Describe a time when you were very afraid - IELTS Cue Card

For the IELTS Speaking Part 2, candidates need to prepare an answer within a time limit of one minute based on the assigned topic such as, 'Describe a time when you were very afraid - IELTS Cue Card'. In this section, you will get around two minutes to speak on this topic for which you need to enhance your brainstorming skills. This section evaluates how well you can structure your ideas and how fluently you can express them within the given time. With the appropriate strategies for this part, you will successfully complete the cue card task and easily score 8+.

As there are different topics in this part which you may encounter, try using strategies while attempting them and track your progress to know which areas need more focus. To succeed in all the speaking topics, it is necessary to outline the key ideas that can be addressed in the time allotted. But remember to not go through the sample answers in the beginning itself because it is better to attempt the topic by yourself first. In this way, you will be able to work on your speaking skills before checking out the sample answers to boost confidence for the IELTS Exam.

Tricks to Describe a time when you were very afraid - IELTS Cue Card for a band 8+

To achieve 8+ band in IELTS Speaking, you need to elevate your skills in terms of coherent organization of ideas and speaking without any hesitation. Remember to constantly practice so that these tricks can be incorporated appropriately. Let us now check some strategies to Describe a time when you were very afraid - IELTS Cue Card that will help you score better.

• Understand the prompt given in the cue card so that you can focus on the keywords given in the question. In the one-minute preparation time, jot down your points related to the topic but remember to not write full sentences. Note down the list of vocabulary which you will use while speaking and also have a structure in which your answers will be provided.
• It is important to elaborate on your experience as you attempt to Describe a time when you were very afraid - IELTS Cue Card. This would help develop your narrative by appropriately make the answer fluent and coherent while incorporating relevant vocabulary words.
• Prepare yourself with the Latest IELTS Speaking Vocabulary To Boost Your Score and elevate your speaking skills. As there are different topics as you may encounter when you start with the preparation, it is crucial to note down the list of words based on the topic. Keep a vocabulary notebook so that you can use the words as and when it is needed.
• Make it a habit to narrate each topic and record yourself speaking so that you can listen back to the recording afterwards. This will enable you to identify the areas of improvement where you usually tend to hesitate and work on them. This would not only help in enhancing your skills but also help you become confident for the test day.
• When you try to attempt cue card questions, prepare your response in a way as if you are telling a story. Do not sound robotic as you need to use some emotions into it.
• Note down the areas where you hesitate and use appropriate fillers so that you sound quite natural. Remember to vary your voice so that your answer can guide the examiner and they will be able to comprehend the information easily.
• In order to score high in the criteria of the IELTS Grammar, you need to familiarize yourself with the key topics. This will help you score better on that component of the exam.

Question - Describe a time when you were very afraid - IELTS Cue Card

Sample Answer 1 - Describe a time when you were very afraid - IELTS Cue Card

Well, I believe that everyone encounters an event that causes them to feel feeble and afraid at some point in their lives. Many things in our surroundings frighten us as humans. As children, we used to be scared of giving exams or even going into dark rooms. Similarly, as adults, we are afraid of a variety of different things. For me, the terrifying period was when Coronavirus was declared a pandemic, which was followed by a rigid and unprecedented lockdown.

A one-day curfew was declared on March 24, 2020, followed by a 21-day lockdown on March 26, 2020. No one believed anything like this could happen when the lockdown was declared. My family was in Bhopal, and I was living alone in Pune. We made the decision to wait until the lockdown was lifted. However, when I heard reports that Covid is spreading at a breakneck speed and individuals are dying all around the world within a few days. I felt terrified and intimidated. The news that several of my neighbors had been afflicted with this incurable but frequently lethal illness aggravated the situation. I was fearful, and the psychological strain was too much for me to endure.

I was worried about the situation’s unpredictability and my elderly parents. The prospect of being touched and subsequently infected by the Coronavirus and the rising financial strain on me. This was perhaps the one moment in my life when I felt ghastly stuck and helpless for weeks and couldn’t do anything about it.

Sample Answer 2 - Describe a time when you were very afraid - IELTS Cue Card

Throughout my childhood, I have had this fear of supernatural phenomena. The reason behind this dread was an infrequent incident that I encountered. And since then, I could not overcome the terror.

Presently, the house where I am residing with my family was constructed by my great-grandfather. And, my entire clan has been living here for ages altogether. Trees and foliage surround this abode in the backyard. One night, while playing around in the garden with my friends, I saw something unnatural. There was a vast, sparkling white unidentified object behind a tree. I took a step toward it out of curiosity and found it floating an inch above the ground. I cried loudly and ran towards the house. Everybody came to my rescue, and I explained to them what had happened.

After this incident, I heard the elders of my family talking about all the rumors that he had heard so far about our garden. Apparently, the land where our house is built was cursed as there were butcheries in the past years. Later, I got a high fever and couldn’t stop shivering out of fear during the night. Looking at my deteriorating condition, my parents decided to take me away for a few days until the fear subsided.

Sample Answer 3 - Describe a time when you were very afraid - IELTS Cue Card

Everyone loves traveling and similarly I do, too. However, when I was in college, I had to travel alone from Pune to Assam. The memories of that trip are still imprinted in my mind.  Traveling in India is simple and can be done by anyone, but it was my first solo trip. Nonetheless, I had to travel alone because it was my cousin’s wedding.

My family went to Assam directly from home, and I was asked to travel from my college i.e, from Pune to Assam. I didn’t expect things to be that difficult, though. I got a cab to the airport, and there was a lot of traffic, and I was running late for my flight. So I persuaded my cab driver to take certain shortcuts, to get to the airport as quickly as possible.  Unfortunately, I left one of my bags in the cab when I arrived at the airport in a rush. Though the cab driver left the bag at the airport after I contacted him, I had to leave without my luggage.

After that episode, I was horrified since everything seemed to be going wrong. It was a six-hour journey with a lot of turbulence. It continued for at least 30 to 40 minutes. My heart was pounding like a drum in my chest. As I was alone, I became afraid of this experience. Finally, at 9 p.m., I arrived at the Assam airport, but all of my family members had already arrived, so my dad came to pick me up. Overall, I was terrified for the duration of multiple travels.

Vocabulary - Describe a time when you were very afraid - IELTS Cue Card

• Persuade (verb) – induce (someone) to do something through reasoning or argument.
  Eg: My father always tries to persuade me to opt for law as my profession.
• Terrified  (verb) – cause to feel extreme fear.
  Eg: Den is terrified of dogs.
• Turbulence (noun) – violent or unsteady movement of air or water or some other fluid.
  Eg: The flight passengers experienced turbulence due to the storm. 
• Pounding (noun) – repeated and heavy striking or hitting of someone or something.
  Eg: When I saw Rita, she ran until her heart started pounding. 
• Imprinted (verb) – impress or stamp on a surface. 
  Eg: The plot of this movie will forever be imprinted in my mind.

As you prepare for the cue card questions, try speaking on some of the popular topics. This will allow you to incorporate the strategies along with a structure for response which is the best way to achieve a higher IELTS Band Score. However, you must ensure that you are calm and relaxed as you speak to avoid hesitation. So, do not stop here and continue to push your limits so that your band score increases to band 8+.

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