Cue Cards Samples with band 8 answers
Weather conditions forced you to change your plan - Cue Card # 532
- Details
- Last Updated: Saturday, 16 August 2025 19:02
- Written by IELTS Mentor
- Hits: 112500
IELTS Speaking Part 2: IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card.
[The topic for your talk will be written on a card which the examiner will hand over to you. Read it carefully and then make some brief notes.]
Describe a time when the weather conditions forced you to change your plan.
You should say:
- when it was
- how the weather conditions were
- what initial plan you had
and explain what you did once you changed your plan.
[Instruction: You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you're going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]
Model Answer 1:
When it comes to the weather, it would be wise not to fully trust the weather forecast. Of course, the weathermen try their best to assure us with their data and statistics, but the weather doesn’t really have to respect any of it, just as it didn’t when I planned for a visit to watch the cultural performance of my little nephew about a few months ago.
This was the first cultural show for my little 5-year-old nephew, and there was no way that he would want me to miss it. He was so excited about the show and asked me about what I would do if I liked his performance. Of course, I told him that I would offer him the best gift ever. Anyway, as I was getting ready to go to my nephew's school to see his performance, I suddenly noticed that the sky had become really dark with dark clouds.
After seeing that condition, I decided to wait for a little while, thinking that the dark cloud would go away. But, instead of getting the sky cleared, thunderstorms and heavy rain also started to follow suit to make things even worse. So, instead of going to see the cultural programme of my nephew, I and the other members of my family began to worry about the safety of my nephew at school. Then, people around me assured me that the school was safe.
By the way, the heavy rain and thunderstorm had continued for almost 50 minutes, all I could do was wait inside my home and pray that the bad weather would go away. After all, it wasn’t safe to go out in that kind of bad weather.
Anyway, as the initial plan to attend the cultural programme got cancelled due to the bad weather, I decided to read a good storybook to spend the evening. Besides, I also watched a couple of old movies, which I really liked when I was attending university.
Sample Answer 2:
I can actually recall a very specific time when a sudden change in the weather completely ruined a plan I had been looking forward to for days.
It happened back in 2018, right after we had celebrated my younger sister’s birthday. Our house was full of energy that day as most of my cousins, uncles, and aunts were there, and it felt like a big family reunion. The next morning, my father suggested something that got all of us excited, which was a day trip to Cox’s Bazar, the most famous sea beach in our country. Two of my cousins and their parents had never been there before, so the idea was even more special. One of my cousins even said, “We hardly get the chance to spend time together like this anymore,” and he was absolutely right. We had grown up in a joint family, but as adults, everyone’s busy life meant that moments like this were rare.
The day before the trip, the weather was perfect. It was sunny, with a clear blue sky. I even checked the online forecast, which showed no sign of rain. But that evening, out of nowhere, the weather turned nasty. Dark clouds rolled in, and before we knew it, there was a violent thunderstorm with heavy rain and fierce winds. It went on for hours, and by morning, it was clear that travelling to the beach would be unsafe. Reluctantly, my parents decided we had to cancel the trip.
Of course, we were all disappointed, but we didn’t want to waste the day. So, my cousins and I came up with a backup plan - staying in, watching movies, and playing games. We made popcorn, had coffee and homemade hamburgers, and watched a couple of animated films while my parents cooked. In the evening, when the rain finally stopped, we visited some friends who lived nearby, and later that night, we played different indoor games until quite late.
Even though our original plan was ruined, I still had a fantastic time. Being an only child, my cousins are like siblings to me, and any time I get to spend with them is precious. In a way, the bad weather just gave us an excuse to slow down and enjoy each other’s company differently.
Sample Answer 3:
Thank you very much for this topic. In fact, the memory of such an event when I had to change my plan due to bad weather conditions is still clear. It was one of those days when nature made sure my plans stayed indoors! I will share the story with you here.
It happened last winter, during one of the heaviest blizzards my city had seen in years. I had planned to visit a close friend who lived about 20 kilometres away. We hadn’t met for months, and I was really looking forward to catching up over dinner at his place. The night before, the forecast mentioned “snowfall,” but we didn’t expect it to turn into a full-blown snowstorm.
By the next morning, the city looked like it had been buried under a giant white blanket. The wind was howling, snowflakes were flying horizontally, and visibility was almost zero. Roads were slippery and half-blocked, and public transport was already suspended. I quickly realised that driving or even walking a short distance would be risky.
Instead of risking the trip, we decided to cancel the visit and switch to a video call. I stayed at home, made myself a cup of hot tea, and sat by the window watching the snow pile up outside. We ended up chatting online for hours, laughing and sharing stories as if we were in the same room.
Honestly, even though I missed the warmth of being there in person, I felt strangely content. The blizzard had forced me to slow down, enjoy the cosy comfort of my home, and still connect with my friend in a meaningful way.
Model Answer 4:
Thank you very much for this interesting topic. It reminds me of a day about a year ago when the weather took a drastic turn and completely derailed my plans. I will share this experience with you here.
It was during the summer, and a friend and I had planned a day trip to a nearby waterfall. We had heard great things about it and wanted to go hiking and have a picnic by the water. The morning started beautifully; the sky was a clear blue, the sun was shining, and it was the kind of perfect weather that makes you excited to be outdoors. We set off early, full of anticipation for our adventure.
Our initial plan was quite straightforward: we would drive to the base of the hiking trail, spend a couple of hours walking up to the waterfall, and then find a nice, flat rock to lay out our picnic lunch. After that, we planned to spend the rest of the afternoon just relaxing, taking photos, and enjoying the serene environment before heading back home in the evening.
However, as we were about halfway to our destination, the sky suddenly turned an ominous grey. Within minutes, the beautiful weather was replaced by a ferocious thunderstorm. The rain started pouring down heavily, and the wind began to howl. It was quite a sudden and dramatic change. We knew immediately that hiking in such conditions would be dangerous, not to mention miserable. So, we decided to make a quick U-turn and head back towards the city.
Since we had already packed a delicious lunch, we didn't want it to go to waste. So, instead of a picnic by the waterfall, we found a cosy little café with a large window. We ordered some hot coffee and tea and laid out our picnic on a small table inside. We spent the rest of the afternoon there, watching the rain pour down outside, chatting, and enjoying our food in a warm, dry environment. It was a completely different experience from what we had envisioned, but it turned out to be a very pleasant and memorable day nonetheless.
Idea generation for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
This topic asks you to describe a time when the weather conditions forced you to change your plan. To make your answer really good, you should say when it was, describe the weather in clear detail, explain your original plan, and then describe exactly what you did after changing the plan. Here are some ideas to help you develop your own response:
1. Sudden thunderstorm on a weekend picnic:
It was a Saturday in late spring when dark clouds rolled in and a violent thunderstorm started with lightning and sheets of rain. I had planned a riverside picnic with friends. When the sky opened up, we moved to a friend’s apartment, ordered takeaway, and played board games instead; the shift actually made the day feel cosy and safe.
2. Flash flood warnings during a bus trip:
One monsoon morning, heavy, nonstop rain triggered flash flood alerts. I had booked a day trip by bus to a nearby heritage site. After hearing the warnings, I cancelled the journey, stayed home, and used the time to finish a long-postponed course module online, feeling relieved that I avoided risky roads.
3. Heatwave that derailed an outdoor festival plan:
In mid-summer, temperatures soared far above normal with a dangerous heat index. I had planned to attend an afternoon music festival in an open field. Instead, I switched to an indoor art exhibition with air conditioning, stayed hydrated, and scheduled the festival for an evening on a cooler day.
4. Dense fog that grounded my early flight:
On a winter morning, a thick fog reduced visibility to a few metres, and my 7 a.m. flight was cancelled. I had planned to arrive by noon for a client meeting. I moved the meeting to video, rebooked an afternoon flight once conditions improved, and sent documents in advance so the discussion could still be productive.
5. Blizzard that blocked a visit to a friend:
A heavy snowstorm brought blinding snow and strong winds, making roads hazardous. I had planned to drive to a friend’s house for dinner. I postponed the visit, cooked at home, and caught up with my friend over a long video call, appreciating the warmth of home while the wind howled outside.
6. Cyclone warning that cancelled a coastal getaway:
The meteorological office issued a cyclone alert with predictions of storm surge and gale-force winds. I had planned a weekend by the sea. I cancelled the booking, stayed inland, and prepared an emergency kit; later, I used the refund to plan a safer off-season trip.
7. Sandstorm that disrupted a desert drive:
On a road trip through arid country, a sudden sandstorm reduced visibility and coated everything with dust. My plan was to reach a canyon lookout by sunset. I pulled over at a service area, waited it out, and shifted the lookout visit to sunrise, which turned out spectacular after the air cleared.
8. Wildfire smoke that scrapped a hiking day:
Late summer, the air quality index spiked due to distant wildfires, with a smoky haze and scratchy throat sensation. I had planned a long hike in the hills. I swapped it for an indoor gym session and a documentary night, deciding to hike the same trail the following weekend when the air improved.
9. Hailstorm that spoiled a football match plan:
In the late afternoon, the temperature dropped, and a hailstorm hammered rooftops and streets. I had tickets for a local football match at an open stadium. I skipped the game, watched the delayed broadcast from home, and used the extra time to finish a presentation I needed on Monday.
10. Icy rain that altered a photography shoot: Early spring brought freezing rain that glazed pavements and tree branches. I intended to do an outdoor portrait session in a park. I pivoted to an indoor location with natural window light, adjusted the wardrobe choices, and still achieved a crisp, minimal style that suited the weather mood.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
When describing a time when the weather forced a change in plans, using specific vocabulary can effectively convey the timing, the weather's severity, your original intentions, and your alternative course of action. Thoughtful word choices will help you articulate the disappointment, flexibility, and the memorable outcome of the unexpected situation, making your response both descriptive and relatable. Here are some relevant words and phrases:
Abruptly: – Suddenly and unexpectedly.
Example: We had to abruptly change our plans due to the sudden storm.
Unforeseen: – Not anticipated or predicted.
Example: The bad weather was an unforeseen obstacle to our trip.
Inclement weather: – Unpleasantly cold or wet weather.
Example: We had to cancel the outdoor picnic because of the inclement weather.
Downpour: – A heavy fall of rain.
Example: A sudden downpour forced us to seek shelter and abandon our hike.
Gusty winds: – Strong blasts of wind.
Example: The gusty winds made it impossible to set up our tents on the beach.
Deluge: – A severe flood.
Example: The city was hit by a deluge, which led to widespread flooding.
Halted: – Stopped, either temporarily or permanently.
Example: The cycling race was halted due to the heavy fog.
Scrapped: – Abandoned or discarded something that is no longer useful or viable.
Example: We had to completely scrap our initial plans for the day trip.
Spontaneous: – Performed or occurring as a result of a sudden inner impulse or inclination and without premeditation or external stimulus.
Example: The bad weather led to a spontaneous movie marathon at home instead.
Alternative plan: – A different option or course of action.
Example: We quickly came up with an alternative plan to visit an indoor museum.
Reschedule: – To change the time or date of a planned event.
Example: We decided to reschedule our hike for the following weekend when the weather was better.
Disappointed: – Sad or displeased because of the non-fulfilment of one's hopes or expectations.
Example: We were initially disappointed that our trip was ruined by the rain.
Flexibility: – The quality of bending easily without breaking; the ability to be easily modified.
Example: This experience taught me the importance of flexibility in planning.
Unexpected turn: – A sudden and surprising change in a situation.
Example: The trip took an unexpected turn, but it ended up being just as fun.
Made the most of it: – To get as much advantage or benefit as possible from a situation.
Example: We made the most of it and had a great time indoors instead.
Adapt: – To become adjusted to new conditions.
Example: It was a good lesson in learning to adapt to things you can't control.
If you prepare for the topic "Describe a time when the weather conditions forced you to change your plan", you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe a time when you had to change your plan.
2) Describe a bad weather experience you have had.
3) Describe a time when you could not do something that you wanted to do.
4) Describe a time when you waited for someone or something to arrive.
5) Describe a time when the weather was unusually bad.
Report