English LanguageICSE Class 9 · Speaking Skills

ICSE Class 9 Speaking Skills: The Two-Minute Talk, Notes and Discussion

Updated 18 October 2026 · Fact-checked

In the school speaking assessment you give an oral presentation of about two minutes on a chosen subject, followed by a discussion of about three minutes. You may glance at brief notes but reading is penalised. Plan an opening, three points and a close on a small notes card, stress important points, use natural gestures, and answer discussion questions in full sentences with reasons.

Plan the talk as opening, three points and close on a small notes card, then answer questions in full sentences with a reason.

Illustration drawn for QuestionBuddy.

Understand The Two-Minute Talk: Notes, Delivery and Discussion (ICSE Class 9)

Format. The chapter page gives two minutes for the presentation and about three minutes for discussion with the examiners. Speaking carries 10 of the 20 internal marks, with three assessments in Class IX, assessed by the subject teacher and an external examiner.

Subjects. The syllabus lists narrating an experience, describing something, giving directions to make or operate something, expressing an opinion, giving a report, relating an anecdote or commenting on a current event.

Shape of the talk. Two minutes is about 250 to 280 spoken words. Use an opening hook, three points and a close. A story follows setting, event, turning point and lesson. An opinion follows stand, reasons and a firm close. A report states what, when, where and who.

Notes, not a script. Use a small card of key words. Glance down and speak looking up. Reading or heavy dependence on notes is penalised.

Delivery. Slow down on key words and pause before the main point. Pronounce clearly, vary your tone and keep a steady pace.

Gestures and eye contact. Keep hands free, use a few open gestures and look at both examiners.

Discussion. Listen to the whole question, take a moment, and answer in two or three full sentences with a reason or an example. If you do not know, say so honestly and give what you do know.

Criteria. The chapter page lists six criteria: fluency, subject matter, organisation, vocabulary and delivery, understanding (emphasising important points) and gesture, each graded I to IV.

The Two-Minute Talk: Notes, Delivery and Discussion (ICSE Class 9): key facts

Format: Talk about 2 minutes | Discussion about 3 minutes; Per the chapter page.
Talk shape: Hook
Point 1
Point 2
Point 3
Close; About 250 to 280 words.
Criteria: Fluency
Subject matter
Organisation
Vocabulary and delivery
Understanding
Gesture; Graded I to IV.
Marks: Speaking 10 | Listening 10; Total 20 internal marks.

How to answer The Two-Minute Talk: Notes, Delivery and Discussion (ICSE Class 9) questions

Use this to prepare any topic.

1Choose a subject you can speak about for two minutes.
2Write an opening hook, three headings and a closing line on a card.
3Rehearse aloud with a timer, looking up often.
4Stress key words and pause before the main point.
5Prepare two likely discussion questions with a reason for each.

The Two-Minute Talk: Notes, Delivery and Discussion (ICSE Class 9) in real life

The idea, met in an everyday situation. Answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.

Introducing a project to the class

Suppose a student presents a science model to classmates and reads word for word from a sheet without looking up.

What would improve the presentation?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

A short card of key words.
Eye contact with listeners.
Pauses before the main point.

Answer: Using a notes card and looking up would make the talk natural and clear.

Memory hook: Card, not script.

Tricks to remember The Two-Minute Talk: Notes, Delivery and Discussion (ICSE Class 9)

Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.

Hook, 1-2-3, close
Open with a hook, speak three points, close.
Use it when: Talk shape.
Look up
Glance down, then look up and speak.
Use it when: Notes use.
Because
Give a reason with every discussion answer.
Use it when: Discussion.

The Two-Minute Talk: Notes, Delivery and Discussion (ICSE Class 9): solved examples

Ordered from board level to HOTS. Try each one before you open the solution.

Example 1: Time for the talk · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

The oral presentation lasts about:
(a) 30 seconds (b) 2 minutes (c) 10 minutes (d) 15 minutes

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Chapter page: about two minutes (1).

Answer: (b) 2 minutes.

Example 2: Name the criteria (2 marks) · 2 marks · Short answerBoard level

Name any four of the six criteria used to grade speaking.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Fluency (0.5)
Subject matter (0.5)
Organisation (0.5)
Any other (0.5).

Answer: Fluency, subject matter, organisation and vocabulary and delivery (or understanding, or gesture).

Example 3: Plan a talk (4 marks) · 4 marks · Long answerHarder board level

Plan a two-minute talk on "My favourite place in my town" with a hook, three points and a close.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Hook (1)
Three points (2)
Close (1).

Answer: Hook: the smell of fresh bread that greets me at the corner. Point 1: the old bakery and its owner. Point 2: the benches where friends gather. Point 3: evening lights on the street. Close: why this small corner feels like home.

Example 4: Discussion answer (3 marks) · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

After a talk on mobile phones, an examiner asks, "Would you ban phones in class?" Give a full-sentence answer with a reason.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Clear stand (1)
Reason (1)
Full sentences (1).

Answer: I would not ban them altogether, because a phone can help in research tasks. However, I would keep them in the bag during lessons so that attention stays on the teacher.

Example 5: Fix a weak presentation (4 marks) · 4 marks · Case-basedHOTS / competency

A student reads the whole talk in a flat voice with eyes on the paper. Identify three faults and suggest remedies.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Reading penalised (1)
Flat voice (1)
No eye contact (1)
Remedies (1).

Answer: Reading is penalised, the voice lacks stress and variation, and there is no eye contact. The remedy is a key-word card, rehearsal with a timer and deliberate pauses before main points.

Where students lose marks in The Two-Minute Talk: Notes, Delivery and Discussion (ICSE Class 9)

The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.

Mistake: Reading from a script
Notes should be brief.
Wrong working
Reading the whole talk.
Right working
Glancing at a key-word card.
Do this: Rehearse with a card.
Usually costs: Delivery marks
Mistake: One-word discussion answers
The discussion tests understanding.
Wrong working
Yes.
Right working
Yes, because ...
Do this: Add a reason.
Usually costs: Marks for understanding
Mistake: Talk too long
Time runs out.
Wrong working
400 words.
Right working
250 to 280 words.
Do this: Practise with a timer.
Usually costs: Organisation marks

Exam tips

Use a small card of key words, not a script.
Plan a hook, three points and a close.
Stress key words and pause before the main point.
Look at both examiners.
Answer discussion questions in full sentences with reasons.

Practice questions on The Two-Minute Talk: Notes, Delivery and Discussion (ICSE Class 9)

Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.

Q1 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level
Speaking carries how many internal marks?
(a) 5 (b) 10 (c) 20 (d) 40
Hint
See the chapter page.
Answer
(b) 10.
Q2 · 2 marks · Short answerBoard level
How long is the discussion after the talk? (2 marks)
Hint
Chapter page.
Answer
About three minutes, with the examiners.
Q3 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level
Write a hook for a talk on a day when you were afraid but acted. (3 marks)
Hint
A single vivid sentence.
Answer
My legs were shaking, but I walked onto the stage anyway.
Q4 · 4 marks · Long answerHarder board level
Prepare a notes card (key words only) for an opinion talk on "School uniforms should be compulsory". (4 marks)
Hint
Stand and three reasons.
Answer
Hook: same shirt, same chance. Stand: for. Reasons: equality; focus on studies; sense of belonging. Concession: some feel less free. Close: uniforms unite.
Q5 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level
Explain why a talk of 400 words cannot fit in two minutes and how to fix it. (3 marks)
Hint
Think of the rate.
Answer
Two minutes allows about 250 to 280 words. Cut examples and keep an opening, three points and a close.
Q6 · 4 marks · Case-basedHOTS / competency
Two students speak on a "memorable trip". One recites a script word for word, the other uses a card and looks at the examiners. Compare them using the criteria and say which gains more and why. (4 marks)
Hint
Link to fluency and delivery.
Answer
The second gains more: reading is penalised, and the card allows eye contact, natural fluency and emphasis on key points.

Test your recall

Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.

1.How long is the talk?Show answer
About two minutes.
2.How long is the discussion?Show answer
About three minutes.
3.How many criteria?Show answer
Six.
4.Words in two minutes?Show answer
About 250 to 280.
5.Are notes allowed?Show answer
Brief notes, yes; reading is penalised.
6.Who assesses?Show answer
The subject teacher and an external examiner.

The Two-Minute Talk: Notes, Delivery and Discussion (ICSE Class 9): frequently asked questions

Is speaking in the written paper?

No; it is assessed in school.

How much preparation time?

CISCE recommends about an hour.

Can I choose the subject?

A choice of subject is recommended.