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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?
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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    Tip

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


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    Talk about a toy you liked in your childhood
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    Anonymous student Band 8

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    Anonymous student Band 6.5

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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

    It was very recent during my abroad trip that I miss that it became so late I actually thought of being there quite early to the airport but due to the traffic conditions and also due to late at home packaging problem I had to be late approach late to the airport and the boarding and all the process that had to take place at the airport took a lot of time for me to complete it and by the time it got completed the flight had left it and it made me so much broken because I felt that I would approach the flight take my flight at the arrival time itself but seeing my flight boarding felt me so bad that I had to pay extra charge to get into the next flight because it was an emergency trip and I had no option instead of accepting the crisis I wish I could have been there early quite early not early itself very quite early so that I could have had no risk and no tensions and last time and the one thing that I learned during this is like I felt so much of guilty because I paid an extra amount for not my benefit or for anything else but I thought it gone into a vein so what I decided from now is like I have to be prior before the time itself and also should pack all my belongings before itself before day itself so that I can have a free and safe and stress relief journey
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