Describe A Time When You Were Late: How to Answer?
During Part 2 of the IELTS speaking test, the examiner will give you a cue card. This card contains a topic and several important points you must cover in your answer.
For example, consider the cue card topic 'Describe a time when you were late'.
We will now explore how to prepare for the 'Describe a time when you were late ' practice test.
Introduction
- Briefly introduce the situation you'll be discussing.
- Set the scene for the incident you're going to describe.
Example: ‘I would like to share an experience of being late for an important job interview..’
When was it?:
- Clearly state the date or time frame of the incident.
- Provide context about the timing.
Example: ‘It happened last year in July.’
Why were you late?
- Explain the reasons or circumstances that caused you to be late.
- Be honest and take responsibility if it was your fault.
Example: ‘I was late because there was unexpected heavy traffic on the way to the interview location.’
How do you feel about being late?
- Describe your emotions and thoughts at the time.
- Reflect on the impact of being late.
Example: ‘I felt extremely anxious and frustrated knowing that being late could potentially harm my chances of getting the job.’
Explain how you managed the situation:
- Describe the actions you took to mitigate the consequences of being late.
- Highlight any problem-solving skills or strategies you employed.
Example: ‘I immediately informed the interviewer about the situation and apologised profusely. I also explained that I would arrive as soon as possible and asked if they could still accommodate me.’
Conclusion:
- Summarise the outcome of the situation.
- Reflect on any lessons learned or takeaways.
Example: ‘I was fortunate that the interviewer was understanding enough to wait for me even though I was 15 minutes late. Despite that, I managed to give a good interview. Still, I learned a valuable lesson from the experience - to always plan and allocate extra time to account for any unexpected delays.’
Describe A Time When You Were Late: Sample Answers
We've covered every aspect of the cue card topic 'Describe a time when you were late'. Now, let's see some sample answers to discover different angles we can include in our responses.
Introduction
- I would like to describe an incident when I arrived late for a friend's birthday dinner.
When was it?
- It happened roughly six months ago on a Saturday evening that I would like to describe.
Why were you late?
- I arrived late because I was helping my neighbour with an urgent issue and lost track of time.
How do you feel about being late?
- Being late made me feel terrible, mainly because it was my friend's special day. I was concerned that my tardiness would cause inconvenience to everyone and detract from the celebration.
Explain how you managed the situation.
- Once I realised I was running late, I immediately called my friend to apologise and explain the situation. I also reassured them that I was on my way and would be there as soon as possible. I asked if they could start without me and save me a seat.
Conclusion
- Luckily, my friend was understanding and waited for me. Although I arrived 30 minutes late, everyone still enjoyed themselves, which was a relief. This experience made me realise the importance of time management and communication in maintaining healthy relationships.
Describe A Time When You Were Late: Follow-Up Questions
In the IELTS Follow-up round, the third part of the speaking test, you'll engage in a two-way discussion lasting about 4-5 minutes.
Here, the examiner may ask questions about the cue card topic you previously discussed, allowing you to elaborate further and demonstrate your ability to engage in natural conversation, express your thoughts clearly, and use English effectively.
