Describe a time when you were stuck in a traffic jam - IELTS Cue Card

The IELTS Speaking tests your ability to communicate effectively in English through a structured conversation with an examiner. The IELTS Speaking Part 2 provides a topic and prompts for you to prepare a short speech, showcasing your fluency and coherence. In this blog, we delve into sample answers on the IELTS cue card topic, 'Describe a time when you were stuck in a traffic jam ’ to help candidates excel in their speaking test.

Before you begin, enhance your IELTS Speaking test skills and fluency using the guide provided below!

In IELTS Speaking, you should focus on one idea only and then expand that idea into a long meaningful sentence using IELTS Grammar patterns and IELTS Vocabulary. So, try practising this topic for Part 2 of the cue card for your IELTS Speaking and achieve a good IELTS Band Score!

Sample Answer 1

Traffic jams are a common occurrence in today’s world. Metropolitan cities and surrounding areas often experience excruciating traffic most of the time. Although there are several reasons that can lead to a commotion on the road, most of the time, traffic jams are caused by people who break traffic rules or accidents. There have been countless occasions where I have found myself in traffic congestion. However, there is one particular instance where I experienced the longest and most agonizing traffic jam of my life. This happened when I was in high school and often travelled via public transport.

When I was in my last year of high school, I attended coaching classes for some of the subjects in my curriculum. This is where I was headed on this particular occasion. I had to travel on a public bus to get to my classes after school, and traffic jams were a common occurrence around this area. My friends and I would often wait on public transport, sweating from the heat, on our way to the coaching centre. Sometimes the road blockage would clear out in a few minutes, and other times it would take hours.

However, on the day that I am talking about, I waited on the public bus for four hours. The traffic jam was caused mainly because of the road construction work that was going on nearby. On top of that, people were entering the wrong lanes to cut the traffic, which only worsened the situation.

This was one of the most unbearable traffic jams I had experienced, and I could not reach my coaching classes on time. I felt dejected after realizing that I had waited so long in the heat for nothing. Fortunately, I did not experience any traffic jams on my way back home.

Sample Answer 2

It is common for everyone to get stuck in Traffic jams as it is the daily reality of busy city life. It can be very stressful and frustrating when on the road.

Some of us have had the worst traffic experiences. Here, I’d like to talk about a time when I got stuck in a Traffic jam. Last week, I got a chance to lead the presentation in a very high-profile meeting in my office. The meeting was scheduled to be held at 10 am sharp. Therefore, I had to rush to the office to avoid confusion. It was around 8 am when I was driving, and to my surprise, I found almost all the city dwellers on their vehicles rushing to their respective jobs. Since the other side of the road was under construction, all the vehicles had to move from the single lane, which caused horrible congestion. Little did I know that there would be a traffic jam ahead, and I had to wait for more than half an hour. It was highly irritating, and I was in a jittery mood, thinking if I could make it to the meeting. A little later, I saw a heavy wood-log carrying truck that had dropped a few logs on the road, leading to the traffic jam. Eventually, the traffic police resolved the problem by moving the logs aside and clearing the mess. Annoyingly, I started my car, and somehow I managed to reach the office at 9.30 am and started preparing. I feel that the drivers should be more careful and the traffic police should prevent the plying of heavy trucks during the peak hours.

Vocabulary

1. High-profile

• Meaning: a position attracting much attention or publicity.
  Eg: A high-profile meeting with the minister will be held next week.

2. Schedule

• Meaning: a plan for carrying out a process or procedure, giving lists of intended events and times.
  Eg: The University released an exam schedule on its website.

3. Congestion

• Meaning: a situation in which a place is too blocked or crowded, causing difficulties
  Eg: The wedding hall is very congested.

4. Annoyingly

• Meaning: in a way that causes irritation or annoyance
  Eg: The teacher stared at me annoyingly

5. Resolved

• Meaning: to find a solution
  Eg: The mechanic tried to resolve the issue with my car.

Explore More Time Cue cards >>