As step into the October–December 2026 IELTS test season, candidates can expect a diverse selection of Speaking Part 2 cue cards based on familiar, everyday themes. The upcoming test period is likely to include topics related to people, places, memorable experiences, technology, education, work, travel, entertainment, personal achievements, and future aspirations.

While IELTS does not officially publish or announce any predicted list or upcoming Speaking questions, recent candidate reports and the latest question trends give useful insights into the types of cue cards students should give importance to during their preparation. These trends can help candidates concentrate on their practice on recurring themes while also creating the flexibility needed to answer confidently when a question is presented in an unfamiliar form.

Rather than depending on memorised answers, candidates should use these forecasted topics as a strategic preparation guide. Building a range of personal examples, topic-specific vocabulary, and ideas that can be adaptable, help students handle variety of familiar cue cards naturally and confidently throughout the October–December 2026 test period.

Below is the list of predicted cue card topics.

People

  • Describe a person who is a role model for young people.
    • who this person is
    • how you know about this person
    • what this person has achieved
    • and explain why you think this person is a role model for young people.
  • Describe a person who encouraged you to achieve a goal.
    • who this person is
    • what goal you wanted to achieve
    • how this person encouraged you
    • and explain how you felt about their support.
  • Describe a person who you are happy to know.
    • who this person is
    • how you met this person
    • what kind of person they are
    • and explain why you are happy to know them.
  • Describe a person who likes to buy things at low prices.
    • who this person is
    • what kinds of things they usually buy
    • where they usually buy them
    • and explain why this person likes buying things at low prices.
  • Describe a person who likes to talk a lot.
    • who this person is
    • how you know them
    • what they usually talk about
    • and explain how you feel when you talk to this person.
  • Describe a sports person or athlete whom you admire.
    • who this person is
    • what sport they play
    • what you know about their achievements
    • and explain why you admire this person.
  • Describe an interesting conversation you had with an elderly person.
    • who the person was
    • where you had the conversation
    • what you talked about
    • and explain why you found the conversation interesting.
  • Describe a successful person you studied or worked with.
    • who this person is
    • where you studied or worked together
    • what makes this person successful
    • and explain what you have learned from this person.

Places

  • Describe an interesting place you visited with a friend.
    • where the place was
    • when you went there
    • what you did there
    • and explain why you found the place interesting.
  • Describe a tourist attraction that very few people visit.
    • what the place is
    • where it is located
    • what people can do or see there
    • and explain why you think very few people visit it.
  • Describe a place where things are expensive.
    • where the place is
    • what kinds of things are expensive there
    • why they are expensive
    • and explain how you feel about the prices.
  • Describe a place where it is easy for you to study.
    • where this place is
    • what it looks like
    • what you usually do there
    • and explain why it is a good place for you to study.
  • Describe a city or town that is good for people to live in.
    • where the city or town is
    • what it is like
    • what facilities it has
    • and explain why you think it is a good place to live.
  • Describe a place where you would like to go to relax.
    • where this place is
    • when you would like to go there
    • what you would do there
    • and explain why you would like to relax there.
  • Describe a historical building you have visited.
    • what the building is
    • where it is located
    • when you visited it
    • and explain what you found interesting about it.
  • Describe a place in your house where you can relax.
    • where it is
    • what it looks like
    • what you usually do there
    • and explain why you like relaxing there.
  • Describe a place where you experienced polluted air.
    • where the place was
    • when you went there
    • what caused the air pollution
    • and explain how you felt about the experience.
  • Describe a street market where you went shopping.
    • where the market is
    • when you went there
    • what you bought
    • and explain what you liked or disliked about the market.

Topics on Experiences and Memories

  • Describe a time you took risk that had a positive result.
    • what the risk was
    • why you decided to take it
    • what happened as a result
    • and explain how you felt about the outcome.
  • Describe a time when you taught something to a younger person.
    • who the person was
    • what you taught them
    • how you taught them
    • and explain how you felt about the experience.
  • Describe an enjoyable journey you had using public transport.
    • where you travelled
    • what type of public transport you used
    • who you travelled with
    • and explain why you enjoyed the journey.
  • Describe a time when you received money as a gift.
    • when you received the money
    • who gave it to you
    • what you did with the money
    • and explain how you felt about receiving it.
  • Describe a complaint that you made and were satisfied with the result.
    • what you complained about
    • who you complained to
    • what happened after your complaint
    • and explain why you were satisfied with the result.
  • Describe an activity you enjoyed doing in your free time when you were young.
    • what the activity was
    • when you used to do it
    • who you did it with
    • and explain why you enjoyed it.
  • Describe a time when you missed or were late for an important event.
    • what the event was
    • why you were late or missed it
    • what happened as a result
    • and explain how you felt about the experience.
  • Describe a time when you successfully did something difficult.
    • what you did
    • why it was difficult
    • how you managed to do it
    • and explain how you felt after completing it.
  • Describe a time when you helped someone.
    • who you helped
    • what problem they had
    • how you helped them
    • and explain how you felt after helping them.
  • Describe an unusual holiday you had.
    • where you went
    • who you went with
    • what you did
    • and explain why the holiday was unusual.
  • Describe a time when you had to finish something quickly.
    • what you had to finish
    • why you had limited time
    • how you completed it
    • and explain how you felt about the experience.
  • Describe an exciting activity you experienced with someone else.
    • what the activity was
    • who you did it with
    • where you did it
    • and explain why you found it exciting.

Topics on Technology and Objects

  • Describe something you own that you want to replace.
    • what it is
    • how long you have had it
    • why you want to replace it
    • and explain what you would replace it with.
  • Describe a useful object in your home that you cannot live without.
    • what the object is
    • how long you have had it
    • how you use it
    • and explain why it is so useful to you.
  • Describe a piece of technology that you find difficult to use.
    • what it is
    • when you started using it
    • what you use it for
    • and explain why you find it difficult to use.
  • Describe a website that helped you do something or that you use regularly.
    • what the website is
    • how you found out about it
    • what you use it for
    • and explain why you find it useful.
  • Describe a photograph that you took and are proud of.
    • when you took the photograph
    • where you took it
    • what is shown in the photograph
    • and explain why you are proud of it.
  • Describe a film you watched that impressed you.
    • what the film was
    • when you watched it
    • what it was about
    • and explain why it impressed you.
  • Describe an advertisement that you do not like.
    • what the advertisement is
    • where you saw it
    • what it was advertising
    • and explain why you do not like it.

Topics on Education, Skills and Future Plans

  • Describe a subject you would like to learn in the future.
    • what the subject is
    • why you want to learn it
    • how you would learn it
    • and explain how it could be useful to you.
  • Describe something you would like to learn.
    • what you would like to learn
    • why you want to learn it
    • how you would learn it
    • and explain how learning it would benefit you.
  • Describe a skill you learned during childhood.
    • what the skill was
    • when you learned it
    • who taught you
    • and explain why the skill has been useful to you.
  • Describe something you regularly do that helps you work or study better.
    • what you do
    • how often you do it
    • how it helps you
    • and explain why you think it is effective.
  • Describe a long-term goal you would like to achieve.
    • what the goal is
    • when you first decided on it
    • what you are doing to achieve it
    • and explain why this goal is important to you.
  • Describe an area of science you are interested in.
    • what area of science it is
    • when you became interested in it
    • what you know about it
    • and explain why you would like to learn more about it.
  • Describe something you taught to a friend or relative.
    • what you taught them
    • who you taught
    • how you taught them
    • and explain how you felt about teaching them.

Additional Important Cue Card Topics

Candidates planning for October–December IELTS exam should also practise topics related to:

  • Describe a special meal someone prepared for you.
    • what the meal was
    • who prepared it
    • when you had it
    • and explain why it was special.
  • Describe an important plant in your country.
    • what the plant is
    • where it grows
    • what it is used for
    • and explain why it is important.
  • Describe a daily routine that you enjoy.
    • what the routine is
    • when you usually do it
    • how long you have followed it
    • and explain why you enjoy it.
  • Describe a sport that you have watched but never played.
    • what the sport is
    • when you watched it
    • who you watched it with
    • and explain why you have never played it.
  • Describe a new law you would like to introduce.
    • what the law would be
    • why it would be necessary
    • who it would affect
    • and explain why you would introduce it.
  • Describe a piece of good news about someone you know.
    • what the news was
    • who it was about
    • when you heard it
    • and explain why you were happy about it.
  • Describe an achievement or success you are proud of.
    • what you achieved
    • when you achieved it
    • what you did to achieve it
    • and explain why you are proud of it.
  • Describe an outdoor activity you did.
    • what the activity was
    • where you did it
    • who you did it with
    • and explain why you enjoyed it.
  • Describe a historical period you would like to learn more about.
    • what period it is
    • what you already know about it
    • how you learned about it
    • and explain why you would like to learn more.
  • Describe a travel plan that was delayed.
    • where you planned to go
    • why the journey was delayed
    • what you did while waiting
    • and explain how you felt about the delay.

How to Ace the Cue Cards with Strategic Planning

Preparing more than 50 cue cards does not mean that you should memorise or remember 50 complete answers.

Instead, create a personal story bank.

For example, one experience about a trip might help you prepare for questions about:

  • an enjoyable journey
  • an unplanned holiday
  • an exciting activity/opportunity
  • a place you visited that is memorable
  • a person you travelled with
  • a memorable experience.

Likewise, one person from your life could potentially be considered for questions about:

  • a role model you admire
  • an inspiring person in your life
  • someone who encouraged you
  • a successful person
  • someone you are happy to know.

Utilize the One-Minute Preparation Time Productively

Most of the common mistake the students make during this give 60 seconds is that they write full sentences which is a big No-No as it eats up the time and not all the cue card questions are covered and the time is exhausted already which puts the candidates into a panic mode.

So, what should you do?

Write keywords.

For instance:

Describe someone who encouraged you to achieve a goal

Teacher → Grade 12 → IELTS/English → weak speaking → extra classes → practice → confidence → improved score → grateful

These keywords are sufficient to develop your answer naturally.

Remember: This List Is Preparation, Not a Guarantee

IELTS cue cards preparation list can help candidates become familiar with common topics, but there is no guarantee that a particular predicted topic will be asked in the IELTS test.

The IELTS Speaking test examines your ability to communicate effectively in English. Therefore, memorising a prepared answer for every possible cue card is not an appropriate substitute for developing fluency, vocabulary, pronunciation, grammatical accuracy and the ability to organise ideas quickly.

Candidates preparing for October, November and December 2026 should use the current IELTS cue card pool as a practice resource while also practising unfamiliar topics.

The most useful approach is:

Understand the topic → generate your own ideas → make keyword notes → speak for two minutes → record yourself → identify errors → repeat.

The goal is not simply to assume the question.

The goal is to be ready for whatever question the examiner gives you.

For any matter related to IELTS Speaking or any other module of the test, know that Amin Migration is here to guide you, every step of the way.