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.
The cue card
Describe a time when you were waiting for something special
You should say:
- →What you were waiting for
- →How long you had to wait
- →What you did while waiting
- →And explain how you felt while waiting
One minute to prepare, then speak for one to two minutes.
Try it now, out loud
One minute to prepare, then up to two minutes to speak. Cover every point on the card, then compare with the Band 8 answer below.
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An experience
How to answer this cue card: a one-minute plan
- 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.
Model answer
Band 8 sample answer
Say it out loud and get a band
Record your answer to this cue card: one minute of preparation, two minutes to speak, then request AI feedback on fluency, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation.
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Useful vocabulary for this cue card
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
5 questions
Part 3 follow-up questions
- 1What role does society play in shaping our attitudes towards this?
- 2Has the way people view this changed over the years?
- 3How do you think it will develop in the future?
- 4What are the benefits and drawbacks?
- 5Do you think the government should be involved in regulating this area?
Answer each in three to five sentences: position, reason, example, limit. See how to answer IELTS Speaking Part 3.
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 I speak on an IELTS cue card?+
You get one minute to prepare, then 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.
How is the cue card scored?+
Part 2 is not scored on its own. Your whole Speaking test gets one band from four criteria: fluency and coherence, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation. The cue card is where the examiner hears whether you can keep going for two minutes.
Can I use this sample 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.
Keep practising
More cue cards: an experience
- Describe a time when you worked in a group
- Describe a time you adapted to a sudden change
- Describe a time you bargained at a market
- Describe a time you bought a second-hand item
- Describe a time you cancelled a holiday trip
- Describe a time you celebrated an achievement
- All 705 IELTS cue cards 2026
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- IELTS pronunciation practice
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