Of course! Describing a book is a very common and high-scoring topic in IELTS Speaking Part 2. The key is not just to name a book, but to tell a story about it and connect it to your life.

Here is a complete guide, including a sample answer, key vocabulary, and tips to help you structure your own response.

Part 2 Cue Card

Describe a book that you have read and enjoyed.

You should say:

• What the book is
• When you read it
• What it is about
• And explain why you enjoyed it.

Sample Answer (Band 8-9 Level)

"I'd like to talk about a book that had a profound impact on me, and that's The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. It's a contemporary classic that I first read about five years ago, during a particularly long and snowy winter break.

The story is set primarily in Afghanistan, spanning several decades from the 1970s to just after the Taliban's rise to power. It's a deeply personal narrative that follows the life of a privileged boy named Amir and his loyal Hazara servant, Hassan. The central theme of the book revolves around their complex friendship, guilt, and redemption. The plot is incredibly compelling; it starts with their childhood in Kabul, where a traumatic event creates a rift between them, and then follows Amir's journey to the United States as a refugee and his eventual return to Afghanistan to confront his past and seek a way to atone for his sins.

I absolutely loved this book for several reasons. Firstly, the storytelling is masterful. Hosseini's writing is so vivid and evocative that I didn't just read the book; I felt it. I could almost smell the saffron in the kitchen and feel the biting cold of Kabul's winters. The characters are incredibly well-developed and flawed, which made them feel real and relatable. I found myself completely invested in Amir's emotional journey, from his cowardice as a boy to his courage as a man.

But more than just a good story, what resonated with me so deeply was the powerful theme of redemption. It made me reflect on my own life and the mistakes I've made. The idea that it's never too late to do the right thing, even when it's terrifying and difficult, is a message that has stayed with me long after I finished the last page. It wasn't just an entertaining read; it was a moving and thought-provoking experience that changed my perspective on friendship, courage, and forgiveness."

Why this answer is high-scounding:

• Fluency and Coherence: The answer flows logically, using linking words and phrases like "Firstly," "But more than that," and "It made me reflect..."
• Rich Vocabulary: It uses advanced and topic-specific words like "profound impact," "contemporary classic," "compelling narrative," "atonement," "resonated," and "thought-provoking."
• Grammar Range: It employs a mix of complex sentence structures, participle clauses ("...following the life of..."), and conditional language ("The idea that it's never too late to do the right thing...").
• Personal Engagement: It goes beyond a simple plot summary to explain the emotional impact and the personal reflection the book prompted. This is what separates a good answer from a great one.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

You can mix and match these to build your own unique answer.

Types of Books:

• Novel (fiction)
• Non-fiction book (e.g., biography, history, self-help)
• Biography / Autobiography
• Science Fiction (Sci-Fi) / Fantasy
• Thriller / Mystery / Detective novel
• Classic (a famous book from the past)
• Self-help book
• Collection of short stories

Describing the Plot/Story:

• The story is set in... (time and place)
• It follows the life of...
• It's about a journey of...
• The central theme is...
• It explores the idea of...
• The plot is incredibly compelling / gripping / suspenseful.
• It's a real page-turner (you can't stop reading).
• The narrative is fast-paced or slow-paced.
• It has a twist ending.

Describing the Characters:

• The protagonist is...
• The characters are well-developed / complex / multi-dimensional.
• I found the characters relatable / believable / compelling.
• The main character undergoes a transformation / a journey of self-discovery.

Explaining Why You Enjoyed It:

• I was completely captivated / drawn in from the very beginning.
• The writing style is beautiful / vivid / eloquent.
• It's a thought-provoking / profound / moving book.
• It resonated with me deeply.
• It made me reflect on...
• It opened my eyes to...
• It stayed with me long after I finished it.
• The message is timeless / universal.

Structure Your Answer Like This

1. Introduction: Name the book and author. Give a brief overview (e.g., "It's a classic novel," "It's a fascinating non-fiction book"). Mention when you read it.

   • "I'd like to talk about a book that I absolutely adored, which is... by... I read it about a year ago..."

2. What it's about (The Plot):

   • Briefly describe the setting (time and place).
   • Introduce the main character(s).
   • Summarise the main storyline in 2-3 sentences. Don't give away the ending!
   • Mention the main theme.
   • "The story is set in... and it follows a character named... The book is essentially about... and explores themes like..."

3. Why you enjoyed it (The Impact): This is the most important part.

   • Emotional Connection: How did it make you feel? (e.g., "I felt really connected to the main character," "It was a very emotional read," "It made me laugh and cry").
   • Literary Merit: Talk about the writing style, the characters, the plot.
   • Personal Reflection: How did it affect you? Did it change your perspective? Did it teach you something? Did it make you think about your own life?
   • "What I loved most was... The author's writing is so... But the real reason it meant so much to me is because it made me think about..."

4. Conclusion: Briefly summarise your feelings and perhaps who you would recommend it to.

   • "All in all, it's a masterpiece that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys..."

Good luck with your IELTS preparation!