Describe an occasion when you had to wait for a long time. You should say: where it happened, why you had to wait, what you did while waiting, and how you felt about the wait.

lifeexperienceemotionstimewaiting
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IELTS Speaking tip

Participate in mock speaking tests with peers or mentors.

Vocabulary

  • occasion
  • duration
  • patience
  • frustration
  • queue
  • experience
  • anticipation
  • distraction
  • boredom
  • environment
  • reflection
  • interaction
  • timeframe
  • activity
  • situation

Sample Answer

One occasion when I had to wait for a long time was last year at the airport, specifically at the check-in counter for my flight to visit my parents. The reason for the extended wait was due to an unexpected system malfunction, which caused significant delays for numerous passengers. It was a situation that nobody could have foreseen, but the airline staff communicated regularly, which somewhat alleviated the frustration. While waiting, I made the most of my time. Initially, I felt a wave of impatience as I watched the clock tick by. However, I decided to pull out my phone and catch up on some reading. I had recently downloaded a few e-books, so I dove into an intriguing mystery novel that helped distract me from the wait. Additionally, I engaged in some people-watching, noticing how other travelers were coping with the delay, which provided some entertainment. Ultimately, although the long wait was frustrating initially, I found a way to make it productive. It taught me the importance of staying calm in less-than-ideal situations and reminded me that sometimes, delays can lead to unexpected moments of relaxation. When I finally boarded the plane, I felt relieved and ready to enjoy my trip, making the wait feel like a small hurdle on the way to a wonderful experience.

User Answers

  • January 29, 2024 at 03:59 PM