IELTS Speaking Part 2 Cue Cards: Describe a Holiday (20 Topics)

Quick Answer: The "describe a holiday" cue card is one of the most common in IELTS Speaking Part 2. You need to talk about a holiday you enjoyed or found memorable. Examiners look for fluency, vocabulary related to travel and experiences, and the ability to structure a 2-minute answer. This guide covers 20 popular holiday topics, with sample answers from Band 7 to 9, plus common mistakes and top tips.

Table of Contents

1. Understanding the "Describe a Holiday" Cue Card

2. 20 Holiday Cue Card Topics You Must Practise

3. How to Structure Your Answer

Band Score Comparison Table

1. Understanding the "Describe a Holiday" Cue Card

The "describe a holiday" cue card asks you to speak for 1-2 minutes about a specific holiday experience. You will receive a card with four bullet points to guide you. Typical bullet points include:

Where you went

Who you went with

What you did there

Why it was memorable

The examiner then asks one or two follow-up questions about holidays in general.

2. 20 Holiday Cue Card Topics You Must Practise

Here are the most common holiday-related cue cards. Practise all of them to be ready for any variation.

Topic	Bullet Points
Describe a holiday you enjoyed	Where, when, who with, why you enjoyed it
Describe a memorable holiday	Where, what you did, why it was unforgettable
Describe a holiday you took recently	Where, when, who with, what you did
Describe a holiday you would like to take	Where, why, who with, what you would do
Describe a holiday in your country	Where, when, who with, what you did
Describe a holiday abroad	Where, when, why you chose that place
Describe a holiday with your family	Where, who with, activities, why it was special
Describe a holiday with friends	Where, when, what you did, why it was fun
Describe a holiday that didn't go as planned	Where, what went wrong, how you handled it
Describe a holiday in nature	Where, what you saw, why you enjoyed it
Describe a beach holiday	Where, activities, why you liked it
Describe a city holiday	Where, what you visited, why it was interesting
Describe a holiday in a cold place	Where, activities, challenges
Describe a holiday in a hot place	Where, activities, what you liked
Describe a holiday for adventure	Where, what you did, why it was exciting
Describe a holiday for relaxation	Where, what you did to relax, why it was good
Describe a holiday you went on alone	Where, why alone, what you did, how you felt
Describe a holiday you went on with a group	Where, who with, activities, why it was good
Describe a holiday that involved a long journey	Where, how you travelled, challenges, highlights
Describe a holiday that changed your perspective	Where, what happened, how you changed

3. How to Structure Your Answer

A strong structure helps you speak fluently and cover all bullet points. Use this 4-part framework:

Part 1: Introduction (15-20 seconds) Set the scene. Name the holiday, when it happened, and a small detail to hook the examiner. Example: "One holiday that stands out in my memory is a trip to the mountains in northern Vietnam. I went there with my university friends two years ago, during the summer break." Part 2: Main Story (45-60 seconds) Describe the location, who you were with, and the main activities. Use descriptive language and specific details. Example: "We stayed in a small homestay surrounded by rice terraces. Every morning, we hiked through the misty hills, visited local villages, and tried traditional dishes like 'thang co' – a hearty stew. The best part was the evening bonfire where we sang and shared stories with the locals." Part 3: Why It Was Memorable (30-45 seconds) Explain why this holiday was special. Use emotional language and personal reflection. Example: "Honestly, this holiday was memorable because it was a break from the hustle and bustle of city life. The simplicity of the mountain lifestyle, the fresh air, and the genuine warmth of the locals made me realise how much we miss in our daily routines. I felt truly present and grateful." Part 4: Conclusion (15-20 seconds) Wrap up naturally. You can end with a feeling or a wish to return. Example: "I would definitely go back there. It’s a place that stays with you long after you leave."

Band Score Comparison Table

Band	What Examiner Wants
6	You can talk about the holiday with basic vocabulary. You use simple sentences and some pauses. The answer is relevant but lacks detail. You may rely on the bullet points too much.
7	You speak fluently with few pauses. You use a range of vocabulary (e.g., "breathtaking scenery," "once-in-a-lifetime experience"). You give specific examples and show some emotional depth. Your pronunciation is clear.
8	You speak smoothly with natural pauses. You use idiomatic phrases (e.g., "it was a breath of fresh air," "I was blown away by..."). You vary your sentence structures and use complex grammar correctly. Your answer is well-organised and engaging.
9	You speak effortlessly, as if telling a story to a friend. You use a wide range of vocabulary and idioms naturally. Your grammar is flawless, and you use a variety of structures. You add personal reflection and a clear narrative arc. Your pronunciation is native-like.

Sample Answers

Band 7: "I’d like to talk about a holiday I took to the beach last year. I went with my family to a place called Nha Trang, which is in the south of Vietnam. We stayed there for three days. The weather was very nice, and we swam every day. We also visited a famous pagoda. I enjoyed the seafood, especially the grilled fish. The holiday was nice because it was relaxing and I spent time with my family. I felt happy and refreshed." Band 8: "I’d like to describe a remarkable holiday I took two years ago to the ancient city of Hue in central Vietnam. I travelled there with a close friend, and we spent four days exploring the historical sites and immersing ourselves in the local culture. What made this trip truly unforgettable was the boat ride along the Perfume River at sunset. The sky turned shades of orange and pink, and we listened to traditional folk music. It was a moment of pure serenity. The holiday broadened my understanding of my own country’s history and left me with a deep sense of appreciation for our heritage." Band 9: "I’d love to tell you about a holiday that completely shifted my perspective on travel. It was a solo trip to the remote highlands of Sapa, in northern Vietnam. I went there about three years ago, during the autumn, when the rice terraces are a brilliant gold. I decided to go alone because I wanted to challenge myself and step out of my comfort zone. The experience was nothing short of transformative. I stayed with a local Hmong family, and every day I would hike through misty valleys, past waterfalls, and through villages where children greeted me with shy smiles. The highlight was an evening when the family invited me to join them in making traditional handicrafts. I felt a profound connection to a way of life that is so different from the urban grind I’m used to. That holiday taught me that the best travel isn’t about ticking off destinations, but about forging genuine human connections. It was truly a journey for the soul."

Common Mistakes

❌Talking too generally: "I went to the beach. It was nice." Be specific – mention the beach name, what you did, and how you felt.

❌Forgetting the structure: Jumping from one point to another without a clear flow. Use the 4-part framework.

❌Using only simple vocabulary: "Good," "nice," "fun." Instead, use "breathtaking," "exhilarating," "serene," "unforgettable."

❌Speaking too fast or too slow: Aim for a natural pace. Practise recording yourself.

❌Not answering the bullet points: Make sure you cover all four points on the cue card. If you miss one, you lose marks.

Top Tips

💡 Use the 1-minute preparation wisely. Write down keywords for each bullet point, not full sentences. This will help you remember your ideas without reading from notes.

💡 Add a personal story. The examiner wants to hear about your experience, not a generic description. A short anecdote makes your answer unique.

💡 Practise with a timer. Speak for exactly 2 minutes. Record yourself and listen back. Note areas where you pause or use filler words like "um" or "uh."

💡 Learn topic-specific vocabulary. For holidays, know words like "itinerary," "getaway," "off the beaten track," "cultural immersion," and "breathtaking scenery."

💡 Stay calm if you make a mistake. Correct yourself smoothly and continue. If you trip over a word, just say "I mean..." and move on. The examiner won't penalise a single error.

Resources

Check out IELTS Active for practice tests and study materials, including sample cue cards, audio recordings, and interactive exercises.

FAQ

Q: What if I haven't been on a holiday? A: You can invent a holiday. The examiner only cares about your language, not the truth. Just make it sound realistic and detailed. Q: How long should I speak? A: Aim for 1.5 to 2 minutes. If you stop before 1 minute, the examiner will ask you to continue. If you go over 2 minutes, they will stop you. Q: Can I use notes? A: Yes, you have 1 minute to make notes on the cue card. You can refer to them while speaking, but do not read them word for word. Q: What if I don't understand the bullet points? A: You can ask the examiner to explain one word. But try to guess the meaning from context. The bullet points are usually straightforward. Q: Should I use formal or informal language? A: Use a natural, conversational tone. IELTS Speaking is not an academic essay. You can use contractions (I've, I'm) and common idioms.

Key Takeaways

✅Master the 4-part structure: introduction, main story, why memorable, conclusion.

✅Practise 20 holiday topics to cover all possibilities.

✅Use specific vocabulary and personal anecdotes to score higher.

✅Avoid common mistakes like talking too generally or forgetting bullet points.

✅Record yourself and time your answers to improve fluency.

Related Posts:

IELTS Speaking Part 2: How to Plan Your Answer in 1 Minute

Top 50 Vocabulary Words for IELTS Speaking Holidays

IELTS Speaking Part 3: Common Questions About Travel