Describe a time when you were late: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

  • When it was?
  • why you were late?
  • how you felt about being late?

Band 6-7

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The last time I was late, I remember that during convocation, our convocation was going to start at 3 afternoon, but as my documents process wasn't finished, I was in student office working with other management for completing my documents process.

Follow up questions


How did you feel about being late to your convocation?
I felt quite anxious and stressed because it was an important day for me and my family. I wanted to be there on time to celebrate this milestone, and being late made me worry that I would miss out on the ceremony.

What steps did you take to ensure your documents were processed quickly?
I communicated with the staff at the student office and explained my situation. I also made sure to provide all necessary information and documents they needed to expedite the process. I was persistent and followed up regularly to keep things moving.

Have you ever been late to any other important events?
Yes, I have been late to a few important events, like job interviews and family gatherings. Each time, I learned the importance of planning ahead and allowing extra time for unexpected delays to avoid similar situations in the future.

Band 6-7

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Okay, when I was studying 10th, it was time for the board exams. So, unfortunately I had chickenpox during 10th board exams. So, it was the social science exam and both my parents were out to work and I was alone at home. So, my grandfather had to pick me up and drop me at the exam venue. So, before going to the exam, we went to a temple to pray so that I do or perform well in the exam. When we came back, we realized that I didn't have my... I was the one who locked the door before we left, I mean locked the gate before we left. When we came back, we realized that the key was already inside the home and I just locked the door without any key. So, during the situation, it was very panicky. Our neighbor unfortunately had a very long stick and pieces of other sticks. So, they used a tape and taped it all together to make it into a very long stick and they just... From the gate, we just used the stick to get the key from inside the house. And unfortunately, I was able to get in and get my stuff and go to the exam center. I didn't feel... I didn't feel very panicked or, you know, hesitated with the situation. Surprisingly, I was just very calm and collected and not really... Didn't worry about anything because I thought for some reason, we'll just get it through and unlock the door and I'll be able to write the exam. My aunt, Paddington, she heard the news and she rushed from her office to know what the situation is and know how I was doing. It was a very tough time to be late to an exam, especially with chickenpox. I was still late but, you know, not that late.

Follow up questions


How did you feel about missing part of your exam?
I felt a bit anxious about missing the start of the exam, but I was surprisingly calm. I focused on getting there and doing my best despite the circumstances.

What did you learn from this experience?
I learned the importance of being prepared and having a backup plan. It also taught me to stay calm under pressure, as panicking wouldn't help the situation.

How did your family react to your situation?
My family was very supportive. My grandfather helped me get to the exam, and my aunt rushed to check on me. Their support made me feel more at ease during a stressful time.

Band 6

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I had my high school at M.A.S. International School in Patambi which was one of the reputed schools in my hometown. During my 10th grade academic inting time, we were asked to collect our corrected notebooks from the staff room. That day, due to some traffic problems, I came late to school. When I reached there, most of the students from the class collected their notes and went home. When I reached there and when I went to staff room, I couldn't see my notebook over there. There were no one to check whether students are taking their notes itself or not. Since I was a student, I always faced unhealthy competition in my class which always led to some problems like missing notes or misusing my study materials. That day was just a week before our final exam. I was in a heavy heart and I left school.

Follow up questions


How did you feel when you realized you were late?
I felt anxious and disappointed because I knew how important those corrected notebooks were for my preparation. It was a stressful time, especially with finals approaching, and being late made me worry about falling behind my classmates.

What did you do after you left school that day?
After leaving school, I went home feeling upset. I tried to focus on my other study materials and reviewed what I could remember from class. I also reached out to a friend to see if they could share their notes with me to catch up.

Have you ever been late to an important event besides school?
Yes, I have been late to a few important events, like family gatherings or job interviews. Each time, it was stressful, and I learned the importance of planning ahead and allowing extra time for unexpected delays.

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Band 6

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I remembered it was during my camp days in 2023. I was selected for the NSS National Republic Day Parade Camp 2023, which was to be held at New Delhi, in which I had to wake up early at around 5.20 in the morning to get ready for the parade practice sessions along with my teammates and it was one day I don't able to get wake up early in the morning so because of which my bus got late and there was a strict instruction to everyone that even if you are late by a 2 second margin then the bus will not wait for you and will move further with the students or you can say my teammates for the practice and that day the same thing occurred with me also.

Follow up questions


How did you feel when you realized you were late?
I felt a mix of panic and disappointment. I was really looking forward to the parade practice and letting my teammates down was tough. I also worried about missing important instructions from our leaders.

What did you learn from that experience?
I learned the importance of setting multiple alarms and preparing the night before. It taught me to be more responsible with my time management, especially for important events like this one.

Have you been late to any other important events?
Yes, I have been late to a few other events, like school presentations. Each time, it reinforced the need to plan ahead and ensure I leave enough time to get ready and travel.

Band 6

00:00

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00:00

So, I think last week I got late for my office going, I was late because we were having a family ritual in the morning that starts from 6pm and it's about, it's our very auspicious festival of our Indian culture. So, due to which, due to puja rituals and the ceremonies, I got late for at least an hour and I feel very bad because when I reached to my hospital, my senior told me why you were late and I have no answers for that because it feels very bad and I have to do an overtime as well to pay back my extra time and that's it. Bye.

Follow up questions


How do you usually manage your time during important events?
I try to plan my schedule in advance, especially for important events. I set reminders and allocate extra time for unexpected delays. This helps me stay on track and ensures that I can participate fully without being late.

What are some common reasons people are late?
People can be late for various reasons, such as traffic jams, unexpected emergencies, or personal commitments. Sometimes, it can also be due to poor time management or underestimating how long tasks will take.

How do you feel when someone else is late?
When someone else is late, I often feel frustrated, especially if I have made plans or commitments. It can disrupt the flow of the day, but I try to be understanding as there can be valid reasons for their delay.
Show all 11 answers

Cue 1:When it was?

  • Begin by stating the specific day and time when you were late, providing context to the situation.
  • Mention the event or occasion you were supposed to attend, as this will help the listener understand the importance of being on time.

Example

It was last Saturday afternoon around 3 PM when I was supposed to meet my friends at a popular café in the city. We had planned to celebrate my friend's birthday, and everyone was looking forward to it.


Cue 2:Why you were late?

  • Explain the reason for your delay clearly and concisely, making sure to include any unexpected circumstances.
  • You can also mention any steps you took to try to be on time, which shows your effort.

Example

I was late because I got stuck in traffic due to a sudden rainstorm. I had left home early, but the roads were flooded, and it took me much longer to reach the café. I even tried to take a different route, but it was just as congested.


Cue 3:How you felt about being late?

  • Share your feelings about being late, emphasizing any emotions like guilt or frustration.
  • You can also mention how your friends reacted when you finally arrived, which adds to the narrative.

Example

I felt really bad about being late, especially since it was a special occasion for my friend. I was worried they would be upset, but when I finally arrived, they were understanding and welcomed me with smiles. I apologized profusely, and we quickly got back to enjoying the celebration.


Conclusion

    Example

    In conclusion, being late was a stressful experience for me, but it taught me the importance of planning ahead, especially during unpredictable weather. I now make sure to leave even earlier for important events to avoid such situations in the future.


    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: Being Vague About Details

    Candidates often provide unclear or general answers without specific details. This can make the response less engaging and informative.

    bulb icon

    Tip

    Include specific details about the time, place, and reason for being late to create a vivid picture for the examiner.


    2: Neglecting to Express Feelings

    Some candidates forget to share their emotions regarding being late. This can make the response feel flat and uninteresting.

    bulb icon

    Tip

    Describe how you felt about being late, whether it was embarrassment, frustration, or something else, to add depth to your answer.


    Overly Complicated Language

    Using complex vocabulary or long sentences can confuse the listener and detract from the clarity of your message.

    bulb icon

    Tip

    Use simple and clear language to convey your thoughts effectively, ensuring your message is easily understood.


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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

    Okay, when I was studying 10th, it was time for the board exams. So, unfortunately I had chickenpox during 10th board exams. So, it was the social science exam and both my parents were out to work and I was alone at home. So, my grandfather had to pick me up and drop me at the exam venue. So, before going to the exam, we went to a temple to pray so that I do or perform well in the exam. When we came back, we realized that I didn't have my... I was the one who locked the door before we left, I mean locked the gate before we left. When we came back, we realized that the key was already inside the home and I just locked the door without any key. So, during the situation, it was very panicky. Our neighbor unfortunately had a very long stick and pieces of other sticks. So, they used a tape and taped it all together to make it into a very long stick and they just... From the gate, we just used the stick to get the key from inside the house. And unfortunately, I was able to get in and get my stuff and go to the exam center. I didn't feel... I didn't feel very panicked or, you know, hesitated with the situation. Surprisingly, I was just very calm and collected and not really... Didn't worry about anything because I thought for some reason, we'll just get it through and unlock the door and I'll be able to write the exam. My aunt, Paddington, she heard the news and she rushed from her office to know what the situation is and know how I was doing. It was a very tough time to be late to an exam, especially with chickenpox. I was still late but, you know, not that late.

    Band 6-7

    The last time I was late, I remember that during convocation, our convocation was going to start at 3 afternoon, but as my documents process wasn't finished, I was in student office working with other management for completing my documents process.

    Band 6

    No audio text available

    Band 6

    Certainly, if we are not prepared, we will become late on a particular occasion. Like the way I also do late in my friend's engagement. Actually, I was prepared and started my journey at the right time, but due to traffic jams and the work over the road, I become too late on that occasion. So at that time, I become very anxious and feel very guilty because I can't reach the occasion at the right time. So it will be a very hesitate moment for me because I promised my friend that I will be there at the right time, but I can't reach the occasion at that right time. So I become more hesitant and feel very sad for that.

    Band 6

    I remembered it was during my camp days in 2023. I was selected for the NSS National Republic Day Parade Camp 2023, which was to be held at New Delhi, in which I had to wake up early at around 5.20 in the morning to get ready for the parade practice sessions along with my teammates and it was one day I don't able to get wake up early in the morning so because of which my bus got late and there was a strict instruction to everyone that even if you are late by a 2 second margin then the bus will not wait for you and will move further with the students or you can say my teammates for the practice and that day the same thing occurred with me also.

    Band 6

    I had my high school at M.A.S. International School in Patambi which was one of the reputed schools in my hometown. During my 10th grade academic inting time, we were asked to collect our corrected notebooks from the staff room. That day, due to some traffic problems, I came late to school. When I reached there, most of the students from the class collected their notes and went home. When I reached there and when I went to staff room, I couldn't see my notebook over there. There were no one to check whether students are taking their notes itself or not. Since I was a student, I always faced unhealthy competition in my class which always led to some problems like missing notes or misusing my study materials. That day was just a week before our final exam. I was in a heavy heart and I left school.

    Band 6

    So, I think last week I got late for my office going, I was late because we were having a family ritual in the morning that starts from 6pm and it's about, it's our very auspicious festival of our Indian culture. So, due to which, due to puja rituals and the ceremonies, I got late for at least an hour and I feel very bad because when I reached to my hospital, my senior told me why you were late and I have no answers for that because it feels very bad and I have to do an overtime as well to pay back my extra time and that's it. Bye.

    Band 6

    Yeah, there was a time that I was late to my college. It was in the year 2022, there was a big rally conducted. Specifically, a leader came to that area and there was a big blockage on the roads and so much rally has been going on and the transportation to my college halted in the middle of the rally.

    Band 6

    There were quite few times I was late for the events. My friends are really frustrated because I'll be late every time, quite sometimes, at least by 5 minutes. If I have to mention one of the situations, I was late for my straight exams. The reason was that I was studying late night and I slept. When I got up in the morning, it was already 8. The exam was at 8.15. So I had to rush without having my breakfast. I rushed to the exam hall. I was already late by 10-15 minutes and I had to request the examiner and seek permission from the head office. Finally, I had to start my exam after 30 minutes. It had already started. And throughout the exam, I felt very uncomfortable because I had less time left compared to all of them in the hall. I started it late and I had less time to finish the exam and I was a bit uncomfortable and very frustrated about myself.

    Band 6

    Usually I can follow the timetable. I can plan my schedule before when I am going to do a work or any other things. Usually I have been late to school when I was in 6th standard because I had missed my bus. Due to some other transportation I went to school through by vehicles. It was late for me and I got punishment from my teachers. They have scolded me because I went to the late and I didn't follow the rules. Because we should need to follow the rules before and we need to go to the correct timing. The time for the school is 9 am but I went at 10 o'clock. It was late and I got punished. I had knelt down and I did some work for their punishment task. I was knelt down out of the class through a whole day. It was a great moment in my life which I had never forgotten. I had realized that time is very precious and it will never come back. I need to say thanks to my teachers because they had scolded me and given punishment. Without them I don't know the value and importance of time. It was a great moment in my life. These are some of the moments when I had remembered to delay the timing. It was good to me.
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