Last Updated on July 15, 2025
“Describe a speech you gave” is a common cue card in IELTS Speaking Part 2. In this article, you’ll find sample answers, essential vocabulary, common follow-up questions from Part 3, and an explanation of what this topic assesses.
This cue card helps test your ability to narrate past events, describe a formal situation, and explain your feelings and preparation for a public speaking engagement.
Learn how to answer “Describe a speech you gave” with IELTS sample answers, Band 9 vocabulary, tips, follow-up questions & structure.
Cue Card Topic Breakdown
You will have:
- 1 minute to prepare
- 1–2 minutes to speak
Describe a speech you gave
You should say:
- When and where you gave the speech
- What the speech was about
- Who the audience was
- And how you felt about giving it
Why This Cue Card Matters
This cue card helps examiners assess your ability to:
- Tell personal stories with fluency and coherence.
- Use a mix of past and descriptive language.
- Describe events in a structured, engaging manner.
- Express emotions and reflect on an experience.
A Presentation on Climate Change: Describe a Speech You Gave
Who, where, and when did you have the speech?
My most memorable speech was about a year ago during an inter-college environmental symposium that took place in our university auditorium. It was a good sized event attended by students and professors representing different schools.
What was the speech all about?
The theme I addressed in my speech was the need to take individual measures in fighting climate change. I emphasized that small actions taken together, like minimizing plastic use, energy conservation, and promotion of sustainable companies, can play major roles in the contribution to global work. I offered some local case studies of environmental programs as well.
Who was the audience?
The listeners were mainly college students, members of the environmental clubs, and few professors. The number of people attending was likely to be some 150-200, all eager to know about environmental concerns.
And how you felt about giving it?
I was very nervous beforehand. I have never been good at speaking in public. Nevertheless, as soon as I opened my mouth, and realized that people were really interested, I started calming down. I was very proud and pleased as I reached the conclusion. I felt empowered sharing information on a subject I feel strongly about and being able to possibly inspire others.
A Farewell Speech for a Colleague: Describe a Speech You Gave
When and where did you speak?
Six months ago, I delivered a brief farewell speech during the send-off party of a colleague in the large conference room of our office building. It was a sad but sweet event.
What was the subject of this speech?
The speech was a dedication to Sarah, one of my older colleagues who had served the organization 25 years. I talked of her unsung contributions to the team, how she mentored other younger employees such as me, and how positive she was. It was an emotional account of her legacy at our place of work.
Who was the audience?
The audience was composed of all the workforce of our department, some top management and close relatives of Sarah. It was a friendly circle, and that just took a bit of the edge off.
And how you felt of giving it?
I was both honoured and moved. I felt privileged to be selected to represent the team to address a meeting yet extremely pained at the departure of Sarah. Although I created a few essential points, most of it was heartfelt. I felt so natural delivering it, and the emotional response of Sarah and the affirming nods by my fellow workers made me feel like I actually got the message across that we appreciate her. It was quite touching.
A Group Project Presentation in College: Describe a Speech You Gave
Where and when you made the speech?
A presentation I particularly remember was a group project in my last year of college, in one of the larger lecture halls. It was a part of our course on Marketing Strategy and was held approximately two years ago.
What was the topic of speech?
The presentation we prepared in our group was about the topic, The Impact of Digital Marketing on Small Businesses. My particular section concentrated on the fact that social media marketing has provided cost effective solutions to startups. I also demonstrated the possible outreach and interest using case studies and facts.
Who was the audience?
The listeners were mostly our course mates and our marketing lecturer. The number of students attending was somewhere about 50 and all of them would be tested on their participation and knowledge of the topics covered.
And how you felt about giving it?
It did put a lot of pressure at first, and I was very keen on not letting my group down, which mattered to us, grades wise. I was a little nervous before stepping up. But I knew my stuff backwards and forwards and was able to do my part in the lecture quite well. I was getting more confident as I presented it. The positive feedback given by classmates and the questions of the professor made me feel rather successful and relieved.
A Storytelling Session at a Local Library: Describe a Speech You Gave
When and where did you deliver the speech?
A little more than a year and a half ago, I had offered to conduct a storytelling session at our nearby public library where I can give stories to children. It took place in their children reading corner.
What the speech was all about?
It was not a speech, it was rather an interactive story-telling. I told the story of the Tortoise and the Hare with my own humorous variations and asked the children to be part of the story by sounding like the animals and trying to predict what would happen. The central message referred to fighting and not to underestimate people.
Who were the audience?
It was a smaller group of 20-25 young children of the ages 5-8 along with their parents or other guardians. Very a lively, and even a little uncertain, audience was it!
And how you did feel about giving it?
I was somewhat nervous because young children are hard to entertain at the beginning. But after I had discovered in their eager, shining faces their eager, excited answers I was filled with immense joy and warmth. I too enjoyed this very much as I could see their eyes lighted up when I shared a classic presentation style by telling another classic kind of story. It was not a kind to permanent problem solving, but it was not a kind of a speech, it was a kind of fun and learning.
Follow-Up Questions (IELTS Part 3): Describe a Speech You Gave
Why are some individuals scared of public speaking?
Performance anxiety or the fear of being judged is a difficulty experienced by many people when doing public speaking. This difficulty can be caused by the pressure of being under the spotlight, the fear of forgetting lines, or be related to the fear of not being articulate enough.
What makes a good speaker?
An effective speaker is most often a person who is able to connect with his audience by communicating effectively, being confident and enthusiastic about what he is saying. They tend to speak effectively with body language, eye contact and tone right according to the occasion and audience.
Is it important to teach kids about public speaking?
Well, yes, I think it is very crucial. Young learners who learn public speaking acquire confidence, develop their communication skills and overcome shyness. This is quite an important set of life skills that go much beyond being able to speak, and it serves them well in their academic and professional careers in later life.
Vocabulary to Use for This Cue Card
| Word/Phrase | Meaning | Example Sentence |
| Nervous/Apprehensive | Feeling anxious or worried | I felt incredibly nervous before stepping onto the stage. |
| Confident | Feeling sure of oneself | As I continued, I grew more confident in my delivery. |
| Engaging/Captivating | Holding the attention of the audience | His storytelling was so engaging that no one looked away. |
| Articulate | Expressing ideas clearly and effectively | She’s a very articulate speaker, always clear and concise. |
| Deliver a speech | To give a speech | I practiced for hours to deliver a speech flawlessly. |
| Public speaking anxiety | Fear or discomfort associated with speaking in front of an audience | Overcoming public speaking anxiety was a huge achievement for me. |
| Ad-lib | To speak or perform without preparation | Sometimes, you need to be able to ad-lib if a question comes up. |
| A sense of accomplishment | A feeling of having achieved something | Finishing the speech gave me a great sense of accomplishment. |
| Keynote speaker | The main speaker at an event | He was invited as the keynote speaker at the conference. |
| Body language | Non-verbal communication through gestures and postures | Effective body language is crucial for a good presentation. |
Related Topics for IELTS Practice:
- Describe the Scene of a Hospital
- Describe a Skill You Want to Learn
- Describe an important day in your life
- Describe a Difficult Decision You Made
- Describe a Historical Building You Have Been To
- Describe an Item of Clothing Someone Gave You
- Describe a Place You Would Like to Live in the Future
- Describe an Old Person Who Has Had an Interesting Life
- Describe a Place in Your City Where You Can See Wildlife
Summary
| Section | Key Points |
| Cue Card Breakdown | Focus on the specifics of when, where, what, who, and how you felt about your speech. |
| Sample Answers | Four examples covering academic, professional, voluntary, and personal contexts. |
| Vocabulary Bank | Phrases to describe feelings, speaking skills, and audience interaction. |
| Follow-Up Questions | Explores broader themes of public speaking, its importance, and challenges. |
| Related Topics | Linked with cue cards involving communication, challenges, and personal achievements. |
Final thoughts on the IELTS Topic “Describe a speech you gave”
This IELTS cue card is an excellent chance to show off your story-telling abilities, to show how you can describe a formal event and your vocabulary associated with communication and feelings. Don t forget to give details to the speech in particular, and of your own feelings before, during, and after. With a clear introduction, body and conclusion, a well structured answer will impress!
FAQs
What should I focus оn when describing my speech?
Focus оn the specific details: the topic, the audience, your preparation, and especially how you felt throughout the experience.
Is іt okay іf I don’t have much public speaking experience?
Yes, you can talk about a classroom presentation, a toast at a family event, оr even an informal talk tо a small group. The scale isn’t as important as your ability tо describe the experience.
Should I mention іf I was nervous?
Absolutely! Expressing a common emotion like nervousness and then explaining how you overcame іt (or not) adds authenticity and depth tо your answer.
How can I make my speech sound more interesting?
Use descriptive adjectives, talk about your personal feelings, and perhaps include a small anecdote оr a memorable moment from the speech.
Do I need tо talk about the content оf the speech іn detail?
No, you don’t need tо give the actual speech. Just a brief overview оf the topic and its main purpose іs sufficient. The focus іs оn your experience giving it.
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