Describe How you Behaved in a Stressful Situation- IELTS Cue Card

Describe how you behaved in a stressful situation.

Sample Answer

Well, the stress in life and especially, due to abrupt situations are not unfounded and hence I have been in such situations too. A time when I faced a stressful situation and moved past it was back then when I had to appear for an examination meant for the entrance to the university I wanted to seek admission. This entrance was scheduled to be from 10 AM to 12:30 PM, however, owing to its distance from my place of residence, I got late for the test. Basically, I got stuck in a traffic jam, and hence, getting out of it became quite a deal for me.

This jam took approximately half an hour for me to get out of it and I reached the test venue half an hour later. It was 10:30 AM when I reached the test center and this got me unnerved. I was trembling in anxiety as I could see all the toil and dreams going down the drain and that too, without even appearing for the coveted test. Fortunately, the test didn’t have stringent rules as far as letting in the ones who get late up to 45 mins was concerned. Therefore, I entered the exam hall and took the question paper. However, that wasn’t all, the major ordeal was yet to cripple me to the core. The question paper was entirely subjective contrary to the objective model of the test for all the past years. That meant that I had to attempt the questions which demanded descriptive answers and I wasn’t at all prepared for that. This aggravated the seething scenario.

I maintained my calm and managed the overburdening situation and majorly, my intense gasping. I planned my writing style and structured everything well in advance as far as my way of answering questions was concerned. Thankfully, I was able to attempt the questions and surprisingly, got selected by the university as well. I believe had it not been for my stress management ability, I wouldn’t have been able to complete the test let alone clear the cut-offs.

Vocabulary

• Abrupt

Meaning: Sudden
Eg.: It was an abrupt hurdle and hence took me some time to get over it.

• Unnerved

Meaning: Nervous
Eg.: The case made Mathew unnerved and depressed.

• Trembling

Meaning: Shaking anxiously
Eg.: I found him trembling on the street last night.

• Stringent

Meaning: Strict
Eg.: His doctrines were quite stringent.

• Gasping

Meaning: Heavy breathing
Eg.: I did some heavy lifting and hence I am gasping for breath now.