Describe a time you had to do something in a hurry/quickly – IELTS speaking part 2
Describe a time you had to do something in a hurry/quickly
You should say:
- What it was
- When you had to do it
- Why you had to do it
And explain how you felt about it
“Let me tell you about the time I had to do an important university assignment in a real hurry.
It was during my final semester and I was juggling multiple courses, part-time work, and an internship.
As you can imagine, my schedule was already jam-packed and I was constantly feeling the pressure to meet deadlines.
But one day, the ultimate nightmare happened. I realised that I had completely forgotten about a major assignment due the next morning.
Panic set in as I frantically searched for the assignment guidelines and started brainstorming ideas. To top it off, my laptop decided to die on me so I had to run to the library to use their computers.
To make matters worse, the topic of the assignment was not something I was familiar with and I had to do a lot of research in a short amount of time. It was like a race against the clock to the metal to get it done in time.
I won’t lie, I was absolutely overwhelmed and stressed out, but I also knew I had no choice but to power through and get it done. I had to pull an all-nighter and chug 5 or 6 cups of coffee to stay awake. It was a real nail-biter and there were moments when I thought I might not make it.
Thankfully, I managed to complete the assignment just in time. I submitted it with shaky hands and heavy eyes, but I did it.
Even though it was a chaotic experience, I felt a sense of pride and accomplishment for pushing through and getting it done.
From that day on, I made sure to stay organised and on top of my assignments to avoid any last-minute rushes.
Thank you.”
- Idioms
The idiom “juggling tasks” means to manage or handle multiple tasks or responsibilities at the same time.
Example: As a single mom, she is constantly juggling tasks at work and at home, from taking care of her children to meeting deadlines at work.
To brainstorm means to come up with ideas or solutions to a problem or task.
Example: Before starting the project, the team decided to brainstorm different approaches and strategies to ensure success.
“To top it off” means to add something to the end or to finish something in a special or remarkable way; to make a situation even better or worse.
Example: After a long day at work, I locked my keys in my car, got caught in a rainstorm, and to top it off, I realised I forgot my wallet at home. It was just one thing after another.
A race against the clock means trying to complete a task or reach a goal before a set amount of time expires.
For example, “We’re in a race against the clock to finish this project before the deadline.”
To “pull an all nighter” means to stay up all night working or studying.
Example: I have a big exam tomorrow, so I’ll have to pull an all nighter studying.
The idiom “a nailbiter” refers to a situation that is very tense or anxiety-inducing, causing someone to be extremely nervous and perhaps bite their nails in anticipation.
Example: The football game was a real nailbiter, with both teams tied until the last minute of the game.
The idiom “to keep on top of things” means to stay organised and on track with tasks and responsibilities.
Example: In order to succeed in my new job, I need to keep on top of things and make sure all deadlines are met.
Describe a time you had to do something in a hurry/quickly – IELTS speaking part 3
On what occasions do people have to do things in a hurry?
Well, I guess In daily life, there are many occasions where people have to do things in a hurry.
This can often happen due to unexpected situations, tight deadlines or busy schedules.
For instance, students often have to complete their homework or projects in a rush before a deadline.
As well as that, people may also have to rush to catch a flight, make it to an important meeting, or reach an event on time.
Of course, on top of that, there are always some people who just have the habit of leaving things until the last minute, and always end up in a rush to complete whatever task it may be.
Personally,I think that although being in a hurry can be very stressful, it teaches us to manage our time effectively and prioritise tasks, and it’s important to remain calm and focused in such situations.
Why do you think that some people always leave things until the last moment?
“Well, personally, I believe that quite a few people have a tendency to procrastinate and leave things until the last moment, and I guess this behaviour can be due to various reasons.
For instance, they might have poor time management skills or lack motivation to complete tasks.
What’s more, the fear of failure or perfectionism can also quite often possibly lead to procrastination.
For example, a high school student might wait until the night before a deadline to finish an assignment because they are afraid of receiving a low grade.
In my opinion, I think that this habit can be actually very harmful as it can cause unnecessary stress and may also result in a lower quality of work.”
What are some examples of work that needs to be finished quickly?
“Well, I guess there are many types of work that require urgent completion.
For instance, school assignments such as essays and projects often have a strict deadline, and need to be completed quite quickly.
Similarly, in a professional setting, urgent tasks may include meeting a client’s urgent needs, completing a project before a deadline, or responding to urgent emails.
As well as that, emergency situations such as a sudden computer crash or a last-minute event may also require quick completion of tasks.
In my opinion, effective time management and prioritisation skills are crucial in ensuring these tasks are completed in a timely manner.”
Do you think that people get a feeling of satisfaction from finishing a task quickly?
“Yes, I believe that generally speaking, most people experience a sense of satisfaction when they complete a task or project quickly.
I guess this could be because they are able to see immediate results and feel a real sense of accomplishment.
For example, a high school student may feel proud and relieved after finishing an assignment in a short amount of time.
On top of that, finishing something quickly often allows people to move on to other tasks, giving them a sense of productivity and efficiency.
However, I also acknowledge that some individuals may prefer taking their time and completing tasks thoroughly rather than quickly.
Overall, I feel that the feeling of satisfaction from finishing something quickly largely depends on the individual and the task at hand.”
Is finishing something quickly always the most important thing?
“Personally,I believe that finishing something quickly is not always the most important thing.
There are situations where taking your time and focusing on quality can very often yield much better results.
For instance, in a school project, rushing to finish may result in a lower grade compared to putting in more effort and time to produce a well-researched and thorough project.
As well as that, finishing something quickly may not allow for proper planning and organisation, resulting in mistakes and errors.
Therefore, I believe it’s very important to carefully consider the situation and prioritise quality over speed.
However, in some cases, meeting a deadline may be crucial, and in those situations, finishing quickly is important.
Overall, it is a balance between time management and producing high-quality work.”
More links to IELTS speaking part 2 and part 3 topics with example answers
Describe an outdoor activity you did in a new place recently
Describe a useful skill you learned as a teenager
Describe something important you lost
Describe a person who is good at making people feel welcome in his/her home
Describe a time when you used a map
Describe a time you heard someone complaining about something
