Describe a time when you were late IELTS Cue Card

Describe a time when you were late

When it was
Why you were late
How you felt about being late

Sample Answer 1:

Being a hard-working person, I give massive importance to time. It is the most critical resource at our disposal, and we must use it prudently to lead our lives toward an impressive growth trajectory.


Although I have been late on many occasions, one is exceptional and worth mentioning.

When was it?

Due to unexpected circumstances, I was tardy to a meeting I was supposed to attend last year.

Why were you late

I had set out from home with the intention of arriving at the meeting 30 minutes early. However, while en route, I encountered a man on a motorbike who had been in an accident and was injured. I felt compelled to assist and, as the only person nearby, I took action by hailing a taxi and bringing him to the nearest hospital. The medical staff treated him and informed me that my timely intervention had saved the man's life.

How you felt about being late?

I didn't regret being late because I acted as a responsible member of society and upheld my family values of assisting others without any personal gain. I shared the experience with my colleagues in the meeting and they praised my actions. The pride and fulfillment I felt from saving someone's life is a memory I will treasure forever.

Sample Answer 2

There is no denying this conviction that we get a limited number of hours per day and must utilize them properly.

Although I try my best to reach the place I am going to, on some occasions, I need to catch up. One such instance is worth mentioning.

When was it?

Last year, I attempted to attend the wedding of a close friend, but unfortunately, I was unable to arrive on time despite my efforts.

Why were you late?

I was late due to my reliance on technology. I used Google Maps on my Android phone to navigate to the wedding venue and took a lunch break during my journey.

However, when I resumed my trip, I discovered that my phone battery was low and soon after, it died, causing me to be late.

Due to switching off my mobile phone, I didn’t have Google maps access, so I took a wrong turn and went inside the city instead of following the highway.

There was a massive traffic jam in the city, and it took me three hours to get out of that. Finally, I reached the venue after asking the directions from the local people.

When I arrived at the venue, the celebration was almost over. I met my friend and congratulated him, then I went to the hotel to hit the sack.

How you felt about being late?

I felt guilty for not being able to fulfill my obligation to properly attend the wedding of my close friend. I expressed my apologies to him the following day and pledged to be more cautious when traveling to remote places.

Follow up Questions

Here are some examples of follow-up questions that the examiner might ask during your speaking part 3 related to the cue card “Describe a time when you were late”.

1. Are you ever late for anything?

Being a busy person, I respect the time and do my best to reach it. However, sometimes, due to unforeseen contingencies, such as traffic jams, I need to catch up.

2. What excuses do you use when you are late?

Usually, I arrive on time. However, whenever I am late, I inform the persons waiting for me in advance so that their time should not go for a toss and they feel comfortable.

3. What excuses do people have when they are late?

People generally have the excuse of a traffic jam or type puncture when they get late.

4. Are you good at organizing time?

I manage time by following a timetable and planning for the next day to organize the time efficiently.

5. How do you usually organize time?

The first and foremost thing I do to organize the time is to list the pending tasks at my disposal. After that, I do the urgent tasks first and delegate those others can do on my behalf. Apart from this, I set up reminders to meet deadlines.

6. Do you think planning is essential for time management?

Yes, planning is essential because, without it, we are like a radar-less ship that is always at the mercy of the wind. Planning is necessary for time management because it helps us to handle conflicts adroitly.

7. Why do you think some people pay to learn time management?

Time management is a science. Few people could be better at managing this valuable resource with tremendous ease. Due to this, many people wish to take the advice of others to learn time management. And in this era of the internet and digitalization, it is straightforward to find such people.

8. Do you think children should learn to manage time?

Good habits acquired in the budding years are essential to lead our careers toward an impressive growth trajectory. Learning time management is imperative for children as it empowers them to use this powerful resource efficiently. Moreover, it helps us to handle conflicts adroitly.

9. Why do some people need help to follow their plans?

It is because wasting time is their habit and breaking an old habit is a daunting task for them,.Moreover, following the plans requires coming out of our comfort zones which is a daunting task for them.

10. How would you teach your children time management?

The first and foremost step is to teach time management to children. The teachers and parents must provide them with unabated support to learn the necessary time management skills. Apart from this, the higher authorities must organize awareness campaigns to teach children how to manage time.

11. Do older adults and young people similarly manage time?

There is a vast difference between the management of time by older and younger people. On the one hand, older people thrive primarily on the heaps of experience at their disposal to utilize their time efficiently. On the contrary, young people have this uncanny knack for wasting time over trivial matters, and they use gadgets like smartwatches to manage their time efficiently.

12. How do you feel when someone wastes your time?

I do not feel good when someone wastes my time because I staunchly believe that in the modern era, where fierce competition has become an integral part of our lives, time is our most precious resource.

Wasting time on unnecessary tasks is an imprudent approach; when someone wastes my time, I maintain a dignified distance from that person. Furthermore, I exchange pleasantries with that person and never do any worthwhile activity with him.

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