Describe a time when you were late for something.
A strong long turn names the subject in the first sentence, spends most of the two minutes on the last bullet — the why — and arrives at a prepared final line rather than trailing off.
The question, as the examiner gives it
Describe a time when you were late for something.
You should say
- what you were late for
- why you were late
- what happened as a result
- and explain how you felt
60 seconds to prepare, up to 2 minutes to speak
A band 7 to 8 answer
About 182 words at a natural pace — roughly what 120 seconds holds.
Answer it yourself first
Record your own answer first. A model you have read three times comes out with a flattened rhythm, and examiners are trained to hear exactly that. Read it afterwards for the vocabulary and the shape, not to memorise the sentences.I was forty minutes late to my own presentation at a conference about two years ago, which is the worst possible thing to be late for because nobody can start without you. The reason was entirely my fault and slightly ridiculous. The venue had two buildings with almost identical names about a kilometre apart, I had not checked, and I went to the wrong one with complete confidence. What happened as a result was that the organiser moved the session after mine forward and slotted me in at the end, which was generous and meant that I spoke to a room that had already been sitting for six hours. How I felt at the time was a very specific kind of panic, walking fast and knowing that no amount of speed would fix it. Afterwards, mostly embarrassed. I now arrive at any venue I have not been to before at least an hour early, and I have never once regretted the hour. The talk itself went perfectly well, which almost made it worse, because everybody was extremely kind about the whole thing.
The words that earn marks
Each one links to how it is pronounced.
- presentation
four syllables with the stress on the third
- conference
three syllables with the stress on the first
- identical
four syllables with the stress on the second
- organiser
British spelling, four syllables
- slotted
the exact verb for fitting into a schedule
- generous
three syllables with a weak middle vowel
- embarrassed
a double-consonant word learners often mispronounce
How a strong answer is built
- 1Say what you were late for and by how much.
- 2Give the reason, without excuses.
- 3Describe the consequence and who absorbed it.
- 4Split how you felt then from what you do now.
Sounds to watch
The ones this answer leans on most.
Straight answers
How long should my answer to “Describe a time when you were late for something.” be?
You get 60 seconds to make notes and then speak for up to two minutes without interruption. Aim to still be talking at ninety seconds: finishing at forty is the commonest way to lose marks on this part.
Should I memorise the model answer?
No. Record your own version first, then read the model for the shape and the vocabulary. A memorised answer changes rhythm and pace noticeably, and examiners are trained to hear it — it usually costs more than the better wording gains.
Does sayit score this answer?
It scores what a microphone can observe: an estimate from fluency and pronunciation only — not an official band, and not a mark for vocabulary or grammar.
What the band on your result means
An estimate from fluency and pronunciation only — not an official band, and not a mark for vocabulary or grammar.One question a day until your test
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