The 30 Most Common IELTS Speaking Part 2 Topics (2026)

Complete list with example cue cards and tips for each category

If you’re preparing for IELTS Speaking Part 2, you’re probably wondering: what topics will I actually get?

Good news: Part 2 topics follow predictable patterns. While you can’t predict the exact question, you can prepare for the categories that appear again and again.

I analyzed recent IELTS exams and compiled the 30 most common topics for 2026, organized by category. For each one, I’ve included a sample cue card and quick tips.

How Part 2 Works (Quick Refresher)

You get a cue card with a topic and 3-4 bullet points
You have 1 minute to prepare
You speak for 1-2 minutes
The examiner may ask 1-2 follow-up questions

The key is not memorizing answers—it’s being comfortable with common topic types so nothing catches you off guard.

📂 Topic Categories at a Glance

Category	# of Topics	Frequency
👤 People	6	Very High
📍 Places	5	Very High
📦 Objects	5	High
🎉 Events & Experiences	6	Very High
🎯 Activities & Hobbies	4	High
💡 Abstract & Hypothetical	4	Medium

👤 People (6 Topics)

People topics appear in almost every exam. You’ll describe someone you know or someone who influenced you.

1. A Person Who Has Influenced You

Describe a person who has had a big influence on your life.

You should say:

who this person is

how you know them

what they have done to influence you

and explain why they have had such an influence on you.

💡 Tip: Choose someone specific—a teacher, family member, or mentor. Avoid generic answers about celebrities unless you have a genuine personal connection.

2. A Friend You’ve Known for a Long Time

Describe a friend you have known for a long time.

You should say:

how you met

how long you have known each other

what you do together

and explain why this friendship has lasted so long.

💡 Tip: Focus on one or two memorable stories rather than listing everything you’ve done together.

3. A Family Member You Spend Time With

Describe a family member you enjoy spending time with.

You should say:

who this person is

what you usually do together

what kind of person they are

and explain why you enjoy spending time with them.

💡 Tip: Be specific about activities. “We cook together every Sunday” is better than “We spend time together.”

4. A Person Who Is Good at Their Job

Describe someone you know who is very good at their job.

You should say:

who this person is

what their job is

how you know them

and explain why they are good at their job.

💡 Tip: Include specific examples of their skills or achievements, not just general praise.

5. A Person You Would Like to Meet

Describe a famous person you would like to meet.

You should say:

who this person is

what they are famous for

how you first learned about them

and explain why you would like to meet them.

💡 Tip: Prepare 2-3 specific questions you’d ask them. This makes your answer more concrete.

6. A Person Who Taught You Something

Describe a person who taught you a useful skill.

You should say:

who this person is

what skill they taught you

how they taught you

and explain how this skill has helped you.

💡 Tip: The skill doesn’t have to be academic—cooking, driving, or a sport all work well.

📍 Places (5 Topics)

Place topics require descriptive language. Practice using adjectives and sensory details.

7. A Place You Like to Visit

Describe a place you like to visit in your free time.

You should say:

where this place is

how often you go there

what you do there

and explain why you enjoy visiting this place.

💡 Tip: Describe the atmosphere—sounds, smells, how it makes you feel. Don’t just list facts.

8. A City You Would Like to Visit

Describe a city you have never been to but would like to visit.

You should say:

what city it is

where it is located

what you know about it

and explain why you would like to visit this city.

💡 Tip: Be honest if you haven’t researched deeply. “I’ve seen photos of…” or “I’ve heard that…” is perfectly fine.

9. A Place That Is Special to You

Describe a place that is special to you.

You should say:

where it is

what it looks like

when you first went there

and explain why it is special to you.

💡 Tip: Emotional connection matters more than the place itself. A simple park with childhood memories beats a famous landmark you visited once.

10. A Quiet Place You Like

Describe a quiet place you like to go to.

You should say:

where it is

how you found it

what you do there

and explain why you like this quiet place.

💡 Tip: Contrast it with noisy places to emphasize why the quiet matters to you.

11. A Place Where You Go to Relax

Describe a place you go to when you want to relax.

You should say:

where this place is

how often you go there

what you do to relax there

and explain why this place helps you relax.

💡 Tip: This could be the same as “quiet place” but focus on relaxation activities specifically.

📦 Objects (5 Topics)

Object topics are about things you own, use, or want. Be ready to describe physical appearance and personal significance.

12. Something You Own That Is Important to You

Describe something you own that is very important to you.

You should say:

what it is

how long you have had it

how you got it

and explain why it is important to you.

💡 Tip: Sentimental value often makes for better stories than expensive items.

13. A Gift You Received

Describe a gift you received that made you happy.

You should say:

what the gift was

who gave it to you

when you received it

and explain why it made you happy.

💡 Tip: Talk about the thought behind the gift, not just the gift itself.

14. A Piece of Technology You Use

Describe a piece of technology you use often.

You should say:

what it is

when you got it

how often you use it

and explain why it is useful to you.

💡 Tip: Go beyond “my phone”—be specific about which features you use and why.

15. Something You Would Like to Buy

Describe something expensive you would like to buy in the future.

You should say:

what it is

how much it costs

why you want it

and explain how you would feel if you bought it.

💡 Tip: Explain why you haven’t bought it yet—saving up, waiting for the right time, etc.

16. A Book or Movie You Enjoyed

Describe a book you read or a movie you watched that you enjoyed.

You should say:

what it was about

when you read/watched it

why you chose it

and explain why you enjoyed it.

💡 Tip: Don’t summarize the entire plot. Focus on one aspect that stood out and why.

🎉 Events & Experiences (6 Topics)

These topics ask about things that happened to you. Use past tense and tell a clear story.

17. A Happy Childhood Memory

Describe a happy memory from your childhood.

You should say:

what the memory is

when it happened

who was there

and explain why this memory makes you happy.

💡 Tip: Simple moments work best—a family trip, birthday party, or day with friends.

18. A Time You Helped Someone

Describe a time when you helped someone.

You should say:

who you helped

how you helped them

why they needed help

and explain how you felt about helping them.

💡 Tip: Small acts of kindness are fine. You don’t need a heroic story.

19. A Difficult Decision You Made

Describe a difficult decision you had to make.

You should say:

what the decision was

when you had to make it

what options you had

and explain why it was difficult.

💡 Tip: Talk about your thought process, not just the outcome.

20. An Event You Attended Recently

Describe an event you attended recently.

You should say:

what the event was

where it was held

who you went with

and explain how you felt about the event.

💡 Tip: Weddings, concerts, sports games, work events—anything counts as an “event.”

21. A Time You Were Surprised

Describe a time when you were pleasantly surprised.

You should say:

when it happened

where you were

what surprised you

and explain why it was a pleasant surprise.

💡 Tip: Build up to the surprise in your story—describe what you expected first.

22. A Time You Had to Wait for Something

Describe a time when you had to wait for something.

You should say:

what you were waiting for

how long you waited

what you did while waiting

and explain how you felt about waiting.

💡 Tip: Waiting for exam results, a job offer, or a package delivery all work well.

🎯 Activities & Hobbies (4 Topics)

These topics focus on things you do regularly. Show enthusiasm and specific details.

23. A Hobby You Enjoy

Describe a hobby you enjoy doing in your free time.

You should say:

what the hobby is

when you started doing it

how often you do it

and explain why you enjoy this hobby.

💡 Tip: Explain what specifically you enjoy about it—the challenge, relaxation, social aspect, etc.

24. A Sport or Exercise You Do

Describe a sport or physical activity you enjoy.

You should say:

what sport or activity it is

when you started

how often you do it

and explain why you enjoy it.

💡 Tip: Even walking or yoga count. You don’t need to be an athlete.

25. Something New You Learned Recently

Describe something new you learned recently.

You should say:

what you learned

how you learned it

how long it took

and explain how you felt about learning this new thing.

💡 Tip: Learning from YouTube, apps, or self-study is totally valid.

26. An Activity You Do to Stay Healthy

Describe an activity you do to stay healthy.

You should say:

what the activity is

how often you do it

where you do it

and explain how it helps you stay healthy.

💡 Tip: Mental health activities (meditation, walks) are just as valid as gym workouts.

💡 Abstract & Hypothetical (4 Topics)

These are trickier—they ask about goals, changes, or imaginary situations.

27. A Goal You Want to Achieve

Describe a goal you hope to achieve in the future.

You should say:

what the goal is

when you want to achieve it

what steps you are taking

and explain why this goal is important to you.

💡 Tip: Be specific about your plan. “I want to be successful” is vague. “I want to pass IELTS and move to Australia” is concrete.

28. A Change You Would Like to Make

Describe a change you would like to make in your life.

You should say:

what change you want to make

why you want to make it

how you plan to make it

and explain how this change would affect your life.

💡 Tip: Be honest about obstacles. It makes your answer more realistic and relatable.

29. Something You Would Do If You Had More Time

Describe something you would do if you had more free time.

You should say:

what you would do

why you would do it

how much time you would need

and explain why you don’t have time for it now.

💡 Tip: Use conditional language naturally—”If I had time, I would…” / “I wish I could…”

30. An Ambition You Have Had Since Childhood

Describe an ambition you have had since you were young.

You should say:

what the ambition is

when you first had this ambition

what you have done to work toward it

and explain whether you still have this ambition.

💡 Tip: It’s okay if your ambition changed. Explaining why shows self-awareness.

🎯 How to Practice These Topics

Now that you know the 30 most common topics, here’s how to prepare:

Step 1: Categorize, Don’t Memorize

Notice how many topics overlap:

“A friend” and “A person who influenced you” → same person, different angle
“A quiet place” and “A place to relax” → same place, different focus
“A hobby” and “Something new you learned” → could be the same activity

Prepare 5-6 strong stories that can adapt to multiple topics.

Step 2: Practice the 1-Minute Prep

For each topic:

Set a timer for 1 minute
Jot down bullet points (not full sentences)
Speak for 2 minutes

This is exactly what happens in the real exam. Practice the time pressure.

Step 3: Record Yourself

You can’t improve what you can’t hear. Recording reveals:

Filler words (um, uh, you know)
Grammar mistakes
Pronunciation issues
Awkward pauses

Step 4: Get Feedback

The hardest part of Speaking practice is knowing if you’re improving.

Options:

Free: Ask a friend to listen
Paid: Book a tutor session
Tech: Use an app with pronunciation analysis

Practice With Real Feedback

Knowing the topics is step one. Practicing with feedback is what actually raises your score.

Lingo Copilot Speaking lets you:

Practice all 30 topics with AI-powered feedback
Get word-by-word pronunciation scores
See estimated band scores for fluency, grammar, and vocabulary
Track your improvement over time

The free evaluation takes 15 minutes and shows you exactly where to focus.

Take the Free Speaking Evaluation →

Quick Reference: All 30 Topics

#	Topic	Category
1	A person who has influenced you	People
2	A friend you’ve known for a long time	People
3	A family member you spend time with	People
4	A person who is good at their job	People
5	A person you would like to meet	People
6	A person who taught you something	People
7	A place you like to visit	Places
8	A city you would like to visit	Places
9	A place that is special to you	Places
10	A quiet place you like	Places
11	A place where you go to relax	Places
12	Something you own that is important	Objects
13	A gift you received	Objects
14	A piece of technology you use	Objects
15	Something you would like to buy	Objects
16	A book or movie you enjoyed	Objects
17	A happy childhood memory	Events
18	A time you helped someone	Events
19	A difficult decision you made	Events
20	An event you attended recently	Events
21	A time you were surprised	Events
22	A time you had to wait	Events
23	A hobby you enjoy	Activities
24	A sport or exercise you do	Activities
25	Something new you learned	Activities
26	An activity to stay healthy	Activities
27	A goal you want to achieve	Abstract
28	A change you would like to make	Abstract
29	Something you’d do with more time	Abstract
30	An ambition since childhood	Abstract

Final Tip

You won’t get all 30 topics. You’ll get one.

But by preparing for these categories, you’ll walk into Part 2 confident that nothing will surprise you.

Good luck with your exam.

Start Practicing These Topics Now →