IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe your best friend: 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.
  • 266 words
  • A person
  • 1 minute to prepare
  • 2 minutes to speak

The cue card

Describe your best friend

You should say:

  • →How long have you known each other?
  • →What does he/she look like?
  • →What do you like about him/her?
  • →What do you usually do together?

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 adjectives for appearance to ensure you have enough descriptive language ready.

  2. 2

    Group your activities to create a narrative flow rather than just listing random hobbies.

  3. 3

    Use the final bullet to explain the emotional significance of the friendship.

Model answer

Band 8 sample answer

Band 8266 words, about two minutes at a natural pace. Details are invented; use your own.

I’d love to tell you about my best friend, Sarah, whom I’ve known for roughly fifteen years. We first crossed paths back in primary school when we were assigned as desk partners, and our bond has only deepened since those days. Physically, Sarah is quite striking; she has a mane of unruly, chestnut-coloured curly hair that she’s always trying to tame, and she possesses a very warm, infectious smile that lights up a room. She’s tall and carries herself with an air of quiet confidence that I’ve always admired. What I appreciate most about her is her unwavering integrity and her capacity for active listening. In a world where everyone is clamouring to be heard, she is someone who truly absorbs what you are saying and provides thoughtful, nuanced advice rather than just empty platitudes. She has a grounded nature that keeps me level-headed when I feel overwhelmed. We have a few go-to activities we enjoy whenever our busy schedules align. We often frequent a quaint, independent coffee shop near the canal where we can sit for hours just hashing out our latest career dilemmas or discussing the books we are currently obsessed with. Sometimes, we swap the urban bustle for a long hike in the countryside, as we both find being surrounded by nature incredibly therapeutic. I cherish our friendship because she is the one person who has witnessed my evolution from a shy teenager into the adult I am today. Having someone who holds the entire archive of my personal history—and loves me despite knowing all my quirks—is an irreplaceable anchor in my life.

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8 words

Useful vocabulary for this cue card

  • crossed paths

    happened to meet someone by chance

  • unruly

    difficult to control or keep in order

  • clamouring

    making a loud demand or protest

  • nuanced

    characterised by subtle shades of meaning

  • platitudes

    dull or unoriginal remarks used too often

  • go-to

    the most reliable or favourite option

  • hashing out

    discussing something in detail to reach agreement

  • anchor

    a person who provides stability and support

4 questions

Part 3 follow-up questions

  1. 1How have modern social media platforms changed the way people maintain long-term friendships?
  2. 2Do you think it is easier for children or adults to form deep, meaningful connections?
  3. 3To what extent should friends influence our major life decisions and personal values?
  4. 4Is it common for people in your country to have friends from different generations?

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 your best friend"?+

Jot down adjectives for appearance to ensure you have enough descriptive language ready.

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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