Cue Cards Samples with band 8 answers
Describe a time when you had to wait in a long queue - Cue Card # 506
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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 you had to wait in a long queue/line.
You should say:
- when it was
- how long the queue/line was
- what it was about
and explain how you felt about waiting in this long queue or line.
[Instruction: You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you are going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]
Model Answer 1:
Nobody really likes to wait in a long queue or line. But that’s just wishful thinking in a very densely populated country like ours, where people need to get in a line even to buy some eggs on discount because there are just too many customers to buy them without creating any chaos. Anyway, like many others in my country, I also needed to wait in a long - I mean, really long - queue once about 4/5 years ago.
Of course, I was not trying to buy eggs on discount back then, but rather I was only trying to get my national ID from my local government authority. By the way, about 4/5 years ago, the government of my country announced a programme to give the national ID card to all of its adult citizens within a certain period of time. And, if anybody had failed to obtain his or her ID card within that stipulated period of time, he or she would have to go through a lot of unnecessary hassles of providing extra documents to the legal authority for the purpose of citizenship verification.
But, anyway, since I didn’t want to go through all that bureaucratic hassles, I decided to get my ID within the regular scheduled date, but little did I know that I would need to wait in the queue of as many as 200 people that stretched over at least a quarter of a mile. First, I thought it was going to be a quick process, because I assumed they had an efficient system in place, but I was proved wrong. The process was taking way longer than I had expected.
Anyway, after waiting for almost an hour and a half, I finally got my ID, but the agony of that long waiting period haunted me for a long time. In fact, my legs started to pain because of standing for a long time, and I was calling the officials with all sorts of “bad names” because of their sheer incompetence and negligence, which was silly of me, I guess!
Sample Answer 2:
I think this is an easy topic for me, and I'd be able to speak about one such recent event when I had to wait more than an hour in a very long queue. Thank you for this nice topic.
It would be approximately 3-4 months ago, and it was just before Christmas and New Year's time. On a Sunday evening, I went to a supermall near my home to do some necessary shopping. I spent almost 45 minutes picking up all the essential items, and the number of items I purchased was more than usual! Then I approached the checkout point of the mall. While shopping, I noticed that many people were buying items for the Christmas and New Year celebration. Due to this, the crowd seemed a bit larger than usual. However, as soon as I reached the checkout point, I was bewildered. I had no idea how large the queue in this shopping mall could be!
There were more than 5 checkout points, but each of those was surprisingly crowded. I couldn't decide which queue to stand in! Strangely, people behind me were forcing me to go ahead, and I had no other alternative but to stand in the nearest queue. I actually counted the number of people who were also waiting in my queue ahead of me. It was probably 22, and I got quite anxious to leave the shopping mall as soon as possible. The cash registers and the salespersons were very busy, and most of the customers' shopping carts were full.
At a point in my waiting in this long queue, I thought to put back my items on the shelves and leave the shopping mall. However, I discarded the idea as those items were important for me and my family. Many items were for the Christmas and New Year celebration, and I could not leave without buying these items. Moreover, I thought most other shopping centres would also be packed at this time of the year. After 30 minutes or so, I started playing games on my mobile phone. I did so for about half an hour, and then I noticed that the line in front of me had become smaller. On the other hand, the number of people behind me had grown to more than 50! Most of them were shopping for the two major approaching festivals, and all of them were waiting in the queue peacefully. The air was filled with the aroma of the festivity, and people looked happy and cheerful, even though they had to wait in a very long queue for a long time. This thought calmed me, and after approximately 25 minutes, I paid my bill, and the salesgirl wished me Merry Christmas. I greeted her back and she apologised for the long queue. As soon as I got back to my car and started the engine, I felt much better, and I was happy to finally have my shopping done!
Sample Answer 3:
Thank you for this excellent topic. With the New Year approaching, a lot of people are busy making travel arrangements, and I needed to buy a train ticket to visit my parents in Belgium. So, three days ago, I went to Frankfurt Central Station, and I ended up standing in a really long queue. I will share this experience with you.
It was a bright and sunny day when I left my dormitory, and I reached the station in about 25 minutes. But as soon as I arrived, I was surprised to see a queue that stretched far beyond the station building. Apparently, everyone was trying to book their tickets early to avoid the holiday rush. The line started at the ticket counters and seemed to grow by the minute. I later learned that ticket sales had been temporarily halted due to a network problem, which meant people had started queuing even before the counters opened.
Standing in that massive crowd for over two hours was exhausting. My legs started to ache, and I felt quite cramped. I had read about long queues before, but this was the first time I had experienced one myself. Despite the discomfort, I managed to stay patient, and eventually, once the network was restored, I was able to buy my ticket.
Although it was tiring, the experience taught me a bit about patience and how hectic train travel can get during the holiday season in Germany. I was really relieved and happy when I finally secured my ticket, and now I am looking forward to visiting my parents next week.
Model Answer 4:
Thank you very much for this topic. To be honest with you, it reminds me of a rather frustrating experience I had waiting in a long queue a couple of years ago.
This was during the summer, and my friends and I were on a trip to visit a famous theme park. We had planned this trip for months, and we were all incredibly excited. We arrived at the theme park's main entrance about 30 minutes before it was scheduled to open, thinking we were early enough to beat the rush.
As we approached the entrance, my heart sank. The queue was absolutely massive. It snaked back and forth across the car park in a seemingly endless line of people. I would estimate it was at least a kilometre long, with thousands of people. It took us over an hour and a half just to get through the entrance gates and into the park itself.
The queue was, of course, for general admission to the theme park. Since it was the peak summer season and a weekend, it was a very popular destination for families and tourists. Everyone was eager to get inside to start their day of fun, but we all had to wait patiently in the massive line. There were separate lines for those who had pre-booked tickets, but even those were quite long.
Honestly, waiting in that queue was a mixed bag of emotions. Initially, I felt a wave of frustration. It was hot, and we had spent so much time and effort to get there, only to be met with such a discouraging sight. I was worried that so much of our day would be wasted just waiting in lines. However, as time went on, my feelings shifted a bit. We started chatting with the people around us, and it turned into a sort of shared experience. We talked to some families from different cities and shared tips on which rides to go on first. By the time we finally got through the gates, there was a great sense of relief and accomplishment. Although it was a long wait, it taught me a bit of patience and also made me appreciate the feeling of finally getting inside and starting our adventure.
Idea generation for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
This topic asks you to describe a situation when you had to wait in a long queue or line. To give a compelling answer, you should mention when it happened, how long the line was, what you were waiting for, and explain your feelings about it. Here are a few ideas to help you develop your own response:
1. Waiting at the airport security check:
During a busy holiday season, I had to pass through the airport security line which stretched almost endlessly. While the wait was exhausting, I used the time to review my travel itinerary and plan my activities at the destination. Even though it was tiring, I felt it was worth it because I was excited about my upcoming trip.
2. Buying tickets for a concert:
I remember standing in line for hours to get tickets to a popular music concert. The queue snaked around the building, and everyone seemed equally eager. I chatted with some fellow fans and shared excitement about the performance, which made the waiting a bit more enjoyable. It was frustrating at times, but the anticipation kept me going.
3. Grocery shopping on a weekend:
Last weekend, I visited a supermarket during peak hours and found the checkout line extremely long. I noticed the line moved slowly due to a shortage of cashiers. I used this time to check my shopping list again and observe different products, which made the wait more bearable. Despite the delay, I felt a sense of patience and calm.
4. Waiting for a bus during rush hour:
One evening, I had to wait at a crowded bus stop during rush hour. The line of passengers seemed endless, and the bus was running late. I engaged in small talk with others in line to pass the time. Though I felt a bit irritated initially, I later realised waiting gave me an opportunity to slow down and observe my surroundings.
5. Queue at a popular restaurant:
I once waited for over an hour at a famous restaurant to get a table. The line was filled with people eagerly anticipating their meal. I spent the time scrolling through my phone and noticing how organised the restaurant staff were. The wait was annoying, but it added to the sense of excitement for the dining experience.
6. Waiting for a new smartphone launch:
During the release of a new smartphone model, I joined a long line outside an electronics store. Fans had gathered early in the morning, and the queue extended down the street. I used the time to talk to other enthusiasts about the device’s features. The wait tested my patience, but the thrill of finally purchasing the phone made it worthwhile.
7. Waiting at a bank during the holiday season:
During the end-of-year rush, I had to stand in a long queue at my local bank. People were lining up to complete transactions and pay bills. I brought a book to read while waiting, which helped pass the time. Despite feeling a little impatient, I appreciated the opportunity to organise my finances calmly.
8. Queue for a movie premiere:
I attended the premiere of a highly anticipated film, and the line for tickets was extremely long. Fans were excitedly discussing the plot and favourite actors while waiting. I joined in the conversation, which made the time pass faster. Though standing for so long was tiring, the shared enthusiasm created a lively atmosphere.
9. Waiting to enter a theme park:
During a summer vacation, I arrived early at a famous theme park and found a long queue at the entrance. I spent the time chatting with my friends and planning the rides we would go on first. The wait was frustrating initially, but it eventually became part of the fun experience of the day.
10. Queue at a government office:
I once had to wait several hours at a government office to renew my identification card. The line was slow-moving due to the complex process and the large number of applicants. I used the waiting time to complete some pending paperwork, which helped me stay productive. Despite the inconvenience, I felt relieved once my turn finally arrived.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
When describing a time you had to wait in a long queue or line, using specific vocabulary can effectively convey the context, the length of the wait, the reason for it, and your emotional response. Thoughtful word choices will help you articulate the feelings of frustration, boredom, or patience that the experience brought, making your response both personal and relatable. Here are some relevant words and phrases:
Queue/Line: – A line or sequence of people or vehicles awaiting their turn to be served.
Example: The queue for the new movie was incredibly long, stretching around the corner.
Snaking line: – A long line that twists and turns, resembling a snake.
Example: We joined the snaking line and realised we were in for a long wait.
Endless: – Having or seeming to have no end or limit.
Example: It felt like an endless wait, and the line didn't seem to move at all.
Waiting in anticipation: – Awaiting something with great expectation or excitement.
Example: People were waiting in anticipation for the store's grand opening.
Frustrated: – Feeling or expressing distress and annoyance resulting from an inability to change or achieve something.
Example: I felt incredibly frustrated as the line barely moved forward.
Impatient: – Having or showing a tendency to be quickly irritated or provoked.
Example: After waiting for over an hour, the people in front of me were getting very impatient.
Exasperated: – Intensely irritated and frustrated.
Example: I was completely exasperated by the inefficient service.
Tedious: – Too long, slow, or dull; tiresome or monotonous.
Example: The whole experience of waiting was tedious and uninteresting.
Time-consuming: – Taking a lot of time to do or complete.
Example: It was a very time-consuming process that I had not planned for.
Efficient/Inefficient: – Working in a well-organised and competent way/not doing this.
Example: The staff were very efficient, which made the wait much shorter than I expected.
Resigned: – Having accepted something undesirable that one cannot do anything about.
Example: After a while, I became resigned to the fact that I would be there for a long time.
Crowded: – (Of a place) full of people, leaving little or no room for movement.
Example: The waiting area was crowded, which made the experience even more uncomfortable.
Observing: – To watch (someone or something) carefully in order to gain information.
Example: I spent my time observing the people around me to pass the time.
A sense of camaraderie: – Mutual trust and friendship among people who spend a lot of time together.
Example: Everyone in the line shared a sense of camaraderie, united by the long wait.
Relieved: – No longer feeling distressed or anxious; reassured.
Example: I felt incredibly relieved when I finally got to the front of the line.
Anticipation: – The action of anticipating something; expectation or prediction.
Example: Despite the wait, there was a feeling of anticipation among everyone.
Similar cue card topics that you should be able to answer if you prepare for this topic:
1. Describe a time when you had to wait for a long time.
2. Describe an event when you felt uneasy/irritated.
3. Describe something unusual you did recently.
4. Describe a time when you had to wait for something or someone to arrive.
5. Describe a time when you were late for an appointment.
6. Describe a noisy place you have been to.
7. Describe a crowded place you have visited recently.
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