Cue Card Basics: 1-Minute Planning Sheet (Speaking)
A premium BD friendly guide to master the one minute prep in IELTS Speaking Part 2. Use a simple planning sheet to pick a clear angle, map 3 strong points, add examples, numbers, feelings, and a clean closing. Includes timing, ready templates for person, place, event, object, and activity, plus sample plans, talk skeletons, drills, and a 7 day routine to raise fluency, coherence, and confidence.
What the examiner wants in Part 2
- 1 to 2 minutes of continuous, organized speech
- Clear story with reasons, examples, and feelings
- Range of grammar and vocabulary without long pauses
Your 60 seconds: exact breakdown
- 0 to 10s: Read the card, choose one clear angle
- 10 to 35s: Dump keywords only, no sentences
- 35 to 50s: Arrange 3 points in a logical order
- 50 to 60s: Rehearse your first sentence once
Rule: write fast, tiny, and only keywords.
The 3x3 Planning Sheet
Use 9 tiny boxes. Fill with 1 to 4 words each.
[Hook] [When/Where] [Who] [Point 1] [Point 2] [Point 3] [Example] [Feeling] [Closing]
Hook short topic title.
When/Where/Who set the scene.
Point 1 to 3 reasons or moments.
Example one detail with number or place.
Feeling simple emotion word.
Closing lesson or future link.
Symbols to save time:
→ result, + add, ≈ similar, x problem, ✔ fix
Universal 2 minute talk skeleton
- Opening: I would like to talk about [Hook].
- Background: When, where, who.
- Point 1: reason or moment + example.
- Point 2: reason or moment + example.
- Point 3: result or change + feeling.
- Closing: short lesson or future plan.
Speak in three chunks of 25 to 30 seconds.
Ready templates by topic
Person
Hook, relation, best quality
P1 how you met
P2 one story
P3 impact on you
Feeling and closing
Place
Hook, location, time
P1 what it looks like
P2 what you did there
P3 why it matters
Feeling and closing
Event or Experience
Hook, when, with whom
P1 before
P2 during
P3 after
Feeling and closing
Object
Hook, what it is, how you got it
P1 function
P2 story of use
P3 why you value it
Feeling and closing
Activity or Habit
Hook, how often
P1 steps
P2 benefit
P3 small challenge and fix
Feeling and closing
Sample filled sheets (BD context)
1) Place: Srimangal trip
Hook: Srimangal tea hills
When/Where: last winter, Sylhet
Who: cousins
P1: green view, fresh air
P2: cycling, tea tasting
P3: train delay x, still worth it
Example: 2 day trip, 7 tea gardens
Feeling: relaxed, grateful
Closing: go again with parents
2) Object: bKash app
Hook: mobile wallet
When/Where: since 2022, Dhaka
Who: mom taught
P1: pay bills fast
P2: send money to family
P3: safety tips, PIN care
Example: saved 30 minutes weekly
Feeling: independent
Closing: plan to try savings feature
3) Event: Pahela Baishakh
Hook: new year fair
When/Where: 14 April, TSC
Who: friends
P1: colors, folk songs
P2: street food, pitha
P3: crowd control, learnt patience
Example: reached by 9 am
Feeling: joyful
Closing: tradition connects people
Rescue lines for memory gaps
- Let me give a quick example.
- The main reason is convenience.
- Another moment was during the trip.
- To finish, I learned a simple lesson.
Use one rescue line, then continue your point.
Fast language pack
Openers
First of all, to give some background, to be specific
Sequencing
then, after that, finally, in the end
Cause and result
because, so, therefore, as a result
Contrast
however, although, on the other hand
Closings
overall, it taught me, in the future I plan to
Add one number, one place, and one feeling in each talk.
Timing and delivery tips
- Write big ideas only. No sentences.
- Aim 110 to 150 words per minute.
- Keep 1 clear main stress per sentence.
- Pause briefly at each point change.
- Smile on opening line to set tone.
Common mistakes and fixes
- Writing full sentences → switch to keywords
- Telling only facts → add one feeling or lesson
- Losing track → follow the 3 points you wrote
- No numbers → add quantity or date once
- Flat voice → stress one key word per sentence
7 day practice plan
- Day 1: Copy the 3x3 sheet by hand. Fill it for 5 random topics.
- Day 2: Record 3 talks using the skeleton. Count seconds.
- Day 3: Add one number and one place to each talk.
- Day 4: Practice rescue lines without fillers.
- Day 5: Mix person, place, event topics.
- Day 6: Get feedback from a friend, fix weak points.
- Day 7: Full mock with timer. Compare Day 1 and Day 7.
Mini worksheet
Choose one of today’s topics.
- Fill the 3x3 sheet in 60 seconds.
- Speak for 2 minutes using the skeleton.
- Tick if you used a number, a feeling, and a clear closing.
- Repeat with a new topic.
Your next step
Print or redraw the 3x3 planning sheet and keep it on your desk. Practice three cue cards daily. After one week your ideas will flow faster and your stories will sound organized and confident.