IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe an environmental problem or event: 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.
  • 257 words
  • An event
  • 1 minute to prepare
  • 2 minutes to speak

The cue card

Describe an environmental problem or event.

You should say:

  • →What is it?
  • →Where is it happening?
  • →What problems does it cause?

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

An event

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

  1. 1

    Choose a problem you are passionate about to make your descriptions sound more authentic.

  2. 2

    Use a specific location to ground your answer and add sensory details to your narrative.

  3. 3

    Always link the problem to its wider consequences to demonstrate higher-level critical thinking.

Model answer

Band 8 sample answer

Band 8257 words, about two minutes at a natural pace. Details are invented; use your own.

I would like to talk about the severe issue of coastal erosion that has been plaguing the shoreline near my hometown in Norfolk. Over the last few years, the rate at which the North Sea has been reclaiming the land has become alarming. It is a slow-motion disaster that is quite literally swallowing parts of the coastline where villages once stood, and it feels like a constant battle against the relentless power of the ocean. The primary consequence is the total loss of infrastructure. I have seen families forced to leave their homes because the cliffs are literally crumbling away beneath their front doors. It is heartbreaking to watch a community lose its historic character, as century-old cottages and local footpaths are now just rubble at the base of the beach. Beyond the physical destruction, it creates a deep sense of instability for the residents who live in constant fear of the next high tide or winter storm. The environmental impact is also significant, as the erosion destroys local wildlife habitats and alters the natural landscape permanently. I find this issue particularly concerning because it is a tangible manifestation of rising sea levels and more frequent extreme weather patterns. Witnessing this first-hand makes me realise that we are not just talking about abstract climate data, but the actual disappearance of our soil and history. It highlights how vulnerable our geographical borders are, and it makes me worry about how much more land we might lose if coastal management strategies do not improve significantly in the near future.

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8 words

Useful vocabulary for this cue card

  • plaguing

    causing persistent distress or suffering to someone

  • reclaiming

    taking back land that was previously lost

  • relentless

    oppressively constant and never becoming less intense

  • infrastructure

    basic physical structures like buildings and roads

  • rubble

    waste material from the destruction of buildings

  • instability

    the state of being liable to change

  • manifestation

    a clear sign that something exists

  • vulnerable

    exposed to the possibility of being harmed

6 questions

Part 3 follow-up questions

  1. 1What are the main environmental problems in your country?
  2. 2Why should people be concerned about the environment?
  3. 3How can people protect the environment?
  4. 4Do you think more should be done to protect natural beauty spots in your country?
  5. 5Do you think money should be spent on protecting animals?
  6. 6What can a government do to encourage people not to harm the environment?

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 an environmental problem or event."?+

Choose a problem you are passionate about to make your descriptions sound more authentic.

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 event

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