IELTS Speaking Part 2: IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card.
Describe a time when you had to change your plan.
You should say:
- when this happened
- what made you change the plan
- what the new plan was
and explain how you felt about the change.
[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:
I am not exactly one of those people who like to plan things ahead of schedule. But, when I do plan, which seems to be harder for me than doing the actual work, I want to make sure that I can execute my plans properly in order to “reap” the benefits of my “hard work”.
But, unfortunately, it was not the case when I planned for a camping trip with my cousins last time about 2 years ago to spend a night at a lakeside. We knew exactly what we were up to. So, we prepared for everything by packing all the necessary things from sleeping bags, tents and outdoor cooking supplies to maps, compasses, flashlights, extra clothing, lighters, candles and first aid kits. In fact, we had a perfect plan with everything under control except, of course, the weather. Well, we found out just a day ahead of our scheduled trip that there would be a hailstorm with some heavy rains in the forecast the following day.
So, the new plan (or its lack thereof) was that we would remain indoors the whole day while watching some football and movies over some freshly baked popcorn and cans of cold Coca-Cola on the sides. And, if the weather permits, we possibly could enjoy some grilled barbecue as well.
Well, how did I feel about the change? Let’s just say that the weather guy, who had forecasted about a bright and sunny day a week earlier on my TV, wouldn’t exactly be very pleased to know what I “called” him in his absence, only to realise at the end, of course, that the weather guy wasn’t exactly in control of the weather either. However, the worst part of changing the plan was that I was not allowed to enjoy our camping and the great outdoors near a beautiful lake while fishing in it with my cousins, courtesy of the “not-so-cooperative” weather. Finally, unpacking my bags and luggage and putting the stuff back in the right places due to the change in the plan was also a bit irritating, to say the least.
But, other than that, I was pretty relaxed, consoling myself that there always was a next time. So, instead of remaining disappointed, I decided to enjoy my time inside my house with my cousins while planning for our next camping trip, except, of course, this time around, we didn’t want to rely on a weather guy for our weather information.
Model Answer 2:
This topic reminds me of a time when I meticulously planned a hiking trip with friends during a summer break, but circumstances forced me to change our plans. Here, I would like to share the experience with you, but before I proceed, I would like to thank you for the time to let me talk about this topic.
It was last summer when I organised a hiking expedition with a group of close friends. We had been eagerly anticipating the trip for weeks, looking forward to exploring the breathtaking trails and scenic vistas of a nearby national park.
Unfortunately, a sudden spell of stormy weather disrupted our plans. Just a day before our scheduled departure, a severe thunderstorm warning was issued for the region, with heavy rain and strong winds forecasted for the entire weekend. Considering the safety of our group and the challenging terrain we would be traversing, we realised that it would be unwise to proceed with our original hiking plans.
Given the unfavourable weather conditions, we decided to change our plans and opt for an alternative indoor activity instead. After brainstorming ideas, we unanimously agreed to spend the weekend at a cosy cabin nestled in the woods near the national park. While it wasn’t the outdoor adventure we had envisioned, we knew that it would still provide us with an opportunity to unwind, bond, and make the most of our time together.
Initially, I felt disappointed and somewhat frustrated by the unexpected turn of events. I had been looking forward to the hiking trip for weeks, and the prospect of having to cancel or postpone it was disheartening. However, as we discussed our options and devised a new plan, my mood gradually shifted from disappointment to acceptance and even excitement. The prospect of spending quality time with friends in a cosy cabin, surrounded by nature’s beauty, had its own charm and allure.
Sample Answer 3:
Introduction:
Thank you so much for this interesting topic. For this, I’d like to talk about a time when I had to change an important plan because of illness. At that moment, it felt really frustrating, but later I realised it was probably the right decision.
When this happened:
This happened about a year ago during a long weekend. I had planned a short trip with a few close friends to a hill station outside the city. We had booked everything in advance, including transport and accommodation, and honestly, I had been looking forward to it for weeks because I desperately needed a break from work and studies.
What made you change the plan:
Unfortunately, just two days before the trip, I suddenly became very ill. I developed a high fever, body aches, and a terrible headache. At first, I tried to ignore it because I didn’t want to cancel the trip, but my condition became worse overnight. My parents and friends strongly advised me not to travel, and deep down I knew they were right.
What the new plan was:
So instead of going on the trip, I postponed it and stayed home to recover. My friends still went ahead with their journey, but they promised we would plan another trip later. During those few days, I mostly rested, watched movies, drank way too much soup, and tried to recover as quickly as possible.
And explain how you felt about the change:
To be honest, I felt really disappointed at first. Seeing my friends’ post photos from the trip made me feel like I was missing out on something exciting. But after a couple of days, I realised that travelling while sick would probably have ruined the experience anyway. In the end, I felt relieved that I made a sensible decision. The postponed trip eventually happened a few months later, and I enjoyed it much more because I was healthy and energetic.
Idea generation for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
This topic asks you to describe a situation when you had to change an existing plan unexpectedly. You should explain when the situation happened, what forced you to change the original plan, what alternative plan you eventually made, and how you felt about this sudden change. To make your answer more natural and engaging, try to include details about your emotions, the challenges you faced, and whether the final outcome turned out to be positive or disappointing. You can also mention how flexible or adaptable you had to become in that situation. Here are a few detailed ideas to help you develop your own response:
1. Cancelling a holiday because of bad weather:
One memorable time I had to change my plan was during a family holiday that we had arranged a few years ago. We planned to visit a beach destination during a long vacation, but suddenly the weather became extremely bad due to heavy rain and storms. Because of safety concerns and travel difficulties, we decided to cancel the beach trip and instead spent a few days in a nearby city. Although I felt disappointed at first because I had been looking forward to the vacation for weeks, I later enjoyed the new plan as we explored local attractions and spent quality time together.
2. Changing a study plan before an exam:
There was a time when I had carefully planned my exam preparation schedule, but I had to change it unexpectedly. This happened during an important academic period when I realised I was spending too much time on easier subjects while neglecting difficult ones. As a result, I completely reorganised my study routine and focused more on weaker areas. Initially, I felt stressed and frustrated because changing plans so close to exams was difficult, but eventually it helped me perform much better than expected.
3. Postponing a trip because of illness:
One situation when I had to change my plan happened when I became sick just before a planned trip with friends. We had arranged everything in advance, including transportation and accommodation. Unfortunately, my health suddenly became worse, so I had no choice but to postpone the journey. Instead of travelling, I stayed home and focused on recovering properly. At first, I felt upset because I did not want to miss the experience, but later I realised that prioritising my health was the right decision.
4. Switching career goals:
A major time I changed my plan was when I reconsidered my career direction after finishing school. Initially, I planned to pursue one field of study because of family expectations, but later I discovered that my interests and skills matched another field much better. After thinking carefully, I changed my academic and career plan completely. Although the decision was stressful and uncertain at first, I eventually felt relieved and happier because I was following something I genuinely enjoyed.
5. Changing a birthday celebration plan:
One time I had to change my plan was during a birthday celebration I organised for a close friend. We originally planned an outdoor gathering at a park, but unexpected rain ruined the arrangement. Because of that, we quickly shifted the celebration to a restaurant nearby. At first, I worried that the event would become less enjoyable, but surprisingly, everyone still had a wonderful time. In the end, I felt satisfied because the new plan turned out even better than expected.
6. Changing transportation during a journey:
I remember a time when I had to change my travel plan because my train was suddenly cancelled. This happened during a trip to another city for an important event. Since waiting for another train would take too long, I decided to travel by bus instead. The journey became more tiring and time-consuming, but I still managed to arrive on time. I felt stressed at first, but later I was proud that I handled the situation calmly and found an alternative solution quickly.
7. Changing plans because of a family emergency:
One difficult situation happened when I had planned to attend a social event with friends, but a family emergency forced me to cancel it. A close relative suddenly became ill, so I stayed home to support my family instead. Instead of going out, I spent the day helping with responsibilities at home. Although I initially felt disappointed, I later understood that family should always come first, and I felt satisfied that I made the responsible decision.
8. Modifying a project plan at work or school:
There was a time when my team had to completely change a project plan because our original idea was not working well. This happened during a group assignment where we realised that our research topic was too broad and difficult to manage. We quickly discussed alternatives and selected a more practical idea. The sudden change created pressure because we had limited time left, but in the end, our project became much more organised and successful. I felt proud because we adapted effectively under pressure.
9. Staying home instead of attending an event:
One occasion when I changed my plan was when I intended to attend a large public event, but unexpected traffic problems made it nearly impossible to reach the venue on time. Instead of wasting hours travelling, I decided to stay home and spend time productively by watching the event online. At first, I felt disappointed because I had been excited about attending in person, but later I realised that staying home saved time and reduced stress.
10. Changing a shopping plan because of budget issues:
I remember planning to buy an expensive electronic device after saving money for several months. However, when I checked the prices, I realised it was beyond my budget. Instead of buying the original item, I decided to purchase a more affordable version with similar features. Initially, I felt slightly frustrated because I wanted the premium model, but later I felt happy because the cheaper option still worked very well and helped me save money.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card:
Unforeseen: Not anticipated or predicted; unexpected.
Example: Due to unforeseen weather conditions, our flight was cancelled, forcing us to change our travel itinerary entirely.
Contingency plan: A backup plan designed to take account of a possible future event or circumstance.
Example: Having a solid contingency plan allowed us to switch smoothly to a virtual setup when the venue became unavailable.
Pivot: To completely turn or change direction, strategy, or approach.
Example: When our original software integration failed, the development team had to pivot and use an open-source alternative.
Improvise: To create, invent, or manage something spontaneously or without preparation.
Example: Since we lost our presentation slides, we had to improvise and deliver the pitch using just a whiteboard.
Adaptability: The quality of being able to adjust readily to new conditions or unexpected changes.
Example: Demonstrating adaptability in a high-pressure situation is essential when your initial project timeline falls apart.
Disruption: A disturbance or problem that interrupts an event, activity, or process.
Example: The sudden train strike caused a major disruption to our weekend schedule, so we decided to explore a nearby town instead.
Alternative: One of two or more available possibilities or choices.
Example: We had to find an alternative route because the main highway was closed due to maintenance work.
Circumstance: A fact or condition connected with or relevant to an event or action.
Example: Under the circumstances, cancelling the outdoor picnic was the most sensible decision we could make.
Spontaneous: Performed or occurring as a result of a sudden impulse rather than meticulous planning.
Example: Our original dinner reservations fell through, leading to a spontaneous road trip that ended up being incredibly fun.
Salvage: To rescue or save a situation from potential failure or ruin.
Example: We managed to salvage our vacation by booking a cosy cabin nearby after our beach resort trip was disrupted.
Deviation: The action of departing from an established course, plan, or accepted standard.
Example: Any major deviation from the original blueprint required immediate approval from the project manager.
Resilience: The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties, setbacks, or sudden modifications.
Example: Overcoming a sudden change in schedule requires a lot of mental resilience and a positive outlook.
Hindsight: Understanding of a situation or event only after it has happened.
Example: In hindsight, changing our strategy midway through the term was the best choice we could have made.
Flustered: Agitated, nervous, or confused, especially by a sudden disruption or time constraint.
Example: I felt incredibly flustered when my computer crashed right before the meeting, but I quickly dialled in using my phone.
Inconvenience: Trouble, difficulty, or discomfort caused to one’s personal comfort or plans.
Example: While altering our plans at the last minute was a minor inconvenience, it saved us from a lot of stress later on.
Pragmatic: Dealing with things sensibly and realistically based on practical considerations rather than theoretical ones.
Example: Instead of getting upset about the rain, we took a pragmatic approach and moved our entire itinerary indoors.
If you prepare for the topic “Describe a time when you had to change your plan”, you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe a time when the weather conditions forced you to change your plan.
2) Describe a plan (not related to work or study) you have for the future.
3) Describe a time when you missed a bus, train or aeroplane.
4) Describe an idea you had for improving something at work or college.
5) Describe a cold winter morning you remember.
6) Describe a time when you felt sad.
7) Describe a time when you could not do something that you really wanted to do.