Part 2 Strategies: The Long Turn

Part 2 is the section that candidates find most challenging. You must speak for one to two minutes on a given topic with only one minute of preparation. This lesson teaches you how to prepare effectively, structure your response, and speak confidently for the full two minutes.

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The Part 2 Process

Step-by-Step Timeline
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0:00  Examiner gives you the task card, pencil, paper
0:00  You read the card and begin planning
1:00  Examiner says "Please begin speaking"
1:00  You speak continuously for 1-2 minutes
2:00  Examiner says "Thank you" (may stop you here)
2:00  Examiner may ask 1-2 brief follow-up questions

The Task Card

Every task card follows the same format:

Describe [something/someone/a time]. You should say:

• bullet point 1
• bullet point 2
• bullet point 3 and explain [something related].

The bullet points are guides, not rigid requirements. However, covering all of them ensures you have enough to say and demonstrates you can follow instructions.

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Using the One-Minute Preparation Time

This minute is precious. Use it wisely.

What to Write

Do not write full sentences. Write key words, phrases, and a brief structure.

Example Task Card

Describe a book that you have read recently. You should say:

• what the book was about
• how you found out about it
• why you decided to read it and explain what you thought of it.

Model Notes (Written in 1 Minute)

Planning Notes
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Book: Sapiens - Yuval Noah Harari
About: history of humanity - cognitive revolution,
       agriculture, science
How found: friend recommended, saw it in bookshop
Why read: interested in big-picture history, lots
          of good reviews
Thought: fascinating, changed perspective, sometimes
         oversimplified, would recommend

Planning Tips

1. Identify the tense: Is this past, present, or hypothetical? (Most Part 2 topics require past tense)
2. Plan your opening sentence: Knowing how to start eliminates the most stressful moment
3. Note one detail for each bullet point: Specific details fill time and demonstrate vocabulary
4. Plan your "explain" answer: The final bullet point usually asks "why" — this is where you show depth

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Structuring Your Response

The Simple Structure

Follow the bullet points in order. This is the safest and most effective approach.

Response Structure
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Opening:     1-2 sentences introducing the topic
Bullet 1:    2-3 sentences
Bullet 2:    2-3 sentences
Bullet 3:    2-3 sentences
Explain:     3-4 sentences (the most important part)
Closing:     1 sentence to round off (optional)

Model Response (Approximately 2 Minutes)

"I'd like to talk about a book called Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari, which I read a few months ago.

It's essentially a history of humankind — it covers everything from the cognitive revolution, when humans first developed language and complex thought, through to the agricultural revolution and the scientific age. What makes it unusual is that it takes a very broad view of history, looking at the big patterns rather than focusing on specific events or dates.

I first heard about it from a close friend who wouldn't stop talking about it. She kept saying it had completely changed the way she thinks about the world. I also noticed it in a bookshop — it was on the bestseller display — and I remembered seeing it recommended in a few online articles, so I eventually picked it up.

I decided to read it partly because I've always been fascinated by big-picture history — you know, trying to understand why the world is the way it is. And also because it had so many positive reviews that I was curious to see what all the fuss was about.

As for what I thought of it — I found it genuinely fascinating. Harari has a real talent for making complex ideas accessible and engaging. The section about the agricultural revolution, where he argues that farming actually made human lives worse in many ways, really challenged my assumptions. If I had one criticism, it would be that some of his arguments feel slightly oversimplified — he's covering such a vast topic that he inevitably glosses over nuance in places. But overall, I'd highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys thought-provoking non-fiction."

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Techniques for Speaking for Two Minutes

1. Add Specific Details

Details fill time naturally and demonstrate vocabulary:

• Names: "a book called Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari" (not "a book I read")
• Times: "a few months ago" / "when I was in my final year of university"
• Places: "I noticed it in a bookshop near my office"
• Descriptions: "it has a distinctive orange cover"

2. Use Narrative Techniques

Tell a mini-story: