Hey there, welcome back to IELTS on Fire – your daily five-minute boost for real IELTS results. I’m Teacher Phil, and today we’re going to tackle one of the biggest Speaking challenges: how to keep talking in Part 2 without freezing up.

If you want to boost your score fast, this one’s for you. A lot of students panic when they see the cue card and worry they’ll run out of things to say. But I’ve got a simple strategy that’ll help you build a strong, confident answer – even if you feel stuck or have to make something up.

Describe a restaurant you like.

You should say:

• where it is
• what kind of food it serves
• what the atmosphere is like
• and explain why you like this restaurant

Okay, so you’re in the Speaking test. The examiner hands you this card, and your mind goes blank. Don’t worry. Listen to my sample, and I’ll show you a method that works every time.

Let me tell you about a restaurant I really enjoy. It’s called The Green Spoon, and it’s just a short walk from my apartment in the city centre. I first went there about a year ago when a friend recommended it.

The Green Spoon mainly serves Italian food – things like pasta, wood-fired pizza, and fresh salads. Honestly, their margherita pizza is out of this world. The menu isn’t huge, but everything is made with really fresh ingredients.

The atmosphere is super cosy and relaxed. There’s soft music playing, the lighting is warm, and the staff are always friendly and welcoming. It’s a place where you can have a proper conversation without shouting.

I keep going back because I always feel comfortable there. The prices are reasonable, and the quality never disappoints. Sometimes I wish they had more dessert options, but that’s a small thing.

To sum up, I’d say The Green Spoon is my go-to spot when I want to treat myself or catch up with friends. I’m actually planning to take my parents there next month when they visit, so I hope they’ll like it as much as I do.

Let me break down what just happened. I used a simple structure I call 'past, detail, feeling, future.' First, I talked about when I discovered the place (the past). Then I gave some details about the food and atmosphere. After that, I shared my feelings and reasons for liking it. Finally, I mentioned a future plan involving the restaurant.

Here are three useful phrases you can use for your own answers:

• 'It’s just a short walk from my apartment in the city centre.'
• 'Honestly, their margherita pizza is out of this world.'
• 'I’m actually planning to take my parents there next month.'

Notice how these phrases sound natural and help me give extra information. They show location, give a strong opinion, and talk about the future. That’s exactly the kind of language examiners love. And the best part? You don’t have to tell the exact truth. It’s totally fine to use your imagination if you need to keep talking.

Now it’s your turn. Here’s your practice task:

Describe a restaurant you like, using the ‘past, detail, feeling, future’ structure. Try to speak for at least one minute – even two if you can.

After this podcast, take a deep breath, and give it a go. Remember, the more you practice, the more confident and fluent you’ll sound in the real test.

Alright, that’s it for today’s episode of IELTS on Fire. Keep practicing, and come back tomorrow for more quick wins and real IELTS strategies. Until then, let’s set your English on fire.