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Describe A Time When You Were Stuck In A Traffic Jam: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

  • When and where it happened?
  • How long you were in the traffic jam?
  • What you did while waiting?
  • Explain how you felt when you were in that traffic jam.
Show all 36 answers

Cue 1:When and where it happened?

  • Begin by specifying the exact location and time of the traffic jam, such as a busy road or a specific city.
  • Mention any relevant details about the day, like weather conditions or events happening nearby.

Example

It was a Tuesday evening around 6 PM, and I was driving home from work in Bangalore. The roads were particularly congested due to a local festival, which always attracts a lot of traffic.

Cue 2:How long you were in the traffic jam?

  • Clearly state the duration of the traffic jam, using specific time frames like minutes or hours.
  • You can also mention if it felt longer or shorter than expected.

Example

I ended up stuck in that traffic jam for nearly an hour. At first, it felt like it would be a quick delay, but as the minutes passed, it seemed to drag on forever.

Cue 3:What you did while waiting?

  • Describe the activities you engaged in while waiting, such as listening to music or making phone calls.
  • Mention any thoughts or reflections you had during this time.

Example

While I was waiting, I decided to listen to some music to pass the time. I also called a friend to chat, which helped distract me from the frustration of being stuck.

Cue 4:Explain how you felt when you were in that traffic jam.

  • Share your emotions during the traffic jam, whether it was frustration, boredom, or something else.
  • You can also reflect on how you coped with those feelings.

Example

I felt quite frustrated at first, especially knowing I was missing dinner plans. However, as time went on, I tried to stay calm and reminded myself that getting upset wouldn’t change the situation.

Conclusion

    Example

    Overall, being stuck in that traffic jam was a test of patience. It taught me to be more mindful of my travel times and to always have a backup plan for busy days. Despite the inconvenience, I managed to turn it into a moment of relaxation by listening to music and connecting with a friend.

    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 Descriptions

    Using vague language can make your answer less engaging and informative. Specific details help the examiner understand your experience better.

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    Tip

    Include specific details about the location, time, and circumstances of the traffic jam to make your answer more vivid.

    2: Neglecting Emotions

    Failing to express your feelings during the traffic jam can make your response less relatable. Emotions add depth to your story.

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    Tip

    Share how you felt during the traffic jam, whether it was frustration, boredom, or something else, to connect with the examiner.

    Lack of Structure

    A disorganized response can confuse the listener. A clear structure helps convey your message effectively.

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    Tip

    Follow the cue prompts in order, discussing when and where it happened, how long you were stuck, what you did, and your feelings.

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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

    Traffic is increasing day by day on the roads because everyone have their own vehicles these days. So it is common that the traffic can be seen on the road. However, sometimes we face a situation when we get stuck and get late for something. Exactly situation happened with me in 2024. Actually it was a very cold day, there was a fog everywhere. Unfortunately, I had to visit with my mother to attend the birthday party of my cousin sister. She invited few people at her birthday party because she wanted to, invited me as I am special for her. I was excited for her birthday party but we did not have any particular vehicles so we decided to went by bus. But me and my mom both reached at the time. However, there was a lot of traffic on the road so we got stuck. There was many passengers in the bus but I was also one of them. I got bored in that time. So we asked about the situation why we are getting too much time here. So the driver, the conductor of the bus told me that there was a huge accident happened. The two trucks had very terrible collisions with each other. So there was many people who got injured. I felt very upset and disappointed at that situation because it is a major problem. Authority should solve such problem and take some steps. I discussed about this topic with my mother. I was, we was saying, we was also talking about that.

    Band 6

    I was stuck in a traffic jam on the way back from a movie and a shopping mall. I was with my parents when this happened. We were stuck in traffic for about one hour on the way home. It was a very frustrating experience being stuck as the vehicles didn't move for even a few meters during the time of this. Turns out it happened due to an accident that happened earlier that day and they were clearing out the road. I spent my time listening to music while we were there waiting for the traffic to move. We were listening to music in the car and I was chatting with my parents about the traffic. I also remember being stuck there and wondering when I'd get back home as I was famished and was very desperate to eat something. But it also did certainly help us have a good amount of family time, speak about a lot of things and bond while we were stuck in traffic as no one else could be in any place. We were all together so as bad as it felt then, on hindsight I think I had a great time catching up with my family. And I'd be willing to experience that one more time for sure.

    Band 6

    Last week when I had a meeting, like I had IELTS class, so that time I went to the class. So I am very excited for that class because almost I had done my one month IELTS completion. So I went to the class, at that time most probably I used public transportation, but that time it's very heavy traffic jam, so I stuck in the main part of the medical college area. So around 13 minutes I stuck there, actually every day I entered the classroom around 5 o'clock, but at that day I entered the classroom at 5.30, because it's very huge traffic there, because there is one truck block there, so that's why the block came, and that time I felt I am very sad because my time is going, time is going and also I want to prepare something for that, for the class, but I didn't do that, because at that time I thought if I reach early I can do that, but if I stuck I didn't do that, so I am very sad, and almost all the people were very sad because they have already a program also is there, so I am very sad, I don't know what will happen, but after that I learn if you going to anywhere you should plan and little bit go early, that really help your life and also help your future also. And another thing is when I stuck is the high sea.

    Band 6

    Let me share this one experience where I got stuck on a traffic and it was a terrible experience. So, due to a major inconvenience in my life that happened during the moon hunt trip that I went with my college mates, I got dissociated with some of the closest people, some of my closest people. And there was a fight with them and I literally was crying the whole time on my way back to Chennai from Mona. It was a horrible trip. So, that has some serious thing to do with my mental issues. It got me down so bad. So, for that, I needed a little healing session with my friends. So, we planned to go to the beach in the evening after our college. So, we went back there. We literally enjoyed everything and it was the best healing session I would have expected for. So, on our way back home, we never went there. Literally, none of us went for the beach via public transportation and came back from there. So, it was a new experience. Me and my couple of friends found our bus and we were coming on our way back to our homes. It was actually 9 p.m. at the night that I got home. And on top of that, I haven't told my parents that I was going to the beach with my friends. So, I said there is some event in my college and just lied to them. Just spend time with my friends because I know they wouldn't allow me to go to the beach in the evening. So, on my way back home, the traffic was like hell. I was stressing out my whole way and my father keeps calling me over and over. The traffic was so mad. It drives me crazy. But that day ended so good.

    Band 6

    I was stuck in a neat traffic jam very recently when I was headed to my office which lasted about 4 hours and it was extremely frustrating experience because I was already late for the office and it was draining all the energy out of me since it was like I was walking with the vehicle instead of riding it moreover it was similarly frustrating for my fellow passengers with whom I was having conversations about shortest routes to my office and their reasons to travel on the same road so later I found out that it was due to an accident due to which this traffic jam was created additionally the traffic police themselves were very irritated by the amount of vehicles which were honking and screaming at them

    Band 6

    When I was traveling to hospital last month in Thalassery, Kannur which is a part of Kerala. While I was traveling, there was heavy block due to some political riots and assembly. So during the time, I do have a gear car and my clutch was not properly working. So it did strain my leg muscles a little bit too much. While traveling, I was extremely irritated and had a very bad temper due to the heat and my AC was not working. So it contributed to my bad behavior.

    Band 6

    Traffic nowadays is a major issue in developing countries, mostly people have to face that traffic jams on their daily routines when they went to office for their jobs. Here I would like to share an incident when I was stuck in a traffic jam. It was around 2 weeks ago when I was in a hurry and I have to attend an urgent meeting. Firstly I am late and secondly I was stuck in the traffic. It was in the Delhi so I feel very uncomfortable and it takes me around 15 to 50 minutes to pull out from the traffic and I was in the cab and I am unable to do anything. I have to reach my destination as soon as possible as I was getting late I have to attend a webinar which was very important for me. During waiting to open the traffic jam I have prepared PPT which I have to present in the webinar and I productively used the time when I was stuck in the traffic but on that time I feel really exhausted. Before my webinar presentation.

    Band 6

    Traffic jam is a common problem in big city. Here I talk about a time when I stuck in a traffic jam. It happened last year when my cousin wedding. My cousin was invited me on her wedding. The wedding was held in Ludhiana, Big Marriage Palace. I was going to marriage with my family. When I reached Ludhiana city, then I stuck in a traffic jam. The traffic jam because of the road working and other accident ahead on the road. I think I stuck in a traffic jam two hours around. Then I called my cousin. I called one of my friend who name is Jasmine. I called her and also I watch out of window again and again. My father was checking the road. Then I was worry about the delay because my cousin wedding is very special for me. After two hours, the traffic jam was over. When the car was started going, then I feel relax. Then I learn this experience.

    Band 6

    This happened in Bangalore, when I was in Bangalore, I wanted to go to a Kaban Park, a place that is a little far from the apartment that I live, but usually it takes like a one hour travel, but on that day, it took about two and a half hours to reach the Kaban Park. The traffic jam was insane, the city is usually busy, and during weekday ends, it is completely packed, so likewise, it was a Saturday, so it was completely packed, it was traffic jam, we were stuck in a car, in a road for about two and a half hours, in the same road, so I had my family members around in the car, so I was talking to them, we were having fun, we were discussing about a lot of things, about our family, about our friends, about our work, and all of that, so we were discussing what's going on with us in recent times, we also started listening to music, first, it was irritating for us, we were all very tired, and it was irritating, but later, I accepted the fact that it's gonna be like that, so we have to accept and move, and enjoy, instead of spoiling my mood, I started enjoying it, so I started listening to music, I was scrolling my Instagram, I made sure I also spent time with my family, I made sure even they were all laughing, and we all had so much fun in the car, while waiting for the traffic jam to move.

    Band 6

    so this traffic jam happened like two years back and I was in a bus on from Bangalore to back to my hometown and in this nearly took this traffic jam took place for like two hours not even kidding and I had no idea what what I had to do and it started off like me at 8 p.m. actually and I started off from Bangalore and I thought by in two hours I'd be reaching like a resting place where I can eat and buy some drinks and then the bus driver bus conductor was told like there's a traffic jam and we can't go move forward not even a bit I looked out the window looked out the window and like was the biggest traffic jam machine in my life and I really wanted to go back to home fast but I couldn't so I had little charge in my phone and a power bank for which could have lasted for like two hours two to three hours so I just plugged that in and started watching Stranger Things it's a really good series and I enjoyed it for the next two hours I just started the season one then it went like I saw like three episodes of it after which I saw outside and it the traffic jam really was going smoothly and yeah
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