IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe someone fascinated by modern science: 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.
  • 248 words
  • A person
  • 1 minute to prepare
  • 2 minutes to speak

The cue card

Describe someone fascinated by modern science

You should say:

  • →who this person is
  • →what area of science they are most interested in
  • →how they learn about new scientific discoveries
  • →and explain why they are so keen on modern science.

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

A person

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

  1. 1

    Jot down who the person is and their specific scientific interest (e.g. Liam, astrophysics).

  2. 2

    Note 2-3 specific ways they consume science media (e.g. podcasts, journals, video lectures).

  3. 3

    Identify the core reason for their passion to expand on in the final part (e.g. optimism for the future).

Model answer

Band 8 sample answer

Band 8248 words, about two minutes at a natural pace. Details are invented; use your own.

I'd like to talk about my close friend, Liam, who has always had an absolute obsession with modern science, particularly astrophysics and space exploration. We met at university a few years back, and even though he studied economics, his real passion has always been keeping up with scientific breakthroughs.

Whenever something groundbreaking happens, like a new space telescope sending back high-resolution images of distant galaxies or an unmanned rover landing on Mars, Liam is the first person to know about it. He doesn't just read mainstream news headlines; he actually digs into scientific journals and listens to long-form science podcasts during his daily commute. He also spends a fair bit of his spare time watching lectures from leading research institutes on a video-sharing app.

What makes him stand out is his enthusiasm for sharing what he learns. He's got this knack for explaining really complex theories, like quantum mechanics or dark matter, in a way that regular people like me can actually grasp without feeling overwhelmed. Whenever we catch up for a coffee, the conversation invariably drifts towards the latest space missions or renewable energy technologies.

I suppose the main reason he's so keen on science is his endless curiosity about how the universe works. He firmly believes that scientific progress is humanity's best shot at tackling global issues like climate change and resource scarcity. For Liam, following scientific research isn't just a hobby; it gives him a genuine sense of optimism about where the future is heading.

Say it out loud and get a band

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

  • breakthroughs

    important new discoveries or developments

  • groundbreaking

    innovative and pioneering

  • digs into

    investigates or reads thoroughly

  • long-form

    detailed and comprehensive media content

  • got this knack for

    has a natural talent for doing something

  • grasp

    understand a difficult concept

  • invariably

    almost always without exception

  • resource scarcity

    a shortage of vital raw materials or supplies

5 questions

Part 3 follow-up questions

  1. 1How has public interest in science changed over recent decades?
  2. 2Should governments prioritise funding basic science or applied scientific research?
  3. 3What role should media play in reporting scientific breakthroughs?
  4. 4How might scientific education in schools evolve in the coming years?
  5. 5What are the risks of scientific advancements outpacing ethical regulations?

Answer each in three to five sentences: position, reason, example, limit. Read Band 8 answers to these Part 3 questions: science and society in the modern world.

Frequently asked questions

How should I start the cue card "Describe someone fascinated by modern science"?+

Jot down who the person is and their specific scientific interest (e.g. Liam, astrophysics).

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: a person

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