Describe a program you like to watch: IELTS Speaking Part 2 Cue Card and Part 3 Questions
Part 2 cue card
Describe a program you like to watch
You should say:
- What it is
- What it is about
- Who you watch it with
- And explain why you like to watch it
You will have one to two minutes to talk about this topic.
Read the complete transcript
I enjoy watching a documentary series called 'Planet Lives' on a streaming service. It explores wildlife and ecosystems around the world, with high-quality footage and interviews with scientists. The episode I like best is about coral reefs, which showed how reefs support fish and how climate change damages them. I usually watch it with my partner and sometimes with friends; we like discussing surprising facts afterwards and it sparks lively conversation. Often we make a cup of tea and pause to look things up on our phones, so it becomes a shared, relaxed experience. I like it because it combines beautiful cinematography with serious science, so it's both enjoyable and informative. The presenters explain complex ideas clearly and the pacing is calm, which helps me concentrate. Watching the series has changed how I think about conservation; for example, I started buying less single-use plastic after an episode explained its impact. The series also includes short profiles of local people trying to protect habitats, which makes the issues feel human and immediate. I appreciate the clear call-to-action at the end of each episode, like links to charities or simple lifestyle changes.
Preparation status: Predicted topic cycle. This independent practice resource is not an official IELTS paper, and the questions in your test can be different. How topics are labelled.
Part 3 discussion questions
Move one question at a time: listen, answer, compare and retry. The complete question text remains in the page HTML for accessibility and search.
- 01What programs do people like to watch in your country?
- 02Do people in your country like to watch foreign TV programs?
- 03What's the benefit of letting kids watch animal videos than visiting zoos?
- 04Do teachers play videos in class in your country?
- 05Do you think watching talk shows is a waste of time?
- 06Do you think we can acquire knowledge from watching TV programs?
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 like watching a nature documentary series on TV. It's about animals and the places they live. One episode I remember showed coral reefs and many colourful fish. I usually watch it with my flatmate or sometimes alone in the evening. We sit on the sofa and sometimes talk about what we see. I like it because the pictures are very beautiful and it is relaxing. It teaches me things but not in a difficult way. After watching I sometimes try to do small things, like use less plastic. The show is easy to follow and enjoyable.
I enjoy watching a documentary series called 'Planet Lives' on a streaming service. It explores wildlife and ecosystems around the world, with high-quality footage and interviews with scientists. The episode I like best is about coral reefs, which showed how reefs support fish and how climate change damages them. I usually watch it with my partner and sometimes with friends; we like discussing surprising facts afterwards and it sparks lively conversation. Often we make a cup of tea and pause to look things up on our phones, so it becomes a shared, relaxed experience. I like it because it combines beautiful cinematography with serious science, so it's both enjoyable and informative. The presenters explain complex ideas clearly and the pacing is calm, which helps me concentrate. Watching the series has changed how I think about conservation; for example, I started buying less single-use plastic after an episode explained its impact. The series also includes short profiles of local people trying to protect habitats, which makes the issues feel human and immediate. I appreciate the clear call-to-action at the end of each episode, like links to charities or simple lifestyle changes.
Part 3 — Model Answers
What programs do people like to watch in your country?
People in my country watch a lot of different programmes. Popular ones are soap operas, reality TV, news and sport. Many also like comedy shows and drama series. Younger people use streaming services for international series, while older viewers often stick to TV channels. Live sport, like football, gets big audiences. Evening news is also very common.
Viewing habits are quite varied. Domestic dramas and soap operas still attract large audiences in the evenings, while reality TV and talent shows tend to draw younger viewers. Sporting events command very big live audiences, and news programmes remain important for people who want up-to-date information. At the same time, streaming platforms have shifted tastes towards international series and niche documentaries, so audiences are more fragmented now. Broadly, people choose what fits their routine and mood — some watch to unwind after work, others to keep informed or learn something new.
Do people in your country like to watch foreign TV programs?
Yes, many people enjoy foreign programmes. American and Korean series are quite popular. People watch them with subtitles or dubbed versions. Foreign shows are seen as more exciting or different. They also help people practise language a bit.
Absolutely — foreign programmes are widely watched, especially via streaming services. American, Korean and Scandinavian series have found large audiences because of distinctive storytelling and high production values. Many viewers prefer subtitles to hear the original language, which can help with language learning and cultural understanding, while others pick dubbed versions for convenience. Overall, foreign TV has broadened tastes and introduced new storytelling styles to local viewers.
What's the benefit of letting kids watch animal videos than visiting zoos?
Watching animal videos is useful because they are easy to access and safe for children. You can watch at home and pause to talk about things. They often show a wide range of animals and habitats. But they are not the same as seeing animals in real life.
Animal videos offer several practical benefits compared with zoo visits. They are readily available on tablets or phones, so children can revisit clips and learn by repetition, which helps memory. Good videos can show rare species and close-up behaviour that a local zoo might not offer, and many include scientific commentary that explains what is happening. On the other hand, films can’t fully replace the sensory experience of a real visit, but they are a useful and ethical supplement when travel, cost or animal welfare are concerns.
Do teachers play videos in class in your country?
Yes, teachers sometimes play videos in class. They use short clips for language lessons or science. Videos help explain things and keep students interested. But teachers usually add some questions or activities after the film.
Yes — teachers increasingly use video as a teaching aid. Short clips, animated explainers or segments from documentaries are handy for presenting complex ideas visually, particularly in science, history and language lessons. Many educators follow a 'teach–watch–discuss' sequence: introduce the topic, show a focused clip, then run a follow-up activity or discussion to check understanding. Used thoughtfully, video can boost engagement and cater for different learning styles, but it needs to be actively taught around to avoid passive viewing.
Do you think watching talk shows is a waste of time?
I don't think all talk shows are a waste of time. Some have useful interviews and news. Others are just for entertainment and gossip. It depends on the show and what you want.
It depends on the programme. Some talk shows offer serious interviews, expert panels and thoughtful discussion that can be informative, while others are designed for entertainment and focus on celebrity gossip or sensational stories. For viewers looking to be entertained they have their place, but if your aim is to learn something substantial it's better to choose reputable current affairs or documentary programmes. Developing a bit of critical thinking helps too — don't accept everything you hear at face value.
Do you think we can acquire knowledge from watching TV programs?
Yes, I think you can learn from TV. Documentaries, news and educational shows give facts and ideas. You can also learn practical skills from cooking or DIY programmes. But it's important to check the information sometimes.
Definitely — television can be an effective source of knowledge when programmes are well produced. Documentaries, science shows and quality news provide factual information and use visuals to explain complex topics, which often inspires viewers to read more. Even entertainment formats can teach indirectly: historical dramas might spark an interest in a period, and lifestyle programmes can teach practical skills. The key is to treat TV as a starting point and to verify facts, since not all content is accurate or free from bias.
How to answer Describe a program you like to watch IELTS Speaking questions
For the Describe a program you like to watch 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:
- What it is
- What it is about
- Who you watch it with
- And explain why you like to watch 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 programs do people like to watch in your country? | Name the thing first, then describe a specific feature or example. |
| Do people in your country like to watch foreign TV programs? | Give a direct answer, one reason and a short example without memorising a script. |
| What's the benefit of letting kids watch animal videos than visiting zoos? | Name the thing first, then describe a specific feature or example. |
| Do teachers play videos in class in your country? | Give a direct answer, one reason and a short example without memorising a script. |
Vocabulary focus
Useful language already demonstrated in the model answers includes soap opera, streaming platform, fragmented audiences, subtitles, dubbed, production values, revisit, close-up behaviour. 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 program you like to watch practice FAQ
How should I use the Describe a program you like to watch 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.
