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.
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
Identify the object or event and explain your initial motivation for wanting it immediately.
- 2
Use chronological transition words to clearly map out the duration of the waiting period.
- 3
Reflect on the personal growth or tangible benefits gained by waiting to close the story.
Model answer
Band 8 sample answer
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
- 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 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
- Describe a bad service you received in a restaurant/shop
- Describe a colourful cultural parade you saw
- Describe a community sports event you joined
- Describe a course or training you completed that helped you
- Describe a creative workshop you attended
- Describe a day trip to an historic monument
- All 705 IELTS cue cards 2026
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- IELTS Speaking Part 3 questions and answers
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- IELTS pronunciation practice
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