IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe a time you decided to wait for something: IELTS cue card with sample answer

An IELTS cue card for Speaking Part 2 with a Band 8 sample answer, the one-minute plan behind it, the vocabulary that lifts it and the Part 3 follow-up questions the examiner can ask next.
  • 258 words
  • An experience
  • 1 minute to prepare
  • 2 minutes to speak

The cue card

Describe a time you decided to wait for something

You should say:

  • →What you decided to wait for
  • →Why you made the decision
  • →How long you waited
  • →And explain what happened in the end

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

An experience

How to answer this cue card: a one-minute plan

  1. 1

    Identify the object or event and explain your initial motivation for wanting it immediately.

  2. 2

    Use chronological transition words to clearly map out the duration of the waiting period.

  3. 3

    Reflect on the personal growth or tangible benefits gained by waiting to close the story.

Model answer

Band 8 sample answer

Band 8258 words, about two minutes at a natural pace. Details are invented; use your own.

A couple of years ago, I decided to hold off on buying a high-end camera lens that I had been coveting for months. It was the Sony 70-200mm f/2.8, which is notoriously expensive, and I was tempted to dip into my savings to purchase it immediately. However, I made the conscious decision to wait because I realised that a new, updated version was rumoured to be hitting the market within six months. I felt that if I acted impulsively, I would be left with a depreciating piece of kit that would soon be considered obsolete. The waiting period was quite excruciating, if I’m honest. I spent those six months scrolling through photography forums, reading endless speculation and fighting the urge to visit the local camera shop every time I walked past it. I had to focus on my existing gear and push my creativity, which actually taught me a great deal about patience and making the most of what I already owned. Finally, the announcement arrived, and the new model was released. It was lighter, sharper, and featured a much faster autofocus system. Because I had waited, I was able to purchase the latest iteration as soon as it became available. Looking back, I am glad I exercised such restraint. Not only did I get the cutting-edge technology I wanted, but the experience also taught me the value of delayed gratification. It made the final purchase feel like a genuine reward for my discipline, and the lens has been an invaluable tool for my professional work ever since.

Say it out loud and get a band

Record this card with the AI examiner: one minute of prep, two minutes to speak, then a band for fluency, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation with the words that cost you.

Say it and get a band free →

8 words

Useful vocabulary for this cue card

  • coveting

    wanting something very much that you do not have

  • depreciating

    becoming lower in value over a period of time

  • obsolete

    no longer used because something newer exists instead

  • excruciating

    extremely painful or difficult to experience or endure

  • iteration

    a new version of a computer program or product

  • restraint

    the quality of controlling your emotions or actions

  • delayed gratification

    the act of resisting an impulse for later reward

  • invaluable

    extremely useful or helpful in a practical way

5 questions

Part 3 follow-up questions

  1. 1What role does society play in shaping our attitudes towards this?
  2. 2Has the way people view this changed over the years?
  3. 3How do you think it will develop in the future?
  4. 4What are the benefits and drawbacks?
  5. 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 you decided to wait for something"?+

Identify the object or event and explain your initial motivation for wanting it immediately.

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

© 2026 BandLadder. Written and checked by the BandLadder team. You may quote or cite this page with credit to BandLadder and a link to it; republishing it in full needs our written permission. Content use policy

Say it and get a band free