IELTS Speaking Part 2 Cue Cards: Describe an Activity (50 Topics)

Quick Answer: IELTS Speaking Part 2 often asks you to describe an activity – a hobby, a past event, or a regular routine. This guide covers 50 common cue card topics, a proven structure for your answer, band-specific samples (7, 8, 9), and essential tips to score higher. Use the table of contents to jump to the section you need most.

Table of Contents

Why ‘Describe an Activity’ Appears So Often

The 4-Part Structure for Any Activity Cue Card

50 Cue Card Topics (Grouped by Theme)

Band Score Comparison Table

Sample Answers (Band 7, 8, 9)

Why ‘Describe an Activity’ Appears So Often

The IELTS Speaking test Part 2 requires you to speak for 1–2 minutes on a given topic. “Describe an activity” is a favourite among examiners because it tests your ability to:

Organise ideas around a simple, everyday topic

Use a range of vocabulary (nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs)

Show fluency without long pauses

Provide personal examples that demonstrate your experience

Whether it’s a hobby, a sport, a cultural event, or a work-related task, the core challenge is the same: tell a clear, engaging story.

The 4-Part Structure for Any Activity Cue Card

When you see a cue card like:

Describe an activity you enjoy doing in your free time. You should say:

- What the activity is

- When you do it

- Where you do it

- And explain why you enjoy it

Use this skeleton:

Introduction – State the activity and your relationship to it. (e.g., “I’d like to talk about painting, which I took up two years ago.”)

Details (when, where, with whom) – Give specific time, place, and people involved.

Describe the process or experience – Mention steps, feelings, or sensory details.

Explain why it matters – Talk about benefits, emotions, or personal growth.

Even if the cue card changes (“Describe a physical activity you do to keep fit” or “Describe a cultural activity you recently attended”), adapt the same four-part flow.

50 Cue Card Topics (Grouped by Theme)

Here are 50 real or typical “describe an activity” topics that appear in IELTS exams. Use them for practice – pick one, set a timer for 1 minute to prepare, then speak for 2 minutes.

Hobbies & Creative Activities

Painting or drawing

Playing a musical instrument

Photography

Writing a blog or journal

Cooking or baking

Gardening

Knitting or sewing

Learning a new language

Reading books

Watching movies or series

Sports & Physical Activities

Running or jogging

Swimming

Playing a team sport (football, basketball)

Cycling

Yoga or meditation

Hiking

Gym workout

Dancing

Skating

Martial arts

Attending a party or celebration

Playing board games with family

Going to a concert or festival

Volunteering at a charity

Joining a book club

Having a picnic with friends

Participating in a team project

Traveling with a group

Attending a wedding

Visiting a museum with friends

Cultural & Learning Activities

Visiting a historical site

Listening to podcasts

Attending a workshop or course

Reading the news

Watching documentaries

Exploring a new place alone

Learning to play chess

Attending a theatre performance

Trying a new cuisine

Doing a puzzle or sudoku

Work & Study Activities

Giving a presentation

Writing an essay or report

Organising your study schedule

Doing an internship project

Participating in a meeting

Solving a problem at work

Planning a trip

Managing a budget

Teaching someone a skill

Building a model or prototype

Tip: Many topics overlap. For example, “Hiking” can be both a physical activity and a social activity. Use your personal experience – the examiner doesn’t judge which activity you choose, only how well you talk about it.

Band Score Comparison Table

Band	What Examiner Wants
6	Limited vocabulary; mostly simple sentences; ideas are clear but not fully developed; some hesitation. You answer the question but lack detail and fluency.
7	Good range of vocabulary and some idiomatic language; uses linking words (however, moreover); speaks at a steady pace with only occasional pauses. You explain why you enjoy the activity with specific examples.
8	Wide vocabulary, natural use of collocations and idioms; complex sentence structures; fluent with very few hesitations. You include sensory details, personal feelings, and a clear structure.
9	Almost native-like fluency; precise, sophisticated vocabulary; perfect pronunciation and intonation; deep personal reflection on the activity’s value. You maintain interest and connect your answer to broader themes (e.g., health, culture).

Sample Answers (Band 7, 8, 9)

Topic: Describe a physical activity you do to keep fit. (e.g., swimming) Band 7: “I’d like to talk about swimming, which I do three times a week. I go to a local pool near my home, usually in the morning before work. The main reason I enjoy it is because it makes me feel relaxed and healthy. I started two years ago because I had back problems, and the doctor recommended it. Now I can swim about 40 laps without stopping. It’s a good full‑body exercise. I think everybody should try it.” Analysis: Clear, basic vocabulary, some detail (three times a week, 40 laps). Lacks variety in sentence structure. Meets criteria for Band 7. Band 8: “The activity I’d like to describe is swimming, which has become an essential part of my weekly routine. I visit a modern indoor swimming centre about three times a week, typically early in the morning. Swimming not only keeps me physically fit, but it also clears my mind before a busy day. For instance, after a stressful meeting, a quick swim helps me recharge. I particularly enjoy the feeling of gliding through the water, as it’s both meditative and energising. Over time, I’ve noticed significant improvements in my stamina and posture.” Analysis: Good range of vocabulary (“energising”, “meditative”, “recharge”), uses “not only… but also”, clear structure, gives a specific example (stressful meeting). Band 8. Band 9: “Swimming, for me, is far more than just a physical activity – it’s a form of therapy. I make it a point to swim at least three times a week at a pristine pool near my workplace, usually at dawn when the water is still and calm. The rhythmic stroke, the controlled breathing, and the quiet solitude are deeply restorative. Beyond the obvious cardiovascular benefits, it has taught me discipline and patience. For example, when I first started, I could barely complete a length, but gradually I learned to pace myself. Now I view each session as a micro‑cosm of life: you push forward, you rest, and you keep going. That insight alone has transformed how I handle challenges both in and out of the water.” Analysis: Sophisticated vocabulary (“pristine”, “restorative”, “micro‑cosm”), vivid descriptions, deep personal reflection, fluid and engaging. Band 9.

Common Mistakes

❌Memorising a script – Examiners spot rehearsed answers instantly. You lose fluency when you forget a line. Always speak naturally.

❌Talking too generally – Saying “I like running because it’s good for health” is too vague. Add specifics: distance, time of day, how you feel afterwards.

❌Ignoring the “explain why” part – Many candidates describe what, when, where but skip the most important point: why the activity matters to them.

❌Overusing one tense – If you talk about a past event, don’t stay in present tense. Mix past and present appropriately.

❌Going off topic – A cue card about “an activity you do with a friend” should focus on the activity and the friend’s role, not just describe the friend.

Top Tips

💡 Prepare a ‘bridge’ phrase – If you lose your train of thought, say something like “Let me think about that…” or “That reminds me of another aspect…” to buy time naturally.

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💡 Use the 1‑minute preparation wisely – Jot down 4–5 keywords, not full sentences. Structure them as: activity → when/where → how → why.

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💡 Include at least one idiom or collocation – For example, for “running”: “I hit the pavement every morning” (idiom) or “aerobic exercise” (collocation). Don’t force it, but aim for one natural use.

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💡 Vary your sentence starters – Instead of always starting with “I like…”, try “What I find fascinating about…” or “One thing I particularly enjoy is…”.

Resources

Check out IELTS Active for practice tests and study materials. They offer mock speaking sessions with feedback, which are invaluable for polishing your Part 2 performance.

FAQ

Q: What if I don’t know anything about the activity on the cue card? A: Choose an activity you do know, even if it’s not exact. For instance, if the card says “Describe a water sport you tried,” and you’ve only tried snorkelling once, speak about that. Lying is not recommended, but with limited knowledge, pick something close to your experience. Q: How long should my Part 2 answer be? A: Aim for 1 minute 30 seconds to 2 minutes. The examiner will stop you at 2 minutes. If you speak less than 1 minute, you lose marks. Q: Can I use the same activity for different cue cards? A: Yes, but adapt the focus. For example, “swimming” can answer “a healthy activity,” “an activity you do with family,” or “an activity you learned as a child.” Change the details to fit the question. Q: Should I memorise a list of vocabulary for each activity? A: No. Focus on learning collocations and phrases that can be reused (e.g., “release stress”, “a sense of achievement”, “get into the flow”). Then apply them flexibly. Q: Can I ask the examiner to repeat the cue card? A: No, you cannot ask for a repeat of the whole card. But if you don’t understand one word, you may ask for clarification – though it’s rare. Always read the card carefully during the 1‑minute preparation.

Key Takeaways

✅The 4‑part structure (introduction, details, process, explanation) works for any “describe an activity” cue card.

✅Practice with the 50 topics above to build confidence and flexibility.

✅Aim for Band 8/9 by adding specific examples, varied vocabulary, and personal reflection.

✅Avoid memorisation – focus on natural fluency and clear organisation.

✅Use the 1‑minute prep to write keywords only.

Related Posts:

IELTS Speaking Part 2: How to Keep Talking for 2 Minutes

Top 50 Idioms for IELTS Speaking

Common IELTS Speaking Topics and How to Prepare

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