IELTS Speaking Part 2 cue card · Decisions and challenges

Describe a time when you were very busy

The full cue card, a one-minute plan for its prompts, a sample answer by Lingo Copilot and the vocabulary for this topic.

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Describe a time when you were very busy.

You should say:

when this was
why you were so busy
what you had to do

and explain how you felt about being so busy.

How to plan your answer in 1 minute

A minute is short. Spend it on keywords for each prompt, in the order of the card:

0:00–0:10
Choose your answer
Decide on a time when you were very busy. Pick something real that you know well, so the details come easily when you speak.
0:10–0:20
When this was
Write two or three keywords, not sentences: a name, a place, a time or a detail you can expand on.
0:20–0:30
Why you were so busy
Write two or three keywords, not sentences: a name, a place, a time or a detail you can expand on.
0:30–0:40
What you had to do
Write two or three keywords, not sentences: a name, a place, a time or a detail you can expand on.
0:40–0:55
And explain how you felt about being so busy
Note one reason and one short example or story. This is the part you can keep developing until the examiner stops you at two minutes.
0:55–1:00
Check the order
Number your notes in the order of the prompts, then use them as a checklist while you talk.

Sample answer

Written for practice. Use it for ideas and phrasing rather than memorising it, then answer about your own experience.

Sample answer by Lingo Copilot · 253 words

I'd like to describe a period about eighteen months ago when I was tasked with organising my company's annual conference while simultaneously preparing for a professional certification exam. The conference was scheduled for mid-November, and my exam fell just five days later, so for roughly six weeks I had an incredibly hectic schedule with barely a moment to breathe. The reason I was so busy was that these two demanding commitments collided in ways I hadn't anticipated. The conference required me to coordinate speakers, manage catering logistics, handle venue arrangements, and communicate with over three hundred registered attendees. At the same time, I had to study complex material for my exam, which required several hours of focused revision each day. I was essentially burning the candle at both ends, waking at five in the morning to study before heading to the office and often not finishing conference-related emails until well past midnight. What made the period particularly gruelling was the relentless pace. There wasn't a moment to spare, and every day brought a new set of cascading obligations that threatened to derail my carefully constructed timetable. I had to multitask constantly, taking phone calls from suppliers during my lunch break while reviewing study notes, and I quickly learned the importance of careful planning to keep everything on track. Honestly, the experience took its toll on me both physically and emotionally. That period taught me that effective time management and a structured approach to responsibilities can carry you through even the most demanding circumstances.

Another sample answer (2 of 3)

Sample answer by Lingo Copilot · 247 words

The busiest time I can recall was during my first month at a new job last spring, which turned out to be an absolute baptism of fire. I'd joined a marketing agency expecting a gradual induction, but a major client unexpectedly moved their product launch forward by three weeks, and I found myself thrown straight into the deep end. The tight deadline meant the entire team was working flat out from day one, and as the newest member, I had to learn company processes, software systems, and client preferences while simultaneously contributing to the campaign. My demanding workload included drafting advertising copy, coordinating with graphic designers, scheduling social media content, and preparing presentation decks for client meetings. The first week felt like the calm before the storm, but by the second week, consecutive deadlines were hitting us daily. What I had to do was adopt a tireless work ethic and accept that this was a sink-or-swim situation. I created detailed task lists each evening, prioritising the most urgent items, and I embraced delegation whenever possible by asking colleagues for guidance rather than struggling alone. The overwhelming pressure forced me to develop efficient systems quickly, and once the momentum started building, I found a rhythm that allowed me to keep all the plates spinning without anything crashing down. Looking back, my feelings about that period are surprisingly positive despite how exhausted I was. I wouldn't want to repeat it immediately, but I'm grateful for what it taught me.

Another sample answer (3 of 3)

Sample answer by Lingo Copilot · 259 words

I want to describe a particularly intense three-week period last December when I was up to my neck in preparations for my sister's wedding, which I was coordinating, while also facing year-end reporting deadlines at work. The timing was terrible, but both commitments were immovable, so I had no choice but to somehow manage both. At work, the time constraint was severe. Our financial year ends in December, and I was responsible for compiling quarterly performance reports, conducting budget reviews, and presenting findings to the board. Meanwhile, on the wedding front, I was run off my feet handling venue confirmations, seating arrangements, caterer negotiations, and countless last-minute changes that seem inevitable with any large family event. I spread myself too thin in the first week by trying to do everything personally, which led to several near-disasters. The turning point came when I recognised that I was on an unsustainable path and needed to change my approach. I started racing against the clock more strategically, breaking each day into focused blocks: mornings for office work, afternoons for wedding logistics, and evenings for anything that'd slipped through the cracks. This structured method gave me back some sense of control, though the relentless pace never truly let up. There were moments when I felt completely overwhelmed, and the gruelling schedule left me physically drained. At the eleventh hour, everything somehow came together. The board presentation went well, and the wedding was beautiful. The key lesson I took away was the critical importance of delegation and knowing my limits before reaching breaking point.

Useful vocabulary

demandingadjective: Requiring considerable effort, energy, stamina, or attention
time constraintnoun: a limitation on the amount of time available to complete a task
overwhelmedadjective: Feeling unable to cope with the volume or intensity of tasks or emotions
multitaskverb: To handle multiple tasks or responsibilities simultaneously or in quick succession
relentlessadjective: Continuing without pause, weakening, or cessation; unyieldingly persistent
gruellingadjective: Extremely tiring and demanding, testing the limits of physical or mental endurance
delegationnoun: The assignment of tasks or responsibilities to others to manage workload effectively
momentumnoun: The impetus or driving force gained through a series of productive actions or events
pivotaladjective: Of crucial importance in determining the outcome or direction of events
burn outphrasal verb: To become physically and emotionally exhausted from prolonged excessive demands or overwork
at the eleventh houridiom: At the last possible moment before a deadline or point of no return
a baptism of fireidiom: A harsh or difficult introduction to a situation or activity, often trial by ordeal
the calm before the stormidiom: A period of unusual tranquillity preceding a period of intense activity or upheaval
run on fumesidiom: To continue functioning despite severe exhaustion and depleted energy reserves
vocab placeholder 15 for Being Busyadjective: A medium-level vocabulary term

Useful collocations

hectic schedule
My hectic schedule during the conference left me with barely enough time to grab a sandwich between sessions.
tight deadline
Working under a tight deadline forced me to prioritise ruthlessly and eliminate any task that was not absolutely essential.
demanding workload
The demanding workload required me to restructure my entire daily routine in order to accommodate the additional responsibilities.
overwhelming pressure
Despite the overwhelming pressure, I maintained a structured approach that prevented the situation from spiralling out of control.
time management
Effective time management proved to be the single most critical factor in navigating that extraordinarily hectic period.
relentless pace
The relentless pace of the project left no room for procrastination; every minute had to be utilised with ruthless efficiency.
gruelling schedule
The gruelling schedule demanded a level of stamina and mental resilience I had not previously known I possessed.
momentum building
Once the momentum started building, the tasks began falling into place with a rhythm I had not anticipated.
meticulous planning
The success of the entire operation hinged on meticulous planning that accounted for every conceivable contingency and delay.
consecutive deadlines
Facing five consecutive deadlines within a single fortnight tested the limits of my organisational capabilities and physical endurance.
crunch time
It's crunch time at work, so I won't have a free evening until Friday.
stretch yourself thin
I was stretching myself thin trying to help everyone at once.
a lot on your plate
I've got a lot on my plate right now between the new project and my exams.
snowed under
I was completely snowed under with work and had to cancel all my plans.
run off your feet
The restaurant was so packed we were run off our feet the entire shift.

Part 3 questions on this topic

In the test, Part 3 continues with wider questions linked to your Part 2 topic. Questions from our question bank:

Why do people feel they have less free time today?
Is being busy a sign of success in modern society?
How does time pressure affect people's health?

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