The hardest part of the long turn is starting. Once you are talking, ideas tend to follow.
Use your minute for a story, not a script
Don't write sentences. Write four words: who, where, what happened, how you felt. Those are your stepping stones.
Open with context
A good first line simply sets the scene:
"I'd like to talk about a teacher I had when I was about fifteen, at a small school near my home."
It is not impressive. It is clear, and it gives you somewhere to go next.
Things to avoid
- Repeating the whole cue card back to the examiner.
- Apologising for your English.
- Starting with "Okay so, um, the topic is…"
Practise opening lines for five different cue cards this week. Record yourself and listen only to the first ten seconds.