IELTS cue card answers with advanced idioms and phrases
How to use advanced idioms and phrases naturally in IELTS Speaking Part 2 cue card answers, with examples for the most common card types.
By English Grader study guides · AI-assisted educational content · Official sources linked below
The short answer
Two or three well-placed idioms in a two-minute answer impress examiners; ten memorised ones sound rehearsed and cost you marks.
Describing people
Common cards ask about a person you admire or know well.
- 'We hit it off straight away' (became friends immediately)
- 'She has a heart of gold' (very kind)
- 'He always goes the extra mile' (does more than expected)
Describing places and experiences
Travel and place cards reward sensory, idiomatic language.
- 'It was off the beaten track' (remote, not touristy)
- 'The place was packed to the rafters' (very crowded)
- 'It took my breath away' (amazed me)
Related guide: Describe a place sample
Using idioms naturally
An idiom only helps your score when it fits the sentence perfectly and your pronunciation carries it confidently.
Plan your idioms in the one-minute preparation: note one idiom per bullet point on the card, and no more.
Related guide: One-minute preparation
Practise
Record a cue card answer using two idioms from this list.
Record your answer →Put this into practice
Record a two-minute cue card answer and get feedback on your vocabulary range.
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Official sources and further reading
Practice examples and study routines are illustrative advice, not official band-scored answers or predictions of exam questions.