing appearance, personality, story, talent, etc. revolving around that character.

Describing people is a common topic in IELTS Part 2.

Example questions:

• Describe someone you admire.

• Describe a famous person in your country.

• Describe a foreign celebrity you want to meet in person…

Related vocabulary:

Sample sentences you can refer to:

Who the person is (Người đó là ai).

Well then to start with I’d like to talk about/Right to begin with I’m going to tell you about + tên người đã chọn, whom I deeply admire for … / whom I have great admiration for … / who is widely admired for…

How you knew this person

• I remember vividly that the first time I met him/ her was … years ago at/ when…

• I remember vividly that the first time I read about him/ her on the Internet was … years ago at/ when ….

What kind of person he/she is

• And what I would just like to say that I think he’s really + tính từ miêu tả (intellectually smart and quick-witted, possessing/ with a good sense of humor)

• Furthermore/ On top of that, he was + tính từ miêu tả tính cách (well-known/ held in great regard by all in the community for his kind, considerate and generous nature.)

Why do you admire this person

• Eventually, as regards the question why…, what I have to mention here is that/ I would like to explain that/ I suppose I should really highlight the fact that I gain a wide range of crucial/ valuable/ useful lessons from him about (patience and perseverance)

• Whenever experiencing/ facing/ running into any difficulties and challenges in life/at work, I would look to him/ her for inspiration as well as guidance (or) for quality (career) advice and encouragement.

Refer to the IELTS Speaking Part 2 sample essays in the topic group “Describe a person”:

Talk about your best friend

Describe a person you admire

Describe a family member

Describe a person

2.2Describe an object

Describing objects is one of the popular IELTS Speaking Part 2 topics. Usually, the examiner will ask you to state what the object is, its structure, shape, uses, and your feelings after using the object.

Describing things is one of the types of questions that often appear in Part 2.

Question:

• Describe a piece of furniture.

• Describe a photo you have taken.

• Describe an item of clothing that someone gave you,...

Related vocabulary:

Commonly used structures:

• Thrilled to bits: vô cùng thích thú

• Reminiscent of..: gợi nhớ về ...

• I’m going to describe/ talk about…: Tôi sẽ miêu tả/ nói về...

• When it comes to (topic), I’d like to mention/ bring up…: Khi bàn về (tên chủ đề), tôi muốn đề cập đến...

• A is important because… / A is valued for…: A quan trọng bởi vì… / A được trân trọng bởi vì...

• A stands out because…: A nổi bật bởi vì...

• A is immensely popular among…: A cực kỳ phổ biến với…

Tactics for describing things in Speaking Part 2:

• What it was (Đây là đồ vật gì): name, price, appearance/ content - tên, giá cả (nếu có), vẻ ngoài/ nội dung (nếu có).

• What it looks like (Nó trông như thế nào): storytelling - kể chuyện, kỉ niệm với thứ đó.

• How you bought it (Bạn đã mua nó như thế nào): functions, popularity, values… - chức năng, độ phổ biến, giá trị,..

• And explain how you felt about it (Bạn cảm thấy thế nào về đồ vật đó): personal feelings, evaluation - cảm nhận, đánh giá cá nhân.

Refer to the IELTS Speaking Part 2 sample essay in the topic group “Describe object”:

Describe a picture

Describe a book that you enjoyed reading

Chủ đề Describe an electronic device you use often

2.3 Describe a place

Like other IELTS Speaking Part 2 topics, for the topic of describing a place, you need to use vivid words and flexible tenses. You will have to present an overview of that place, the time, the weather, the scenery, what you saw and how you felt after arriving there. Leading into the topic by recounting your own experiences is also a creative way, not stereotyped.

Describe a place

Topic:

• Describe a country you would like to visit.

• Describe your ideal home.

• Describe a place you have visited where you can see interesting animals…

Vocabulary:

Common sentence patterns:

• (The place) is famous/renowned/ noted for… (Địa điểm này nổi tiếng về…)

• (The place) is located / is situated + (giới từ) + địa điểm… (Địa điểm này tọa lạc ở…)

• The site is popular with many local people…(Địa điểm này quen thuộc đối với nhiều người dân địa phương…)

• I frequently travel there/ I visited that place by..., which takes/took me … hours/minutes to reach the destination (Tôi thường đến đây bằng phương tiện gì, mất bao lâu để tới đó)

• The place reminded me of (something) (Nơi này làm tôi nhớ về…)

• I did gain a range of knowledge when visiting this place. It broadens my horizons and I want to visit other places like this in the future. (Tôi đã học được nhiều thứ khi đến đây. Nó mở rộng tầm hiểu biết của tôi, và tôi mong muốn đến các nơi thế này trong tương lai).

Strategies for describing places in Speaking Part 2:

• What: Đó là địa điểm nào (tên địa điểm).

• Where: Địa điểm bạn miêu tả nằm ở đâu (đất nước, thành phố…).

• When - Storytelling: Kể về các kỷ niệm về nơi đó.

• Why - Feeling: Ấn tượng cảm nghĩ của bạn về nơi đó.

2.4 Describe an event/activity

For IELTS Speaking Part 2 topics related to describing an activity or event, you need to clearly state the name of the event, the location and time it took place, the accompanying activities and your impressions of the event. Expand on the topic by using a variety of vocabulary to describe the atmosphere at the event.

Describing an activity or event is the fourth type of question in the Speaking Part 2 test.

Topic:

• Describe a wedding that you celebrated.

• Describe a festival that is important in your country.

• Describe an event that changed your life…

Vocabulary:

Common sentence patterns:

• I’m going to/ I would like to talk about… (Tôi sẽ nói về…)

• If my memory serves me right, it was the first time I… (Nếu như tôi nhớ không nhầm, đó là lần đầu tiên tôi…)

• As I recall,… (Theo như tôi nhớ…)

• It is no doubt that + Tên sự kiện + is the most important festival in…. (...là một trong những lễ hội lớn nhất ở…)

Strategy to describe activities in Speaking Part 2:

• What + When + Where - Mở đầu: sự việc gì, xảy ra khi nào, ở đâu.

• Storytelling - kể chuyện về những gì bạn đã làm/ những gì đã xảy ra.

• Reactions, impacts - phản ứng của những người liên quan đã tác động thế nào đến bạn.

• Feelings, lessons - cảm nhận, bài học rút ra được sau sự kiện đó.

Refer to the IELTS Speaking Part 2 sample essay in the topic group “Describe event”:

Chủ đề Describe a special occasion when you had a really enjoyable meal

2.5 Describe a situation

In IELTS Speaking Part 2 topics, describing a situation is often considered a difficult type. Because, in just 1 minute of preparation, thinking of a situation is not easy and recreating that situation in an understandable way in 2 minutes is even more difficult.

For this topic, presenting naturally with reasonable details will help you achieve a high score in the Fluency and Coherence criteria. In addition, you should combine subtle emotional words to improve the Lexical Resources section.

Describing a situation is considered a difficult Speaking Part 2 topic.

Đề bài:

• Describe a situation you remember when you had to use a foreign language to communicate.

• Describe a time when you laughed a lot.

• Describe a situation when you are stuck in a traffic jam…

Từ vựng:

• Throw a big party: tổ chức một bữa tiệc lớn

• Over the moon: vô cùng vui sướng

• Prestigious: có danh tiếng

• Acquaintance: người quen

• Chatter: nói chuyện phiếm

• Achievement: thành tựu

• In a festival mood: tâm trạng vui tươi

Các mẫu câu thông dụng:

• The reason that I remember it so well is that… (Lý do khiến tôi nhớ mãi về nó là…)

• How I felt really depended on… (Những gì tôi cảm thấy thật sự phụ thuộc vào…)

• It came to me as a huge + tính từ chỉ trạng thái (shock, disappointment, delighted, satisfaction,...) (Sự kiện này khiến tôi sốc, thất vọng, sung sướng, hài lòng,... vô cùng).

Chiến thuật mô tả tình huống trong Speaking Part 2:

• What + When + Where it is: Mở đầu, bạn gặp phải tình hình thế nào, diễn ra khi nào, ở đâu.

• What you do to … (bạn đã làm gì khi gặp tình huống ấy): Storytelling- kể lại quá trình và các hành động khi bạn đối mặt với tình huống đó.

• Why you have to … (tại sao bạn phải có những hành động phía trên): Storytelling - những lý do nào khiến bạn phải hành động như đã nói.

• How you feel about it (Bạn cảm thấy thế nào qua tình huống ấy): personal feelings, evaluation - trình bày các cảm nhận, đánh giá cá nhân.

To achieve a high band score in the Speaking test, you need to keep the following tips in mind:

• Read the question carefully and make use of the 1-minute preparation time: Make the most of the preparation time to underline keywords and jot down the main ideas that will appear in your speech. Good preparation will help you feel more confident in your test.

• Expand the main ideas by asking additional WH-questions and elaborating to make your answers richer: Treat the speaking test like telling a story by asking yourself questions like What, Who, When, Where, Why, How around the topic. Additionally, you can expand your ideas by describing contrasting situations or providing examples,... to make your speech more lively and engaging.

• Use more linking words to express yourself flexibly: Linking words help connect ideas tightly and logically, making your test more natural. This is also a “plus point” that makes your speech coherent and clear.

• Do not memorize: Memorizing will make your test less natural and cause you to hesitate when answering the examiner's questions. Instead, practice answering WH-questions or sentence structures at home.

• Avoid rambling: You can certainly talk about things around the topic, but to avoid rambling and going off-topic, pay attention to the main focus of your speech. You need to reiterate the main focus of your topic after each idea so that the examiner can assess that you understand the question and are on the right track.

Solidly review basic knowledge to help you perform well in the test

See more IELTS Speaking Part 2 sample answers:

Nói về công việc mơ ước của bạn

Above are the formulas to grasp the topics of IELTS Speaking Part 2 . IDP hopes to provide you with the necessary information to best prepare and conquer your IELTS test easily. Besides, don't forget to practice speaking fluently and try to pronounce correctly every day. Good luck!