IELTS Speaking Part 2 Cue Cards: Describe a Skill (30 Topics)

Quick Answer: In IELTS Speaking Part 2, you may be asked to describe a skill you have, learned, or want to acquire. This guide covers 30 common "describe a skill" cue cards, with a proven structure, vocabulary boosters, and sample answers for bands 7–9. Use the tips and comparison table to understand what examiners expect at each level.

Table of Contents

What Are "Describe a Skill" Cue Cards?

30 Common Cue Card Topics on Skills

How to Structure Your Answer

Vocabulary for Describing Skills

Band Score Comparison Table

Sample Answers (Band 7, 8, 9)

What Are "Describe a Skill" Cue Cards?

In IELTS Speaking Part 2, you receive a cue card with a topic. You have 1 minute to prepare and then speak for 1–2 minutes. The instruction often asks you to describe a skill – something you have mastered, learned recently, or wish to learn. The examiner is not testing your expertise in the skill, but your ability to speak fluently, coherently, and with good vocabulary and grammar.

These cue cards appear frequently because they allow you to talk about personal experiences, which is a key part of the test.

30 Common Cue Card Topics on Skills

Here are 30 actual or likely cue card topics that ask you to describe a skill. They are grouped by type.

Skills You Have

Describe a skill you are good at.

Describe a practical skill you have (e.g., cooking, driving).

Describe a skill that you learned in childhood.

Describe a skill that helps you in your daily life.

Describe a communication skill you possess.

Skills You Learned

Describe a new skill you learned recently.

Describe a skill you learned at school/university.

Describe a skill you learned from a family member.

Describe a skill you learned by watching online videos.

Describe a skill that took you a long time to learn.

Skills You Want to Learn

Describe a skill you would like to learn in the future.

Describe a skill that would help your career.

Describe a creative skill you wish to acquire (e.g., painting, playing an instrument).

Describe a language skill you want to improve.

Describe a skill that is popular in your country but you haven’t learned yet.

Describe a professional skill you have.

Describe a skill that is important for your job.

Describe a skill that helps you study more effectively.

Describe a technical skill (e.g., coding, data analysis).

Describe a leadership skill you have observed in someone.

Soft Skills

Describe a teamwork skill you have.

Describe a problem-solving skill you once used.

Describe a skill you have for managing time.

Describe a skill for dealing with stress.

Describe an interpersonal skill that you value.

Unique Skills

Describe a skill that not many people have.

Describe a survival skill (e.g., swimming, first aid).

Describe a skill you developed during a hobby.

Describe a skill that requires patience.

Describe a skill that you would like to teach others.

You can adapt any of these to your own experience. The structure below works for all of them.

How to Structure Your Answer

A strong Part 2 answer follows a simple four-part framework:

Introduction – State the skill and why you chose it.

How you learned it – Describe the process, time, and people involved.

Why it is important to you – Explain its value in your life.

How you feel about it – Reflect on your progress or future goals.

Example outline:

"Today I’d like to talk about a skill that I’m quite proud of – cooking. I developed this skill about two years ago when I moved out of my parents’ house."

"I learned mainly through trial and error, watching YouTube tutorials, and following my grandmother’s recipes."

"This skill is important because it saves me money, keeps me healthy, and allows me to invite friends over for dinner."

"I feel confident now, but I still want to learn more complex dishes. It’s a never-ending journey."

Using this structure ensures you cover all bullet points on the cue card.

Vocabulary for Describing Skills

To score higher, use a range of precise vocabulary. Here are categories with examples:

Category	Words/Phrases
Learning	pick up, acquire, master, grasp, get the hang of, through practice
Difficulty	challenging, demanding, steep learning curve, obstacles
Progress	improve, hone, refine, develop, build on
Ability	proficient, competent, adept, skilled, accomplished
Importance	invaluable, indispensable, crucial, beneficial
Feelings	accomplished, proud, satisfied, motivated, passionate

Example in context:

"I found coding to be quite demanding at first – there was a steep learning curve. However, after months of practice, I gradually grasped the basics and became proficient in Python. Now I feel a sense of accomplishment every time I debug a program."

Use these words naturally – don’t force them.

Band Score Comparison Table

Band	What Examiner Wants
6	You can speak for 1–2 minutes with some hesitation. Vocabulary is basic (e.g., "I learned to cook"). Grammar has some errors but meaning is clear. Limited use of linking words.
7	You speak fluently with only occasional pauses. You use a mix of tenses and some idiomatic vocabulary (e.g., "I got the hang of it"). Ideas are well-organised with clear signposting (e.g., "First of all…").
8	You speak at a natural pace with rare hesitation. Your vocabulary is precise and flexible (e.g., "I honed my skills through deliberate practice"). Grammar is accurate with complex sentences. You give detailed reasons and examples.
9	Your speech is effortless and smooth. You use sophisticated vocabulary naturally (e.g., "I acquired this skill intuitively"). Grammar is flawless with a wide range of structures. Your answer is fully developed and engaging.

Sample Answers (Band 7, 8, 9)

Let's take the cue card: Describe a skill you learned recently.

Band 7 Answer

"Recently, I learned how to swim. I always wanted to learn, but I was afraid of water. Last summer, I finally joined a swimming class. The instructor was very patient. At first, I only did simple things like floating and kicking. It was hard, but after a few weeks, I could swim a few metres. Now I can swim across the pool without stopping. I feel very proud because I overcame my fear. This skill is useful for safety and exercise. I plan to learn more techniques like diving."

Why Band 7: Good fluency, clear structure, some vocabulary variety ("overcame my fear"), but some simple sentences and little idiomatic language.

Band 8 Answer

"I’d like to talk about a skill I developed relatively recently – public speaking. A few months ago, I started a new job that required me to present in front of clients. Initially, I was quite nervous and avoided opportunities to speak. However, I decided to join a speaking club and practice every week. I learned how to structure my talks, use confident body language, and engage the audience. The progress was gradual but tangible. Now I actually enjoy presenting, and my colleagues have noticed my improvement. This skill has become invaluable for my career growth and self-confidence. I believe I have become quite adept at it, though I continue to refine my technique."

Why Band 8: More advanced vocabulary ("tangible", "invaluable", "adept"), complex structures ("The progress was gradual but tangible"), and a reflective conclusion.

Band 9 Answer

"I’d like to share my experience of learning a skill that has profoundly changed my personal and professional life – data analysis using Python. I embarked on this journey about a year ago, driven by a need to make sense of large datasets in my marketing role. Initially, I faced a daunting learning curve – the syntax felt foreign and debugging was frustrating. Yet, I immersed myself in online courses, devoured textbooks, and spent countless late nights on projects. Over time, the fog lifted. I began to grasp not just the commands but the logical framework behind them. Now I can effortlessly manipulate data, create visualisations, and derive insights that inform strategic decisions. This skill has given me a sense of autonomy and creativity – I feel like a detective uncovering hidden stories. More importantly, it has opened doors to new responsibilities and collaborations. I plan to delve deeper into machine learning, as I find the field endlessly fascinating."

Why Band 9: Sophisticated vocabulary ("profoundly", "immersed", "daunting learning curve"), flawless grammar and sentence variety, rich personal reflection, and a logical flow that shows depth. The answer feels natural, not rehearsed.

Common Mistakes

❌Talking about a skill you don’t know well. You may run out of ideas. Choose a skill you actually know or can easily imagine.

❌Reading from your notes. You can glance at your preparation, but keep eye contact with the examiner.

❌Giving a general answer without personal details. For example, "Cooking is useful" – add why it matters to you.

❌Using the same vocabulary repeatedly. Vary words like "learn", "skill", "good" with synonyms.

❌Speaking too fast or too slow. Aim for a natural pace. Pauses for thinking are fine.

Top Tips

💡 Use the 1 minute preparation wisely. Jot down 3–4 key points (intro, learning, importance, feelings) and a few advanced words.

💡 Start with a direct sentence. "The skill I’d like to describe is…" – this saves time and shows confidence.

💡 Don’t memorise entire answers. Examiners can spot it. Instead, memorise structures and phrases, then adapt.

💡 Include a little story. A brief anecdote (e.g., "the day I first cooked a meal for my family") makes your answer memorable.

💡 Practice with a timer. Record yourself speaking for 2 minutes on a random skill topic.

Resources

Check out IELTS Active for practice tests, more cue card topics, and mock speaking sessions. You can also use IELTS Liz or IELTS Advantage for free model answers.

FAQ

Q: How many cue cards on skills should I prepare? A: You don’t need to prepare all 30 – just practice 5–7 different skills using the same structure. This builds flexibility. Q: Can I talk about a skill I don’t really have? A: Yes, but be careful. Inventing details may cause hesitation. It’s safer to talk about a real skill or modify a familiar one. Q: What if I run out of things to say before 2 minutes? A: Add more details: how you felt at different stages, what others said, how the skill changed you, or future plans. Q: How important is pronunciation for this part? A: Very important. Even if your vocabulary is strong, unclear pronunciation can lower your score. Practise saying key words aloud. Q: Should I use idioms in Part 2? A: Yes, if they fit naturally. For example: "I finally got the hang of it" or "It was a piece of cake after practice." Don’t overuse them.

Key Takeaways

✅The "describe a skill" cue card is common – prepare a flexible structure.

✅Use four parts: introduction, learning process, importance, and personal feelings.

✅Build vocabulary for describing skills and practice using it.

✅Aim for fluency and coherence over perfection; minor errors are okay at band 7.

✅Adapt sample answers to your own life – authenticity boosts confidence.

Related Posts:

IELTS Speaking Part 2: How to Organise Your Ideas in 1 Minute

Top 50 Idioms for IELTS Speaking (with Examples)

IELTS Speaking Part 1 vs Part 2 vs Part 3: Key Differences

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