Why Most Students Struggle in Part 2
They freeze not because of weak English…
But because they don’t know how to think in English.
“What do I say first? What comes next?”
“I can’t think of a good story!”
“My mind goes blank.”
Let’s fix that.
The Secret: Fluency = Order
Fluent English speakers think in sequences.
They don’t grab random ideas — they tell stories in order.
Once you learn how to do this, you’ll be able to:
- Start clearly
- Stay calm
- Keep talking — even with a simple idea
The Big Shift: Stop Searching for “Good” Ideas
The story doesn’t need to be impressive.
It just needs to be clear and organised.
Even a boring memory can sound great if it’s told well.
And you’ll tell it well using the 3 story structures fluent speakers use all the time.
The 3 Structures That Make You Fluent
1. Chronological Storytelling (Best for 80% of Part 2 topics)
Use this when you’re describing something that happened in time — a memory, event, mistake, or achievement.
Pattern:
- When + where
- What happened first
- What happened next
- How it ended
- How you felt
Example:
“Last year I lost my phone in a taxi. I called the driver using my friend’s phone. He answered and said he had it. We met at a café, and I got it back. I was really relieved.”
This is your default strategy — especially under pressure.
2. Descriptive Layering (Best for people, places, and things)
Use this when the topic doesn’t follow a time order — like describing an object, a person, or a place.
Pattern:
- What it is
- What it looks like
- What it does / is for
- Why it matters to you
Example:
“This is a watch my grandfather gave me. It’s old and has a leather strap. It doesn’t work anymore, but I keep it because it reminds me of him.”
Keep it simple. Add feeling. Speak calmly.
3. Step-by-Step Process (Best for routines or activities)
Use this when describing something you did — like cooking, preparing, creating something.
Pattern:
- First…
- Then…
- After that…
- Finally…
Example:
“First I made a list of ingredients. Then I bought everything. After that, I started cooking. Finally, we ate together as a family.”
This is a great structure for lower band speakers — it’s safe, simple, and fluent.
Mental Habit: Think Ahead, Not Inside the Sentence
As you speak, train your brain to ask:
“What’s the next part of my story?”
Not:
“How do I make this sentence perfect?”
When your ideas are in order, fluency follows.
Preparation Technique: The Keyword Map
In your 1-minute prep time, don’t write full sentences.
Just write 5 keywords — one for each part of the story.
Example cue card: Describe a time you helped someone
Keywords: park / lost / asked / directions / felt good
That’s enough to build a calm, fluent 60-second story.
Mini Practice: Build + Speak
Pick a cue card:
- Describe a time you learned something new
- Describe a place you like to go
- Describe a person who helped you
Choose a structure
Write 5 keywords
Speak for 60 seconds using that pattern
Optional: Record it. Listen for clarity and flow, not perfection.
What You Just Learned
- Part 2 is not about performance — it’s about structure
- You now have 3 go-to templates to help you speak naturally
- You don’t need impressive ideas — just clear order and calm rhythm
- When your ideas are in order, fluency takes care of itself
TotallyFreeIELTS 