Of course! "An interesting part" is a very common and important topic in the IELTS Speaking test, especially in Part 2 (the long turn). It's a great opportunity for you to show off your vocabulary, grammar, and storytelling skills.

Here’s a complete guide to help you tackle this topic effectively.
Part 1: Understanding the Topic
When the examiner asks you to talk about "an interesting part" of something, they are looking for:
- A clear story or description: Don't just list facts. Tell a story with a beginning, middle, and end.
- Rich vocabulary: Use words related to the topic (e.g., if it's a book, use words like protagonist, plot twist, suspenseful, captivating).
- Good grammar: Use a mix of sentence structures, including complex sentences, conditional sentences, and a variety of tenses.
- Emotion and personality: Explain why you found it interesting. How did it make you feel? What did it make you think about? This shows you can express yourself beyond just facts.
Part 2: The Cue Card (Long Turn)
This is where you'll most likely get this topic. You'll have 1 minute to prepare and then speak for 1-2 minutes.
A typical cue card looks like this:

Describe an interesting part of something you learned (e.g., a book, a documentary, a class).
You should say:
- What you learned
- When and where you learned it
- What the interesting part was
- And explain why you found it part so interesting.
The key is to use the "what, when, where, what, why" structure to build your answer.
Part 3: Step-by-Step Strategy & Sample Answer
Let's break down how to answer this using the cue card above.

Step 1: Brainstorm & Plan (1 Minute)
Use your 1 minute to jot down 3-4 keywords for each point on the cue card.
- What you learned: A book called Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari.
- When and where: Last year, during a long train trip to Beijing. I was looking for something to read.
- What the interesting part was: The chapter on the Cognitive Revolution. The idea that fiction and shared myths (like money, nations, gods) are what allow humans to cooperate in massive numbers.
- Why it was interesting:
- Mind-blowing: It changed how I see the world.
- Connected everything: Explains why cities, countries, and companies exist.
- Practical application: Helps me understand news, politics, and even social media.
Step 2: Structure Your Answer
- Introduction: Briefly introduce the topic.
- Body Paragraph 1: Cover "what, when, where."
- Body Paragraph 2: Describe "the interesting part" in detail.
- Conclusion: Explain "why" it was so interesting and what you learned from it.
Sample Answer (High Band Score)
"I'd like to talk about an incredibly interesting part of a book I read last year. The book is Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari.
I first came across it during a rather long and tedious train journey to Beijing. I was scrolling through my e-reader, looking for something that would make the time pass, and the title and cover art immediately caught my eye. It turned out to be one of the best decisions I made that year.
The most fascinating part of the book, for me, was the chapter dedicated to what the author calls the 'Cognitive Revolution'. This revolution, which happened around 70,000 years ago, was a pivotal moment when our ancestors' brains developed the ability to think about abstract concepts and, more importantly, to believe in shared fictions. Harari explains that it's not our ability to cooperate with small groups, like chimpanzees, that sets us apart. It's our unique capacity to cooperate with millions of strangers, all because we collectively believe in things that don't physically exist, such as laws, nations, money, or even human rights.
I found this concept absolutely mind-blowing. Before reading this, I had never really questioned the 'reality' of these pillars of our modern society. It was a real 'aha!' moment. It provided a powerful framework for understanding so much of the world around me. For instance, it explains why a simple piece of paper or a number on a screen can have immense value, or why millions of people are willing to fight and die for a country they've never even seen. It’s the shared belief in these stories that gives them power.
Ultimately, what made this part so interesting was that it was so profoundly relevant. It wasn't just a dry historical fact; it was a key that unlocked a deeper understanding of human nature, our social structures, and even the current events we see in the news every day. It fundamentally changed my perspective on how civilization was built and continues to evolve."
Part 4: Vocabulary & Phrases to Use
To sound more natural and impressive, use these words and phrases.
Describing "Interesting" (Synonyms):
- Fascinating: (extremely interesting) - The topic was absolutely fascinating.
- Engaging: (keeping your attention) - It was a very engaging lecture.
- Compelling: (making you believe or agree) - She presented a compelling argument.
- Intriguing: (making you want to know more) - I found the plot very intriguing.
- Captivating: (attracting and holding your interest) - The documentary was captivating from start to finish.
- Mind-blowing: (ext surprising and difficult to understand) - The scientific discovery was mind-blowing.
- Eye-opening: (making you realize something important you didn't know) - The trip was a real eye-opening experience.
Useful Phrases:
- To introduce the topic: "I'd like to talk about...", "I'm going to describe..."
- To express feelings: "What struck me the most was...", "I was completely captivated by...", "It really resonated with me because..."
- To give examples: "For instance...", "A great example of this is...", "This is particularly evident in..."
- To conclude: "All in all...", "Ultimately...", "So, in summary..."
Part 5: Practice Questions for You
Try to answer these questions to get more practice.
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Describe an interesting part of a city you have visited.
- What city? When did you go? What was the interesting part (e.g., an old street, a market, a museum)? Why was it interesting?
-
Describe an interesting tradition or festival in your country.
- What is it? When does it happen? What makes it interesting (the history, the activities, the food)?
-
Describe an interesting conversation you had with someone.
- Who was it? Where and when did it happen? What was the topic of conversation? Why was it interesting?
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Describe an interesting part of your job or studies.
- What is your job/study? What is the interesting part (e.g., a project, a class, a responsibility)? Why do you find it interesting?
Final Tip: The key to success is not just what you say, but how you say it. Be enthusiastic, use descriptive language, and connect the topic to your own feelings and experiences. Good luck
