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IELTSTM CUE CARD

Describe An Occasion When You Got Incorrect Information: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

Updated on Nov 12, 2024, 11:33

Overview

The speaking test is one of the four modules of the IELTS exam. It involves three parts, during which an examiner will assess your speaking proficiency. These include an introduction, an individual long turn, and a two-way discussion. 

 

In the introduction round, the examiner will ask general questions about your life. In the individual long turn round, you will be given a cue card topic and asked to speak on it. The third part is called a discussion round, where the examiner will ask some follow-up questions related to the cue card topic. 

 

Cue Card/Topic: Describe an occasion when you got incorrect information.

You should say

  • When did you get it?
  • How did you get it?
  • How did you find it was incorrect?
  • And how do you feel about it?
Sample Answer 1

Introduction: 
 

  • I once made a flight reservation, but unfortunately, I received incorrect information about it. 
  • This caused a chain of unexpected events and led to frustration on my end.  
     

When did you get it?

 

  • Last summer, I planned to visit my family overseas and booked my flight tickets online through a well-known travel booking website. 

 

How did you get it?

 

  • Just a few days before my departure, the airline sent me an email verifying my flight information. 
  • The email included all the typical details, such as the flight number, departure time, and gate number. 

 

How did you find it was incorrect?

 

  • Upon reaching the airport on the day of my flight, the airline staff informed me that there was no reservation under my name for the flight I had booked. 
  • This news caused me confusion and frustration, as I was sure I had made a reservation. 
  • After investigating the matter, it turned out that there was a glitch in the system, and my reservation had not been properly processed. 

 

And how do you feel about it?

 

  • The incident taught me the significance of verifying essential details concerning travel arrangements. 
  • Although it was a difficult situation, it emphasised the need to be cautious and attentive in ensuring the correctness of information, especially regarding vital matters like flight bookings.

 

Conclusion:

 

  • The incident taught me the significance of verifying essential details concerning travel arrangements. 
  • Although it was a difficult situation to handle, it emphasised the need to be cautious and attentive in ensuring the information's correctness, especially regarding vital matters like flight bookings. 
Sample Answer 2

Introduction:

 

  • I remember a recent incident in which I received incorrect information about a scheduled work meeting, which caused me confusion and inconvenience. 
     

When did you get it?
 

  • Last month, I was in charge of arranging a team meeting to discuss an upcoming project deadline. 
  • I sent out a calendar invitation to all team members beforehand to ensure everyone's availability. 

 

How do you get it?

 

  • A day before the meeting, I received a confirmation email from one of my colleagues, affirming their attendance and expressing their readiness for the discussion. 

 

How did you find it was incorrect?

 

  • I was taken aback on the meeting day when I couldn't find the colleague who had confirmed their attendance. 
  • When I checked my email later, I discovered their confirmation message had been sent to the wrong date in the calendar. 

 

And how do you feel about it?

 

  • Discovering the error left me feeling frustrated and somewhat embarrassed, as I had assumed all necessary arrangements were in place based on the confirmation I received. 
  • It was easier to proceed with the meeting effectively with the presence of a supportive team member. 

 

Conclusion:

 

  • This experience taught me to review communication carefully and ensure alignment on essential details, especially when scheduling meetings or events. 
  • It showed me the potential consequences of relying solely on verbal or written confirmations without proper verification.
Sample Answer 3

Introduction:

 

  • I remember a highly anticipated event where I received incorrect information about a concert I eagerly looked forward to. 
  • This misinformation caused me disappointment and frustration. 

 

When did you get it?

 

  • Last summer, I eagerly looked forward to attending a concert by my favourite band, which was supposed to happen at a nearby stadium.

 

How do you get it?

 

  • I bought the tickets online from a reliable ticketing website and got a confirmation email with all the necessary information about the concert, such as the date, time, and venue. 

 

How did you find it was incorrect?

 

  • But when my friends and I reached the stadium on the concert day, we were shocked to discover that the event had been rescheduled to a later date without any prior notice or announcement. 

 

And how do you feel about it?

 

  • After looking forward to the concert for weeks, discovering the error left me highly disappointed and disappointed. 
  • It was frustrating to have made plans and arrangements based on incorrect information provided by the ticketing website. 

 

Conclusion:

 

  • Looking back, this incident reminded me of the importance of verifying essential details, especially when it comes to events that have fixed schedules, such as concerts. 
  • Although it was disheartening to miss the concert, the experience emphasised the necessity of being proactive and well-informed in cross-checking information to evade similar letdowns in the future.

The examiner gives you a cue card containing a topic and some points you must discuss. 

 

For instance, here is how the cue card for the topic ‘Describe an occasion when you got incorrect information’ will be:

 

Now that we know the points to discuss in our ‘Describe an occasion when you got incorrect information’ practice test topic, let's see how to prepare for it and provide a practical example. 
 

Introduction
 

  • Introduce the occasion when you received incorrect information.
  • Briefly explain the significance of the misinformation and its impact on you.
  • Set the stage for recounting the experience of discovering the error.
“I recall receiving incorrect information regarding a job interview. This caused immense confusion and frustration, leaving me disheartened and disappointed.”

When did you get it? 

 

  • Mention the time frame when you received the incorrect information.
  • Describe the sources through which the misinformation was conveyed. 
  • Provide context about the situation in which the incorrect information was received.
“Last year, I was actively searching for a job when I received an email notification about an upcoming interview for a position I had applied to weeks before.”

How did you get it?

 

  • Describe the method through which you received the incorrect information.
  • Provide details about who conveyed the misinformation.
  • Explain any factors responsible for the circulation of incorrect information.
“I received an email notification from the company's HR department. The email had all the regular details, such as the interview date, time, location, and preparation instructions. Since it came from a reputable source, I didn't doubt its authenticity and accepted it without second thoughts.”

How did you find it was incorrect?
 

  • Explain the events that led you to figure out the misinformation.
  • Describe any activities you did to verify the accuracy of the information.
  • Share your reaction upon finding out about the error. 
“On the interview day, the receptionist told me no interview was scheduled. I showed her the email notification I had received. After checking, it was found that there had been a mistake in scheduling.’ Initially, I felt frustrated and disheartened by the misinformation. It made me question the reliability of communication channels. However, I learned to double-check information instead of taking it at face value.”

And how do you feel about it?

 

  • Express your emotional response to discovering the misinformation.
  • Reflect on the impact of the incorrect information on your feelings, plans, or trust in the source.
  • Mention any lessons learned from the experience.
“Initially, I felt frustrated and disheartened by the misinformation. It made me question the reliability of communication channels. It also taught me to double-check information instead of taking it at face value.”

Conclusion

 

  • Summarise your experiences of receiving incorrect information.
  • Give some light on any lessons learned from the situation.
  • Consider the broader implications of the experience on your outlook or behaviour.
“The incident taught me that checking information before taking action is essential. Although it was frustrating, it made me approach future situations more carefully. It showed me that being critical and attentive to detail is essential when communicating.”

 

Also Read: Detailed Overview of IELTS Exams! 

Follow-Up Questions

Let us now discover some of the follow-up questions that can be asked about our topic, ‘Describe an occasion when you got incorrect information.’ 
 

The follow-up questions are asked in the discussion round (part 3 of the IELTS speaking test), lasting 4-5 minutes. 

 

Q1. What was your emotional response upon discovering the mistake?

Answer 1: After realising the mistake, I felt frustrated and disappointed. The excitement I had built up for the concert turned into a feeling of letdown and disbelief. It was disheartening to see all the energy and anticipation I had invested in preparing for the event go to waste.
 

Answer 2: Upon discovering the mistake, I felt a mix of surprise and irritation. I was annoyed at the ticketing website for providing inaccurate information, particularly about something as significant as a concert. At the same time, I felt a sense of resignation as I came to terms with the fact that I would miss out on an experience that I had eagerly anticipated.

Q2. What are some methods to verify the accuracy of information?

Answer 1: One effective method to ensure information accuracy is to cross-reference it with multiple sources. This approach enables you to verify the details and detect any discrepancies or inconsistencies. Moreover, contacting the event organisers or relevant authorities directly could provide authoritative confirmation of the information.
 

Answer 2: Another effective method to verify the accuracy of information is to conduct thorough research online. Utilising reliable websites, official announcements, or social media channels associated with the event can help confirm the details and stay updated on any changes or developments. Furthermore, engaging with online communities or forums related to the event can provide valuable insights and firsthand experiences.

Q3. What steps did you take after realising the error?

Answer 1: Upon discovering the error, I promptly contacted the customer service of the ticketing website to seek clarification and express my dissatisfaction. I aimed to comprehend why the misinformation had occurred and whether any measures could be taken to resolve the issue. Moreover, I ensured that I subscribed to email notifications or followed social media updates from the band to stay informed about the rescheduled concert date.
 

Answer 2: Upon realising the error, I proactively informed my friends planning to attend the concert about the schedule change. I shared the updated information and encouraged them to verify it independently to avoid further misunderstandings. Additionally, I explored the possibility of obtaining a refund or exchanging the tickets for the rescheduled date through the ticketing website's customer service.

Q4. What takeaways did you gain from this experience?

Answer 1: This experience taught me to stay flexible in unexpected situations and to adapt to changes. It also showed me the importance of verifying information and viewing setbacks as growth opportunities.

 

Answer 2: From this experience, I learned to be careful when using information from external sources. It showed me how important it is to check that the information is correct and to communicate clearly to avoid confusion.

FAQs

Q. How can I prepare for the IELTS cue card?

Ans.  To prepare for the IELTS speaking part, look up common topics, talk about different subjects, work on speaking smoothly, saying words clearly, and organising your ideas well, practice with a friend, or record yourself speaking and listening back, and make sure you understand how the IELTS speaking test works.

Q. What can I do if I don’t understand the cue card topic?

Ans.  If you need help understanding the cue card topic, ask the examiner to explain it or give you simpler words. But remember, the examiner can't help answer or give you ideas on discussing the topic. So stay calm and do your best to answer as well as you can.

Q. Can I change the topic for speaking in IELTS?

Ans. You can't choose the topics for the IELTS speaking test, but you can prepare by practising speaking about different things. By practising various topics, you'll improve at speaking smoothly, organising your ideas, and using a more comprehensive range of words. This will help you do well on any topic during the IELTS speaking test.

Q. How to crack the Cue Card task?

Ans.  To crack the Cue Card task, grasp the IELTS speaking structure, practice various cue card topics, strategise your response, speak clearly and fluently, maintain proper vocabulary and grammar, review recordings for enhancements, remain composed and self-assured, and don't hesitate to request clarification from the examiner when necessary.

Q. How can I improve my performance in the IELTS Speaking test?

Ans.  To enhance your performance in the IELTS Speaking test, practice regularly, become familiar with the test format, expand your vocabulary, refine your grammar and pronunciation, listen to English media, participate in conversations, record and review your responses, maintain calmness and confidence, and speak naturally.

Q. What are common mistakes in IELTS speaking?

Ans. Common mistakes in IELTS speaking include not following instructions, speaking too fast or slow, using fillers or pauses, limited vocabulary, lacking detail, and not answering the question asked. Practice regularly and get feedback to improve.

Q. Which part is the most important in IELTS speaking?

Ans.  Every section of the IELTS speaking test holds significance, yet the individual long turn (part 2) is deemed the most pivotal. It assesses your proficiency in structuring and articulating ideas, employing diverse vocabulary and grammar structures, and sustaining coherence and fluency throughout your speech.

Q. Is there a specific structure I should follow when responding to speaking test topics?

Ans. Yes, there is a recommended structure to follow when responding to speaking test topics, including an introduction, main body, and conclusion. However, it's essential to adapt the structure to fit the specific requirements of the task and showcase your language skills effectively.

Q. How do I frame my answer in 1 minute?

Ans. To prepare your response within a minute, take a moment to plan, offer a concise introduction, and outline your key points in 30-40 seconds. Utilise the remaining time to elaborate with details and examples. Stay mindful of the time and conclude your answer within the allocated timeframe.

Q. What is the marking scheme for the IELTS speaking test?

Ans. The IELTS speaking test employs four marking criteria: fluency and coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and accuracy, and pronunciation. Each criterion receives a rating from 0 to 9, then averaged to determine the overall band score. Attaining a high band score necessitates showcasing a wide array of language skills and proficient communication.

Q. Can I use informal language during my cue card task?

Ans. Formal language, including the cue card task, is recommended throughout the IELTS speaking test. This ensures effective communication in academic or professional contexts, positively impacting your score. While showcasing varied vocabulary and grammar is crucial, adapting your language to suit the task's requirements is equally important.

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