Cue Cards Samples with band 8 answers
When you were sleepy but had to stay awake - Cue Card # 730
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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 were sleepy but had to stay awake.
You should say:
- when it was and where you were
- why you were sleepy
- why you had to stay awake
and explain what you did to stay awake at that moment.
[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:
Waiting for someone is bad enough as it is, but, it is even worse when you have to wait a long time for somebody to arrive while trying to keep yourself up and awake. But, that’s just exactly what I had to do – that is to stay awake and wait while feeling sleepy – about a year ago at one of my cousin’s home in my hometown.
However, up until that day, I never really thought that I would have a problem keeping myself awake, no matter what the situation was. But, I was proved wrong when my cousin and his wife asked me to look after their 4-year-old kid as they were going out of town for an important job. Needless to say, I gladly agreed to their request, but little did I know then that their 4-year-old was so handful and difficult to reason with.
Of course, the first couple of hours were ok, but as more time started to pass, the little 4-year-old boy got restless. In fact, he started to run all over the place in his house while playing with virtually everything there. Soon, I realized that I was not strong and energetic enough to keep up with that little boy! Anyway, things went like this for about a few hours and then suddenly I started to feel sleepy. I guess that I was getting tired, trying to run after that boy every now and then during that busy evening. But, at around 11 pm, I felt like I couldn’t keep myself awake any longer, but I couldn’t leave the little unruly 4-year-old alone either. Another hour had gone by like this until my cousin and his wife arrived to rescue me from my misery.
I tried to keep myself awake that night by watching some TV programmes. But when watching TV was not working, I tried to wash my eyes with some cold water to keep myself awake. Sometimes, I was doing some light exercises to keep my eyes open while also playing with the little boy at the same time.
Model Answer 2:
I vividly recall a challenging night during my final year of university when I found myself in a situation where staying awake was imperative despite an overwhelming sense of drowsiness. For this topic, I will share this experience with you.
This incident occurred during the preparation period for my "thesis defense". I was in my small apartment, surrounded by piles of research papers and notes. The clock had ticked well past midnight, and the weariness from weeks of intense research and writing had caught up with me.
The reason behind my struggle against sleep was the imminent deadline for my thesis submission. I had to finalize my presentation and ensure that every aspect of my research was meticulously reviewed. Given the importance of this defense, a good night's sleep seemed like a luxury I couldn't afford at that moment.
To combat sleepiness, I relied on a combination of caffeine and short breaks. I made frequent trips to the kitchen for a strong cup of coffee and occasionally stepped out onto the balcony for some fresh air. I also played soft instrumental music to maintain a level of alertness. These strategies were my makeshift solutions to navigate through the night.
Staying awake during that challenging period was undoubtedly tough, but the sense of accomplishment and relief after completing the presentation made it worthwhile.
Idea generation for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
This topic asks you to describe a time when you felt very sleepy but had no choice but to stay awake. To make your answer great, explain when and where it happened, why you were feeling sleepy, the reason you couldn’t go to sleep, and what you did to stay alert. Here are a few ideas to help you develop your own answer:
1. Studying for an important exam:
One time I felt extremely sleepy but had to stay awake was the night before my university entrance exam. I was at home, revising some last-minute topics. I had already been up late the previous night, so my body was exhausted. However, I had to stay awake because I wanted to feel confident about the material. To stay awake, I drank strong coffee and took short breaks to walk around.
2. Night shift at work:
I once had to cover an overnight shift at my part-time job. It was in a customer service call centre, and my shift started at 10 p.m. and ended at 6 a.m. I felt sleepy around 2 a.m. because I wasn't used to staying up all night. But since I had responsibilities and needed to answer calls, I had to fight the drowsiness. I kept sipping water, stretching at my desk, and engaging in conversations with colleagues to stay alert.
3. Travelling on an overnight bus:
During a long journey on an overnight bus, I was feeling extremely sleepy but couldn’t sleep properly due to the bumpy ride and upright seats. I was travelling to another city for an early morning interview. Despite the fatigue, I stayed awake reviewing my notes and listening to music to stay calm and keep my mind occupied.
4. Attending a wedding ceremony:
I attended a wedding reception that lasted until very late at night. It was held in a large hall, and I had already had a tiring day. By the time the dinner and speeches were over, I could hardly keep my eyes open. However, I stayed awake out of respect for the family and to be part of the final group photo. I managed to stay alert by moving around, chatting with other guests, and having a cup of tea.
5. Waiting at the airport:
I once had a very early morning flight and had to stay overnight at the airport. I was incredibly sleepy because I had packed the night before and didn’t get enough rest. But I had to stay awake to keep an eye on my luggage and make sure I didn’t miss the boarding call. To stay awake, I walked around the terminal, watched videos on my phone, and drank an energy drink.
6. Overnight group project at university:
During my final semester, my team and I had to complete a group project presentation overnight. We stayed at a friend’s place and worked until morning. I felt sleepy halfway through the night but had to push through because I was responsible for designing the visuals. I stayed awake by taking cold water splashes on my face and listening to upbeat music while working.
7. Babysitting a sick child:
One night I had to babysit my nephew who was unwell. He kept waking up due to a fever, and I needed to monitor him. I was sleepy because I had worked all day, but I had to stay awake to give him medicine on time and make sure he was comfortable. I kept myself awake by walking around the room and checking his temperature regularly.
8. Religious night vigil:
I once attended an all-night prayer vigil at a local church. It started around 9 p.m. and went on until early morning. By midnight, I was feeling quite drowsy, but I had to stay awake as part of the community event. To remain alert, I drank water, participated in group hymns, and stood up whenever I felt sleepy.
9. Preparing a last-minute presentation:
There was a time when I had to prepare a last-minute presentation for work, and I didn’t start until late in the evening due to earlier commitments. I felt extremely tired after dinner, but I knew I couldn’t sleep without completing it. I stayed awake by setting mini goals and rewarding myself with short breaks and coffee.
10. Watching over someone in the hospital:
I stayed overnight at a hospital when a close friend was admitted after surgery. I had barely slept the night before, and the waiting room wasn’t comfortable. Still, I had to stay awake in case the nurses needed help or if my friend woke up needing something. I stayed alert by reading a book and occasionally walking around the hospital corridor to avoid dozing off.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
When describing a time you had to overcome sleepiness, using vivid vocabulary can effectively convey the struggle, the reasons for staying awake, and your coping mechanisms. Thoughtful word choices will help you articulate the physical and mental sensations of fatigue and your determination, making your response relatable and impactful. Here are some relevant words and phrases:
Drowsy: – Sleepy and lethargic; heavy with sleep.
Example: I felt incredibly drowsy, my eyelids heavy and my thoughts sluggish.
Exhaustion: – A state of extreme physical or mental tiredness.
Example: Pure exhaustion set in after working tirelessly for over 15 hours.
Lethargy: – A lack of energy and enthusiasm.
Example: A deep lethargy made it difficult to concentrate on the task.
Fight off sleep: – To resist the urge to fall asleep.
Example: I constantly had to fight off sleep, pinching myself to stay alert.
Running on fumes: – Operating with very little energy remaining.
Example: By that point, I was literally running on fumes, having had no rest.
Push through the fatigue: – To force oneself to continue despite being very tired.
Example: I knew I had to push through the fatigue to complete the crucial task.
A mental battle: – A struggle primarily involving one's thoughts and willpower.
Example: Staying awake became a real mental battle against my body's urges.
Keep my wits about me: – Remain alert and able to think clearly, especially in a difficult situation.
Example: It was vital to keep my wits about me for the duration of the night shift.
Caffeine-induced alertness: – A state of being awake and attentive due to the consumption of caffeine.
Example: I relied heavily on caffeine-induced alertness to get me through.
Splashed cold water on my face: – Threw cold water onto my face to wake myself up.
Example: I repeatedly went to the restroom to splash cold water on my face.
Maintained focus: – Kept my attention steadily on a task or objective.
Example: It was challenging, but I managed to maintain focus on the intricate details.
Physical toll: – The negative impact or burden on one's body.
Example: The experience certainly took a physical toll on me, leaving me drained the next day.
Sheer willpower: – Determination or control over oneself, especially in a challenging situation.
Example: I managed to stay awake purely through sheer willpower and a strong sense of responsibility.
If you prepare for the topic "Describe a time when you were sleepy but had to stay awake", you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe a night when you could not sleep at all.
2) Describe a time when you had to wait for someone or something to arrive.
3) Describe a time when you helped a child.
4) Describe a time when you were very tired.
5) Describe something you did that was new or exciting.
6) Describe a time when you helped someone.
Few years back, my mother had a lower abdominal surgery because she was experiencing throbbing pain, and the doctor suggested that she had to be operated. That night, after the surgery in a hospital, when the doctors shifted her to a room, the nurse asked me to keep an eye on the drips. She told me that those drips are necessary so the body can handle the post-operation changes. I was told to inform her before that packet goes empty so that she could fill it again. Moreover, she specifically told it should not get empty because it will fill the body with unwanted air which could result in blood clotting.
I was very scared that night and was totally exhausted. My eyes wanded a nap but my mind and heart did not allow that, and also because of the eternal love for my mother, it gave me a lot of energy, to be awake. You know I have faced so many ups and downs in my life, no matter what, she was always there for me. And in her agony, I have to be there for her.
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