Part 2 Cue Card
Describe a long-term goal/ambition you would like to achieve
You should say:
- How long you have had this goal/ambition
- What it is
- How you will achieve it
- And explain why you set it
You will have one to two minutes to talk about this topic.
Part 3 Discussion Questions
- What goals should a society have?
- Do people need to have goals?
- What goals do people at your age have?
- Is it necessary to give advice to children?
- What goals do young people usually have?
- What should people do to achieve their goals?
See the topic before you speak
Use the images as idea prompts. Describe what you notice, connect it to your experience, then answer the real question.
Model answers, heard side by side
Start with the simpler answer, switch bands to hear how the same task can be developed, then record a personal response. These are teaching examples, not official answers or score guarantees.
Part 2 — Model Answer
Part 2 cue-card response
I've wanted to open my own bakery for about three years. It started when I learnt to make sourdough at home and enjoyed it. My goal is to run a small bakery in my town that uses local flour and tries to waste less food. The shop would be small with a counter and a few tables. To reach it I will do a baking course, work in a bakery for experience and save money. I might also sell bread at weekend markets first. I set this goal because I love baking and it makes me happy, and because I want to make a living doing something I care about.
I've had this ambition for about three years. It began after I took a summer course in artisan baking and started experimenting with sourdough at home, and I used to bake with my grandmother so it felt natural. My long-term goal is to open a small, sustainable bakery in my town that focuses on sourdough, local ingredients and minimal waste. We'll aim to reuse leftover crusts for breadcrumbs and compost any trimmings. The shop would be modest — a single counter, a few seats — and would double as a community space for baking workshops. To achieve it I plan a few steps: complete a professional baking course, do a year-long apprenticeship in an experienced bakery, and build up savings through part-time work; I also want to test the idea with a weekend market stall first. I'll write a business plan and look for a small community loan if necessary. For example, this autumn I'll run a stall at the farmers' market to see how customers respond. I set this goal because I love baking — it's calming and creative — and because I'm worried about food waste and want to support local producers. I also want to create a warm place where people can learn. Owning a bakery would let me combine a practical livelihood with something meaningful, and hopefully inspire others to value slow, local food.
Part 3 — Model Answers
What goals should a society have?
A society should have goals like reducing poverty, making sure people can get healthcare and education, and protecting the environment. It should also try to keep people safe and create jobs. These are basic aims most people agree on.
A society should aim for sustainable, inclusive development — that means growing the economy while ensuring opportunities reach everyone. Priorities ought to include decent healthcare and education, a fair welfare system, and environmental protection so future generations aren't left worse off. In practice this requires long-term planning, honest public debate and policies that balance short-term needs with long-term resilience.
Do people need to have goals?
Yes, I think people need goals. Goals give you direction and something to work towards. Without goals it’s easy to waste time or feel lost.
Generally, having goals is important because they provide purpose and structure — they help you make choices about how to spend time and energy. That said, goals don’t have to be rigid; it’s healthy to review and adjust them as circumstances change. People who set both short-term and long-term goals tend to make steadier progress and feel more motivated.
What goals do people at your age have?
People my age often focus on careers, getting qualifications, and making money. Many also want to travel, meet friends and maybe start a family. Saving for a home is another common aim.
At my stage — mid-twenties to early thirties — people commonly prioritise building a career, gaining professional qualifications and saving for a deposit on a home. But there’s more variety now: some focus on travel and experiences, others on side projects or entrepreneurship. Many also care about wellbeing and work–life balance, so goals about mental health or flexible working are increasingly common.
Is it necessary to give advice to children?
Yes, children need advice because they are still learning how the world works. Adults should guide them and teach right from wrong. But children should also be allowed to try things themselves.
It’s necessary to give children advice, but it should be age-appropriate and aimed at helping them learn rather than controlling them. Good guidance teaches problem-solving, emotional skills and safe decision-making, while leaving room for independence. For example, instead of giving answers outright, parents might ask questions that help a child think through consequences.
What goals do young people usually have?
Young people usually want to do well in their careers, travel and have fun. Many also want to be independent and move out of their parents’ home. Some worry about money and jobs.
Young people often pursue a mix of goals: establishing a career, gaining experiences through travel or study, and becoming financially independent. There's also an increasing focus on social impact — many want to work for causes like climate action or social justice. Additionally, the rise of social media and the gig economy means goals may include building an online presence or launching small ventures.
What should people do to achieve their goals?
To achieve goals people should make a plan and work hard. They need to be patient and keep trying if things go wrong. Asking friends or experts for help is useful.
People should make clear, realistic plans — breaking a big goal into small, manageable steps with deadlines helps a lot. Use the SMART approach where possible, track progress, and build good daily habits; for example, saving a fixed amount each month towards a deposit. It's also important to seek feedback, network with others and be ready to revise the plan when you hit setbacks.
How to answer Describe a long-term goal/ambition you would like to achieve IELTS Speaking questions
For the Describe a long-term goal/ambition you would like to achieve cue card, use the preparation minute to build a route through the talk. Choose a clear subject, add two specific moments or details and end with why it matters. Then use the linked Part 3 questions to practise broader explanation and comparison.
Cue-card prompts:
- How long you have had this goal/ambition
- What it is
- How you will achieve it
- And explain why you set it
- Opening: identify the person, place, object or event.
- Development: describe two details or moments in a logical order.
- Extension: explain a reason, result, comparison or problem.
- Reflection: finish with why the subject is memorable or important.
Question-by-question approach
| Practice question | Useful answer move |
|---|---|
| What goals should a society have? | Name the thing first, then describe a specific feature or example. |
| Do people need to have goals? | Give a direct answer, one reason and a short example without memorising a script. |
| What goals do people at your age have? | Name the thing first, then describe a specific feature or example. |
| Is it necessary to give advice to children? | Answer directly, give a reason and add one natural personal detail. |
Vocabulary focus
Useful language already demonstrated in the model answers includes use precise words from your own answer. Learn the meaning and a natural word partnership, then use each item in a different answer instead of copying a complete script.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Giving a memorised response that only partly answers the question.
- Adding difficult vocabulary without checking meaning or collocation.
- Restarting after every error instead of correcting briefly and continuing.
- Reading the model answer before recording your own first attempt.
Describe a long-term goal/ambition you would like to achieve practice FAQ
How should I use the Describe a long-term goal/ambition you would like to achieve cue card preparation minute?
Write keywords for an opening, two or three details and a final reflection. Do not try to write complete sentences.
Do I have to cover every cue-card bullet?
The prompts help you organise the talk. Covering them is useful, but a coherent one-to-two-minute response matters more than mechanically ticking off each line.
How are Part 3 questions connected to Part 2?
They develop the same broad theme through reasons, comparisons, social effects or future possibilities, so answers normally need more explanation than Part 1.
