7 Tips To Master The IELTS Speaking Cue Card Questions 2020: A Guide to Better Band Score

The IELTS cue cards are an integral part of the IELTS speaking test module. This is the second of the three tasks that you have to complete while appearing for the test. These tests require a host of skills developed over time to be able to tackle them effectively, the least of which include being able to think on your feet.

When you are put under the spotlight in the speaking test of the IELTS exam a host of things can come to your rescue – preparation, confidence, breathing right, checking your body language and smiling can be used as shields or weapons when needed.

IELTS Cue Card

During the examination you will be given an IELTS cue card topic, it will consist of one main question and 3-4 questions that will guide you on how to answer the said question. There is no option to change the question that you are given and you will have a minute to prepare the answer.

You will be given a pen and paper to write down your thoughts. The examiner will ask you to stop, but until he does, you have to continue speaking in the IELTS exam.

Cue Card Sample Question

Here is a cue card sample question which can be used as an exercise to understand the type of questions that might appear during the IELTS speaking test. The sample question involves the activity and also the ways you can express the answer for the given question.

Sample Question

Talk about a new activity that you recently discovered.

Model Answer

What activity it is
Why you took part in it
How did you find out about it
And share your feelings about this experience

So how does one prepare for something that needs to be done impromptu? We can give some advice that can help you shine when the spotlight turns on you.

Things You Should Prepare for Before Your IELTS Exam

Practice Note Making within a Minute

The one minute you get before you start speaking is critical. You need to learn how to use this time. You can use the following technique to practice:

Underline important words in each cue in the IELTS cue card 2020
Write 2-3 keywords against the cue cards topic and each cue to build up that point.

Practice Speaking

Practice speaking for at least 3-4 minutes at length. If you can think this will be easy, then your mind is fooling you into believing that you are better than you really are. Practice speaking out loud on a topic for 4 minutes with a stopwatch and you will know how difficult it really is.

Record what you say to listen to your intonation and cohesiveness later. If your thoughts are scattered, your flow will be broken.

Speak in front of the Mirror

Practice speaking in front of the mirror to see what your body language conveys.

There’s a strong reason why the IELTS exam is not virtual yet and the reason, the examiner will not only listen to the words you say but also gauge your comfort with the language.

Everyone has a nervous twitch or sweaty palms or makes loud gulping sounds when nervous. If you are confident in your skills none of this will happen. You do not need to know everything but you have to be confident in whatever you do know. So, smile, breathe and speak as you mean it.

To know more IELTS Speaking Questions, click here