Describe a long-term goal you would like to achieve
IELTS Speaking Part 2 cue card with a full sample answer, a Band 9 model of the two-minute long turn.
The cue card
Describe a long-term goal you would like to achieve
You should say:
- what it is
- how long you have had it
- how you will achieve it
- why you set this goal
Sample answer
I'd like to describe a long-term goal that I'm determined to achieve, which is to become a successful software engineer and eventually start my own technology company.
Essentially, my ambition is twofold: first to build a strong career in software development at a reputable company, and then, further down the line, to launch my own tech start-up that creates products which genuinely improve people's lives. It's a big dream, but one I'm wholeheartedly committed to.
I've had this goal for quite a few years now — probably since I was in my mid-teens, when I first discovered my passion for coding and technology. What began as a casual hobby of tinkering with computers gradually developed into a clear vision of what I wanted to do with my life, and it has only grown stronger over time.
In terms of how I plan to achieve it, I've mapped out a fairly clear path. I'm currently focusing on my studies to build a solid foundation of technical knowledge and skills. Alongside that, I'm working on personal coding projects and hope to gain practical experience through internships. In the longer term, I intend to work at an established company to learn how the industry operates, save up capital, and build a network of contacts, all of which will be essential before I attempt to start my own business.
There are several reasons why I set myself this goal. Above all, I'm genuinely passionate about technology and love the idea of creating something innovative from scratch. I'm also quite an ambitious and independent person, so the prospect of being my own boss and building something of lasting value is incredibly appealing. Ultimately, I want a career that is both financially rewarding and personally fulfilling. Although I know the road ahead will be long and challenging, having this clear goal keeps me motivated and focused every single day.
313 words — roughly 2–3 minutes at a natural speaking pace.
Reading a model answer is not the same as saying one. The sample above shows what a strong Part 2 answer sounds like. What it cannot tell you is how yours sounds — whether you hesitate, repeat the question back, or run out of things to say at forty seconds.
You can record an answer to this exact question and get it marked on fluency and coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and pronunciation — the same four criteria the examiner uses.
Common questions
How long should I speak for in Part 2?
Between one and two minutes. The examiner stops you at two, so aim to still be talking at the ninety-second mark rather than finishing early — running out at forty seconds is the most common problem in this part.
What do I do with the one minute of preparation time?
You get one minute and a pencil and paper. Most candidates waste it writing full sentences they then read aloud, which sounds flat. Note a few keywords against each bullet instead, so you have four things to say and can speak naturally from them.
Do I have to cover all four bullet points?
They are prompts, not a checklist, and you are not penalised for skipping one. In practice they are the easiest way to fill two minutes, so covering them is usually the simplest way to keep going.
Does it matter if the story is not true?
No. You are assessed on your English, not on whether the events happened. Inventing detail is fine and often easier than recalling a real memory under pressure.
Model answers written and reviewed by The English All-in-One IELTS team. They are teaching models showing what each band looks like, not real candidate scripts.