Cue Cards Samples with band 8 answers
Describe an important journey that was delayed - Cue Card # 722
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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 an important journey that was delayed.
You should say:
- where you were going
- why the journey was important
- what caused the delay
and explain how you felt about the delay.
[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:
We have to go to different places because we have many needs in our lives. Of course, not all those travels and journeys require planning in advance. Rather, it’s the only important journeys which require planning in advance, and today, I would like to talk about one such important journey which was delayed even after enough planning.
The journey, I wanted to take, was to attend the graduation ceremony of one of my nephews about a few years ago. By the way, my nephew and I have a very close bond. In fact, it was because of my advice that my nephew chose to study engineering, and he told me that his graduation ceremony would remain incomplete if I didn’t attend this ceremony. So, attending that graduation ceremony had great emotional value to me. Besides, I also didn’t want to miss that once-in-a-lifetime event of my nephew.
So, I made all the plans in advance as to what kind of transportation I would use, and when I would need to arrive at the destination. But, despite those plans in advance, I couldn’t exactly arrive at the destination on time because of events that were not within my control. In fact, the journey was delayed because I was not able to get a taxi on time. And, the reason why I couldn’t catch a taxi on time was that I needed to see one of my close friends at a hospital, who got injured in a terrible accident on the same day. Thankfully, my friend survived the crash, but my journey was delayed.
Needless to say, I felt a bit disappointed after my journey was delayed. But, even though, it was delayed, I felt a little relief at the same time, knowing that the delay happened because of a valid cause. I also felt that my nephew wouldn’t mind that little delay because of the same reason. Besides, I felt confident that I could still attend at least a part of the graduation ceremony if I had tried to arrive at my destination by using some different routes.
Model Answer 2:
Thank you so much for this interesting topic as well the the time to talk about it. Here, I'd like to talk about a significant journey to attend my best friend's wedding, a trip that was not only personally important but also a momentous event in my friend's life. Unfortunately, it was delayed which made me worry to a great extent.
I was heading to a picturesque town nestled in the mountains, where my friend had chosen to tie the knot. The location added a special charm to the occasion, making the journey even more anticipated.
The journey held immense importance as it was not just a wedding but a celebration of a lifelong bond. My friend and I had shared numerous memories, and being present at this milestone was a way of expressing my support and happiness for her.
Unfortunately, a sudden delay added an extra layer of tension while I took this journey. The delay was caused by unexpected weather conditions. There was an unanticipated snowfall in the mountainous region, disrupting the travel plans for many. The roads were temporarily closed for safety reasons, creating a delay that affected several travellers, including myself. I reached there a day later than the time I initially planned.
Initially, I felt a mix of frustration and disappointment. The delay meant missing some pre-wedding events, and I was concerned about not being able to make it in time for the actual ceremony the next day. However, as the journey resumed the next day - after the weather conditions improved, I tried to focus on the fact that I would still be able to attend the most crucial part - the wedding itself.
The delay, while inconvenient, allowed me to appreciate the unpredictability of life and the uncontrollable factors that can affect our plans. It became a reminder of the importance of flexibility and adaptability in the face of unforeseen circumstances.
In the end, despite the delay, being part of my friend's wedding and witnessing her happiness made the journey worth every moment. It added a unique story to the overall experience, making it a memorable adventure rather than just a trip to a wedding.
Model Answer 3:
Introduction:
Oh, thank you so much for the opportunity to let me share with you an important journey that was delayed. I will also tell you how lucky I was to be able to avoid the disastrous consequence despite being late. So please bear with me!
Where you were going:
The journey I’m talking about was an international flight I had to take to attend a seminar in Sweden. The seminar was on international business strategies, and it was an event I had been looking forward to for months. It was an important occasion, as I was hoping to gain valuable insights from industry leaders and network with other professionals in my field. I had made all the necessary preparations and was eagerly anticipating the opportunity to learn and grow professionally.
Why the journey was important:
This journey was extremely important to me because the seminar was a major part of my career development. The event had speakers from some of the world’s top companies, and I knew attending it would provide me with cutting-edge knowledge and ideas that could enhance my work. Moreover, it was a great opportunity to meet like-minded individuals and expand my professional network. I had been preparing for this trip for weeks, organizing my schedule, and ensuring I would be able to participate fully in the event, so the delay became a major concern.
What caused the delay:
Unfortunately, the flight I was on was delayed due to unforeseen technical issues with the aircraft. We were supposed to depart in the afternoon, but there was a problem with the plane's communication system, which required maintenance. As a result, we were kept on the tarmac for an extra two hours before we could finally take off. I was really worried about missing the seminar, especially since it was only scheduled for one day, and I had limited time to absorb everything that was being presented.
And explain how you felt about the delay:
Initially, I felt a wave of panic and frustration. The delay was stressful, and I kept wondering whether I’d miss the start of the seminar and whether it would affect my ability to participate in key sessions. However, as the flight went on and I got closer to Sweden, I was also trying to come up with a backup plan in case I was late. When I finally landed and made my way to the venue, I was relieved to find that the seminar had started an hour later than originally scheduled! That unexpected adjustment saved me from missing the event entirely, and I felt incredibly fortunate.
Idea generation for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
This topic asks you to describe an important journey in your life that was delayed. It also asks you to mention where you were going, why the journey mattered, what caused the delay, and how you felt about the situation. Here are a few ideas to help you develop your own response. Hope you will find this helpful.
1. Delayed train journey to attend a job interview:
I was travelling to another city for a job interview that I had prepared for over several weeks. The train was delayed due to engine failure, and I had to wait for more than four hours at the station. The delay made me anxious and frustrated because I was worried about missing the opportunity. Fortunately, I informed the company, and they agreed to reschedule the interview.
2. Flight delay while going to a cousin’s wedding:
I was flying to attend my cousin’s wedding, which was a highly anticipated family event. The flight was delayed by six hours because of bad weather. I felt disappointed because I missed part of the ceremony, but I was also relieved that safety was prioritised over speed.
3. Bus delay during a university admission trip:
I had to travel to another city to submit my documents for university admission. The bus I was on broke down halfway through the journey, and we had to wait for a replacement. The delay was stressful because I was afraid I’d miss the deadline. Luckily, I made it just in time.
4. Journey to a hospital delayed due to traffic jam:
I was accompanying a relative to a hospital for a scheduled surgery. We got stuck in an unexpected traffic jam caused by a road accident. The delay made everyone tense, and we had to call the hospital to postpone the appointment. It was a reminder of how unpredictable city traffic can be.
5. International flight delay due to technical issues:
I was travelling abroad to start my university studies. The flight was delayed by 12 hours because of a technical issue with the aircraft. I felt a mix of anxiety and excitement - it was frustrating but also a chance to mentally prepare. The airline provided accommodations, which made things a bit easier.
6. Train cancellation during festival season:
I had planned to travel home for a major festival, but the train was cancelled due to overcrowding and logistical issues. I felt heartbroken because I was looking forward to spending time with my family. I had to wait another day and take a bus instead, which was more exhausting but worth it in the end.
7. Road journey delayed due to a political strike:
I was travelling by car to attend an academic conference when a sudden political protest blocked the main road. We had to take a longer route and reached hours later than planned. The delay was annoying, but I was glad I still made it to the main session of the event.
8. Rainstorm delayed a trip to an examination centre:
On the day of my entrance exam, heavy rainfall caused severe flooding on the roads. My auto-rickshaw couldn’t pass through certain areas, and I had to find an alternative route. I was very nervous, thinking I’d be late, but the exam was delayed as well due to the same weather, which gave me some relief.
9. Boat journey delayed due to engine trouble:
I was on a boat heading to a small island for a volunteer programme. Midway through, the boat developed engine problems and we had to stop for repairs. I felt uneasy and a bit scared, but the crew handled it professionally. The delay made us arrive at night instead of in the afternoon.
10. Delayed return trip after a vacation:
After a relaxing vacation, our return flight was delayed due to airport congestion. Though it wasn’t as stressful as other delays, I felt frustrated because I had important work the next day. It reminded me how important it is to plan buffer time when travelling around tight schedules.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
When describing an important, delayed journey, using precise vocabulary can effectively convey the significance of the trip, the reasons for the hold-up, and your emotional response to the disruption. Thoughtful word choices will help you articulate the inconvenience and your feelings, making your response relatable and detailed. Here are some relevant words and phrases:
Crucial: – Extremely important or necessary; decisive.
Example: It was a crucial journey, essential for attending an important family event.
Imperative: – Of vital importance; crucial.
Example: Attending that conference was imperative for my professional development.
Disruption: &ndash> Disturbance or problems that interrupt an event, activity, or process.
Example: The unexpected weather caused a significant disruption to all travel plans.
Unforeseen circumstances: – Events or situations that were not anticipated or predicted.
Example: The delay was due to unforeseen circumstances beyond anyone's control.
Logistical nightmare: – A situation where the planning and organization of a complex operation become extremely difficult and problematic.
Example: The cascading delays turned the entire travel plan into a logistical nightmare.
Missed connection: – A situation where a traveller fails to board a connecting flight, train, or bus due to a delay in the previous leg of the journey.
Example: The initial delay caused me to miss my connecting flight, adding to the stress.
Inconvenienced: – Caused trouble or difficulty to someone.
Example: I felt greatly inconvenienced by the prolonged wait at the terminal.
Felt frustrated: – Experienced annoyance or discouragement because of an inability to achieve something.
Example: The lack of clear communication from the airline left me feeling incredibly frustrated.
Anxiety mounted: – Feelings of worry or nervousness increased steadily.
Example: As the hours passed, my anxiety mounted, worried I would miss the event.
Exacerbated the situation: – Made an already bad situation worse.
Example: The crowded waiting area only exacerbated the situation, making the wait unbearable.
Sigh of relief: – An audible exhalation expressing relief.
Example: I breathed a huge sigh of relief when we finally received an update.
Compromised plans: – Caused plans to be less effective or successful than intended.
Example: The delay unfortunately compromised some of my tightly scheduled plans at my destination.
Tested my patience: – Challenged my ability to remain calm in difficult circumstances.
Example: The entire ordeal truly tested my patience to its limits.
Ultimately arrived safely: – Eventually reached the destination without harm or further incident.
Example: Despite the significant delay, I was just grateful to ultimately arrive safely at my destination.
If you prepare for the topic "Describe an important journey that was delayed", you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe a journey you went on with friends.
2) Describe a time when you were stuck in a traffic jam.
3) Describe a time when you were late for an important appointment.
4) Describe a time when you felt sad about something.
5) Describe an unpleasant journey that you made.
6) Describe a journey you took that was not up to your expectations.
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