IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe a set of headphones you enjoy using: 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.
  • 240 words
  • An object
  • 1 minute to prepare
  • 2 minutes to speak

The cue card

Describe a set of headphones you enjoy using

You should say:

  • →what kind of headphones they are
  • →when and where you got them
  • →how often you use them
  • →and explain why you enjoy using them to listen to music.

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

An object

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

  1. 1

    Note down the physical design and key feature (e.g., over-ear, noise-cancelling).

  2. 2

    Jot down the context of receiving them and where you use them most.

  3. 3

    Highlight specific audio qualities and how they make you feel.

Model answer

Band 8 sample answer

Band 8240 words, about two minutes at a natural pace. Details are invented; use your own.

I'd like to talk about a pair of wireless, over-ear headphones that I rely on almost every single day. They have a sleek matte black finish with plush memory-foam ear cushions, and what makes them really special is their active noise-cancelling feature, which can block out virtually all ambient sound.

I actually received them as a birthday present from my older brother about two years ago. I'd just started commuting by train to university every morning, which was usually a pretty noisy and chaotic experience, so he thought they might help me get some peace and quiet on the way. Since then, I've used them constantly, not just during my daily commute, but also whenever I'm studying in the library or going for a brisk walk around my local park.

What I love most about them is the exceptional audio quality. The sound is incredibly crisp and well-balanced, with a deep bass that doesn't overwhelm the vocals. When I put them on and listen to my favourite acoustic or jazz tracks, it genuinely feels like I'm sitting in the front row of a private live performance. Beyond that, the noise cancellation allows me to create my own little bubble of calm, shutting out the hustle and bustle of city life. They're also remarkably comfortable, so I can wear them for hours on end without feeling any strain on my ears. All in all, they've completely transformed how I experience music.

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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.

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8 words

Useful vocabulary for this cue card

  • sleek

    smooth, elegant, and stylish in appearance

  • ambient sound

    background noise present in an environment

  • chaotic

    in a state of complete confusion and disorder

  • brisk walk

    a quick, energetic walk

  • well-balanced

    having all elements arranged in pleasing proportions

  • private live performance

    an exclusive musical gig for a very small audience

  • hustle and bustle

    busy, noisy, and active surroundings

  • hours on end

    for many continuous hours without stopping

5 questions

Part 3 follow-up questions

  1. 1Why do many people prefer listening to music with headphones rather than through speakers?
  2. 2How has personal audio technology changed the way people interact in public spaces?
  3. 3Do you think excessive headphone use can have negative effects on people's health?
  4. 4How might audio technology and personal listening devices develop in the future?
  5. 5Should there be stricter regulations on noise levels in urban environments?

Answer each in three to five sentences: position, reason, example, limit. Read Band 8 answers to these Part 3 questions: sound, technology, and modern lifestyles.

Frequently asked questions

How should I start the cue card "Describe a set of headphones you enjoy using"?+

Note down the physical design and key feature (e.g., over-ear, noise-cancelling).

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

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