IELTS Speaking Part 2 Cue Card
Describe a time when you and other people made a plan to do something together.
You should say:
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What the plan was
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When and where you made it
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What the activity was
And explain how you felt about the plan
1. Speaking Expressions
A. What the plan was
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The plan was to… (Kế hoạch là…)
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We agreed on a joint effort to… (Chúng tôi đồng ý cùng nhau…)
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Our intention was to… (Ý định của chúng tôi là…)
B. When and where you made it
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We hatched the idea one evening at… (Chúng tôi nảy ra ý tưởng một tối tại…)
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During a coffee break in… (Trong giờ nghỉ cà phê ở…)
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It all came together in… (Mọi thứ được thống nhất vào lúc…)
C. What the activity was
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We organised a… (Chúng tôi tổ chức một…)
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The activity involved… (Hoạt động gồm có…)
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It was essentially a group project to… (Về cơ bản đó là dự án nhóm để…)
D. How you felt about the plan
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I was genuinely excited… (Tôi thực sự hào hứng…)
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It gave me a sense of… (Nó mang lại cho tôi cảm giác…)
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I felt optimistic about our chances… (Tôi cảm thấy lạc quan về cơ hội thành công…)
2. Ideas & Collocations
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Brainstorm ideas (động não ý tưởng)
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Divide tasks evenly (phân chia nhiệm vụ đều nhau)
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Set a clear timeline (đặt khung thời gian rõ ràng)
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Assign roles (phân công vai trò)
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Coordinate via chat group (phối hợp qua nhóm chat)
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Book in advance (đặt trước)
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Venue arrangement (sắp xếp địa điểm)
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Shared responsibility (trách nhiệm chung)
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Contingency plan (kế hoạch dự phòng)
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Mutual agreement (thỏa thuận chung)
3. Sample Answer
The plan was to organise a weekend hiking trip up Lang Biang Mountain in Đà Lạt. We hatched the idea one evening at our usual café in District 1 when a friend showed us breathtaking summit photos. During a coffee break in that cozy spot, we brainstormed ideas on who to invite, what gear to bring, and how to split costs. It all came together in a WhatsApp group where we agreed on a date two weeks later.
We organised a four‑day itinerary: Day 1 for travel, Day 2 for the main hike, Day 3 to explore nearby waterfalls, and Day 4 for the return. We assigned roles—one person handled transport bookings, another secured accommodation, and someone else drafted a clear timeline. I took charge of food and snacks, coordinating with everyone via the group chat to divide tasks evenly. We also agreed on a contingency plan in case of rain.
On the morning of departure, we met at the bus station, backpacks in tow. The activity involved a challenging 10‑kilometer trek through pine forest trails, a picnic at the summit, and even impromptu stargazing that night. Because we had booked in advance and coordinated so well, everything ran smoothly—from the bus seats to the trail permits. Even our venue arrangement at the guesthouse was perfect: a dorm‑style room with a fireplace where we shared stories over hot cocoa.
I was genuinely excited throughout the process. Breaking down responsibilities into shared responsibility and holding a mutual agreement gave me confidence that nothing would slip through the cracks. When the day arrived, I felt optimistic—because we had prepared for every detail, from route maps to rain ponchos. Looking back, the success of our hiking trip wasn’t just about reaching the peak; it was seeing how well we collaborated. That sense of teamwork made me proud to be part of the group and taught me the value of planning tightly yet flexibly.
IELTS Speaking Part 3
1. What kinds of plans do young people often make?
Expressions:
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From what I see… (Theo tôi thấy…)
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They’re keen on plotting… (Họ thích lên kế hoạch…)
Collocations:
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Weekend getaways (chuyến đi cuối tuần)
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Study schedules (lịch học)
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Career roadmaps (lộ trình nghề nghiệp)
Sample Answer:
From what I see, young people often plan weekend getaways with friends, set detailed study schedules for exams, and draft career roadmaps, like internships or skills courses, to prepare for future jobs.
2. Why do people sometimes fail to follow their plans?
Expressions:
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It often comes down to… (Thường là do…)
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Unexpected obstacles… (Những trở ngại bất ngờ…)
Collocations:
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Lack of motivation (thiếu động lực)
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Poor time management (quản lý thời gian kém)
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Unrealistic goals (mục tiêu không thực tế)
Sample Answer:
It often comes down to lack of motivation or poor time management. If goals are too ambitious without a realistic breakdown, people get overwhelmed. Unexpected obstacles, like work deadlines or emergencies, can also derail well‑intended plans.
3. Why do people like to make plans?
Expressions:
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Planning gives a sense of… (Lập kế hoạch mang lại cảm giác…)
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It reduces uncertainty… (Nó giảm sự không chắc chắn…)
Collocations:
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Structured approach (cách làm có cấu trúc)
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Peace of mind (tâm lý thanh thản)
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Goal orientation (định hướng mục tiêu)
Sample Answer:
Planning gives a sense of control and reduces uncertainty about the future. A structured approach helps break big tasks into smaller steps, fostering goal orientation and providing peace of mind that things will get done.
4. Why do some people prefer not to plan at all?
Expressions:
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They thrive on spontaneity… (Họ thích sự tự phát…)
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Fear of missing out… (Nỗi sợ bỏ lỡ…)
Collocations:
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Go with the flow (theo cảm hứng)
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Live in the moment (sống trọn khoảnh khắc)
Sample Answer:
They thrive on spontaneity and enjoy going with the flow rather than sticking to fixed schedules. For some, living in the moment feels more authentic, and they fear that planning removes the joy of unexpected opportunities.
5. Are there people who never make plans?
Expressions:
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Rarely, but yes… (Hiếm nhưng có…)
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They tend to be… (Họ thường là…)
Collocations:
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Impulsive personalities (tính cách bốc đồng)
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Last‑minute decision‑makers (người quyết định vào phút chót)
Sample Answer:
Rarely, but yes, some impulsive personalities never plan ahead and make last‑minute decisions on everything from meals to holidays. While this can lead to exciting adventures, it also risks inconsistency and stress when things go awry.