IELTS Speaking Part 2 cue card · Nature and society

Describe a rule or law you think should be changed

The full cue card, a one-minute plan for its prompts, a sample answer by Lingo Copilot and the vocabulary for this topic.

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Describe a rule or law you think should be changed.

You should say:

  • what the rule or law is
  • who it affects
  • why you disagree with it

and explain what changes you would suggest.

How to plan your answer in 1 minute

A minute is short. Spend it on keywords for each prompt, in the order of the card:

  1. 0:00–0:10

    Choose your answer

    Decide on a rule or law you think should be changed. Pick something real that you know well, so the details come easily when you speak.

  2. 0:10–0:20

    What the rule or law is

    Write two or three keywords, not sentences: a name, a place, a time or a detail you can expand on.

  3. 0:20–0:30

    Who it affects

    Write two or three keywords, not sentences: a name, a place, a time or a detail you can expand on.

  4. 0:30–0:40

    Why you disagree with it

    Write two or three keywords, not sentences: a name, a place, a time or a detail you can expand on.

  5. 0:40–0:55

    And explain what changes you would suggest

    Note one reason and one short example or story. This is the part you can keep developing until the examiner stops you at two minutes.

  6. 0:55–1:00

    Check the order

    Number your notes in the order of the prompts, then use them as a checklist while you talk.

Sample answer

Written for practice. Use it for ideas and phrasing rather than memorising it, then answer about your own experience.

Sample answer by Lingo Copilot · 254 words

I'm going to talk about a university library rule that I strongly disagree with — the ban on bringing any food or beverages, including water, into the study areas. While I understand the intention behind protecting books from damage, I believe this rule's unreasonably strict and actually harms student welfare. The library policy allows absolutely no food or drinks past the entrance. Students must leave their belongings at the entrance to have water or snacks, then return to the study areas. This means anyone studying for extended periods must either stay dehydrated or repeatedly break their concentration to leave for water breaks. What makes this rule particularly problematic is that students often spend six to eight hours in the library during exam periods, requiring sustained mental focus. Proper hydration is medically important for thinking clearly and overall health. Forcing students to choose between staying hydrated and maintaining study focus seems counterproductive for an educational institution. I've noticed that this strict rule ironically encourages rule-breaking. Students smuggle sealed water bottles into the library hidden in bags, creating an environment of unnecessary deception. If the library allowed sealed containers, they could maintain book protection while supporting student health and reducing dishonest behavior. Many modern libraries worldwide have updated their policies to balance preservation concerns with student needs — allowing sealed containers while banning open food items. This reasonable middle ground addresses legitimate concerns without imposing unnecessary hardship. The current inflexible approach puts books above the people who use them, which undermines a library's core educational purpose.

Another sample answer (2 of 3)

Sample answer by Lingo Copilot · 245 words

I want to describe a workplace rule I find unreasonable — the mandatory office attendance policy requiring all employees to work from the office five days a week, regardless of job requirements or individual circumstances. This inflexible rule ignores modern work realities and hurts employee wellbeing and productivity. The policy was brought in last year, reversing previous flexible arrangements that had worked well for years. Management justified the change by claiming in-person collaboration boosts productivity and company culture. However, this reasoning doesn't account for differences between roles — many positions require minimal collaboration and can be done equally well remotely. What makes this rule particularly frustrating is the proven success of remote work during recent years. Productivity numbers stayed stable or improved for most departments during remote work periods, clearly showing that physical office presence isn't needed for effective work. Yet the policy ignores this evidence, applying blanket requirements regardless of individual performance or job type. The daily commute requirement really affects quality of life. I spend about ninety minutes daily commuting — time that could be spent productively or on personal wellbeing. The commute costs add up financially, and the environmental impact of unnecessary travel conflicts with the company's stated sustainability commitments. I believe a more reasonable approach would be flexible policies based on role requirements and individual performance. Organizations that embrace flexibility will attract and retain better talent while those clinging to rigid traditional models will increasingly struggle to compete for skilled workers.

Another sample answer (3 of 3)

Sample answer by Lingo Copilot · 254 words

I'm going to discuss a local traffic regulation I find counterproductive — the blanket speed limit of 30 kilometers per hour on all residential streets, regardless of actual traffic conditions or road characteristics. While speed limits serve important safety purposes, this particular setup seems overly cautious and creates unintended problems. The regulation was introduced two years ago following a campaign by resident groups concerned about pedestrian safety, particularly for children. I completely support protecting pedestrians and reducing speeding in residential areas — these are legitimate, important goals. However, the approach lacks thought, applying identical limits to quiet side streets and busier residential roads without any difference. What makes this rule problematic is that it's widely ignored because drivers see it as unreasonably slow. On wide, straight residential roads with excellent visibility and minimal pedestrian traffic, 30 km/h feels randomly restrictive. As a result, most drivers exceed it, creating a culture of casual rule-breaking that could undermine respect for traffic laws generally. The rule also increases journey times unnecessarily, particularly for longer trips through multiple residential zones. What should be five-minute drives stretch to ten or fifteen minutes, increasing traffic congestion and vehicle emissions as more cars spend longer periods on the roads. I believe a more effective approach would be to tell apart different road types. Narrow streets near schools, parks, or areas with lots of pedestrian traffic should maintain strict low limits. The current one-size-fits-all approach weakens the rule's effectiveness by setting limits many see as unreasonable, reducing overall compliance with traffic regulations.

Useful vocabulary

outdatedadjective
No longer current or applicable to present circumstances or standards
enforceverb
To compel observance of or compliance with a law, rule, or obligation
reformnoun
The action or process of making changes to an institution or practice to improve it
regulationnoun
A rule or directive made and maintained by an authority to govern conduct
restrictionnoun
A limiting condition or measure placed on someone's actions or behaviour
bureaucraticadjective
Relating to an overly complicated administrative system with excessive procedures and rules
disproportionateadjective
Too large or too small in comparison with something else; lacking balance or fairness
draconianadjective
Excessively harsh or severe, especially regarding laws, rules, or punishments
loopholenoun
An ambiguity or inadequacy in a law or set of rules that can be exploited to avoid compliance
repealverb
To revoke or annul a law or act of parliament officially
promulgateverb
To make a law or regulation known by official proclamation or to promote widely
jurisprudencenoun
The theory or philosophy of law, or a system or body of law
enshrineverb
To preserve a right, tradition, or idea in a form that ensures it will be protected and respected
litigiousadjective
Prone to or characterised by excessive engagement in lawsuits or legal disputes
untenableadjective
Not able to be maintained or defended against attack or objection

Useful collocations

  • impose a penalty

    The current law imposes a penalty that is wildly disproportionate to the severity of the offence.

  • comply with regulations

    Small businesses struggle to comply with regulations that were designed with multinational corporations in mind.

  • uphold a principle

    The proposed reform seeks to uphold the principle of equal treatment under the law.

  • raise awareness

    Advocacy groups have been working tirelessly to raise awareness about the injustice perpetuated by this statute.

  • spark debate

    The minister's comments about repealing the policy sparked a heated debate in the national press.

  • legislative framework

    The existing legislative framework fails to accommodate the nuances of digital commerce.

  • systemic inequality

    This law perpetuates systemic inequality by disproportionately targeting marginalised communities.

  • regulatory burden

    The regulatory burden imposed on independent traders stifles entrepreneurship and discourages innovation.

  • judicial discretion

    Mandatory sentencing guidelines eliminate judicial discretion, often resulting in punishments that defy common sense.

  • sweeping reform

    What is required is not piecemeal adjustment but sweeping reform of the entire regulatory apparatus.

  • grey area

    The current regulation creates a grey area that causes confusion.

  • loophole in the law

    Companies exploit a loophole in the law to avoid paying proper taxes.

  • in dire need of

    The traffic regulations are in dire need of an update.

  • turn a blind eye

    The government turns a blind eye to the issue because it's politically sensitive.

  • red tape

    There's too much red tape involved in starting a small business.

Follow-up questions on this topic

Questions stored with this card in our question bank, to take the topic further:

  • Do you think all rules are necessary in society?
  • How should citizens participate in changing laws they disagree with?
  • Do you think rules are more strictly enforced now than in the past?

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