As you are aware, you have 1 minute to prepare for the cue card in the IELTS Speaking test Part 2. This article aims to address any doubts you may have about utilizing this time effectively for effective speaking.

The cue card section is often considered the most intimidating part of the IELTS Speaking test since it requires speaking at length on a given topic. Students often wonder what to do during the 1 minute preparation time. In such situations, having a pre-planned strategy can be extremely helpful.

Strategy:

Use the 1 minute wisely to quickly brainstorm ideas related to the given topic. Write down relevant keywords that come to mind. This is an opportunity to think about the content you want to speak about and improve your response. By utilizing this 1-minute strategy, you will be able to speak better and for a longer duration.

Let’s take an example to demonstrate how to implement the 1-minute strategy:

Imagine the examiner gives you the following cue card along with a pen and paper:

Describe a party you attended and enjoyed.

Now, without wasting time, start writing keywords as follows:

– Birthday party, youngest brother

– Grand Hotel, New Delhi, last year

– Family members, close relatives, friends, colleagues

– Dancing, playing, singing, gossiping, eating delicious dishes

– Fun, relief from stress, amazing, memorable

Once the 1 minute is over (by this time, all the keywords will be imprinted in your mind), begin speaking on the topic using these keywords:

“I have attended many parties in my life, but the one I would like to talk about is the party that was held last year. It was my youngest brother’s birthday party, and we celebrated it at the Grand Hotel in New Delhi. We invited our family members, close relatives, as well as friends and colleagues of my father.

The party started when everyone gathered in the main hall. People were greeting each other while enjoying cold drinks. Around 11 am, we gathered around the cake stand, and my youngest brother, being at the center, cut the cake. Everyone clapped and congratulated him, showering him with best wishes for his future life. He received some wonderful gifts from everyone. We all enjoyed delicious snacks and tea while engaging in lively conversations.

In the afternoon, a lavish lunch was organized, offering a wide variety of dishes, including fast foods like pizza and burgers, as well as traditional rice and curry. Mouth-watering sweets and ice-creams were also served, which I particularly loved. After lunch, exciting games were organized, primarily for kids, but even the parents enthusiastically participated.

Towards the end, Bollywood songs played, and people danced to the beats. Some were singing along, while others watched and enjoyed the dance floor. It was an immensely enjoyable experience, and it provided a much-needed relief from my hectic schedule and stressful life. Overall, it was an amazing party that left me feeling extremely happy. It remains one of the most memorable parties I have attended in my life.”

In addition to the points you plan to speak about, mind-mapping is also an effective way to remember what to say and how to say it. Within your mind-map, consider the following:

Vocabulary: Remember to use appropriate connectors while speaking. Write down two connectors you plan to use, especially for the conclusion, to demonstrate coherence in your speech.

Idioms: As you improve your vocabulary, you may have come across idioms related to various topics. This is the time to incorporate them. Write down at least three idioms that come to mind. You can include these idioms while speaking to showcase the wide range of vocabulary you possess.

Some Important Tips for 1-Minute Preparation and Speaking:

– Quickly brainstorm the topic you are about to speak on, considering aspects that you can elaborate on during your speech.

– Ensure a clear understanding of the topic. Sometimes, students misunderstand the cue card topic and end up speaking irrelevantly, despite speaking at length.

– Keep all the written keywords in mind while speaking.

– Note down factual information as keywords, focusing on specific details for questions such as “what,” “when,” and “where.” For example, you can write “party,” “last month,” and “hotel” respectively.

– Even if the examiner glances at your sheet while you write the keywords, do not feel nervous or self-conscious. Maintain your focus on the cue card.

– Avoid writing complete sentences to save time. Instead, use short words or phrases.

– Continuously generate ideas and avoid going blank while writing keywords.

– Cue card topics are familiar subjects that you may have personal experience with, heard from others, seen in movies, or read in books. Look for ideas related to the topic from your own familiarity, as it will make it easier and more comfortable for you to find content for speaking.

– Write down keywords clearly, ensuring they are well imprinted in your mind. However, do not write them too slowly. Try to cover the basic points of all the questions on the cue card.

– Use bullet points for keywords instead of random words.

– Visualize the situation or create a mental image to generate better ideas.

– You can write down some vocabulary words that you can incorporate while speaking.

– Once you have finished writing keywords, take a quick glance and begin speaking when the examiner prompts you.

Exercise:

Now, you can try applying this strategy to the following cue card:

Describe one of your favorite photos.

– What the photo is about

– Where and when it was taken

– Who is in the photo

– Why it is your favorite photo

Remember to follow the strategy outlined above and write down relevant keywords before speaking.

By following these tips and strategies, you can effectively utilize the 1-minute preparation time and deliver a well-structured and coherent response in the IELTS Speaking test.