Part 2 of the exam is often referred to as the Long turn.This means you will have to continuously talk for 2 minutes without a break. After Part 1 which is to help you relax and settle down, the real work begins.

You will get a cue card from your examiner, a piece of paper and a pencil. He/she will read part of the cue card for you and give if to you. From that moment you will have 1 minute to prepare yourself for the 2 minute talk.

Example cue card

Describe an unforgettable advertisement (that you saw or heard).

You should say:

• What kind of advertisement it was
• What the content of the advertisement was (or what product or service was advertised)
• Where you saw or heard it

and explain why you think this is an unforgettable advertisement.

During that 1 minute you should be taking notes on the structure of your answer, as well as important vocabulary and grammar you would like to use. When you are speaking during those 2 minutes you are allowed to look at your notes. Even if you do not use your notes, it is important to write something down as it will help you structure your ideas and think of good vocabulary.

Make sure that you do talk for 2 minutes, and do not worry about the time, the examiner knows exactly how long you have been speaking. If the 2 minutes are up he/she will continue with 1 or 2 follow up questions on your cue card. If you do not manage to talk those 2 minutes your examiner will ask you a few times to say some more. If you cannot say anything more after a few times the examiner will continue with the follow up questions. This will also mean that your overall score will drop, the examiner needs those 2 minutes to have a big enough sample of your speaking to assess you on. Not a lot of language produced is not a high score.

The best way to practice is to look at as many cue cards  as possible to help you prepare. The more questions you have had a look at and tried speaking yourself the more you will be prepared, especially the topics you feel least comfortable with.