🎯 Brainstorm Ideas Like a Pro in Under 1 Minute
IELTS Speaking Part 2 can be intimidating — you’re handed a cue card and given only 1 minute to prepare your 2-minute response. That’s why we’ve created this guide to help you brainstorm smarter, not harder, using mind maps and Band 8 sample audios.
Below are three of the most popular cue cards from the current season, with sample ideas and vocabulary to inspire your answer.
📌 1. Describe a skill you learned that surprised you
(e.g. learning how to code or cook with unexpected success)
🧠 Mindmap:
- What the skill was → Cooking Italian dishes
- Why you learned it → Wanted to impress a friend
- Why it was surprising → Didn’t expect to enjoy it so much or be good at it
🔑 Keywords:
culinary skills, recipe improvisation, flavor balance
🎧 Audio Sample:
“One surprising skill I picked up during the pandemic was cooking. I had always thought I was hopeless in the kitchen, but I started following YouTube tutorials and experimenting with Italian cuisine. To my surprise, not only did my pasta turn out delicious, but cooking became a stress reliever. It taught me patience, timing, and creativity — things I never associated with myself.”
📌 2. Talk about a time you solved a problem creatively
(e.g. saving money while traveling)
🧠 Mindmap:
- What the problem was → Budget was too tight during a solo trip
- What creative solution you found → Couchsurfing + local volunteering
- Outcome → Saved money, made local friends
🔑 Keywords:
resourcefulness, budget travel, local insight
🎧 Audio Sample:
“During a trip to Japan, I realized my accommodation costs were eating into my budget. Instead of cutting my trip short, I looked for alternatives and ended up couchsurfing with locals. Not only did I save money, but I also gained deeper cultural experiences that no hotel could offer. It was a win-win and one of the smartest decisions I’ve ever made.”
📌 3. Describe a historical period you’re interested in
(e.g. the Renaissance)
🧠 Mindmap:
- What period it is → The European Renaissance (14th–17th century)
- Why it interests you → Rebirth of art and philosophy
- What you learned from it → Importance of creativity and critical thinking
🔑 Keywords:
Renaissance, cultural heritage, intellectual awakening
🎧 Audio Sample:
“I’ve always been fascinated by the Renaissance period, especially the Italian Renaissance. It was a time when humanity shifted from religious rigidity to creative freedom — think of artists like Leonardo da Vinci and philosophers like Machiavelli. Studying this era reminds me how powerful ideas and innovation can be when society values curiosity.”
📌 4. Describe a person you admire
(e.g. a family member, historical figure, or a celebrity)
- 🧠 Mindmap:
Who they are → Grandmother
Why you admire them → Positive, hardworking, resilient
What you learned from them → How to stay optimistic in difficult times - Keywords:
role model,resilience,inspiration
🎧 Audio Sample:
“A person I greatly admire is my mother. She’s a remarkable woman who has always been there for me, providing unwavering support throughout my life. What I admire most about her is her resilience and ability to balance her professional and personal life. She’s always worked hard to provide for our family, yet she manages to spend quality time with us, offering guidance and encouragement whenever needed. Her positive attitude and strength during difficult times have taught me the value of perseverance and the importance of family. I try to emulate her work ethic and calm demeanor in my own life.”
📌 5. Talk about a celebration you recently attended
(e.g. wedding, birthday, or cultural festival)
- 🧠 Mindmap:
Event → Traditional wedding
Details of the celebration → Music, dancing, food
What you enjoyed most → The joyful atmosphere and cultural experience - Keywords:
celebration,cultural traditions,memorable
📌 6. Describe a time you received excellent customer service
(e.g. at a restaurant or store)
- 🧠 Mindmap:
What the service was → Friendly service at a restaurant
Why it was excellent → Quick, personalized, and attentive
Outcome → A memorable experience that made you return - Keywords:
customer satisfaction,personalized service,hospitality
📌 7. Talk about a time you felt really proud of yourself
(e.g. completing a challenging project or learning a new skill)
- 🧠 Mindmap:
What you achieved → Successfully finished a coding project
Why it was challenging → Learning a new language (Python)
Why you were proud → Overcame obstacles and finished the task - Keywords:
achievement,perseverance,self-motivation
📌 8. Describe a place you would like to visit in the future
(e.g. a dream destination)
- 🧠 Mindmap:
Place → Kyoto, Japan
Why you want to visit → Famous temples, gardens, and culture
What you expect to do there → Explore historic sites, try local food - Keywords:
travel,cultural exploration,adventure
📌 9. Talk about a book you’ve recently read
(e.g. fiction or non-fiction)
- 🧠 Mindmap:
Title and author → Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari
Why it was interesting → Explores human history and evolution
What you learned → Insights on human development and future trends - Keywords:
non-fiction,insights,history
📌 10. Describe a time you helped someone
(e.g. providing assistance to a friend, family member, or stranger)
- 🧠 Mindmap:
Who you helped → A friend who was moving apartments
What you did → Offered transportation and packing help
How it made you feel → Fulfilled and happy to assist - Keywords:
volunteer,assistance,helping hand
📌 11. Describe an exciting event you’ve experienced
(e.g. concert, sports event, etc.)
- 🧠 Mindmap:
What the event was → Live concert of my favorite band
Why it was exciting → Energy from the crowd and amazing performance
Outcome → Unforgettable memories and a sense of connection - Keywords:
live event,excitement,entertainment
📌 12. Talk about an interesting website you often visit
(e.g. educational, entertainment, or social media site)
- 🧠 Mindmap:
Website → Medium.com
Why it interests you → Articles on personal growth and technology
What you learn → New ideas, self-improvement strategies - Keywords:
digital platform,education,self-improvement
📌 13. Describe a person in your family who you enjoy spending time with
(e.g. a parent, sibling, etc.)
- 🧠 Mindmap:
Who → My younger brother
Why you enjoy time with them → We share hobbies and interests
What you do together → Play video games, watch movies - Keywords:
family bonds,companionship,hobbies
📌 14. Talk about a time you experienced a cultural shock
(e.g. traveling to a new country)
- 🧠 Mindmap:
What happened → Traveling to the US for the first time
What surprised you → Cultural differences, food habits
How you adapted → Learned about the culture and embraced the change - Keywords:
cultural adaptation,shock,global understanding
📌 15. Describe a childhood memory you cherish
(e.g. a family trip or special moment)
- 🧠 Mindmap:
Memory → Summer vacations with grandparents
What made it special → Exploring nature, playing games
What it taught you → Importance of family bonding - Keywords:
nostalgia,family,childhood
📌 16. Talk about an environmental issue in your country
(e.g. pollution, deforestation)
- 🧠 Mindmap:
Problem → Air pollution in major cities
Why it’s a problem → Health risks and environmental degradation
Possible solutions → Promote green energy and public transport - Keywords:
environment,pollution,sustainability
📌 17. Describe a recent movie or TV show you watched
(e.g. action, drama, or documentary)
- 🧠 Mindmap:
Movie/TV Show → Breaking Bad
Why it was interesting → Intricate plot and character development
What you learned → Consequences of bad decisions, ethics - Keywords:
entertainment,storytelling,drama
📌 18. Describe a city or town you’ve visited
(e.g. a historical city or modern metropolis)
- 🧠 Mindmap:
Place → Paris, France
Why it’s memorable → Iconic landmarks, cultural richness
What you did there → Visited museums, Eiffel Tower, local cafés - Keywords:
travel,culture,landmarks
📌 19. Talk about a time you faced a difficult decision
(e.g. career choice, moving to a new place)
- 🧠 Mindmap:
What the decision was → Choosing between two job offers
Why it was difficult → Both had pros and cons
What you learned → Importance of following your passions - Keywords:
decision-making,career,choices
📌 20. Describe a time you achieved something difficult
(e.g. completing a project, winning a competition)
- 🧠 Mindmap:
Achievement → Completing a difficult work project
Challenges faced → Tight deadlines, teamwork struggles
How you succeeded → Collaborated effectively, prioritized tasks - Keywords:
achievement,collaboration,success
🔁 Tips to Brainstorm in Under 1 Minute:
- Break down the cue card into 3 simple parts: What, Why, and Result
- Pick 3 vocabulary terms to repeat during your answer
- Visualize your story as a mini movie — imagine the scenes and emotions!
