Cue Card

Describe a time you made a decision to wait for something

You should say:

• when it happened
• what you waited for
• why you made the decision to wait; and
• explain how you felt while you were waiting.

Sample Part 3 Questions

1. What do people in your country often do when they are waiting?
2. Why do some people like a slow-paced life?
3. Is being patient good for people? Why?
4. Are people less patient than people in the past? Why?

Sample Cue Card Answer

I was 25 and had just landed my dream job at a startup in San Francisco. I was making a decent salary, but I was itching to buy my own place in the city. I had been renting a small studio apartment in a sketchy neighborhood, and I was ready for some stability and a backyard. I found the perfect house in a up-and-coming neighborhood, but it needed a lot of work. The seller was motivated, and we negotiated a great price, but the catch was that the sale was contingent on the seller's new house being built in six months.

I had to make a decision: wait six months for the perfect house or keep looking and risk losing it. I decided to wait. It was a long six months, but I used the time to save up more money, pay off debt, and plan out the renovations. When the sale finally went through, I was able to put down a bigger down payment and secure a better interest rate. It was worth the wait.

Waiting for that house taught me the value of delayed gratification. In a world where we're used to getting everything instantly, it's easy to get impatient and settle for something that's 'good enough.' But waiting for what you really want can be a game-changer. It's not always easy, but it's often worth it. I learned that sometimes, the best things in life are the ones you have to wait for.

Cue Card Answer Key Phrases and Idioms

Delayed gratification

The act of resisting the temptation of an immediate pleasure or benefit in order to wait for a later reward or benefit that is often greater in value.

She practiced delayed gratification by saving up for a year to buy a new car instead of buying a cheaper one immediately.

He delayed his vacation to focus on his studies and got a better job as a result.

Sample Part 3 Answers

What do people in your country often do when they are waiting? When people in the US are waiting, they often use that time to catch up on their phones. You'll see people scrolling through social media, checking their emails, or texting friends and family. It's become second nature to fill any downtime with screen time. I think this is because our phones are always with us, and it's just so easy to mindlessly scroll through our feeds. Plus, it's a great way to pass the time and feel like we're being productive, even if we're just waiting in line or sitting in traffic.

Why do some people like a slow-paced life? Some people love a slow-paced life because it allows them to truly appreciate the little things. When you're not rushing around, you have time to notice the beauty in your surroundings, enjoy good conversations with others, and focus on the present moment. It's almost like the world slows down, and you can finally breathe. I think people who prefer a slow pace of life are often more mindful and content, because they're not constantly stressing about what's next on their to-do list. They're able to find joy in the simple things, like a good cup of coffee or a beautiful sunset.

Is being patient good for people? Why? Being patient is incredibly good for people because it reduces stress and anxiety. When we're patient, we're not getting worked up about things that are outside of our control. We're able to take a step back, relax, and trust that everything will work out in the end. Plus, being patient allows us to build stronger relationships with others, because we're not getting frustrated or angry when things don't go our way. I think patience is a sign of emotional intelligence, and it's essential for our mental and emotional well-being. When we're patient, we're able to respond to situations more thoughtfully, rather than just reacting impulsively.

Are people less patient than people in the past? Why? I think people are definitely less patient than they used to be. With the rise of technology, we're used to getting instant gratification. We can order food, watch movies, and communicate with others at the touch of a button. As a result, we've become accustomed to things happening quickly, and we get frustrated when they don't. We're also constantly bombarded with information and distractions, which can make it harder to focus and wait for things. In the past, people didn't have all these distractions, so they were more likely to be patient and enjoy the simple things in life.

Part 3 Key Phrases and Idioms

catch up on

to do something that you should have done earlier, or to bring yourself up to date with something

When people in the US are waiting, they often use that time to catch up on their phones.

second nature

something that you do automatically or without thinking, because you have done it many times before

It's become second nature to fill any downtime with screen time.

slow-paced life

a way of living where you do not rush or hurry, and you have time to enjoy the things around you

Some people love a slow-paced life because it allows them to truly appreciate the little things.

appreciate the little things

to enjoy and be grateful for the small pleasures in life

Some people love a slow-paced life because it allows them to truly appreciate the little things.

find joy in

to feel happy or pleased about something

They're able to find joy in the simple things, like a good cup of coffee or a beautiful sunset.

take a step back

to move away from a situation or problem in order to think about it more clearly

When we're patient, we're able to take a step back, relax, and trust that everything will work out in the end.

get worked up

to become anxious or upset about something

When we're patient, we're not getting worked up about things that are outside of our control.

at the touch of a button

with just a small action or effort

We can order food, watch movies, and communicate with others at the touch of a button.

bombarded with

to be given or shown a lot of information or messages at the same time?

We're also constantly bombarded with information and distractions, which can make it harder to focus and wait for things.