A time you were late
IELTS Speaking Part 2 · cue card
Describe a time when you were late for something important.
You should say:
- what the event was
- why you were late
- what happened as a result
- and explain how you felt about it
You have one minute to prepare and should speak for one to two minutes.
Free account required for the live AI partner.
Band 7+ sample answer
About 233 words, roughly two minutes spoken. Use it for ideas and language, not to memorise: examiners notice rehearsed answers.
The time I remember most clearly was last year, when I was late for a job interview at an NGO in Gulshan. It was for a paid internship that I really wanted.
The interview was at ten in the morning, and I left home at eight-fifteen, which I thought was more than enough time. Unfortunately, that morning there was a political rally on the main road, and the whole area was gridlocked. My bus didn't move for nearly forty minutes. In the end I got off, walked for about twenty minutes in the heat and then took a motorbike ride share for the last part.
I arrived at ten twenty-five, sweating and very embarrassed. Before going in, I'd sent a short email explaining the situation and apologising, and I think that helped. The interviewer was actually very understanding; she said traffic in Dhaka was everyone's enemy, and she moved my slot to the end of the morning. The interview went reasonably well, and two weeks later I got the internship.
At the time I felt terrible, almost panicked, because I thought I'd ruined my chance. Looking back, though, I learned two lessons. One is practical: for anything important, I now plan to arrive an hour early and wait nearby. The other is that honesty and communication matter. If I'd just turned up late without warning, I doubt they would have been so forgiving.
Useful vocabulary
- gridlocked
- traffic completely stopped
- ride share
- a booked trip using an app
- very understanding
- kind and sympathetic
- moved my slot
- changed my appointment time
- turned up
- arrived
- forgiving
- willing to excuse a mistake
Part 3 follow-up questions
- Is punctuality important in your culture?
- Why are some people always late?
- Should employers punish workers for being late?
- How can cities reduce traffic delays?
- Is being late more acceptable in some situations than others?
Tip: in Part 3, give an opinion, a reason and an example, and consider another point of view. Aim for 3–5 sentences per answer.
How to practise this card
- Set a one-minute timer and write keywords for each bullet, not full sentences.
- Speak for two minutes and record yourself on your phone.
- Listen back: did you cover every bullet and the "explain" part? Note one phrase from the vocabulary list to use next time.
- Answer two Part 3 questions out loud, then try the card again with the AI Speaking Partner.