Describe a program you like to watch
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 program you like to watch
You should say:
- what the program is
- what it is about
- how often you watch it
- and explain why you like it
Sample answer
I'd like to describe a television programme that I really enjoy watching — a nature documentary series called 'Planet Earth', produced by the BBC.
'Planet Earth' is a breathtaking documentary series that explores the natural world in stunning detail. Each episode focuses on a different habitat or environment, such as oceans, deserts, jungles and mountains, and showcases the incredible wildlife that lives there. It's narrated by the legendary broadcaster Sir David Attenborough, whose calm, authoritative voice has become iconic.
As for how often I watch it, I tend to watch episodes whenever I have some free time and want to relax and learn something at the same time. I don't watch it on a fixed schedule, but I've made my way through the entire series, and I often find myself rewatching my favourite episodes. It's my go-to programme when I want something both soothing and enriching.
There are numerous reasons why I love this programme so much. Firstly, the cinematography is absolutely spectacular; the footage is so beautiful and vivid that it feels like you're right there in the heart of the wilderness. Some of the shots are so incredible that it's hard to believe they were even possible to capture. Secondly, it's genuinely educational, teaching me a great deal about animals, ecosystems and the natural world that I never knew before. I always come away having learned something fascinating.
Beyond that, I find the programme deeply relaxing and almost therapeutic to watch after a stressful day. There's something wonderfully calming about immersing myself in the beauty of nature. Importantly, it also raises awareness about the fragility of our planet and the urgent need to protect it, which is a message I care about deeply.
In short, 'Planet Earth' is the perfect combination of stunning visuals, education and entertainment. It never fails to leave me feeling amazed by the natural world, and it's a programme I'd wholeheartedly recommend to absolutely anyone.
321 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.