Describe a time when you forgot or missed an appointment: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

What the appointment was
When it happened
Why you forgot or missed it
And explain how you felt about it

2 unique answers with expert feedback

How did you feel after missing the interview?

I felt terrible and disappointed because I was confident about my chances of getting the job. It was frustrating to know that I had missed such an important opportunity due to a lapse in my schedule.

What steps do you take to remember important appointments now?

Now, I use a digital calendar to set reminders for all my important appointments. I also try to avoid social gatherings the night before significant events to ensure I am well-rested and prepared.

Have you ever missed any other important events?

Yes, I have missed a few other events, like a friend's wedding. I learned from those experiences to prioritize my commitments and manage my time better, especially during festive seasons.

Band 5-6

00:00

When I was, after completion of my graduation, I applied for a job, so then I got an appointment from the record company, so after that I decided to go for that job appointment, but I unable to go because of, I forgot the thing to, at the time I go with my friends for a party, so after few hours I realized that I have an appointment, so then I contacted the appointment officer but he doesn't respond to my mail, so it is due to my friends because they convinced me and I forgot about that and there is one of my friend's birthday, so I completely forgot the appointment and go for a party, so this makes me feel very bad because of the opportunities does not come at a time, so we need to grab everything, so I feel myself shame and like, I bit be disappointed because of the temporary things can lost our entire future, so at that time I feel very disappointed and not that much good, so then I decided to get, like to go any appointment, if I applied then I go for the appointment definitely, so I feel that I need to attend, I applied every interview when they asked me to come, so without any forget or without any delay, so

Follow up questions

How do you usually prepare for important appointments?

I usually prepare by setting reminders on my phone and writing down the details in my planner. I also try to plan my day around the appointment to avoid any distractions. This way, I can ensure that I don’t forget and can arrive on time.

What strategies do you think can help people remember their appointments?

I believe using digital calendars with alerts is very effective. Additionally, sharing appointments with friends or family can help keep you accountable. Writing things down and having a routine can also minimize the chances of forgetting important events.

Have you ever missed an appointment due to someone else's influence?

Yes, I have missed appointments because friends encouraged me to join them in activities. While it's great to spend time with friends, I’ve learned to prioritize my commitments better. Now, I try to balance social life and responsibilities more effectively.

Show all 2 answers

Cue 1:What the appointment was

Clearly state the type of appointment you missed, such as a doctor's appointment, a meeting, or a social gathering.
Provide some context about why this appointment was important to you.

Example

The appointment I missed was a scheduled visit to my dentist for a routine check-up. I had been looking forward to it because I wanted to ensure my dental health was in good shape, especially after experiencing some sensitivity in my teeth.

Cue 2:When it happened

Mention the specific date and time of the appointment to give a clear timeline.
You can also include how long before the appointment you realized you had forgotten it.

Example

It happened last month, on the 15th, at 3 PM. I realized I had forgotten about it only an hour before the appointment, which made me feel quite anxious.

Cue 3:Why you forgot or missed it

Explain the reason for forgetting the appointment, such as being busy or having a lot on your mind.
You can also mention any distractions that contributed to missing the appointment.

Example

I forgot about the appointment because I had a particularly hectic day at work. I was juggling multiple deadlines and, in the chaos, I completely lost track of time and my schedule.

Cue 4:And explain how you felt about it

Share your emotions regarding missing the appointment, such as feeling guilty or disappointed.
You can also mention any actions you took afterward, like rescheduling the appointment.

Example

I felt really guilty and disappointed in myself for missing the appointment. I immediately called the dentist's office to apologize and reschedule, which made me feel a bit better, but I still wished I had been more organized.

Conclusion

Example

In conclusion, missing that appointment was a wake-up call for me to manage my time better and keep track of my commitments. It taught me the importance of setting reminders and prioritizing my health.

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: Lack of Detail in Description

Providing vague answers can make your response less engaging. It's important to include specific details about the appointment to create a clearer picture for the examiner.

Tip

Use descriptive language to explain what the appointment was about, including relevant details like the location and purpose.

2: Not Explaining the Reason

Failing to explain why you forgot or missed the appointment can leave your answer incomplete. This is a key part of the cue card that helps convey your experience.

Tip

Clearly articulate the reasons for missing the appointment, whether it was due to forgetfulness, a scheduling conflict, or another reason.

Ignoring Emotional Impact

Neglecting to express how you felt about missing the appointment can make your response less personal. Emotions add depth to your story and engage the listener.

Tip

Share your feelings about the situation, such as disappointment or stress, to make your answer more relatable and impactful.

IELTS Cue Cards asked last week

Reported by Leap students who gave IELTS

Describe your favourite food at a traditional festival or a special event in your country

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

Pitampura Test Centre, New Delhi

Answer

I like to taste different types of cuisine. Here I would like to talk about my favorite dish at my traditional festival of Onam which is Sadya. Sadya is popular in my city. We are experimenting these cuisines on Onam festival day. Onam is a famous festival in my city. All family members get together in my home and we make a delicious Sadya. There are many ingredients includes that Sadya. Moreover, we make a big feast that day as well as we create a lot of memories together and we wear that day the traditional dress called Sari and men wear the Dhotis. That festival is really important to us because the whole day we are conducting different kinds of games at our homes and all the family members came together. It's a memorable day in my life. This is the festival. We are making the Sambar and Aviyal. These all the kinds of foods are making with the vegetables.

Talk about a toy you liked in your childhood

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 8

Sector 34 Test Centre, Chandigarh

Answer

The toy which I liked in my childhood was a panda doll, which makes me pleasant and makes me more blush. The pandas are the most beautiful creatures of the world, which looks gigantic and has pooshy cheeks and they are like stars in the clouds and they dream in me. Furthermore, these have been given by my father. My father is a very very beautiful artistic person, who makes me think of that. Every day you will face every difficulties and make you suffer and move forward. Pandas are always seen in Japanese countries. It is my lifelong dream to visit a Japanese country and click a photo with the original pandas, which makes sounds better.

Describe a time you were in a place where you didn't know the local language

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 6.5

Whitefield Test Center, Bengaluru

Answer

As India is a very large country full of diversity, so there are many places which have their own language and speak their native language. The place which I visited and I didn't know about their language was Leladakh, which is about 300 km away from my hometown and it is a very good place as it consists of different kind of trees, animals and have many scenic views and I visited over there last year in summers as it was the best time to visit because it has many, it was cold over there and we had summers in our area so it was the best time to visit over there and I went over there with my whole family.

Describe a time when your friend damaged something you owned

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7

Begumpet Test Centre, Hyderabad

Answer

When I was a kid, I had a little pencil box which had these four buttons which gave the pencil box an operative use. When you press the button, the box would open up. When you press the second button, a little part of it would slide out. Basically it was just a little electronical and a fun thing to have and I owned it when I was in 6th. One day after break, I was standing and talking there with one of my friends and another friend of mine was running through the hallway and accidentally she pushed my shoulder and my pencil box hit the ground and it broke into multiple pieces to the point that it was not functional anymore.

Describe a book you recently read

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

CBD Belapur Test Centre, Navi Mumbai

Answer

It Ends With Us is a book I read recently. It's by the author Colleen Hoare. It's mainly a story about two teenagers, Atlas and Lily, and how they just handle their life going through high school, adolescence, and just domestic violence at home. Both of them come from very, very different families. However, they have one common determining factor between them, which is domestic violence. The abuse that they've seen their moms go through is just insane, and they connect through that on a different level. They're actually in the same high school, but they never speak to each other until Atlas actually crashes into an empty house next to Lily's villa. When Atlas is homeless and he doesn't have anywhere to go, he just comes and breaks into the house next to Lily's, and Lily helps him with all the daily necessities like clothes and food, medicines and stuff. Furthermore, their friendship blossoms into love, but it doesn't really fructify as Atlas has to leave. This book really gave me a lot of knowledge about domestic abuse and how to deal with it.