Describe A Time When You Missed An Appointment: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

  • When and where it happened?
  • What the appointment was for?
  • What happened when you missed it?
  • How did you feel about it?

Band 7

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Approximately two years back, I was called from a big multinational firm named Accenture for an appointment for my interview as a German translator. It was a brilliant opportunity for me to get into the corporate sector and expand my horizons. I was extremely excited but at the same time nervous for this interview. My family was also extremely happy that I have got this opportunity. At night, I slept with my alarm clock on with the alarm at 8 am in the morning as my interview was scheduled at 10 am in Gurgaon sector 67 and I needed at least two hours to commute on metro. Unfortunately, I forgot that my alarm clock was not functioning and alarm didn't ring in the morning. When I woke up, it was already 10 am and I was extremely shattered to know that I have missed my appointment. I couldn't control sobbing and my family was also in tears. So I tried to contact the human resource department of the company so that I can get another appointment scheduled but luck was not in my favour at all. They said it was a walk-in interview only scheduled on that particular day and there are no further dates available and they cannot hire me if I am not punctual. This was the biggest lesson for me in my life to realise that how important it is to be disciplined and punctual if you want to get into a good workplace or office. Furthermore, I could not help myself and even my family was broken after this incident but I am trying to get back to the normal life.

Follow up questions


How did you feel after missing the appointment?
I felt devastated and extremely disappointed in myself. It was a huge opportunity that I had been looking forward to, and missing it made me realize the importance of being punctual. I was also upset to see my family in tears because they were so supportive of my career aspirations.

What steps have you taken to ensure you don't miss appointments in the future?
Since that incident, I have made it a point to double-check my alarm clock and set multiple alarms on my phone. I also plan to leave earlier for appointments to account for any unforeseen delays. This experience taught me to be more organized and responsible.

Can you share another experience where punctuality was important?
Yes, I once had a meeting with a potential client that was crucial for my freelance work. I made sure to arrive 30 minutes early to prepare and make a good impression. That experience reinforced the lesson I learned from missing the interview, and it turned out to be very successful.

Band 6-7

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I recall a situation when I missed the Amazon appointment. During that time, I was craving for the jobs. And I opted for the supervisor duty in Amazon, Amazon 10 Mills. And finally, they called me for the interview. But at the same time, in another company, the Netflix also hired me for the supervisor duty. So I was confused during that time about to what interview I need to go. So finally, I chose Netflix because the craving within me of myself. Then finally, I went for Netflix. But unfortunately, I was disqualified in that interview. And all of my other colleagues went to Amazon interview. But finally, for their luck, fortunately, they selected for the Amazon interview. But I was not. So that is the situation. I was completely disappointed and worried about the job demand. And that is the situation where I missed an appointment.

Follow up questions


How did you feel after missing the Amazon appointment?
I felt really disappointed and anxious about my job prospects. Missing the Amazon appointment made me question my decision-making skills and left me worried about my future employment opportunities.

What did you learn from this experience?
I learned the importance of prioritizing my commitments and making decisions more carefully. It taught me to manage my time better and to communicate effectively with potential employers to avoid such situations in the future.

Have you ever missed an appointment before this incident?
Yes, I have missed appointments in the past, usually due to poor time management or unexpected circumstances. Each time, I tried to learn from the experience to ensure it wouldn't happen again.

Band 6-7

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00:00

One time when I missed an appointment, very important one was an interview to a college in for my post graduation. I tried, this was during when I was applying for many colleges and I had this one very important interview. I was supposed to travel to another city. I had taken an absence of leave from my job as well for this. I had planned everything very clearly. Just that my flight got delayed and since the flight got delayed, things just could not happen at that time. And the one thing that I understood that day was, if you, if the things start getting delayed, they will get delayed till the end point. So, firstly when my flight landed two hours late into that city, I, the cab that I had already booked, I could not take it. Secondly, I somehow was able to get in, get a cab, but I was stuck in traffic which even further delayed everything. So, the best part in the whole situation was that I was in constant contact with the HR of the, the person who was propagating this interview and I called them up. I tried rescheduling it and they understood my situation and finally, I was able to reschedule it for the next day. But at that moment, I felt really upset. I was frustrated. I did not know how to express myself. I felt it was not only the situation which went bad, it was lack of my time management. I started having self-doubt in those moments. I thought maybe I could have done something better. Maybe I could have just reached a day earlier.

Follow up questions


How did you feel when you realized you would miss the interview?
I felt a wave of frustration and disappointment wash over me. It was a crucial moment in my academic journey, and missing it made me doubt my planning and time management skills. I was upset because I had invested so much effort into preparing for this interview.

What steps did you take to reschedule the appointment?
I immediately contacted the HR representative to explain my situation. I was honest about the delays I faced and asked if it was possible to reschedule. Thankfully, they were understanding and allowed me to set up a new date for the interview the next day.

What did you learn from this experience?
I learned the importance of contingency planning and being prepared for unexpected delays. It taught me to manage my time better and to have backup plans in place, especially for important events like interviews. It also helped me realize that sometimes, things are out of our control.

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Band <5

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00:00

you you you you you

Follow up questions


What factors contributed to you missing the appointment?
I was overwhelmed with other commitments and lost track of time. I also had some unexpected delays that made it hard to arrive on time.

How did you feel after missing the appointment?
I felt quite anxious and disappointed in myself. I worried about the consequences and how it might affect my plans.

What steps do you take to ensure you don't miss appointments in the future?
I now use reminders on my phone and keep a calendar to track my appointments. I also try to plan ahead and leave early to avoid any last-minute issues.

Band <5

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00:00

या, परबाद मैं अपोर्डमेंट करके रूप पासबूर्ड देखना जाना रहा हूँ क्योंकि तुम्हारी आजीविस्ट के लिए, मैं पुराइक देखना दिना जाना रहा हूँ तुम्हारी आजीविस्ट के लिए, मैं पुराइक देखना जाना रहा हूँ और मैं पुराइक देखना जाना रहा हूँ तुम्हारी आजीविस्ट के लिए, मैं पुराइक देखना जाना रहा हूँ तुम्हारी आजीविस्ट के लिए, मैं पुराइक देखना जाना रहा हूँ

Follow up questions


What were the consequences of missing that appointment?
Missing the appointment caused me to delay my plans for getting my passport. I had to reschedule, which added stress to my preparations for traveling. It also made me realize the importance of managing my time better.

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 arrive early to avoid any last-minute issues. This helps me stay organized and reduces the chances of missing appointments.

Have you ever missed an appointment more than once? Why?
Yes, I have missed appointments before, mainly due to unforeseen circumstances like traffic or personal emergencies. Each time, I learned to plan better and leave earlier to account for any unexpected delays.
Show all 5 answers

Cue 1:When and where it happened?

  • Begin by specifying the date and location of the missed appointment.
  • Provide context about why you were there at that time.

Example

It was a sunny afternoon in July, and I was at my college campus for a study group session. I had an appointment with my academic advisor scheduled for 3 PM in her office.


Cue 2:What the appointment was for?

  • Clearly state the purpose of the appointment.
  • Mention why this appointment was important to you.

Example

The appointment was to discuss my course selection for the upcoming semester. It was crucial for me because I wanted to ensure I was on track to graduate on time and to get advice on which electives would benefit my career.


Cue 3:What happened when you missed it?

  • Describe the events that led to you missing the appointment.
  • Explain any consequences or follow-up actions you had to take.

Example

Unfortunately, I lost track of time while studying with my friends and completely forgot about the appointment. When I realized it was already 3:30 PM, I rushed to her office, but she had already left for the day. I felt terrible and had to email her to reschedule.


Cue 4:How did you feel about it?

  • Share your emotions regarding missing the appointment.
  • Reflect on what you learned from this experience.

Example

I felt really disappointed and anxious because I knew how important this meeting was for my academic planning. It taught me to manage my time better and set reminders for important commitments.


Conclusion

    Example

    In conclusion, missing that appointment was a wake-up call for me. It highlighted the importance of time management and being mindful of my commitments. Since then, I have made it a point to keep a planner and set reminders for all my important appointments.


    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 Specific Details

    Avoid vague answers that lack specific details about the appointment. This can make your response less engaging and informative.

    bulb icon

    Tip

    Include specific information such as the date, location, and purpose of the appointment to create a clearer picture.


    2: Not Explaining the Consequences

    Failing to explain what happened when you missed the appointment can leave your answer incomplete and unconvincing.

    bulb icon

    Tip

    Discuss the impact of missing the appointment, such as any missed opportunities or how it affected others.


    Ignoring Personal Feelings

    Neglecting to express your feelings about missing the appointment can make your response less personal and relatable.

    bulb icon

    Tip

    Share your emotions, such as disappointment or frustration, to connect better with the listener and add depth to your answer.


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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 7

    Approximately two years back, I was called from a big multinational firm named Accenture for an appointment for my interview as a German translator. It was a brilliant opportunity for me to get into the corporate sector and expand my horizons. I was extremely excited but at the same time nervous for this interview. My family was also extremely happy that I have got this opportunity. At night, I slept with my alarm clock on with the alarm at 8 am in the morning as my interview was scheduled at 10 am in Gurgaon sector 67 and I needed at least two hours to commute on metro. Unfortunately, I forgot that my alarm clock was not functioning and alarm didn't ring in the morning. When I woke up, it was already 10 am and I was extremely shattered to know that I have missed my appointment. I couldn't control sobbing and my family was also in tears. So I tried to contact the human resource department of the company so that I can get another appointment scheduled but luck was not in my favour at all. They said it was a walk-in interview only scheduled on that particular day and there are no further dates available and they cannot hire me if I am not punctual. This was the biggest lesson for me in my life to realise that how important it is to be disciplined and punctual if you want to get into a good workplace or office. Furthermore, I could not help myself and even my family was broken after this incident but I am trying to get back to the normal life.

    Band 6-7

    I recall a situation when I missed the Amazon appointment. During that time, I was craving for the jobs. And I opted for the supervisor duty in Amazon, Amazon 10 Mills. And finally, they called me for the interview. But at the same time, in another company, the Netflix also hired me for the supervisor duty. So I was confused during that time about to what interview I need to go. So finally, I chose Netflix because the craving within me of myself. Then finally, I went for Netflix. But unfortunately, I was disqualified in that interview. And all of my other colleagues went to Amazon interview. But finally, for their luck, fortunately, they selected for the Amazon interview. But I was not. So that is the situation. I was completely disappointed and worried about the job demand. And that is the situation where I missed an appointment.

    Band 6-7

    One time when I missed an appointment, very important one was an interview to a college in for my post graduation. I tried, this was during when I was applying for many colleges and I had this one very important interview. I was supposed to travel to another city. I had taken an absence of leave from my job as well for this. I had planned everything very clearly. Just that my flight got delayed and since the flight got delayed, things just could not happen at that time. And the one thing that I understood that day was, if you, if the things start getting delayed, they will get delayed till the end point. So, firstly when my flight landed two hours late into that city, I, the cab that I had already booked, I could not take it. Secondly, I somehow was able to get in, get a cab, but I was stuck in traffic which even further delayed everything. So, the best part in the whole situation was that I was in constant contact with the HR of the, the person who was propagating this interview and I called them up. I tried rescheduling it and they understood my situation and finally, I was able to reschedule it for the next day. But at that moment, I felt really upset. I was frustrated. I did not know how to express myself. I felt it was not only the situation which went bad, it was lack of my time management. I started having self-doubt in those moments. I thought maybe I could have done something better. Maybe I could have just reached a day earlier.

    Band <5

    you you you you you

    Band <5

    या, परबाद मैं अपोर्डमेंट करके रूप पासबूर्ड देखना जाना रहा हूँ क्योंकि तुम्हारी आजीविस्ट के लिए, मैं पुराइक देखना दिना जाना रहा हूँ तुम्हारी आजीविस्ट के लिए, मैं पुराइक देखना जाना रहा हूँ और मैं पुराइक देखना जाना रहा हूँ तुम्हारी आजीविस्ट के लिए, मैं पुराइक देखना जाना रहा हूँ तुम्हारी आजीविस्ट के लिए, मैं पुराइक देखना जाना रहा हूँ
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