IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe a time when you received good service in a shop or restaurant: 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.
  • 259 words
  • An experience
  • 1 minute to prepare
  • 2 minutes to speak

The cue card

Describe a time when you received good service in a shop or restaurant

You should say:

  • →What the shop or restaurant was
  • →When you went there
  • →Who served you
  • →And explain why you thought the service was good

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

An experience

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

  1. 1

    Note down the specific setting and the staff member's name to ground your story.

  2. 2

    Follow the bullet points sequentially to ensure your narrative remains logical and well-structured.

  3. 3

    Focus on one specific 'why' factor to provide depth rather than listing multiple generic reasons.

Model answer

Band 8 sample answer

Band 8259 words, about two minutes at a natural pace. Details are invented; use your own.

A couple of months ago, I visited a boutique café called The Gilded Bean in the heart of the city. I had popped in on a rainy Tuesday afternoon, desperate for a quiet corner to finish a pressing work project. The place was bustling, but I was immediately greeted by a barista named Elias, who had an incredibly welcoming demeanour. Despite the rush, he didn't just point me to a table; he actually took the time to suggest a window seat that had a power outlet, which I hadn't even thought to ask for. What really stood out was his attention to detail. When I ordered a flat white, he noticed I was buried in paperwork and asked if I wanted a pastry to go with it, not in an upsell way, but genuinely concerned that I looked like I was skipping lunch. He eventually brought over a complimentary ginger biscuit, saying it would help me power through the afternoon. I found the service exceptional because it felt completely authentic rather than scripted. Elias managed to balance efficiency with a personal touch that is increasingly rare in fast-paced city environments. He made me feel like a valued guest rather than just another transaction. By the time I left, I felt significantly more productive and in a much better mood. It is that kind of proactive approach—anticipating a customer's needs before they even voice them—that turns a standard coffee break into a memorable experience. I have since recommended the place to all my colleagues, largely because of that initial interaction.

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8 words

Useful vocabulary for this cue card

  • boutique

    A small, exclusive shop offering specialised, high-quality goods.

  • demeanour

    The outward behaviour or bearing of a person.

  • upsell

    Persuading a customer to purchase a more expensive item.

  • complimentary

    Given or supplied free of any charge.

  • authentic

    Genuine, real, and sincere rather than fake or rehearsed.

  • scripted

    Following a pre-written plan rather than acting naturally.

  • proactive

    Creating or controlling a situation by causing things.

  • transaction

    An instance of buying or selling something at shops.

5 questions

Part 3 follow-up questions

  1. 1What role does society play in shaping our attitudes towards this?
  2. 2Has the way people view this changed over the years?
  3. 3How do you think it will develop in the future?
  4. 4What are the benefits and drawbacks?
  5. 5Do you think the government should be involved in regulating this area?

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 "Describe a time when you received good service in a shop or restaurant"?+

Note down the specific setting and the staff member's name to ground your story.

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: an experience

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