Part 2

IELTS Speaking Part 2: Describe a childhood memory you remember well

The long turn. You are handed a cue card, given 60 seconds to make notes, and then asked to speak for 1 to 2 minutes without interruption. Most candidates lose marks by stopping early rather than by saying anything wrong.

The cue card

Describe a childhood memory you remember well.

You should say:

  • How old you were
  • What happened
  • Who was there
  • Why you still remember it clearly

How to use the preparation minute

This is a plan, not a script. Examiners are trained to recognise memorised answers and mark them down, so the aim is to know what you will cover — not which words you will use.

  1. Seconds 0–15 · commit to one examplePick a real, specific instance and write its name down. Candidates who spend the preparation minute hunting for the perfect example start the long turn with nothing concrete to say.
  2. Open with · how old you wereDescribe the process step by step. Sequencing language — first, once that was done, after a while — is exactly what fluency is marked on.
  3. Then cover · what happenedGive the specific over the general, then one detail that could only be true of your example.
  4. Then cover · who was thereSay who they are to you before you describe them. The relationship is what makes the rest of the answer make sense.
  5. Then cover · why you still remember it clearlyThis bullet carries the marks. It asks for a judgement, so give the reason behind it — and a reason personal to you scores better than one anybody could give.
  6. If you run out before the time doesSay what you would change about it now, or how it compares with something similar. Stopping at ninety seconds costs more than an imperfect extra sentence.

What comes next

The long turn does not end the topic. The examiner moves straight into Part 3 with something broader, often along these lines:

Why do you think some childhood memories stay with us?

What is being marked

Every part of the test is scored on the same four criteria, each carrying equal weight in the final band.

Fluency & Coherence
Lexical Resource
Grammatical Range & Accuracy
Pronunciation

Voxtis is an independent practice tool and is not affiliated with the British Council, IDP, or Cambridge Assessment English. Band estimates are indicative.

Practise this one out loud

Reading a cue card is not the same as speaking for two minutes under timing. Take it with an AI examiner that responds to what you actually say, then get a band estimate and the specific sentences that held you back.

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