A Time That You Were Waiting for Something
IELTS Speaking Part 2 (Cue Card) Part 3: Follow-Up Questions
A Time That You Were Waiting for Something
🗂️ Part 2 – Cue Card
Describe a time that you were waiting for something.
You should say:
- What you were waiting for
- How long you had to wait
- Why you had to wait
And explain how you felt during the wait.
🗣️ Sample Answer
A time I had to wait and felt really anxious was when I was waiting for the results of my IELTS exam. I took the test because I needed the score to apply for a study program abroad. After completing the exam, I was told the results would be released in 13 days. That waiting period felt like forever, even though it wasn’t that long.
Each day, I kept checking my email and logging into the website, even though I knew the result wouldn’t come early. I had prepared for the test for months, so I really hoped my efforts would pay off. I also kept overthinking about small mistakes I might have made in the speaking and writing sections. My family tried to reassure me, but I couldn’t relax until I saw my score.
Finally, on the 13th day, I received the email and opened it with shaking hands. Luckily, I scored even better than I expected. I felt such relief and happiness that I actually shouted with joy. That experience taught me that waiting is part of life, but how we deal with it matters. I tried to stay productive during that time, but it definitely tested my patience.
🔁 Part 3: Follow-Up Questions
1. Do you think waiting is always a difficult experience?
Not always. It depends on what you’re waiting for and your mindset. Some people use waiting time to relax or reflect, while others get anxious and frustrated.
2. How do people usually feel when they have to wait for a long time?
They might feel impatient, bored, or nervous, especially if the outcome is important. Long waits can increase stress and make people overthink. However, staying calm and distracted helps.
3. What kinds of things do people often wait for in daily life?
People wait in traffic, queues, or for appointments. They also wait for deliveries, job results, or special events. Waiting is a normal part of modern life.
4. How can technology help reduce waiting time?
Technology enables online reservations, expedited services, and real-time updates. Apps can help people plan better and avoid peak times. Even entertainment apps can make waiting more bearable.
5. Is being patient an important skill?
Yes, patience helps people manage stress and make more informed decisions. It improves relationships and work performance. Patient people are usually calmer and more understanding.
6. Do children have more trouble waiting than adults?
Yes, because children haven’t fully developed emotional control. They often expect instant results. Adults learn patience through experience and responsibility.
7. Can waiting make the result feel more rewarding?
Absolutely. The longer the wait, the more satisfying the result can feel. It adds emotional value and makes the achievement more meaningful.
8. Are there any benefits to waiting?
Waiting can give people time to mentally or emotionally prepare. It can also help them gain perspective or appreciate things more. In some cases, delays lead to better outcomes.
9. What do people usually do while waiting?
Many check their phones, read, or talk to others. Some people listen to music or podcasts. Others try to use the time for planning or self-reflection.
10. Do you think our society is becoming more impatient?
Yes, with everything becoming faster — from food to information to delivery — people expect instant results. This trend is reducing our tolerance for delays and affecting patience levels.
Top 10 Topic Vocabulary – A Time That You Were Waiting for Something
Vocabulary |
Type |
Meaning |
Synonyms |
Antonyms |
Word Family |
Example Sentence |
Anxious |
Adj |
Worried or nervous about something |
Nervous, uneasy |
Calm |
Anxiety, anxiously |
I was anxious while waiting for the exam results. |
Anticipation |
Noun |
Expectation or excitement about something |
Eagerness, hope |
Dread |
Anticipate |
The anticipation made the wait feel longer. |
Patience |
Noun |
The ability to stay calm during delays |
Endurance, tolerance |
Impatience |
Patient, patiently |
Waiting tests your patience. |
Outcome |
Noun |
The final result of an event or process |
Result, consequence |
Cause |
— |
I was unsure about the outcome of the test. |
Relief |
Noun |
A feeling of reassurance and relaxation after stress |
Comfort, ease |
Tension |
Relieved, relieved |
I felt a great sense of relief when I saw my score. |
Distract |
Verb |
To divert attention from something |
Sidetrack, divert |
Focus |
Distraction |
I tried to distract myself with music. |
Overthink |
Verb |
To think too much about something |
Obsess, analyse |
Ignore |
Overthinking |
I kept overthinking the speaking section. |
Delay |
Noun |
A period of time when something is late or postponed |
Postponement, wait |
Promptness |
Delayed, delaying |
Any delay can increase anxiety. |
Productive |
Adj |
Doing or achieving a lot during a period |
Efficient, effective |
Idle |
Produce, productivity |
I tried to stay productive while waiting. |
Reassure |
Verb |
To say or do something to reduce someone’s fear or doubt |
Comfort, calm |
Alarm |
Reassurance |
My family reassured me while I waited. |

Our Books
Master IELTS Speaking Part 1
IELTS Writing Task 1 Book
IELTS Writing Task 2 Book
Practice IELTS Other Modules
IELTS Listening
The IELTS Listening test assesses how well you can understand spoken English in various contexts. It lasts about 30 minutes and is divided into four sections with a total of 40 questions. The listening tasks become increasingly difficult as the test progresses.
IELTS Academic Reading
The IELTS Academic Reading section assesses your ability to understand and interpret a variety of texts in academic settings. It is designed to evaluate a range of reading skills, including skimming for gist, reading for main ideas, reading for detail, understanding inferences, and recognizing a writer's opinions and arguments.
IELTS Speaking
The IELTS Speaking test assesses your ability to communicate in English on everyday topics. It lasts 11-14 minutes and consists of three parts: introduction, cue card, and a discussion based on the cue card topic.
IELTS General Reading
IELTS General Reading tests your ability to understand and interpret various types of texts. Here are some key areas and types of content you can expect to encounter in the reading section, along with tips for effective preparation.
IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
In IELTS Academic Writing Task 1, you are presented with a visual representation of information, such as graphs, charts, tables, or diagrams, and you are required to summarize, compare, or explain the data in your own words.
IELTS General Writing Task 1
In IELTS General Writing Task 1, you are required to write a letter based on a given situation. The letter can be formal, semi-formal, or informal, depending on the prompt. Here’s a breakdown of the key components to include in your letter
IELTS Academic Writing Task 2
In IELTS Academic Writing Task 2, you are required to write an essay in response to a question or topic. Here’s a guide to help you understand the essential elements of this task
IELTS Exam Tips
To succeed in the IELTS exam, practice regularly, familiarize yourself with the test format, improve your vocabulary, develop time management skills, and take mock tests to build confidence.
Grammer for IELTS
Grammar is the foundation of effective communication in English. Understanding tense usage, subject-verb agreement, and sentence structure enhances clarity and coherence in writing and speaking.
Vocabulary for IELTS
Vocabulary plays a crucial role in the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) exam, especially in the Speaking and Writing sections. Here’s an overview of why vocabulary is important and how it impacts your performance
RECENT IELTS SAMPLES QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
IELTS Speaking Part 1 – Favourite Sujbect – Physics
IELTS Speaking Part 1 - Favourite Sujbect - Physics Q: What is your favourite subject? A: My favourite subject...
IELTS Speaking Part 1 – Present Situation (Student)
IELTS Speaking Part 1 - Present Situation (Student) Q1: Are you a student or do you work?A: I’m a full-time...
IELTS Speaking Part 1 – Present Situation – Employee – as an International Student and Social Worker
IELTS Speaking Part 1 - Present Situation - Employee - as an International Student and Social Worker Q1: Are...
IELTS Speaking Part 1 – Persent Situation – Employee- as an Electric Engineer
IELTS Speaking Part 1 - Persent Situation - Employee- as an Electric Engineer Q1: What do you do for a...
IELTS Speaking Part 1 – Persent Situation – Employee – as an Software Engineer
IELTS Speaking Part 1 - Persent Situation - Employee - as an Software Engineer Q1: What do you do for a...
IELTS Speaking Part 1 – Persent Situation – Married
IELTS Speaking Part 1 - Persent Situation - Married Q1: Are you married?A: Yes, I am married. My spouse and I...