Discuss an instance where you missed an appointment – Sample IELTS Speaking part 2, 3

1. Vocabulary for 'describe a time when you missed an appointment'

2. IELTS Speaking part 2: Recount a time when you missed an appointment

To start your speech, you should directly introduce the meeting that you missed. Focus on providing concise information, such as the time, location, who you were supposed to meet, and the purpose of the appointment.

Next, explain why you missed the appointment. This is the main part of your speech, so dedicate most of your time here. Some reasons you could mention include oversleeping, being occupied with other matters causing you to arrive late, conflicting with your class schedule, etc.

Lastly, describe your feelings about missing the appointment. Did you feel regretful or apologetic? Use descriptive adjectives to make a stronger impression on the examiner.

2.1. Example 1 – Recount a time when you missed an appointment

Just a month ago, on a Sunday, I was supposed to pick up my closest friend from her apartment and drive her to her hometown for a family dinner.

I had just started a new job, so it was an extremely busy time. I buried myself behind a pile of work because I had a lot to learn. I even stayed up late to make sure I did a good job at work. I was worn out and focused exclusively on work at that time. I even agreed to go to Hanoi on business on Sunday at my boss’s request, completely forgetting about the appointment with my friend.

I uploaded a photo to Facebook before my flight on Saturday, when I was traveling to Hanoi. I checked my phone when I got to my hotel and noticed her texts enquiring about the dinner with her family the next day. I was really angry with myself for skipping such an important appointment with my dearest buddy. She has always been a considerate and encouraging friend who has given me wise counsel and motivation. She wasn’t angry with me, but I could see she was upset.

I made a commitment to myself after this incident that I would never again forget a meeting and that I must always strike a balance between my professional and personal life. I apologized to her when I returned from my work trip and brought some dishes from Hanoi to her home. Thankfully, she was once more joyful and still my best friend.

Key Vocabulary Highlights:

• Buried myself behind a pile of work (v): vùi mình sau một đống công việc
• Worn out (adj): kiệt sức
• Exclusively (adv): duy nhất
• Buddy (n): bạn bè
• Considerate (adj): ân cần
• Counsel (n): lời khuyên
• Made a commitment to (v): cam kết
• Strike a balance (v): cân bằng

Translation:

Just a month ago. On Sunday, I was supposed to pick up my closest friend from her apartment and take her back to her hometown so we could have dinner with her family.

I had just started a new job, so I was quite busy. I immersed myself in the workload because I had a lot to learn. I even stayed up late to ensure I did a good job. At that time, I was exhausted and focused solely on work. I even agreed to go on a business trip to Hanoi on Sunday at the boss's request and forgot about my appointment with my friend.

I posted a photo on Facebook before my flight on Saturday while I was traveling to Hanoi. I checked my phone upon arrival at the hotel and saw her message asking about dinner with her family the next day. I was truly angry at myself for missing such an important appointment with my closest friend. She has always been a caring and encouraging friend, giving me wise advice and motivation. She wasn't angry with me, but I could tell she was sad.

I made a commitment to myself after this incident that I would never forget a meeting again and that I must always maintain a balance between work and personal life. I apologized to her when I returned from the business trip and brought some food from Hanoi to her house. Fortunately, she was once again happier and remains my closest friend.

2.2. Example 2 – Recount a time when you missed an appointment

I’ll be open and admit that I tend to put off some other obligations when I have a lot on my to-do list. I frequently miss a lot of important information at this period. In light of this, I’d like to tell you a tale about the time I arrived late for a dentist appointment.

It happened the previous week when I was hurriedly trying to finish my thesis before the deadline. I was assigned an excessive number of assignments one day. After finishing the citations and references for the thesis early in the morning, I met with my professor at noon to conduct a plagiarism check with my thesis advisor.

I missed my scheduled dentist visit due to my urgency to finish my thesis. It is connected to the tooth decay I have been suffering. I had been so distracted with other things at the time that I had entirely neglected to make an appointment with the dentist for that day at 4 o’clock. I had to go to the dentist’s office at that moment.

However, around six o’clock, a reminder for the appointment popped up on my phone's Google calendar app. Suddenly, I found myself calling my doctor, asking if we could reschedule our planned appointment.

Fortunately, he realized that there would be a spot available for him the following morning, which was a lucky break. I then made an appointment with the dentist for the following morning at eight in order to get my teeth examined. I was embarrassed to have to beg the doctor to reschedule my appointment over the phone.

I’ve come to understand how crucial it is to preserve homeostasis in all aspects of life, despite the busy pace of ours. I set an alarm on my phone to remind me of any upcoming commitments because I pledged there and then that I would never again be late for an appointment.

Key Vocabulary Highlights:

• Put off some other obligations (n): hoãn lại một số việc phải làm khác
• Thesis (n): luận án
• Citations (n): trích dẫn
• References (n): tham khảo
• A plagiarism check (n): kiểm tra đạo văn
• Urgency (n): khẩn cấp 
• The tooth decay (n): sâu răng
• Distracted (adj): bị phân tâm
• Spot (n): lịch rảnh
• Homeostasis (n): cân bằng nội môi
• Pledged (v): cam kết

Translation:

I admit openly and honestly that I tend to postpone some other obligations when I have a lot on my to-do list. During this period, I often miss a lot of important information. For this reason, I would like to tell you the story of the time I was late for a dentist appointment.

This happened last week when I was rushing to complete my thesis ahead of schedule. One day, I was assigned too many tasks. After finishing the citations and references for the thesis early in the morning, I met with my professor at noon to conduct a dissertation review with my advisor.

I missed the scheduled dental visit due to the urgent thesis completion. It was related to a tooth decay issue I was enduring. At that time, I was too distracted with other tasks to the point of completely forgetting about the dentist appointment at 4 PM that day. Eventually, I had to visit the dentist's office.

But around six o'clock, a notification about the appointment appeared on my phone's Google calendar app. The next thing I knew, I was on the phone with the doctor, asking if we could postpone the scheduled appointment.

Fortunately, he realized there would be an opening for him the next morning, which was a stroke of luck. I then rescheduled the dentist appointment for 8 AM the next day. I felt embarrassed having to ask the doctor to reschedule over the phone.

Gradually, I've come to understand the importance of maintaining work-life balance in all aspects of life, regardless of our busy pace. I set alarms on my phone to remind me of any upcoming commitments because I vowed then that I would never be late for an appointment again.

3.1. Sample 3 – Describe a time when you missed an appointment

3.1. Is having a daily schedule important?

Definitely. People will find it easier to stay on track if they write down their to-do lists. Everyone has numerous duties to complete, appointments to keep, and goals to achieve, especially those who work more than one job at once. A daily schedule makes it easier for us to keep track of our daily tasks and manage everything. You won’t likely forget an appointment if you have a well-defined daily schedule.

• Stay on track (v): đi đúng hướng
• Keep track of (v): theo dõi
• Well-defined (adj): được xác định rõ ràng

Translation: Absolutely. People will find it easier to stay on track if they write down their to-do lists. Everyone has countless tasks to complete, appointments to keep, and goals to achieve, especially those who multitask. A daily schedule helps us track daily tasks easily and manage everything better. With a clearly defined daily schedule, you won't forget appointments.

3.2. What kinds of things do people need to plan carefully?

I believe those to be their long-term objectives. People must carefully prepare the shorter-term goals and the measures to reach them because realizing a dream is not at all simple. People risk getting lost on their path to success and failing if they don’t put enough time and effort into it.

• On their path to success: con đường dẫn đến thành công

Translation: I believe it's their long-term goals. People need to carefully prepare short-term goals and the steps to achieve them because fulfilling dreams is never straightforward. There's a risk of getting lost on the path to success and failure if sufficient time and effort aren't dedicated to it.

3.3. Is there anything that cannot be planned?

Yes, of course! There are many unforeseen events that can happen in our lives. Daily planning is simple, but you never know what will happen in the middle. Imagine that on an ordinary workday, while you are making your way home at night, a few people follow you. That is surely not what you had in mind.

• Unforeseen (adj): không lường trước được

Dịch: Vâng tất nhiên! Có rất nhiều sự kiện không thể dự đoán trước có thể xảy ra trong cuộc sống của chúng ta. Việc lập kế hoạch hàng ngày có vẻ đơn giản nhưng bạn không bao giờ biết điều gì có thể xảy ra dọc đường. Hãy tưởng tượng, bạn về nhà vào buổi tối sau một ngày làm việc bình thường, và có một số người đi cùng bạn. Điều này chắc chắn không phải là điều bạn mong đợi.

3.4. Is maintaining work-life balance important?

Undoubtedly. People’s emotional and physical health are maintained when their personal and professional life are kept apart. They are probably less stressed and will have enough energy to work efficiently and be more creative.

• Kept apart (adj): được tách biệt

Dịch: Tất nhiên. Sức khỏe cả về thể chất lẫn tinh thần của mỗi người được duy trì khi cuộc sống cá nhân và nghề nghiệp được cân bằng. Họ có thể tránh căng thẳng và có đủ năng lượng để làm việc hiệu quả và sáng tạo.

3.5. How do people memorize information?

I believe there are numerous methods to put the discipline of memorizing into action. If you’re more of a traditionalist, writing everything down in a notebook and carrying it with you will help you remember everything. You may check it out whenever you need to thanks to this. Let’s say you’re the type of person who enjoys learning novel and intriguing ways to memorize knowledge. In that scenario, it can be a good idea to try connecting the facts you need to remember to a mental story or image.

• Traditionalist (n): người theo chủ nghĩa truyền thống
• Enjoys learning novel: thích học những cách mới lạ
• Intriguing (adj): hấp dẫn

Dịch: Tôi tin rằng có nhiều phương pháp để áp dụng kỷ luật ghi nhớ vào thực tế. Nếu bạn là người theo chủ nghĩa truyền thống, việc viết mọi thứ vào sổ tay và mang theo sẽ giúp bạn ghi nhớ mọi điều. Bạn có thể kiểm tra lại khi cần. Nếu bạn thích học những cách mới để ghi nhớ kiến thức, bạn nên thử kết nối những sự kiện cần nhớ với câu chuyện hoặc hình ảnh trong đầu.

3.6. Is it necessary to request assistance from others to help me recall information?

In my view, youths also possess numerous fascinating aspects to teach and exchange with older individuals. For instance, how to leverage and adapt to present-day technological capabilities.

Every young person will eventually need to teach their parents or other elderly family members how to use modern technology, including televisions, computers, and cell phones. I implore everyone to treat those still figuring out how to navigate the 4.0 world with the same patience and kindness that our elders showed us when we were innocent toddlers.

• Navigate (v): điều hướng
• Innocent toddlers (n): những đứa trẻ ngây thơ

Dịch: In my opinion, young people will also have a lot of interesting things to teach and share with the elderly. For example, how to use and adapt to existing technology capabilities.

Ultimately, every young person will need to instruct parents or other older family members on utilizing modern technology, including TVs, computers, and mobile phones. I implore everyone to treat those still navigating the 4.0 world with the same patience and kindness as the elderly treated us when we were naive children.

3.7. Why do certain individuals enjoy reminiscing about family history?

They must have a great deal of pride in their family and love to brag about it. I hope you share my pride in your ancestors and the work they accomplished as a result of their labor if your family is typical of most others.

If your family is well-known and influential, it is a lovely opportunity to highlight and preserve the rich legacy they have brought and continue to bring; alternatively, it is enjoyable to learn some fascinating details about their ancestors. A wonderful method to do either of these is to be aware of your family’s past.

• Brag about (v): khoe
• Accomplished (v): đạt được
• Influential (adj): có ảnh hưởng
• Preserve the rich legacy (v): bảo tồn di sản phong phú

Dịch: Chắc chắn họ rất tự hào về gia đình của mình và thường muốn khoe khoang về điều đó. Tôi mong rằng bạn sẽ chia sẻ niềm tự hào của tôi về tổ tiên của bạn và thành tựu mà họ đã đạt được nhờ vào nỗ lực lao động nếu gia đình bạn là một ví dụ điển hình.

Nếu gia đình bạn có danh tiếng và ảnh hưởng lớn, đây là cơ hội tuyệt vời để làm nổi bật và bảo tồn di sản phong phú mà họ đã và đang tiếp tục mang lại; Đồng thời, việc tìm hiểu một số chi tiết thú vị về tổ tiên cũng là một trải nghiệm thú vị. Một trong những phương pháp hiệu quả để làm điều này là khám phá về quá khứ của gia đình bạn.

3.8. Làm thế nào để họ tìm thông tin đó?

They can accomplish this in a number of ways, but one of the easiest and most practical is to ask their parents and grandparents about the family’s history. There are other families with extensive histories, and members of these families frequently preserve a record or notebook outlining their family tree so that it can be passed down through the generations. If they existed, numerous journals, books, and archival documents would also include famous historical families.

• Extensive (adj): lâu đời
• Family tree (n): gia phả
• Passed down (v): truyền lại
• Archival documents (n): tài liệu lưu trữ

Dịch: Họ có thể thực hiện điều này bằng nhiều cách khác nhau, nhưng một trong những phương pháp đơn giản và hiệu quả nhất là hỏi cha mẹ hoặc ông bà về lịch sử gia đình. Có những gia đình khác có lịch sử lâu đời và thường giữ hồ sơ hoặc sổ ghi chép về gia phả để có thể lưu trữ qua nhiều thế hệ. Nếu những tài liệu này tồn tại, chắc chắn sẽ có nhiều tạp chí, sách và tài liệu lưu trữ khác cũng đề cập đến những gia đình nổi tiếng này.

3.9. Liệu lịch sử gia đình có giúp họ không?

The benefits of researching our family history are numerous. It is our responsibility to learn from the mistakes made by our forebears and use that knowledge to improve their legacy for the benefit of coming generations. Additionally, you will probably be the one to represent your family members in court if they ever find themselves in a tricky legal scenario. As a result, I frequently advise my close friends to read up on the background and significance of their family lineages.

• Forebears (n): tổ tiên
• Tricky (adj): phức tạp