Cómo funciona la Part 2: el examinador te da una tarjeta. Tienes un minuto para prepararte y tomar notas, y luego hablas hasta dos minutos sin interrupciones. El examinador no reacciona ni te anima: es lo normal y no significa que te esté yendo mal.
Las 45 tarjetas siguientes tienen la misma estructura que en el examen real: un tema y cuatro puntos, el último de los cuales casi siempre te pide explicar por qué. Están agrupadas en 7 temas, porque es la forma más eficiente de prepararse: una historia que preparas para una tarjeta sobre una "persona" sirve también para la mayoría de las demás tarjetas de personas. Debajo de cada tarjeta encontrarás las preguntas de debate de la Part 3 que surgen de ese tema.
→ Generador de cue cards de IELTS con temporizador
Cómo llenar los dos minutos
El error más común es repasar los cuatro puntos a toda prisa y terminar en cuarenta segundos. La tarjeta es un marco, no una lista de control. Cuenta una sola historia, dedica unos treinta segundos a cada punto y añade un detalle concreto a cada uno.
- Escribe palabras clave, no frases, en el minuto de preparación. Las frases escritas acaban leídas en voz alta, y leer te resta puntos de fluidez.
- Nunca te saltes el último punto. En "explain why" están los puntos: pide una opinión y una razón.
- Termina la frase si se acaba el tiempo. Que te detengan está previsto; no es un fallo.
Cue cards sobre personas (6)
1. Describe a person who has influenced you
Debes mencionar:
- who this person is
- how you know them
- what they have done
- and explain why they influenced you
- What qualities make someone a good role model?
- Do you think celebrities influence young people too much?
- How has the idea of a role model changed over generations?
- Should schools teach students about historical role models?
2. Describe an older person you admire
Debes mencionar:
- who this person is
- how you know them
- what they are like
- and explain why you admire them
- What can young people learn from older generations?
- Are older people respected enough in your country?
- Should people be encouraged to work past retirement age?
- How has the role of grandparents changed?
3. Describe a friend you have known for a long time
Debes mencionar:
- who the friend is
- how you met
- what you do together
- and explain why the friendship has lasted
- Is it easier to make friends as a child or as an adult?
- Can online friendships be as strong as real-life ones?
- Why do some friendships end?
- Do people have fewer close friends than in the past?
4. Describe a teacher who helped you
Debes mencionar:
- who the teacher was
- what subject they taught
- how they helped you
- and explain why you still remember them
- What makes a good teacher?
- Should teachers be paid more?
- Will technology ever replace teachers?
- Is it better for students to have strict or relaxed teachers?
5. Describe a person who is very good at their job
Debes mencionar:
- who the person is
- what their job is
- how you know about their work
- and explain why you think they are good at it
- Is talent or hard work more important in a career?
- Should people be paid according to how well they do their job?
- Why do some people stay in the same job for their whole life?
- How can employers keep their best workers?
6. Describe a person you know who speaks a foreign language well
Debes mencionar:
- who the person is
- which language they speak
- how they learned it
- and explain why they speak it so well
- At what age should children start learning a foreign language?
- Is it necessary to live abroad to speak a language well?
- Will translation apps make language learning unnecessary?
- Why is English so widely spoken?
Cue cards sobre lugares (7)
7. Describe a place where you like to relax
Debes mencionar:
- where it is
- how often you go there
- what you do there
- and explain why it helps you relax
- Why do people find it difficult to relax these days?
- Are cities designed well for relaxation?
- How important are public parks?
- Do you think working hours should be shorter?
8. Describe a city you would like to visit
Debes mencionar:
- which city it is
- how you heard about it
- what you would do there
- and explain why you want to go
- What makes a city a good place to live?
- Should governments limit tourism in popular cities?
- How will cities change in the next fifty years?
- Is urbanisation good for a country?
9. Describe a natural place you have visited
Debes mencionar:
- where it is
- when you went
- what you saw there
- and explain why you remember it
- How can countries protect natural areas?
- Is economic growth compatible with protecting nature?
- Should there be limits on visitors to natural sites?
- Do children today spend enough time outdoors?
10. Describe a building you find interesting
Debes mencionar:
- where it is
- what it looks like
- what it is used for
- and explain why you find it interesting
- Should new buildings match the style of old ones?
- Who should decide what a city looks like?
- Are modern buildings less attractive than old ones?
- How important is it to preserve historic architecture?
11. Describe a place in your town or city that has changed
Debes mencionar:
- where it is
- what it was like before
- how it has changed
- and explain why you like or dislike the change
- What are the main causes of change in cities?
- Should local people have a say in development projects?
- Is it better to live in the city centre or the suburbs?
- How can cities grow without losing their character?
12. Describe a café or restaurant you often go to
Debes mencionar:
- where it is
- what it serves
- who you go there with
- and explain why you keep going back
- Why do people eat out more than in the past?
- Are cafés important places for a community?
- Should restaurants be required to show calorie information?
- How has food delivery changed eating habits?
13. Describe a crowded place you have been to
Debes mencionar:
- where it was
- when you went there
- why it was crowded
- and explain why you did or did not enjoy it
- Why do some people enjoy crowded places?
- How can cities reduce overcrowding?
- Is public transport the answer to traffic problems?
- Will people live in more crowded cities in the future?
Cue cards sobre objetos (5)
14. Describe an old object your family has kept
Debes mencionar:
- what it is
- how long the family has had it
- who it belonged to
- and explain why it is kept
- Why do people keep old things?
- Should governments protect historical buildings?
- Is it important for young people to learn about the past?
- Do museums still matter in the digital age?
15. Describe something expensive you bought
Debes mencionar:
- what it was
- when you bought it
- how you paid for it
- and explain why you decided to buy it
- Do people spend money more carelessly than in the past?
- Should children be taught how to manage money?
- Is advertising too persuasive?
- Does owning more things make people happier?
16. Describe a gift you gave to someone
Debes mencionar:
- what the gift was
- who you gave it to
- how you chose it
- and explain why you chose that gift
- Is it better to give money or a gift?
- Why do people spend so much on gifts at festivals?
- Do expensive gifts mean more than cheap ones?
- How has online shopping changed gift giving?
17. Describe a photograph you like
Debes mencionar:
- what is in the photo
- who took it
- where you keep it
- and explain why it is special to you
- Why do people take so many photos nowadays?
- Are printed photos still important?
- Should people be allowed to take photos of strangers?
- Do photos help us remember or make us forget?
18. Describe something you would like to own in the future
Debes mencionar:
- what it is
- how much it costs
- what you would do with it
- and explain why you want it
- Why do people want things they do not need?
- Is it better to rent or to own things?
- How does advertising create desire?
- Are young people more materialistic than older people?
Cue cards sobre experiencias y acontecimientos (12)
19. Describe a journey you remember well
Debes mencionar:
- where you went
- who you travelled with
- what happened during the journey
- and explain why you remember it
- Why do people enjoy travelling to other countries?
- How has tourism changed your country?
- Is air travel too cheap given its environmental cost?
- Will virtual reality ever replace real travel?
20. Describe an important decision you made
Debes mencionar:
- what the decision was
- when you made it
- who helped you
- and explain why it was important
- Do people make better decisions alone or in groups?
- Should young people make their own career decisions?
- How do you think emotions affect decision-making?
- Is having too many choices a problem?
21. Describe a time someone helped you
Debes mencionar:
- who helped you
- what the situation was
- what they did
- and explain why their help mattered
- Are people in your country willing to help strangers?
- Should schools require students to do volunteer work?
- Is it the government or individuals who should help those in need?
- Has city life made people less helpful?
22. Describe a goal you achieved
Debes mencionar:
- what the goal was
- how long it took
- what you had to do
- and explain why you are proud of it
- Why do some people give up on their goals?
- Is success mostly about hard work or luck?
- How do you think society defines success?
- Should children be taught to set goals?
23. Describe a time when you were very busy
Debes mencionar:
- when it was
- what you had to do
- how you managed
- and explain why it was a busy period
- Why do people feel busier than in the past?
- How can people manage their time better?
- Should companies allow flexible working hours?
- Is being busy a sign of success?
24. Describe an interesting conversation you had
Debes mencionar:
- who you talked to
- where it happened
- what you talked about
- and explain why it was interesting
- Are people losing the ability to have deep conversations?
- How has messaging changed communication?
- Should schools teach communication skills?
- Is it harder to disagree politely these days?
25. Describe a change that improved your life
Debes mencionar:
- what the change was
- when it happened
- how it affected you
- and explain why it was an improvement
- Why do people find change difficult?
- Are large life changes better made when young?
- How do societies adapt to rapid change?
- Should governments help people whose jobs disappear?
26. Describe a time you were late for something important
Debes mencionar:
- what the event was
- why you were late
- what happened as a result
- and explain why you remember it
- Is punctuality equally important in all cultures?
- Should employees be punished for being late?
- Why do some people always arrive late?
- Has technology made people more or less punctual?
27. Describe a celebration you enjoyed
Debes mencionar:
- what was celebrated
- where it took place
- who was there
- and explain why you enjoyed it
- Why are traditional celebrations important?
- Have festivals become too commercial?
- Do young people care about traditions as much as older people?
- Should public holidays be based on religious or national events?
28. Describe a time you changed your mind about something
Debes mencionar:
- what you changed your mind about
- what you thought before
- what made you change
- and explain why it was the right decision
- Is changing your mind a sign of weakness or strength?
- Why do people find it hard to accept new ideas?
- Can social media change people's opinions?
- Should politicians be criticised for changing their views?
29. Describe a piece of good advice you received
Debes mencionar:
- what the advice was
- who gave it to you
- whether you followed it
- and explain why it was good advice
- Who do young people usually ask for advice?
- Is advice from professionals better than advice from friends?
- Why do people sometimes ignore good advice?
- Should people trust advice they find online?
30. Describe a time you taught someone something
Debes mencionar:
- who you taught
- what you taught them
- how you did it
- and explain why it was or was not successful
- What skills should parents teach their children?
- Is it easier to learn from a friend or a professional?
- Should older people learn new technology from younger people?
- What makes something easy or hard to teach?
Cue cards sobre actividades y hábitos (6)
31. Describe a skill you learned as an adult
Debes mencionar:
- what the skill is
- how you learned it
- how difficult it was
- and explain why you wanted to learn it
- Is it harder to learn new things as you get older?
- Should employers pay for staff training?
- Which skills will be most valuable in the future?
- Do you think online learning is as effective as classroom learning?
32. Describe a meal you enjoyed
Debes mencionar:
- what the meal was
- where you ate it
- who you were with
- and explain why you enjoyed it
- How have eating habits changed in your country?
- Is fast food a serious problem?
- Should schools teach cooking?
- Do family meals still bring people together?
33. Describe a sport you enjoy watching or playing
Debes mencionar:
- what the sport is
- when you started
- how often you watch or play it
- and explain why you enjoy it
- Why are some sports more popular than others?
- Are professional athletes paid too much?
- Should schools make sport compulsory?
- Do big sporting events benefit the host country?
34. Describe an outdoor activity you did for the first time
Debes mencionar:
- what the activity was
- where you did it
- who you did it with
- and explain why you would or would not do it again
- Why do many people prefer indoor activities today?
- Should dangerous outdoor sports be banned?
- How can parents encourage children to go outside?
- Does the weather affect how active people are?
35. Describe a hobby you would like to take up
Debes mencionar:
- what the hobby is
- how you learned about it
- what you would need to start
- and explain why it interests you
- Why is it important to have hobbies?
- Do people have less free time than in the past?
- Should hobbies be turned into a way of earning money?
- Are expensive hobbies only for the rich?
36. Describe a healthy habit you have
Debes mencionar:
- what the habit is
- when you started it
- how it affects your day
- and explain why you keep it up
- Why do people find it hard to change unhealthy habits?
- Should governments tax unhealthy food?
- Is health mainly a personal or a public responsibility?
- How has technology affected people's health?
Cue cards sobre medios y tecnología (5)
37. Describe a website or app you find useful
Debes mencionar:
- what it is
- how often you use it
- what you use it for
- and explain why you find it useful
- How has the internet changed the way people find information?
- Should there be more regulation of social media?
- Do you think people trust online information too easily?
- What are the risks of relying on apps for everyday tasks?
38. Describe a book or film that made an impression on you
Debes mencionar:
- what it was about
- when you read or watched it
- what happened in it
- and explain why it made an impression
- Do people read less than they used to?
- Can films teach us as much as books?
- Should governments fund the arts?
- How does storytelling shape a culture?
39. Describe a piece of news you found interesting
Debes mencionar:
- what the news was about
- where you heard it
- who you discussed it with
- and explain why it interested you
- How do people usually get news in your country?
- Is traditional journalism still important?
- Should news be free for everyone?
- How can people tell real news from fake news?
40. Describe an advertisement you remember
Debes mencionar:
- what it advertised
- where you saw it
- what happened in it
- and explain why you remember it
- Should advertising aimed at children be banned?
- Do people trust adverts less than before?
- How has online advertising changed shopping?
- Is advertising a form of art?
41. Describe a song or piece of music that is special to you
Debes mencionar:
- what it is
- when you first heard it
- how it makes you feel
- and explain why it is special to you
- Why do different generations like different music?
- Should music be a compulsory school subject?
- Can music bring people from different cultures together?
- Has streaming changed the value of music?
Cue cards sobre estudios y trabajo (4)
42. Describe a time you worked with a team
Debes mencionar:
- what the task was
- who was in the team
- what your role was
- and explain why the experience was useful
- What makes a team work well together?
- Are some tasks better done alone?
- Should schools grade group work?
- How has remote work changed teamwork?
43. Describe a job you would like to do
Debes mencionar:
- what the job is
- what it involves
- what skills it needs
- and explain why it appeals to you
- Which jobs are most respected in your country?
- Should salary be the main reason for choosing a job?
- How will automation change employment?
- Is job security still realistic?
44. Describe a subject you enjoyed at school
Debes mencionar:
- what the subject was
- who taught it
- what you learned
- and explain why you enjoyed it
- Which school subjects are most useful in adult life?
- Should students choose their own subjects from an early age?
- Are practical subjects as important as academic ones?
- How should schools prepare students for work?
45. Describe your first day at a new school or job
Debes mencionar:
- where it was
- what you did that day
- who you met
- and explain why you remember it
- Why are first days often stressful?
- How can companies help new employees settle in?
- Is it good for people to change jobs often?
- What makes a workplace friendly?
Respuestas modelo: cómo suenan dos buenos minutos
Estas cuatro respuestas están escritas como habla de verdad un candidato de Band 7–8: una sola historia, conectores naturales, alguna autocorrección y ninguna palabra rara solo por lucirse. Cada una tiene unas 270 palabras, más o menos dos minutos a un ritmo tranquilo. Léelas para ver la estructura, no para memorizarlas: los examinadores están entrenados para detectar respuestas aprendidas de memoria.
Describe a person who has influenced you
Respuesta modeloI'd like to talk about my uncle, who ran a small bakery in the town where I grew up. I've known him my whole life, obviously, but I only really got to know him when I was about sixteen, because that summer my parents sent me to work for him — partly, I suspect, to keep me away from my phone.
What he did, day after day, was get up at four in the morning and bake bread for the whole neighbourhood. That sounds simple, but watching him up close, I realised how much thought went into it. He'd adjust the recipe depending on the humidity, he knew which customers were struggling financially and quietly gave them a bit extra, and he never once complained about the hours — at least not in front of me.
As for why he influenced me, I think it comes down to one habit: he treated small tasks as if they mattered. If a loaf came out slightly wrong, he didn't sell it, even though most people wouldn't have noticed. At the time I found that a bit excessive, to be honest. But years later, when I started my first proper job, I caught myself doing the same thing — rewriting a report nobody had asked me to rewrite, because I knew it could be better.
So it wasn't anything he said, really. He wasn't someone who gave speeches or advice. It was more that I saw, every single morning, what it looks like when someone takes pride in their work, and that's stayed with me far longer than anything I learned at school that year.
Cubre todos los puntos, pero la respuesta se construye sobre una sola historia y no sobre cuatro respuestas sueltas. El último punto recibe más tiempo y un ejemplo concreto (el informe), que es justo lo que pide "explain why".
Describe a skill you learned as an adult
Respuesta modeloThe skill I want to talk about is swimming, which might sound surprising, because most people learn it as children. I didn't — I grew up a long way from the sea and there was no pool anywhere near our school — so I finally learned when I was twenty-six.
I learned it the old-fashioned way, with a coach at a public pool, twice a week for about four months. The first few lessons were honestly a bit humiliating. I was in the shallow end next to a group of seven-year-olds who were clearly better than me, and they weren't shy about pointing that out.
In terms of difficulty, the physical side wasn't really the problem. The hard part was mental. As an adult you're much more aware of the risk, so every time my face went under the water, my body just panicked. My coach's approach was to forget about technique for a while and simply get me comfortable floating, and that turned out to be the key.
The reason I wanted to learn in the first place was a holiday with friends. They all jumped off a boat into the sea and I stayed on deck, pretending I was happy to watch. I wasn't. I felt I was missing out on something basic, and I promised myself that next time I'd be in the water with them.
And I was, the following summer. It's probably the only New Year's resolution I've ever actually kept.
La respuesta reconoce una dificultad y la explica (no física, sino mental): ahí es donde se nota la variedad de vocabulario. Los marcadores de tiempo claros ("the first few lessons", "the following summer") evitan que quien escucha se pierda.
Describe a place where you like to relax
Respuesta modeloThe place I go to when I need to switch off is a small public library about ten minutes' walk from my flat. It isn't a famous or beautiful building — it's a fairly ordinary concrete block from the seventies — but the reading room on the top floor has big windows that look out over a row of old plane trees.
I go there once or twice a week, usually on a weekday evening after work, when it's almost empty. At weekends it fills up with students revising for exams, which is a completely different atmosphere.
What do I do there? Not much, and that's rather the point. Sometimes I read, sometimes I flick through magazines I'd never actually buy, and occasionally I bring my laptop — although I try not to, because as soon as I open it I start checking emails and the whole effect disappears.
I think the reason it helps me relax is that it's one of the few places left where nobody expects anything from you. At home there's always something to clean or fix; in a café you feel you ought to order another coffee if you stay too long. In the library you can sit for two hours and nobody minds. There's also a kind of shared quiet — everyone around you is being quiet on purpose — and oddly enough I find that more calming than being alone in silence.
So it's not glamorous, but if I had to choose the one place in the city I'd miss most, it would probably be that room.
En lugar de enumerar adjetivos como "peaceful" o "quiet", la respuesta compara la biblioteca con la casa y con un café para mostrar por qué relaja. Comparar es una de las formas más fáciles de desarrollar una idea.
Describe a website or app you find useful
Respuesta modeloI'm going to talk about a map app — the one that comes pre-installed on most phones. It's not exactly exciting, I know, but if I'm honest it's the app I'd struggle most to live without.
I use it pretty much every day, often without really thinking about it. Obviously I use it for directions when I'm going somewhere new, but it's become more than that. I check it before I leave home to see how bad the traffic is, I use it to find out whether a shop is still open, and when I travel I save the places I want to visit so I can see them all on one map.
What I mainly use it for, though, is public transport. The city I live in has a fairly complicated bus network, and before this app I genuinely didn't understand it. Now it tells me which bus to take, where to change and roughly when it'll arrive, which means I've stopped taking taxis almost completely. That's saved me a surprising amount of money over the last couple of years.
The reason I find it so useful is that it removes a certain kind of anxiety. I used to plan journeys really carefully and still worry about getting lost. Now I just go. The flip side, I suppose, is that I've got worse at remembering routes myself — if my battery died in a part of town I didn't know, I'd probably be in trouble. But on balance, I'd say it's made my everyday life noticeably easier.
Una aplicación corriente se vuelve interesante gracias a usos concretos. "The flip side, I suppose" añade una visión equilibrada que nadie ha pedido, y los examinadores premian esa flexibilidad. No hay vocabulario raro: la nota viene de la precisión, no de las palabras difíciles.
Por qué la Part 3 es diferente
La Part 2 es personal: hablas de tu propia vida. La Part 3 es abstracta: el examinador pregunta por la dimensión social del mismo tema. Después de una tarjeta sobre "una persona que te ha influido", se debate qué hace a alguien un buen modelo a seguir. Aquí el examinador te presiona y te pide que defiendas tu opinión. Discrepar está permitido y no te quita puntos, siempre que des razones.
Para la lista completa de preguntas de la Part 1, consulta el banco de preguntas de Part 1. Para convertir tus notas por destreza en una nota global, usa la calculadora de band score de IELTS, y para el examen completo y su puntuación, lee la guía de IELTS Speaking.
¿Quieres probarlo en condiciones de examen? Haz el simulacro gratis de IELTS Speaking con un examinador de IA: Partes 1-3, una cue card y una band estimada en los cuatro criterios.
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