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1 minute, 4 bullet points, one plan — how to use every second of it
The cue card gives you a title and 4 bullet points, and exactly 1 minute to turn them into a plan before speaking starts automatically. Here’s how to use every second of it.
What the cue card actually gives you
A title plus 4 bullet points — real example, Test 1: “Describe a place in your city or town that you enjoy visiting.” Where it is · How often you go there · What you do there · Explain why you enjoy visiting this place. The bullets are your structure, not just hints.
The clock starts the instant you reveal it
You’ll have 1 minute to prepare, then speak for up to 2 minutes. The clock starts the moment your topic is revealed, and speaking begins automatically once prep time ends — there’s no separate button to press, just like the real exam.
Use the minute to plan, not to write full sentences
One minute isn’t enough to script an answer word for word — and trying to costs you fluency. Jot a word or two per bullet instead.
Planning “a place you enjoy visiting” in 1 minute
Trying to write out a full sentence: “The place that I enjoy visiting most in my city is…”
Four words, one per bullet: park near river — weekends — walk, read — quiet, close by.
One bullet, one chunk of your answer
Work through the 4 bullets in order as you speak — where, how often, what you do, why — and you’ll naturally fill close to the full 2 minutes without losing the thread.
DEB
4 things to know about the cue card and prep time