Describe a time you were busy IELTS Cue Card

IELTS CUE CARD TOPIC

Describe a time you were busy

You should say:

When did it happen?
Where were you?
What did you do?
And explain why you were that busy?

NOTE – The examiner gives you one minute to plan your answer, and to help you prepare for the topic, the examiner provides you with a pencil and a notepad. You’ll have to answer the questions given on the topic for one-to-two minutes

Sample Answer 1

Introduction

Although I have remained busy on many occasions, the last one was special: hence it is worth mentioning.

When did it happen?

Two years back, I got a call from my elder brother that he would reach India within 2-3 days.

Where were you?

I was on an excursion trip to the hills with my friends.

What did you do?

As my brother was coming back after four years, It was a special moment. And to make the necessary arrangements, I left the trip in between and rushed to my home.

And explain why you were that busy.

I was busy because I wanted to welcome my brother with pomp and show. Firstly I had to arrange a cab for him to pick from the airport. Nextly I wished to make his arrival a memorable event. To do so, I planned a big gathering by inviting my near and dear ones. And to manage the show effectively, I had just two days at my disposal.

I worked wholeheartedly with determination, dedication and discipline for those two days. Initially, I started without any plan but eventually, I realised that without planning, it would lead to chaos.

After that, I made a blueprint along with a checklist. After that, I stringently followed my plan without any deviations. In the beginning, it seemed like a daunting task, but with the unabated support of my friends, I somehow managed it.

During those two days, I had little sleep, and I was on my toes.

To my joy, my efforts paid off, and the event was successful. Everyone applauded me, and I was on cloud nine.

Vocabulary from Sample Answer 1

1. Worth mentioning

Meaning: Important enough to require a comment.

Sentence: The role of spices in our eatable is worth mentioning. Due to their addition, we get numerous mouth-watering delicacies to pamper our appetite.

2. Excursion

Meaning: A short trip or outing to someplace

Sentence: Since childhood, I have tended to visit nearby tourist attractions through excursion trips. It helps me to relieve my stress and rewind myself.

3. At your disposal

Meaning: available for you to use at any time

Sentence: During the corona pandemic, the government imposed a stringent lockdown; due to that, I remained indoors for a sizeable portion of time and had plenty of time at my disposal to learn something new.

4.Pomp and show

Meaning: a ceremonial or festival display

Sentence: My parents always go beyond the conventional domain to celebrate my birthday, organise it with pomp and show it every time.

5. On cloud nine

Meaning: Pleased

Sentence: After passing my 12th standard with flying colours, I was on cloud nine and celebrated with pomp and show by throwing a big party.

Sample Answer 2

Introduction

There is no denying this conviction that those people are blessed who remain busy because they remain away from unnecessary conflicts.

Although I have remained busy multiple times, one occasion is special and worth mentioning.

When did it happen?

It was last year when the world was experiencing the second wave of the corona pandemic. Due to that, all education institutions were giving online classes, rumours were there that examinations would not be held.

Because of the rumour, I was complacent and didn’t prepare sufficiently for the exam. However, destiny had a different plan for me. Due to the persistent efforts of the educational institutions, the local administration allowed the schools to conduct examinations with covid protocols.

I was in absolute disarray when I came to know about this news. I had just 15 days to prepare for the exam, and I was very busy those days.

Where were you?

Since the school was open only during exam days, I prepared my home.

What did you do?

To study effectively, I made a timetable and strictly followed it with determination, dedication and discipline. I made a WhatsApp group of all my classmates so that we could clear doubts related to studying with each other.

And explain why you were that busy.

I was busy because I had to cover the syllabus of five subjects in 15 days. I used to study for 25 to 16 hours, and I stopped taking care of myself. Some days I skipped my meals due to a shortage of time.

When my examinations were over, I had a sigh of relief.

Follow up Questions

Here are some examples of follow-up questions that the examiner might ask during your speaking part 3 related to the cue card “Describe a time you were busy”.

1. Do you start to worry about the day ahead when you wake up?

Being a busy person, I have to do numerous tasks every day. Due to that, I always plan my day. The planning helps me to handle conflicts related to my work adroitly.

Therefore, when I wake up, I do not worry about the way ahead because I start my day with a positive attitude and wish to extract the maximum out of it.

2. Do you sleep for more than 8 hours?

There is no escaping the fact that lifestyle has become very busy these days. Due to that, people have less time at their disposal. In such a scenario, people do not get sufficient time to sleep and feel stressed.

As far as I am concerned, I do that much work I can handle physically and mentally. Because of this, I sleep for more than 8 hours every day.

3. Do you often say to people, “I don’t have the time to do that?

Being a student, I usually remain busy and have less time at my disposal. Due to this reason, I stay away from parties, unnecessary debates and other non-productive activities.

Therefore in routine, I have to say umpteen times to people that “I don’t have the time to do that.

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