Describe a skill you would like to learn
The full IELTS Speaking Part 2 cue card, a band-8 model answer you can learn from, the Part 3 questions that follow, and examiner strategy. Free, no sign-up.
Describe a skill you would like to learn.
You should say:
- what the skill is
- how you would learn it
- how difficult it would be
- and explain why you want to learn it
You will have one minute to prepare and should then speak for one to two minutes.
Band-8 model answer
A skill I've wanted to pick up for years is playing the guitar. I've always been drawn to music, but I never actually learned an instrument as a child, so it feels like a bit of a gap I'd love to fill. If I committed to it properly, I'd probably start with online tutorials, since there's an enormous amount of free material these days, and then maybe take a few lessons with a proper teacher once I'd grasped the basics. I'm under no illusions that it would be easy — from what friends tell me, the first few weeks are frustrating because your fingers genuinely hurt and everything sounds terrible. But I think that initial struggle is exactly why so many people give up, and I'd like to prove to myself that I can push through it. The main reason I want to learn is that I see it as a way to switch off from screens and work; there's something really appealing about being able to sit down and create something with your hands. On top of that, I think it would be a lovely skill to share with friends at some point.
Why this answer scores band 8
- ✓Hypothetical framing sustained throughout with modal and conditional verbs
- ✓A range of expressions: 'I'm under no illusions', 'push through it', 'switch off from screens'
- ✓Balances all four bullets rather than over-running on one
Part 3 follow-up questions
After the cue card, the examiner discusses the topic in more depth. Practise these aloud too — Part 3 is where the highest bands are won or lost.
Examiner strategy for this cue card
Practise this answer out loud in a real Speaking test
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Describe a skill you would like to learn — FAQ
How do you answer the 'Describe a skill you would like to learn' IELTS cue card?
Spend your one minute of preparation noting a few keywords for each prompt (what the skill is; how you would learn it; how difficult it would be; and explain why you want to learn it), then speak for the full two minutes. Cover each point briefly but give most of your time to the final 'explain why' prompt, where the marks are. A full band-8 model answer is shown on this page.
How long should the IELTS Speaking Part 2 answer be?
You should talk for up to two minutes without stopping. It is better to keep going and cover the topic in depth than to finish early — the examiner will stop you when the time is up.
What Part 3 questions follow 'Describe a skill you would like to learn'?
Part 3 broadens the topic into a discussion. For this cue card, expect questions such as: Why do some people find it harder to learn new skills as they get older? Is it better to learn a skill from a teacher or by yourself? Which skills do you think will be most important in the future?