IELTS cue card: describe a person you admire
An answer plan for the IELTS Speaking Part 2 task about a person you admire, with prompts for who they are, what they did, and why they matter to you, plus follow-up practice.
Speech9 cardsAbout 1 min to speakAdvancedUniversity
TOEFL integrated speaking template: reading, lecture and summary
A structure for TOEFL-style integrated speaking tasks: note-taking layout, opening lines and linking phrases for summarising a reading and lecture in about a minute.
Free to use, edit, print and study. No account needed: your set stays on this device.
The cards
- 1
The task type
Integrated tasks combine sources. You may read a short passage (a campus notice or academic concept), then hear a conversation or lecture about it. After a short preparation time, you speak for about a minute, explaining how the sources connect.
Formats change; check the current test guide.
- 2
Note layout
Split your paper into two columns before the audio starts:
- Left, Reading: topic + main idea in 5 words
- Right, Listening: speaker's view / example 1 / example 2
Use symbols: + (good), − (bad), → (leads to), b/c (because).
- 3
Campus type: opening
"The reading is a [notice / letter] announcing that [the university will close the library on weekends]. The reason given is [to save money]."
"In the conversation, the [woman] [disagrees] with this plan for two reasons."
- 4
Campus type: reasons
"First, she says that [many students work during the week, so weekends are their only study time]."
"Second, she points out that [the savings would be small, because the building is heated anyway]."
Report the speaker, not your own view.
- 5
Academic type: opening
"The reading describes [a concept, e.g. a type of animal behaviour or a business strategy], which means [short definition in your own words]."
"The professor illustrates this with [one / two] examples."
- 6
Academic type: examples
"In the first example, [what happens]. This shows [how it links to the concept]."
"The second example is [___], which demonstrates [___]."
Always connect each example back to the concept with "this shows" or "this is an example of".
- 7
Lecture-only summary
Some tasks have only a lecture:
"The professor explains [topic] by describing [two ways / two types / two causes]."
"The first is [___]. For instance, [detail]."
"The second is [___]. She mentions [detail]."
- 8
Reporting verbs
- states, explains, argues, points out
- gives the example of, illustrates, describes
- is concerned that, objects to, supports
- according to the professor / the student
Vary them so you are not repeating "says".
- 9
Final check before speaking
- Have I named the topic in sentence one?
- Do I have two points with one detail each?
- Am I reporting the speaker, not giving my opinion?
- Do I have a link phrase ready for each point?
How to use this template
Integrated speaking tasks are harder than opinion questions because you must listen, take notes and summarise someone else's ideas under time pressure. This set gives you templates for the main task patterns found in TOEFL-style speaking: a campus announcement with a student's reaction, an academic concept with lecture examples, and a lecture-only summary. Each pattern has an opening card and a points card with gaps to fill from your notes. The note layout card shows how to split your paper before the audio starts, and the reporting verbs card stops you saying 'says' twenty times. Test formats are revised from time to time, so check the current official description; these cards teach a general summarising method rather than claiming any real question.
Tips
- Spend most of your notes on the listening. The reading usually stays on screen or is brief; the audio carries the details you will be scored on.
- Write numbers, names and examples, not full sentences. You need triggers, not a transcript.
- Never add your own opinion unless the question asks for it. Integrated tasks reward accurate reporting.
- If you miss a detail, keep going with what you have. A complete structure with one thin point scores better than silence.
- Practise with short academic videos: pause after three minutes and summarise them in one minute using these cards.
Make it fit
- Use the academic cards to summarise readings for university seminars or tutorials.
- For lectures with three points, cut the detail to one short clause per point so you still finish in time.
- Print the note layout card on its own and keep it by your desk for every practice session.
- The reporting verbs card also helps with integrated writing tasks and literature reviews.
Updated October 28, 2026