Cue Card Sample
Time when you had to change your plan - Cue Card # 651
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IELTS Speaking Part 2: IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card.
Describe a time when you had to change your plan.
You should say:
- when this happened
- what made you change the plan
- what the new plan was
and how you felt about the change.
[You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you are going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]
Model Answer 1:
I am not exactly one of those people who like to plan things ahead of the schedule. But, when I do plan, which seems to be harder for me than doing the actual work, I want to make sure that I am able to execute my plans properly in order to “reap” the benefits of my “hard work”.
But, unfortunately, it was not the case when I planned for a camping trip with my cousins last time about 2 years ago in order to spend a night at a lake site. We knew exactly what we were up to. So, we prepared for everything by packing all the necessary things from sleeping bags, tents and outdoor cooking supplies to maps, compasses, flashlights, extra clothing, lighters, candles and first aid kits. In fact, we had a perfect plan with everything under control except, of course, the weather. Well, we found out just before a day ahead of our scheduled trip that there would be a hailstorm with some heavy rains in the forecast the following day.
So, the new plan (or its lack thereof) was that we would remain indoors the whole day while watching some footballs and movies over some freshly baked popcorn and cans of cold Coca-Cola on the sides. And, if weather permitting, we possibly could enjoy some grilled barbeque as well.
Well, how did I feel about the change? Let’s just say that the weather guy, who had forecasted about a bright and sunny day a week earlier on my TV, wouldn’t exactly be very pleased to know what I “called” him in his absence, only to realize at the end, of course, that the weather guy wasn’t exactly in control of the weather either. However, the worst part of changing the plan was that I was not allowed to enjoy our camping and a great outdoors near a beautiful lake while fishing in it with my cousins, courtesy of the “not-so” cooperative weather. Finally, unpacking my bags and luggage and putting the stuff back in the right places due to the change in the plan was also a bit irritating, to say the least.
But, other than that, I was pretty relaxed, consoling myself, that there always was a next time. So, instead of remaining disappointed, I decided to enjoy my time inside my house with my cousins while planning for our next camping trip except, of course, this time around, we didn’t want to rely on a weather guy for our weather information.
Model Answer 2:
This topic reminds me of a time when I meticulously planned a hiking trip with friends during a summer break, but circumstances forced me to change our plans. Here, I would like to share the experience with you, but before I proceed, I would like to thank you for the time to let me talk about this topic.
It was last summer when I organized a hiking expedition with a group of close friends. We had been eagerly anticipating the trip for weeks, looking forward to exploring the breathtaking trails and scenic vistas of a nearby national park.
Unfortunately, a sudden spell of inclement weather disrupted our plans. Just a day before our scheduled departure, a severe thunderstorm warning was issued for the region, with heavy rain and strong winds forecasted for the entire weekend. Considering the safety of our group and the challenging terrain we would be traversing, we realized that it would be unwise to proceed with our original hiking plans.
Given the unfavourable weather conditions, we decided to change our plans and opt for an alternative indoor activity instead. After brainstorming ideas, we unanimously agreed to spend the weekend at a cosy cabin nestled in the woods near the national park. While it wasn't the outdoor adventure we had envisioned, we knew that it would still provide us with an opportunity to unwind, bond, and make the most of our time together.
Initially, I felt disappointed and somewhat frustrated by the unexpected turn of events. I had been looking forward to the hiking trip for weeks, and the prospect of having to cancel or postpone it was disheartening. However, as we discussed our options and devised a new plan, my mood gradually shifted from disappointment to acceptance and even excitement. The prospect of spending quality time with friends in a cosy cabin, surrounded by nature's beauty, had its own charm and allure.
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