IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe a time when you were waiting for something special

Describe a time when you were waiting for something special

You should say:

One minute to prepare, then speak for one to two minutes.

How to plan it in one minute

  1. Jot down the item and the duration immediately to fix your core narrative.
  2. Use the middle minute to bullet point two sensory details or activities used for distraction.
  3. Draft a final sentence explaining how the wait changed your perception of the item.

Band 8 model answer

A couple of years ago, I found myself waiting for something truly transformative: the delivery of my first professional camera, a vintage Leica I had spent months saving up for. I had scoured various online marketplaces until I finally found a pristine model from a seller in Berlin. The wait lasted exactly three weeks, which felt like an eternity given my mounting anticipation. During those twenty-one days, I was practically glued to the tracking portal, refreshing the page every few hours, even though I knew perfectly well the courier wasn't moving any faster. To distract myself, I delved into technical manuals and watched hours of tutorials on street photography, trying to familiarise myself with the manual focus and the specific exposure settings of that particular model. I even visited local parks, visualising the shots I would take once the camera arrived, almost as if I were practising without the instrument itself. Honestly, the feeling was a strange cocktail of anxiety and exhilaration. There was this constant, low-level hum of nerves that it might get lost in transit or arrive damaged, yet that was overshadowed by a bubbling excitement. Every time I heard a delivery van pull up outside my flat, my heart would skip a beat. When it finally arrived, the relief was palpable. That period of waiting, although frustrating, actually heightened my appreciation for the object. It wasn't just a piece of kit anymore; it was a reward for my patience and discipline, making the first time I pressed the shutter feel significantly more meaningful.

256 words, about two minutes at a natural pace. Details are invented; use your own.

Vocabulary from the answer

pristine
In its original condition and perfectly clean
eternity
A period of time that seems very long
delved into
Examined or researched something in great detail
cocktail
A mixture of several different things together
exhilaration
A feeling of being extremely happy and excited
palpable
A feeling so intense it seems almost physical
piece of kit
A set of equipment used for a purpose
shutter
The part of a camera that opens automatically

Part 3 questions that follow this card

Answer each in three to five sentences: position, reason, example, limit. See the Part 3 guide.

Say it out loud and get a band

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Frequently asked questions

How should I start the cue card "Describe a time when you were waiting for something special"?

Jot down the item and the duration immediately to fix your core narrative.

How long should my answer be?

Speak for the full two minutes, about 220 to 280 words at a natural pace. The examiner will stop you at two minutes, which is a good sign, not a problem.

Can I use this model answer in the exam?

Use its structure and vocabulary, not its sentences. Examiners recognise memorised answers and mark fluency down; a shorter answer from your own memory scores higher than a recited one.

More cue cards: an experience