IELTS Speaking · Part 2 · Cue card

    Describe a time you had to wait for something

    Last updated 2 September 2026

    In short

    This Part 2 cue card asks you to describe describe a time you had to wait for something. Your long turn has to cover 4 prompts (what you were waiting for; how long you waited; what you did while waiting; how you felt), and the last one carries the most marks.

    The cue card

    Describe a time you had to wait for something.

    You should say:

    • what you were waiting for
    • how long you waited
    • what you did while waiting
    • and explain how you felt

    How to structure your long turn

    1. 1

      what you were waiting for

    2. 2

      how long you waited

    3. 3

      what you did while waiting

    4. 4

      and explain how you felt

    Rounding-off questions

    • Are people less patient than they used to be?

    • Is waiting ever a good thing?

    Where this leads: Part 3 on leisure and relaxation

    Explore more IELTS Speaking practice

    Next step

    Practise "Describe a time you had to wait for something" with an AI examiner

    Try the AI speaking exam