Describe a time when you were late

Note: you have to talk for 1 to 2 minutes. You have 1 minute to take a look at the main points and prepare some notes which you can use while speaking.

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Model Answer 1

Punctuality is an important aspect of our daily lives, and being late can have consequences. In this cue card, I would like to talk about a time when I was late to my IELTS institute in Malerkotla.

Introduction:

It was a bright and sunny morning in Malerkotla when I woke up to attend my IELTS coaching class. However, due to certain unforeseen circumstances, I ended up being late for the class.

Why I was late:

On that day, I had to drop my sister at her school before going to my class. However, due to traffic congestion on the way, I got delayed and reached her school much later than expected. This resulted in me reaching my IELTS institute late.

How I felt about being late:

I felt embarrassed and disappointed when I reached the class and realized that I was late. I knew that being punctual was important for success in the IELTS exam, and I was worried that my lateness might have a negative impact on my performance.

Conclusion:

Being late is not a desirable habit, and it can have repercussions in both our personal and professional lives. This experience taught me the importance of time management and being punctual in all aspects of my life, especially when it comes to preparing for the IELTS exam.

Model Answer 2

Here I would like to talk about a time when I was running late for an IELTS preparation class that I had signed up for.

Introduction:

It was a few months ago, during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic when all educational institutes were closed. The class was scheduled at 10:00 am on a weekday morning, and I had planned to leave home by 9:00 am to reach the institute on time.

Why I was late:

Unfortunately, my plan did not work out, and I ended up oversleeping. By the time I woke up, it was already 9:30 am, and I knew that I would not be able to make it to the class on time if I went by public transport. So, I decided to take a cab, but due to the heavy traffic on the road, the journey took much longer than expected.

How I felt about being late:

I felt terrible about being late for the class. I was anxious and stressed, thinking about what the instructor and my classmates would think of me. As soon as I arrived at the institute, I apologized to the instructor for being late and explained my situation. Thankfully, the instructor was understanding and allowed me to join the class.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, being late for the IELTS preparation class was a stressful experience, and it taught me the importance of time management and planning. Since then, I have made it a priority to plan my schedule in advance and avoid any unnecessary delays.

Follow-Ups

1. What excuses do people use when you are late?

I understand that people often use a variety of excuses when they are late, such as traffic congestion, car trouble, public transport delays, oversleeping, or unforeseen circumstances that are beyond their control. However, I believe that it is important to be honest and take responsibility for being late, rather than making excuses that may not be valid.

2. Why are people often late for appointments or meetings?

In my opinion, people are often late for appointments or meetings due to poor time management skills, procrastination, lack of punctuality, or underestimating the time it takes to complete a task. Additionally, distractions such as social media, personal phone calls, or emails can cause individuals to lose track of time and miss their appointments. To avoid being late, it is essential to plan ahead, prioritize tasks, and minimize distractions to ensure that sufficient time is allocated for each activity. (If you want to read more Follow-ups those are essential for proper grasp the ideas then you can get the E-Book from Below)