Discuss a time when you missed or arrived late for a significant meeting/event | Sample IELTS Speaking Task 2

Below, Ms. Khanh Huyen from Mytour HN will guide you on answering the topic “Discuss a time when you missed or arrived late for an important meeting/event” in IELTS Speaking Part 2. Refer to the sample, vocabulary, and some scoring expressions in the IELTS Speaking test.

Part 2: Discuss a time when you missed or arrived late for an important meeting/event

Describe a time when you missed or were late for an important meeting/eventYou should say:When it happenedWhat happenedWhy you missed/were late for itAnd explain how you felt about this experience

Here is a model essay for the topic “Discuss a time when you missed or arrived late for an important meeting/event“.

1. Sample Essay

2. Vocabulary

• a taboo: một điều cấm kỵ
• air our dirty laundry: phơi quần áo bẩn của chúng tôi
• Let’s paint the picture here: Hãy vẽ bức tranh ở đây
• oversleep: ngủ quên
• account for: chiếm
• antics: trò hề

Part 3:

Besides Part 2, please also consider Part 3 for this topic

1. Are you a punctual person?2. Do you think it is important to be on time?3. Do you always avoid being late?4. Why are people often late for meetings or appointments?5. Are people in your country often late for meetings?6. Do you think people are born with time management skills or they can develop them?

1. Are you a punctual person?

I would like to think that I am, but in reality, it's often said that I am not. I tend to arrive fashionably late to nearly every social gathering I attend. This habit has become so well-known that even my closest friend no longer expects me to arrive on time.

In my defense, it's not that I fail to try to arrive on time; rather, it's a deliberate choice. Frankly speaking, I often prefer not to leave my house at all.

• notorious: khét tiếng
• show up: hiện
• In my defense: Trong sự phản biện của tôi
• be on time: đúng giờ
• deliberate choice: lựa chọn có chủ ý

2. Do you think it is important to be on time?

Absolutely. It goes without saying that being punctual demonstrates respect and consideration, especially towards the person you are meeting.

3. Do you always avoid being late?

To be completely honest, I don’t. This may sound like I’m a terrible person, which I am, but I fail to comprehend why punctuality is such a big issue. I understand there are certain social norms that dictate we should be on time, like for job interviews, classes, or meetings. However, I am deeply rooted in Vietnamese culture, and being consistently late is somewhat acceptable to me.

• To be perfectly candid: Hoàn toàn thẳng thắn
• such a big deal: như vậy là một việc lớn
• social conventions dictating: quy ước xã hội quy định
• at heart: Từ trái tim
• systematically late: muộn một cách có hệ thống

4. Why do people often arrive late for meetings or appointments?

Well, speaking from the perspective of someone who is often late, I can say there are many reasons. Firstly, many struggle with time management. Some underestimate the time needed to dress appropriately, or they fail to consider the traffic during rush hour. Another reason that comes to mind is that arriving early at a meeting might imply a lower status. By making others wait, you are subtly communicating that you hold a higher position in the group.

• a late comer: một người đến muộn
• a plethora of reasons: muôn vàn lý do
• miscalculate: tính toán sai
• factor in: yếu tố trong
• springs to my mind: nảy ra trong tâm trí của tôi
• getting across the message: truyền tải thông điệp

5. Do people in your country often arrive late for meetings?

Unfortunately, yes. From my experience working in Vietnamese companies, it’s quite common. While I strive to be punctual, I often find myself arriving just a few minutes late. What bothers me more is when people arrive on time but are not ready to start the discussion.

• irks: làm khó chịu

6. Is the skill of time management innate or can it be developed?

In my view, the issue isn't strictly one or the other. I believe it's not solely about nature versus nurture anymore; rather, it involves both nature and nurture. What I mean by this is that some individuals are naturally born with certain traits that make them exceptional in this area. On the other hand, these skills can also be cultivated with external support and guidelines. For instance, using tools like Google Calendar and notifications can significantly aid in managing your schedule effectively.

• a problem of either: một vấn đề của một trong hai
• inherently: cố hữu
• seamlessly: liền mạch

Sample piece by Ms. Khanh Huyen, a teacher at Mytour HN