Part 2 cue card
Describe a book you recently read and enjoyed.
You should say:
- What the book is
- Who wrote it
- What it is about
- And explain why you liked it
Source practice test: IELTS Speaking Test 11
Band 9 model answer
Expert-level long turn
The book I would like to talk about is Atomic Habits, which was written by James Clear, an author who specialises in self-improvement and behavioural science. I picked it up a couple of months ago because several friends kept recommending it, and I finished it within a week.
Essentially, the book argues that big results come from tiny, repeated changes rather than dramatic decisions. Clear explains how habits are formed and broken, and he uses memorable examples, such as how getting one per cent better every day compounds over a year. What I found really practical was the idea of attaching a new habit to something you already do, which he calls habit stacking.
The main reason I enjoyed it is that it is genuinely useful rather than just motivational. A lot of self-help books leave you feeling inspired for an afternoon and then nothing changes, but this one gave me concrete strategies that I could apply straight away. For instance, I started leaving a book on my pillow so that reading became automatic before bed.
On top of that, the writing is clear and free of jargon, so even quite complex psychology feels accessible. I have actually recommended it to my younger brother, because I think the lessons about discipline and consistency are exactly the kind of thing I wish I had understood at his age.
Why this scores Band 9
- Fluency and Coherence: the long turn covers all four bullets in order and connects ideas with natural discourse markers such as 'Essentially', 'On top of that' and 'For instance'.
- Lexical Resource: precise, topic-appropriate language ('behavioural science', 'habit stacking', 'compounds', 'free of jargon') used accurately rather than for show.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: a confident mix of tenses and complex structures ('rather than just motivational', 'I wish I had understood') with no errors that affect meaning.
- Pronunciation is assessed live by the examiner; a Band 9 speaker would also use clear stress and intonation, which a written sample cannot demonstrate.
Band 6 sample answer
Competent but limited response
I want to talk about a book called Atomic Habits. It is written by James Clear. I read it two months ago because my friends told me it is very good.
The book is about habits. It says that small habits are very important and if you do small good things every day, you will get a big result later. The author gives many examples and tips about how to start a new habit and how to stop a bad habit.
I liked this book for some reasons. First, it is easy to read and not boring. The language is simple, so I could understand everything. Second, it is useful because I used some ideas in my life. For example, now I read every night before sleeping because of this book.
So overall it is a very good book and I think everyone should read it, especially students, because it helps you to be more disciplined and to use your time well.
Why this sits around Band 6
- Fluency and Coherence: the answer is clear and on-topic, but ideas are linked with basic connectors ('First', 'Second', 'So overall') and some repetition.
- Lexical Resource: vocabulary is sufficient but plain ('very good', 'easy to read', 'useful'); there is little of the precise phrasing that lifts a response to Band 7+.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: mostly simple sentences with a few errors; the structures are correct but not varied.
- The response answers every bullet, which keeps it relevant, but the limited range of language and ideas caps it around Band 6.
Part 3 discussion questions
Do people in your country still read books regularly?
I think reading for pleasure has declined a little, mainly because people spend so much time on their phones. However, audiobooks and e-readers have actually made books more accessible, so I would say committed readers are reading just as much, simply in a different format.
How can parents encourage children to read more?
The most effective thing is to model the behaviour, because children copy what they see. If parents read themselves and keep books around the house rather than treating reading as a chore, it becomes normal. Reading aloud at bedtime from an early age also builds the habit before screens take over.
Do you think technology is affecting people's reading habits?
Undeniably, and in both directions. On one hand, constant notifications shorten our attention spans, so deep reading is harder. On the other hand, technology has democratised access: someone can carry a whole library on a single device, which would have been unthinkable a generation ago.
Useful vocabulary for this topic
- a page-turner:
- a book so gripping you cannot put it down
- self-improvement:
- the act of bettering yourself, often the theme of non-fiction
- to pick up a book:
- to start reading a book
- free of jargon:
- written in plain language, without technical terms
How long should my Part 2 answer about a book be?
Aim to speak for the full two minutes. Cover each bullet point in order, then add a reason or example so you do not run out before the examiner stops you. It is better to develop two or three ideas fully than to list many points briefly.