Cue Cards Samples with band 8 answers
Describe a situation or event when someone apologized to you - Cue Card # 723
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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 or event when someone apologized to you.
You should say:
- when it was
- who the person was
- why this person apologized to you
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:
We all make mistakes, but the burden of such mistakes doesn’t weigh too much on the mistaken person if they sincerely apologize to the affected persons. Today, I would like to talk about an event when one of those sincere persons apologized to me a few months ago.
He was a cashier in a super shop - a super shop which I have been visiting quite frequently for the last couple of years or so. But the cashier I am talking about was a newcomer since I saw him for the first time on that eventful day when I bought a lot of groceries. In fact, that new cashier checked me out on that day.
However, interestingly, when I made the payment to the cashier, I felt like I was paying a little extra than what I normally used to pay for roughly the same quantity of merchandise on previous occasions. But, I chose to keep quiet, thinking that perhaps I bought some additional merchandise items, or the prices of some of the grocery items had changed. So, I just took my groceries and left the shop.
But after reaching my home, I became a bit too curious and checked the prices of my grocery items. Suddenly, I noticed that one item was over-priced on the receipt which was handed to me by the cashier before leaving the shop. Luckily, the supershop was not far away from my home. So, I went back to the cashier the next day in a relaxed mood and told him about the wrong price he charged me for one of my grocery items. After learning his mistake, he immediately apologized to me very sincerely, telling me that he had just started his new job on that day.
To be honest, I wasn’t exactly expecting him to apologize to me like that since it was not such a big deal to me. Besides, I knew very well that this kind of mistake could happen, especially by a person who was new at his job. Nevertheless, I felt glad that he actually genuinely apologized to me.
Model Answer 2:
For this interesting topic, I'd like to share an incident when a close friend of mine apologized to me, and the experience left a lasting impression on our friendship. As soon as I looked at this topic, the incident came vividly into my mind.
It happened about a year ago during a period of misunderstanding and miscommunication between us. Though it happened a year ago, it seemed like just a few weeks ago!
The person who apologized was my friend, Alex, with whom I've shared a strong bond since our college days. We were like-minded individuals who usually understood each other well, but every relationship has its ups and downs. The reason behind the apology was a series of misunderstandings that had accumulated over a few weeks. Small miscommunications and assumptions had snowballed into a tense situation, leading to a strain on our friendship. Alex realized the growing distance and decided to address the issue.
When Alex approached me to apologize, I was initially surprised but also relieved. It takes courage to acknowledge mistakes and express regret. Alex sincerely explained the situation from their perspective, and it became evident that it was a case of unintentional misinterpretation. The apology was not just a formality; it was heartfelt, and that made me appreciate the friendship even more.
Receiving an apology, especially when it's genuine and timely, can mend relationships and strengthen the bond. The incident ultimately brought us closer, and the sincerity of the apology deepened our friendship.
Idea generation for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
This topic asks you to describe a particular situation when someone apologized to you. You should explain when it happened, who the person was, why they apologized, and how you felt about it. Since apologies can happen in personal, academic, or professional life, here are some possible scenarios you could develop in your own answer:
1. A friend forgetting my birthday:
One of my close friends forgot to wish me on my birthday. Later, when they realized, they called and sincerely apologized. I felt slightly hurt at first, but their apology made me appreciate our friendship even more.
2. A classmate taking my seat:
In school, a classmate once occupied my usual seat without asking. When I showed up, they quickly apologized and moved. I felt their apology showed respect, and it kept our relationship friendly.
3. A teacher misunderstanding me:
During a group project, my teacher thought I hadn’t done my part. Later, after checking, she realized her mistake and apologized in front of the class. It made me feel valued and respected.
4. A sibling breaking something important:
My younger sibling accidentally broke my favourite toy/game. They came to me almost in tears and said sorry. I was initially upset, but their apology softened my anger, and I forgave them.
5. A shop assistant giving the wrong item:
I once bought something at a shop, and the assistant packed the wrong item. When I went back, they apologized politely and replaced it. Their sincerity made me appreciate good customer service.
6. A colleague missing a deadline:
At work, one of my colleagues missed a deadline that affected my schedule. They later admitted their mistake and apologized. Although it caused some stress, I respected their honesty and professionalism.
7. A friend making a harsh comment:
A friend once made a sarcastic remark that hurt me. Later, they realized it and apologized sincerely. That apology helped rebuild trust between us, and I valued the honesty.
8. A neighbor playing loud music:
My neighbor once played loud music late at night. The next day, he came over to say sorry. I felt relieved because the apology showed consideration and responsibility for his actions.
9. A stranger bumping into me:
While walking in a crowded street, a stranger accidentally bumped into me and quickly apologized. Though it was a small incident, I felt their politeness reflected good manners.
10. A relative missing an important event:
One of my relatives couldn’t attend an important family occasion and later apologized. I felt disappointed but also understood that their apology was genuine and heartfelt.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
When describing a situation where someone apologized to you, using specific vocabulary can effectively convey the context of the event, the person involved, the reason for the apology, and your emotional response. Thoughtful word choices will help you articulate the sincerity of the apology, the resolution of the conflict, and your feelings of forgiveness or understanding, making your response both personal and insightful. Here are some relevant words and phrases:
Apology: – A formal expression of regret for having done something wrong.
Example: He offered me a sincere apology for his mistake.
Sincere: – (Of a person or their feelings) genuine; not pretended.
Example: What made the apology meaningful was how sincere it felt.
Remorse: – Deep regret or guilt for a wrong committed.
Example: You could see the remorse in his eyes as he spoke.
Misunderstanding: – A failure to understand something correctly; a disagreement.
Example: It was all a big misunderstanding that was eventually cleared up with an apology.
Regret: – A feeling of sadness, repentance, or disappointment over something that has happened or been done.
Example: She expressed deep regret for her thoughtless words.
Repentance: – The action of repenting; sincere regret or remorse.
Example: His gesture of repentance showed that he genuinely wanted to make amends.
Took accountability: – Accepted responsibility for one's actions.
Example: I appreciated that he took full accountability for his mistake and didn't try to make excuses.
Acknowledge: – Accept or admit the existence or truth of.
Example: He finally acknowledged that his behavior had been inappropriate.
Forgave: – Stopped feeling angry or resentful toward (someone) for an offense, flaw, or mistake.
Example: I forgave him immediately because I knew he didn't mean to cause any harm.
Reconciliation: – The restoration of friendly relations.
Example: The apology was a crucial step towards reconciliation between us.
Relieved: – No longer feeling distressed or anxious; reassured.
Example: After hearing his apology, I felt incredibly relieved that the tension was gone.
At ease: – Free from worry or anxiety.
Example: The apology made me feel at ease and allowed me to move on from the incident.
Accepted: – Agreed to take or receive (something offered).
Example: I willingly accepted his apology and the explanation he offered.
Mend fences: – To try to restore friendly relations between people or groups, especially after a dispute.
Example: The apology was an attempt to mend fences and restore our friendship.
Sincerity: – The quality of being honest and genuine.
Example: The sincerity of his apology was evident in his tone and body language.
Move on: – To leave a situation and start to do something new.
Example: The apology allowed me to move on from the situation without holding a grudge.
If you prepare for the topic "Describe a situation or event when someone apologized to you", you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe a person who once apologised to you.
2) Describe someone you know who made a wrong decision.
3) Describe a time when someone got angry with you.
4) Describe an event when someone denied your request.
5) Describe a negative experience you have had.
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