IELTS Cue Card Sample Question – Describe a Situation that Made You Upset

Sample Response 1:

“Something happened a few days back that upset me. Looking back, it was foolish to become enraged, but that was how I felt at the moment. My internet service has been giving me problems lately. It had gotten inconsistent during the previous several days, and when I woke up the next morning, it was completely dead. There was no signal at all.

I initially assumed it was just another internet outage that would be resolved in a few minutes, but I eventually decided to phone the customer care hotline to find out what the issue was. So, as is customary these days, your internet service provider has one of those vexing automated menus that you must listen to before picking the desired choice by inputting the correct digit. I listened to the first menu and chose the most relevant option, which led to another menu, where I chose another option, and then I had to wait, and wait, and wait. I started timing it, and after 5 minutes of listening to the worst music I’d ever heard, I simply hung up. I’d had it with it and couldn’t take it any longer. I made the decision to go do something else and then try calling again later.

To keep a long story short, I finally got through to someone after calling a few more times and they sent a technician out to fix the problem, which he did, but even that wasn’t as smooth as it should’ve been. I had to call again later before the internet signal was fully functional. I was upset and frustrated by the entire experience since it should have been so straightforward and quick, and it wasn’t.”

Follow-up Question 1:

Do you get easily upset? 

Response:

“To be honest, I’m really a patient person, and I rarely get upset. Whenever I feel like I’m in a situation that might upset me, I calm myself down and try to think clearly. However, there are really those situations when I can’t help it and lose it, just like the experience I’ve shared with you earlier. It frustrates me that some people couldn’t just do things the simpler way.” 

Follow-up Question 2:

What other things upset you? 

Response 2: 

“Well, I do get upset easily when someone is late. Let’s say we are going somewhere and have agreed to meet at a specific time, and they show up late anyway. What’s even more upsetting is they would sometimes make excuses such as heavy traffic and all. If you are late, just own up to it, no excuses.” 

Follow-up Question 2:

Do you believe men and women are both enraged by the same things?

Response: 

“Men and women, I believe, have distinct values, which can cause them to be furious about different things. I feel that women are more likely to become enraged than men by irresponsible behavior, whereas males are more likely to lose their cool. However, some issues, such as violence, may elicit rage in both of them.”