Describe a situation when you were late.: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

  • What was the event?
  • Why were you late?
  • How did you feel about it?

Band 6-7

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A situation when I was late, it takes me back to my grade 12th year when I was late for an English speaking test. Those were the board exams period and I remember I had a centre which was quite far from the place that I used to live. The person that I am, I prepare myself well, I pack all my stuff in advance, even I plan my clothes in advance so that I don't want to be late for any particular event per se. However, that day a very misfortunate incident happened. While I started travelling, I decided that instead of taking the train I would take a cab. When the journey started, it was quite okay for the first 20 minutes. However, I was suddenly stuck in huge traffic as there had been an accident on the road. The situation was completely chaotic. I was in a panic state of mind because I could not understand what to do. At that time I did not use a mobile phone and thus I could not reach out to my friends in order to inform them that I am on my way and it would take me some time to reach and it is a legitimate reason that I am late. However, I reached my college. Yes, I was not allowed to give the exam the same day because according to the rules for the board exams, I need to be present half an hour prior to the centre. I was very embarrassed. It was very shocking for me. I started to cry. I clearly remember

Follow up questions


How did you feel when you realized you were going to be late?
I felt a wave of panic wash over me. I was anxious and frustrated because I had prepared so well for this test. The thought of not being able to take the exam after all my hard work was devastating. It was a mix of embarrassment and fear of disappointing my teachers and myself.

What did you learn from that experience?
I learned the importance of planning for unexpected situations. Now, I always leave earlier than necessary and consider alternative routes. This experience taught me to stay calm under pressure and to always have a backup plan, especially for important events.

Have you ever been late for anything else since then?
Yes, I have been late a few times since then, but I always try to manage my time better now. For instance, I was late for a job interview once, but I had informed the interviewer in advance. I make sure to account for potential delays in my schedule to avoid repeating that stressful experience.

Band 6-7

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There was this one time during my undergraduate degree, I had my practical exam and I was there on time but when I arrived in my college in the morning, the security guy stopped me and he asked me why I am going to college at this time because I was a second shift person which is from 1 to 6, so he asked me why I am going and I told him that I have a practical exam today and I really need to go because it's already that time but he mentioned that he didn't receive any information regarding this that there is no practical and all, so I have to tell him that, I told him that there is one but he didn't believe, so I have to call my professor and confirm with him too, so it was kind of funny that even though I was wearing my college ID card, he still didn't allow me.

Follow up questions


How did you feel when you were stopped by the security guard?
I felt quite anxious and frustrated because I was already running late for my exam. It was stressful to explain my situation, especially since I had prepared so much for the practical exam. I was worried that I might miss it altogether.

What did you learn from that experience?
I learned the importance of confirming details ahead of time, especially regarding exam schedules. It also taught me to carry any necessary documentation or proof that might help in such situations, like a confirmation email or a schedule.

Have you ever been late for anything else? How did you handle it?
Yes, I have been late for a few classes and meetings. In those cases, I always tried to inform the person in charge as soon as possible. I also made sure to apologize for my tardiness and explain the reason, which helped maintain good relationships.

Band 6-7

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So, there was this incident that happened to me like two years ago in which I went to an internship to the United Kingdom and when I was coming back, there was this flight that I had to take and we were already late for the boarding because one of my friends decided to get something for his family. So, he went out and like got late which like surprisingly made us also late and then we went and then there was this uncle that who took us in the car to the airport. So, while on the way, we got into some very difficult situation in which there was this maintenance going on the road which led to an accident and there was this long line of traffic and like the GPS which was on, it was showing that it would take more than what we were supposed to take. So, it felt really anxious to me. My heart started pounding as if I was like everything just gonna explode or anything. I don't know what but then like by the God's grace, we successfully reached there on time like before a few minutes. So, we decided to conquer it in parts like one of my friend would take our passports and run to the boarding counter and other two would carry our luggages quickly and would rush through the you know airport and to other end of the airport. So, it was really you know overwhelming for me. So, but then also we got into some trouble at the counter station but eventually we got lucky and got on time on the airplane. So, that was really anxious for me.

Follow up questions


How did you feel during the situation?
I felt extremely anxious and stressed. My heart was pounding, and I was worried we would miss our flight. The whole experience was overwhelming, especially with the traffic and the uncertainty of whether we would make it on time.

What did you learn from being late?
I learned the importance of time management and planning ahead. It's crucial to leave early, especially when traveling. I also realized how teamwork can help in stressful situations, as we quickly divided tasks to make it to the boarding gate.

Have you been late for anything else since then?
Yes, I have been late for a few other events, but I've tried to apply what I learned from that experience. I now make sure to plan my schedule better and allow extra time for unexpected delays to avoid the same anxiety.

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Band 6-7

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So, the time when I was late was, it was my jury day. So, I come from, I am an architecture student where in the end of every semester we have architectural design juries. So, prior to this day, all of the students, we generally pull in all nighters to work through our design. So, I have been staying up night constantly, continuously for 2-3 days. So, this really affected my sleep cycle. And before my jury day, I was working on my model. I really wanted to emphasize on my model work so that I could get more marks in my jury. So, working on my model and pulling in all nighters, it equally resulted in me getting up late the next day. So, I woke up very late and there was so much traffic on the roads. And I was constantly scared about how my jury would go. And when I finally did reach the university, I did not have any cuts to enter into my classroom. But I did so. And it was a very embarrassing moment because everyone were ready and few of them were done with their reviews. And it was my chance to go and I was very much unprepared for it. So, it was hard for me to face the jurors. But I did go through it. I was panicking but I also tried to make it possible and I made my way through the jury. I did hope that it would go well but unfortunately, it did not. My being late has also accounted into the jurors providing me for marks. So, it did result in a low grade which was kind of disappointing. So, I learned that there will be many consequences when you are not punctual.

Follow up questions


How do you usually manage your time before important events?
I try to plan ahead by creating a schedule and setting reminders. I prioritize tasks and break them down into smaller steps to avoid last-minute rushes. This helps me stay organized and reduces stress as the event approaches.

What strategies do you use to cope with stress during important presentations?
I practice deep breathing exercises and visualize a positive outcome. I also rehearse my presentation multiple times to build confidence. Additionally, I remind myself that it's okay to make mistakes and focus on doing my best.

Have you ever been late to an event that turned out to be a positive experience?
Yes, there was a time I was late to a friend's wedding, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I missed the formalities but arrived just in time for the celebration, which was more relaxed and enjoyable. It taught me that sometimes things work out unexpectedly.

Band 6-7

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Well, I am very punctual person, but sometimes due to some reasons when I was being late. Here I would like to say some light an event when I was reached late. I vividly reach a couple of month ago. I had to go to Ahmedabad for my cousin's marriage. Her name is Afreen. She was not just my cousin, but my bosom buddy also. She called me before one month for marriage, but due to my hectic schedule, I couldn't go as early as she said. But after 15 days, whenever I was go to the station due to heavy rain. Moreover, I felt blue at that time because I had to go to Ahmedabad as soon as possible. Furthermore, I just travelled by road, so I called my friend and told him the whole story. Luckily, he was available at that time, which was just a cherry on a cake news for me because he was very engaged person. Besides this, he came and I reached there after 7 hours. All in all, this was the time when I was late and I felt blue because it's my friend's marriage and I don't wanted to reach there late.

Follow up questions


How do you usually manage your time to avoid being late?
I usually plan my schedule in advance, setting reminders and leaving early for appointments. I prioritize tasks and try to account for potential delays, like traffic or weather conditions, to ensure I arrive on time.

What do you think are the consequences of being late?
Being late can lead to missed opportunities, create a negative impression, and disrupt plans for others. It can also cause stress and anxiety for the person who is late, as they may feel rushed or guilty for not being punctual.

Have you ever been late for an important event? How did you feel?
Yes, I have been late for important events, and it always makes me feel anxious and disappointed. I worry about how it affects others and often feel embarrassed. It reinforces my desire to be more punctual in the future.
Show all 48 answers

Cue 1:What was the event?

  • Begin by clearly stating the event you were late for, such as a meeting, a family gathering, or an exam.
  • Provide some context about the significance of the event to you.

Example

I was supposed to attend my friend's wedding, which was a significant event for me as we had been friends since childhood.


Cue 2:Why were you late?

  • Explain the reason for your delay, whether it was due to traffic, personal issues, or something unexpected.
  • Make sure to include any details that highlight the situation, such as the time you left home or any obstacles you faced.

Example

I left my house on time, but there was an unexpected traffic jam due to road construction. I was stuck for almost an hour, which made me late.


Cue 3:How did you feel about it?

  • Share your emotions regarding being late, such as anxiety, embarrassment, or frustration.
  • Reflect on how your feelings might have affected your experience of the event.

Example

I felt really anxious and embarrassed when I arrived. I was worried that I would miss important moments of the wedding, and I hated the thought of letting my friend down.


Conclusion

  • Summarize the overall experience and what you learned from it.
  • Mention how you might handle a similar situation differently in the future.

Example

In the end, I enjoyed the wedding, but I learned the importance of leaving even earlier for important events. Now, I always plan for extra travel time to avoid being late.


Following this structure will ensure you cover all the essential points while providing a clear and engaging response to the cue card topic.


Tips to answer this Cue Card

1: Vague Responses

Giving vague or unclear answers can make your response less engaging. It may leave the examiner confused about your experience and feelings.

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Tip

Provide specific details about the event, such as the location and people involved, to create a clearer picture.


2: Lack of Emotion

Failing to express your feelings about being late can make your answer sound flat. Emotions help connect with the listener and make your story memorable.

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Tip

Share your feelings honestly, whether it was embarrassment, frustration, or something else, to add depth to your response.


Overly Complicated Language

Using complex vocabulary or grammar can lead to mistakes and misunderstandings. It's important to communicate clearly and effectively.

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Tip

Stick to simple and clear language to ensure your message is understood, focusing on fluency over complexity.


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All Answers

Here are all the answers by real-users practicing speaking for IELTS Cue Cards on our IELTS Prep App.

Band 6-7

So, last year, I was about to attend the wedding of one of my best friends, so you can imagine, I was preparing for this event for nearly 4-5 months. We kept speaking about it and I got my perfect outfit. I was all ready, all my bags were packed and I was just about to get out of the door to get into my cab which was taking me to the airport because I had to travel around 3 hours by flight to get to another metropolitan city which was in a nearby city. So, during this time, I noticed that we had entered directly into the rush hour, peak traffic time and there was a lot of honking all around me, the roads were congested and my cab was moving at a snail's pace. I started getting nervous but I thought, no, maybe we will get to the airport on time. However, when there were just around 5 minutes left, I understood that this is not going to work out. I thought that I would have to make a dash for it but by God's grace, I was able to make it to the airport on time. I was feeling so nervous, my heart was beating out of my chest. I also felt that my chest was tightening and I was almost ready to make an apology to my friend for missing her wedding. It would have devastated her. But all the same, I somehow made it to the airport and I started relaxing only after I got to my seat. Till then, it was a nail-biting moment, moments right before getting into that plane.

Band 6-7

It was a basketball tournament which was held in a stadium at Sarjapura road. I used to travel there quite often to my practice sessions. On the day of the tournament, I woke up late and I left my house at 10 am. By 12 pm, I used to be there usually. I had the tournament on 9 am. That day, I woke up at 6 am, got ready by 7 am, left my house, crossed JP Nagar signal on my way to the destination. I encountered huge traffic in Sarjapura road. Due to that, my destiny was delayed by 50 minutes due to the traffic. By the time I reached the tournament place, the match was already started. Our team were already playing the second quarter. I immediately got up ready and asked for a sub. My other friends did not allow me to take a sub. It was an awkward situation and I repent doing on it, due to which it results in my overall team loss and I was blamed for not being on time by my coach, which was a big problem.

Band 6-7

In the 2024 winters, I had an exam in a different college, so I went there, but turned out that I had assumed a wrong college. So when I reached there, I found out there was a lack of information in my cue card and I got to know that I had an exam in another sector, so I had to run to the other college and then I had to enter the examination centre 15 minutes late. This was because I didn't have enough knowledge of where my exam was going to be held and I did not prepare well before that. I also should have reached the first place a bit early so I had time to spare, but because I didn't do that and there was a lot of traffic, I reached the second college 15 minutes late. I feel this was something a bit awkward for me. I usually like to be punctual, but at this time when it was an exam, it was a bit, you know, disappointing from my end. However, I learned my lesson and now whenever I have an exam or something important to go to, I always look at the location twice and leave my home at least 30 minutes early.

Band 6-7

During the Durga Puja last year, I planned on going out with my office colleagues for Puja Pandal Hopping. We were given the time of meeting at 11.30 am and I got late because I was supposed to take a local train from the station near to my place, but unfortunately the day was very rainy and I missed the train. The next train was approximately 25 minutes late, hence I couldn't reach there on time and they had to wait for long. They were about to skip the plan, but thankfully I reached there and we continued our Puja Pandal Hopping and moreover it was a great day, we had a lot of fun, we saw a lot of Durga Pandals and we were really exhausted after all the hopping and we came back home safe.

Band 6-7

Hi, so I remember the situation happened with me two years ago when I was in my college. It was the first day of my internship. I applied for a company there and I was supposed to be joining one week later when I applied. It was a Monday morning. I was very much excited to go to my office because that was my very first experience so I was pretty nervous about it. But then, you know, that was a rainy season and I was in my college. I was actually, I took a break from my college, I stood, you know, with the office. But as it was raining heavily, I couldn't manage to reach the office on time, like, I tried my level best. There was no Uber or I couldn't find any means of transport to get to the office. I even didn't have any umbrella and all my peers have went to their classes and I have no one who could help me to drop me in the office. I was stuck in my home. I was trying my level best to get ways possible but it was, it seemed like I couldn't manage to go but somehow after the rain stopped, I rushed to the office. I visited and I felt very much, you know, I felt very embarrassed that it was my first ever day and how can I be so late. My manager, although it was my first day, he didn't scold me and he did not say much to me but anyways, I felt that whatever I did was wrong. I shouldn't have been so late. I could have reached on time. That situation made me feel so embarrassed and I could never forget about it.

Band 6-7

So, it was my friend's birthday on Thursday, and I had planned to take him out for a lunch. For that, I called him to a place called as Andheri, and I was about to meet him at five o'clock sharp. When I reached Virar station, I saw that all the local trains were running late, due to which I was not able to reach at exact five o'clock pm, and I got late. When I saw my friend's face, my face turned blue due to his furious expressions, and I felt terrible about it. I knew that I ruined my friend's special day, and he was very upset. Now, I thought how to make up for the mess that I've created, so I took him to a nice cafe on the beach side, and treated him his favorite delicacies. At the end of the day, he was happy and cheerful, however, the whole experience made me feel upset because I wasn't able to reach there on time. I wasn't able to fulfill the commitment that I gave, and I decided from next time, I won't be late. Instead, I will try to come twenty minutes earlier than the time that I commit. And so, since then, I never reach late for any occasion, and I try to be early than anyone else on the site. It's better to be late than never, as people say.

Band 6-7

When I was appearing for my class 9th final exams, I remember one time my father was dropping me off at school and it was raining heavily on that day. And as we don't have a car, my father usually drops me off at school using his bike. So as it was raining, the roads were all slippery and accidentally our bike's tyre got slipped in the rain water and we both fell. We met an accident and hence we couldn't reach my school on time. When we reached there, my knee was still bleeding and my father's right hand had a severe injury. So when we reached school, my teachers didn't let me give my exam anymore because I was late but they did give us some first aid, some medicines and some food. They were very understandable, they were very understanding. They didn't let me give my exam that day because I wasn't on time but they did let me take a retest on the next day after I finished my other exams. So it was very kind and helpful and very mindful gesture of my teachers which I still remember till this day and I'll always be grateful for their help and advice.

Band 6-7

So, the situation where I was late was the first day of my job, working as a teacher here in Kuwait. On my first day, I went to the school by bus. Since it was my first time travelling by the bus to reach there, I had no idea of the traffic that would be there in the morning. It was really congested in the morning, so I was almost 20-30 minutes late by the time I reached at school. And since it was my first day, I was feeling very embarrassed and nervous to meet the principal and face him, but however, he asked me the reason for being late and I explained him that I had to take a bus and I had no idea that it would take so long because of the traffic to reach the school, which was not so far from my home. And eventually, he understood my situation and he said that it was okay for being late for the first day, but I shouldn't repeat it from the next day and be on time, so that gave me a sign of relief and I felt okay after talking to him. Initially, during my journey from my home to the school, it was very congested.

Band 6-7

Well, I am a very punctual person and try to reach everywhere on time. I got this habit from my father who is very disciplined and strict about time. And if I had an appointment, I take extra caution and try to reach at least 10 minutes before my appointment. But sometimes even giving myself the extra time has not helped and I have been late. I remember being late to my best friend's wedding. My best friend, her scout married last year. He is the first one to get married among my friends and we were all very excited. Indian wedding ceremonies are very lavish and usually there are 2-3 functions before ceremony. A day before wedding, there had been a sangeet ceremony where we dance and party till late night. I was tired in the morning but woke up and got ready on time. The wedding ceremony was in the Sikh temple on the outskirts of our city. About 15 km away from my home. I had been there before with Harsh and he had given me the direction that time. But I am very bad with direction and road name. I always depend on my google maps. On the wedding day, I put the address in my phone and started well on time from my home. After 40 minutes, my mobile GPS said I have arrived my destination and when I look around, there was no Sikh temple and just some old buildings there. I realized that since the Sikh temple was new and away from the city, the map had not recognized the address and taken me to the different address. I got out and asked around. Fortunately, someone know the exact location and tell me the direction. By the time I reached the location and

Band 6-7

So, this is about the time when I got up late. I woke up very late and I was late for my Renewable Energy, Energy Harvesting exam. So, I usually put an alarm up before going to bed and the alarm wakes me up. However, this time the alarm did wake me up but I was so sleepy, I was so tired and exhausted, I went to sleep again and I put an alarm to a hold, I think. I don't remember it exactly. However, luckily, after half an hour, my friend calls me and asks me, okay, when am I coming? I looked at the time, it was around half an hour late to the time I was supposed to be woken up. So, I actually panicked because the thing is that I had to wake up, I had to get ready, then I had to find transportation, then I had to leave and I reached the examination center. The examination center was actually my college. So, I was very panicking because I had to give that exam and if I was late for more than 15 minutes, the teacher wouldn't allow me to get into the building. So, without brushing my teeth, I just changed my clothes and I just rushed outside my house to get to the college as soon as possible. Usually, I take the city bus. However, the city bus timings can be very uncertain. So, I picked a cab and I rushed towards my college. Fortunately, I reached my college on time, but I was still 10 minutes late. If I had been five minutes more late, then I wouldn't have been possible to give that exam and I had to give that exam the next year. So, I really escaped that day.
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