Cue Cards Samples with band 8 answers
Describe a situation that made you feel uneasy or uncomfortable - Cue Card # 705
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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 situation that made you feel uneasy or uncomfortable.
You should say:
- when it was
- what made you feel uneasy or uncomfortable
- what you did then
and explain how you felt about it.
[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:
The experience of an uncomfortable situation is something that we all try to forget most of the time, and at times, we regret the whole situation. One such event that I can still recall happened a few years ago when I was travelling to (... say a country name which is not yours ...). I will share my experience with you.
I planned a holiday tour to (... say the country name again ...) with two of my classmates, and we thought the holiday and its excitement would refresh us from a long and tiring semester. As planned, we took our flight and reached the destination airport safely. However, the immigration checkpoint queue was unusually long, and at least 50 people were ahead of us. We had to wait for more than an hour before I could proceed to the counter. To my dismay, just after I handed over my passport, the officer in charge asked me to go to the immigration clearance room located on a different floor! After I informed him that I was travelling with two of my friends, he got angry and asked me to leave the counter! That was pretty harsh and unexpected from someone taking care of such a delicate matter like immigration clearance.
I had to yield to his whimsical decision and talk to another immigration officer who for more than 20 minutes asked me different questions and literally tried to grill me in an embarrassing situation. Some of these questions were pretty reasonable and valid, but a few of them were disgusting and completely out of context.
I felt as if I was being punished for something I never did, and at a point, I felt like saying to the immigration personnel "Thank you for your service but I no longer wish to travel to your country". I was that mad and frustrated. But in the end, he cleared all of us and apologized to us sarcastically (I am saying sarcastically because I felt he did not mean it).
We, at last, entered the country and despite an initial shock, the whole experience was pretty awesome. We had an excellent and reinvigorating holiday. I just wished the uneasy and frustrating experience at the immigration checkpoint did not occur.
Sample Answer 2:
I am usually a level-headed person and not the one to easily feel uncomfortable. And, I am saying this about not feeling uncomfortable easily because I usually have some valid excuses or ways to get out of any uneasy or uncomfortable situation most of the time. But, unfortunately, that’s not to happen when I couldn’t return a book to my university library.
Well, the story goes like this - when I was a university student about 4 years ago, I used to borrow a lot of books from my university library and returned them all on time after reading them. But, once I borrowed a very interesting book, and it was so interesting that I had to read it at least three times! So, I kept extending the return date for this book again and again and kept it reading until suddenly I lost it one day.
I think I lost the book because I carried it with me to all kinds of places. After all, I wanted to utilize my free time reading this book, but little did I know that one day I would leave that book by mistake either at one of those places, I visited, or on a bus while visiting those places.
Anyway, finally, the time arrived for me to return that book to my university library except, of course, I didn’t have any book to return. So, seeing no way out, I described what had exactly happened to the librarian, but as soon as I finished telling the incident to that librarian gentleman, he started to yell at me in a loud voice, telling me how irresponsible I really was. However, I just kept quiet as long as he yelled at me, knowing that it was my fault.
Needless to say, I felt very awkward and uncomfortable in that situation even though, I must say that I wasn’t exactly expecting that kind of harsh reaction from that librarian. But, then I told to myself that I deserved that kind of tough talk and behaviour to some extent as I wasn’t careful enough to keep that book safe.
Model Answer 3:
I appreciate the opportunity to discuss a situation that made me feel uneasy and uncomfortable even though it evokes a memory that is not so pleasant. I have always believed that it's crucial to reflect on such experiences as they often provide valuable insights into our emotions and reactions in different circumstances. So here goes the story -
The incident occurred during my recent trip to Barcelona, Spain, when I was exploring the souvenir shops in the bustling streets of the city. It was a sunny afternoon, and the streets were filled with tourists and locals alike, adding to the vibrant atmosphere.
As I browsed through the colourful array of trinkets and gifts in one of the quaint souvenir shops, I accidentally knocked over a delicate ceramic figurine displayed on a crowded shelf. The figurine slipped from my grasp and shattered into pieces on the tiled floor. The sudden crash drew the attention of other shoppers and the store staff, making me feel extremely uncomfortable and embarrassed.
Instantly realizing what had happened, I apologized profusely to the shopkeeper and offered to pay for the damaged item. The shopkeeper reassured me that accidents happen and kindly declined my offer, but the awkwardness of the situation lingered as I hastily exited the shop, feeling flustered and self-conscious.
Reflecting on the incident later, I felt a mix of embarrassment and regret for being careless and causing inconvenience to the shopkeeper. While accidents are unavoidable at times, the discomfort of being the centre of attention in a public setting made me more mindful of my surroundings and actions in similar situations. Overall, it served as a valuable lesson in humility and accountability, reminding me to handle delicate items with greater care and awareness in the future.
Idea generation for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
This topic asks you to describe a situation that made you feel uneasy or uncomfortable. It expects you to explain when the situation happened, what caused your discomfort, what actions you took, and how you felt about the experience. To make your answer great, focus on a real or realistic incident where the emotional discomfort is clear and relatable - such as social awkwardness, unexpected confrontation, or physical unease. Here are a few ideas to help you develop your response. We hope that you will find this section helpful.
1. Being asked to speak in public without preparation:
I once felt really uncomfortable when I was suddenly asked to speak at a school assembly. It happened in my final year of college, and I was completely unprepared. I was supposed to say a few words about an event we organised, but I wasn’t expecting to speak that day. I stumbled through the speech and felt nervous and embarrassed. That situation made me realise how uncomfortable I get when I’m put on the spot without any preparation.
2. Attending a formal dinner where I didn’t know anyone:
Last year, I was invited to a formal dinner by my manager. It was a gathering of senior professionals, and I didn’t know anyone else there. Everyone was talking in groups, and I found it hard to start a conversation. I felt out of place and awkward. I tried to smile and make small talk, but it was still very uncomfortable until I met one friendly person who included me in their group.
3. Witnessing a heated argument at a friend’s party:
I once attended a birthday party where two guests got into a heated argument. It created an awkward atmosphere, and everyone stopped talking. I felt really uncomfortable because I didn’t know how to react, and I was worried things might escalate. I tried to distract others with light conversation, but the tension lingered, and the evening didn’t feel festive anymore.
4. Being asked a personal question during a job interview:
During a job interview, I was asked a personal question that made me uncomfortable. The interviewer wanted to know about a gap year in my resume, and although I had a valid reason, it was something I didn’t want to talk about publicly. I tried to keep my answer professional, but I felt uneasy and distracted afterwards.
5. Sharing a room with a stranger during a conference:
A few months ago, I attended a three-day conference and had to share a hotel room with someone I had never met before. I didn’t feel safe or relaxed because I value my privacy. I spent most of the time outside the room and avoided too much interaction. Though the other person was polite, the situation made me feel uncomfortable the whole time.
6. Going to a religious ceremony without understanding the customs:
I once attended a religious ceremony with a friend, and I wasn’t familiar with the traditions. At one point, I stood when I was supposed to sit, and I accidentally disrupted part of the ceremony. People gave me confused looks, and I felt quite embarrassed. I realised later that I should have asked more questions beforehand.
7. Being in a crowded bus during the summer:
One of the most physically uncomfortable situations I’ve experienced was taking a crowded bus on a hot summer day. It was packed with people, and there was hardly any room to breathe. I felt sweaty, anxious, and desperate to get off. I had to stay on the bus for more than 40 minutes, which felt like an eternity.
8. Having to refuse a favour from a friend:
Once, a close friend asked me for a favour that I couldn’t agree to - lending a large amount of money. I felt extremely uncomfortable saying no because I didn’t want to damage our friendship. I explained my situation politely, but the conversation was still awkward, and I worried that he might take it the wrong way.
9. Being the only one dressed casually at a formal event:
A couple of years ago, I went to an event thinking it was casual, but it turned out to be formal. I wore jeans and a T-shirt, while everyone else was in suits and dresses. I felt extremely self-conscious the entire time, avoided attention, and kept telling myself to leave early. That experience taught me to always confirm the dress code before attending an event.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
When describing an uncomfortable situation, using precise vocabulary can effectively convey the circumstances, the source of discomfort, your actions, and your emotional response. Thoughtful word choices will help you articulate the awkwardness or distress and the impact of the experience, making your response both honest and relatable. Here are some relevant words and phrases:
Awkward: – Causing difficulty; difficult to use, do, or handle.
Example: It was an incredibly awkward situation that I wished to escape from.
Disconcerting: – Causing one to feel unsettled.
Example: Their intense stare was disconcerting, making me feel uneasy.
Breached my personal space: – Entered or invaded my physical area that I consider private.
Example: Their proximity clearly breached my personal space, making me uncomfortable.
Felt a sense of apprehension: – Experienced a feeling of fear or anxiety about something in the future, especially something unpleasant.
Example: As I realized what was happening, I felt a sense of apprehension.
Socially awkward: – Lacking ease in social situations.
Example: The entire interaction was incredibly socially awkward, making me cringe inwardly.
Escalated quickly: – Increased rapidly in intensity or seriousness.
Example: The tension in the room escalated quickly, making me want to leave.
Felt scrutinized: – Felt that I was being carefully and critically examined.
Example: Under their gaze, I felt scrutinized and self-conscious.
Navigated the situation: – Managed or dealt with a difficult or complex set of circumstances.
Example: I tried my best to calmly navigate the situation and remove myself.
Felt a rush of embarrassment: – Experienced a sudden, strong feeling of self-consciousness or shame.
Example: A rush of embarrassment washed over me when I realized the misunderstanding.
Handled with grace: – Dealt with a difficult situation with poise and dignity.
Example: Despite the discomfort, I tried to handle the situation with grace.
Learning experience: – An event from which one can acquire new knowledge or skills.
Example: While uncomfortable, it was ultimately a learning experience about setting boundaries.
If you prepare for the topic "Describe a situation that made you feel uneasy or uncomfortable", you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe a sad experience you have had.
2) Describe a time when someone got angry with you.
3) Describe a time when you had a disagreement with someone.
4) Describe a time when someone denied your request.
5) Describe something you tried to do but were not very successful.
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