Last Updated on September 5, 2025
A cue card for the question “Describe a Time You Were Very Busy” can be found in this IELTS speaking blog. The three sections of the IELTS Exam speaking test are the introduction, the cue card round, and the follow-up discussion round. You will have 11 to 15 minutes to present your ideas and communication abilities to the examiner.
We’ve included three model responses for this IELTS Speaking Cue Card along with follow-up questions, related vocabulary, and a conclusion to help you improve your skills and come up with ideas.
IELTS Speaking Part 2 – IELTS Cue Card
In IELTS Speaking Task 2 (Part 2), you must prepare a cue card that will be provided by your examiner. Your topic will be “Describe a Time You Were Very Busy”, along with some sub-questions. You’ll be given 1 minute to prepare and then speak for 1–2 minutes.
The examiner will stop you once you cover all the given questions. Later, in IELTS Speaking Part 3, you’ll have a discussion round based on the same cue card.
Describe a Time You Were Very Busy – Model answer and Follow-up questions
- You should say:
- When it happened?
- Why you were busy?
- How you managed your time?
- And explain how you felt about being so busy?
The model cue card answers for the “Describe a Time You Were Very Busy” topic are given below. These are followed by IELTS Speaking Part 3 discussion questions for your practice.
Model Answer 1 – IELTS Cue Card Topic “Describe a Time You Were Very Busy”
Introduction
Life can be hectic but one of the most hectic situations I had was during my final-year college examinations.
When it happened
This was approximately two years back just before my graduation. There were several tests in the same week that I had.
Why you were busy
I was also working on my final project report and presentations other than revising my subjects. Due to the combination of academic assignments and project deadlines, I was left with very little free time.
How you managed your time
I made a very strict schedule and split my day into study time, project time, and brief rest. It was timetable-based, which made me focused and productive.
And explain how you felt about being so busy
Initially I was stressed and overwhelmed but in the end I found out that being busy taught me how to be disciplined and manage time.
Conclusion
That experience helped me feel more confident about dealing with pressure and taught me that being busy may in fact make one grow as a person.
Model Answer 2 – IELTS Cue Card Topic “Describe a Time You Were Very Busy”
Introduction
The most hectic period of my life was when I needed to organize the wedding of my cousin and at the same time attend to my duties in my office.
When it happened
This occurred last year, a week before the actual wedding, when all the arrangements, including the shopping, had to be made.
Why you were busy
I had a lot to do since I needed to deal with decorations, assist in the management of guests, and even maintain pace with office deadlines.
How you managed your time
My evenings were spent on wedding preparations and office work was done late at night. It was tiring but necessary.
And explain how you felt about being so busy
I was tired and at the same time pleased that I was helping my family in its big day.
Conclusion
It was hectic but I also had a memorable experience because I was able to balance between personal and professional responsibility.
Model Answer 3 – IELTS Cue Card Topic “Describe a Time You Were Very Busy”
Introduction
The other hectic moment I can remember is when I was shifting to a new city to pursue higher learning.
When it happened
This was about three years ago when I was admitted to my university.
Why you were busy
I needed to finish college paperwork, move out, and get housing in a very limited period of time.
How you managed your time
I created a checklist and ranked the most pressing tasks on the list, such as filing papers and buying travel tickets, and then turned to packing.
And explain how you felt about being so busy
Even though I was nervous, I was excited about the new life chapter and that was what kept me motivated.
And explain how you felt about being so busy
Being too busy at that time taught me to always plan in advance and be organized.
IELTS Speaking Part 3 – Describe a Time You Were Very Busy Follow-up Questions
Follow-up questions for “Describe a Time You Were Very Busy” are given below. In the actual exam, this session lasts around 4–5 minutes where you must discuss general ideas related to your cue card.
Do you believe that people are busier today than they used to be?
Yes, lifestyles, technology and work pressures of today have made people a lot busier than previous generations.
What is the general way of dealing with being very busy?
When people are busy, most of them create timetables, assign tasks or delegate.
Do you believe it is always good to be busy?
Not necessarily; being busy can be helpful, however some overwork can be detrimental to health and relationships.
What are the typical student coping strategies with a hectic schedule?
To deal with hectic schedules, students usually create schedules and combine studies with relaxation.
So what can governments or corporations do to make people less busy?
They can encourage flexible working hours, work-life balance and deliver better public services to save time.
Related Vocabulary List
| Word/Phrase | Meaning | Example Sentence |
| Hectic | Very busy and full of activity | My schedule was so hectic during exam week. |
| Overwhelmed | Feeling stressed because of too many responsibilities | I was overwhelmed with work and deadlines. |
| Deadline | The final time by which a task must be completed | I had to meet a strict deadline for my project. |
| Multitasking | Doing several tasks at the same time | I was multitasking between office work and wedding plans. |
| Prioritize | To arrange tasks in order of importance | I had to prioritize my studies over social events. |
| Exhausted | Extremely tired | After finishing all the work, I felt exhausted. |
| Productivity | Efficiency in completing tasks | Time management helped me improve my productivity. |
| Time management | Organizing time effectively to complete tasks | Good time management is essential when you are very busy. |
Conclusion
Everyone has experienced being very busy, be it because of exams, work or personal affairs. This IELTS Speaking Cue Card helps you organize your answer and think logically. Finally, being busy is a lesson in time management, discipline and resilience that are useful in real life too.
FAQs
It is best to organize your answer using when it occurred, why you were busy, how you coped with it, and how you felt.
Yes personal experience makes your response sound more natural, authentic and fluent in the IELTS speaking exam.
You should speak for 1–2 minutes, covering all the points mentioned on the cue card.
Some words that you can use are hectic, overwhelmed, deadline, multitasking, prioritize, productivity and time management.
Things such as preparing examination tests, meeting some deadlines in the office, family occasions such as marriages, or relocating to another city are examples.
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