IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe a useful mobile phone case you have: 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.
  • 270 words
  • An object
  • 1 minute to prepare
  • 2 minutes to speak

The cue card

Describe a useful mobile phone case you have

You should say:

  • →what it looks like
  • →when and where you got it
  • →how it protects your mobile phone
  • →and explain why you find it so practical.

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

    Jot down materials and appearance (e.g. matte navy, rubber inner, raised edges).

  2. 2

    Note the backstory (broke previous phone, bought at local shop).

  3. 3

    List practical features (corner cushioning, drop resistance, fold-out stand).

Model answer

Band 8 sample answer

Band 8270 words, about two minutes at a natural pace. Details are invented; use your own.

I'd like to talk about a rugged mobile phone case that I bought roughly a year ago, which has genuinely saved my handset from destruction on multiple occasions.

Visually, it is quite understated. It has a matte navy blue finish and features a dual-layer construction. The inner part is made of soft, shock-absorbing rubber, whilst the outer layer is a hardened plastic shell with textured ridges along the sides to improve grip. It also has slightly raised bevelled edges around both the front screen and the camera module, which prevents the glass surfaces from coming into direct contact with flat ground.

I picked it up from an independent electronics shop in my town centre right after buying my current phone. My previous mobile had slipped out of my jacket pocket onto a concrete pavement, completely shattering the display, so I was determined not to repeat that costly mistake. The shop assistant recommended this specific case because it was reinforced at the corners, which are usually the most vulnerable impact points.

What makes it extraordinarily practical is how well it handles daily wear and tear. I have to admit I am rather clumsy, particularly when juggling bags on my morning commute. I have accidentally dropped my phone onto tarmac and hard tiled floors several times, yet the device remains entirely unscathed. Additionally, the case features a slim, fold-out kickstand on the rear, allowing me to prop the phone up horizontally whenever I want to follow a recipe or make a hands-free video call. It adds a tiny bit of bulk, but the peace of mind it provides is well worth it.

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8 words

Useful vocabulary for this cue card

  • handset

    a mobile phone device

  • understated

    simple, subtle, and not drawing excessive attention

  • dual-layer

    having two distinct layers of material

  • bevelled edges

    angled borders designed to protect raised surfaces

  • vulnerable

    easily damaged or exposed to harm

  • unscathed

    completely unharmed and without damage

  • kickstand

    a small fold-out support to hold a device upright

  • peace of mind

    a feeling of reassurance and freedom from worry

5 questions

Part 3 follow-up questions

  1. 1Why do so many people feel the need to buy protective accessories for modern gadgets?
  2. 2Do you think contemporary electronic devices are less durable than products made in the past?
  3. 3How have consumer attitudes towards repairing damaged electronics changed in recent years?
  4. 4What responsibility do tech manufacturers have to make their products long-lasting?
  5. 5What are the possible downsides of designing gadgets to be extremely heavy-duty?

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

Frequently asked questions

How should I start the cue card "Describe a useful mobile phone case you have"?+

Jot down materials and appearance (e.g. matte navy, rubber inner, raised edges).

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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