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Describe a time/period in your life when you were very busy. v.1

Describe a time/period in your life when you were very busy. v. 1
Describe a time/period in your life when you were very busy. You should say: when it was why you were so busy how you managed your busy schedule and explain why you were so busy then.   Model Answer 1: I think that over the years, I have been reasonably good at time management except for some occasional hick-ups. But there was a time when I become really busy, and I was really struggling to manage my time when I was doing my Master’s degree from a university about 4 years ago. Of course, I wouldn’t really be so busy, to begin with, if I had chosen a difficult thesis topic. On top of that, I was also serving as a "teaching assistant" which itself was like a full-time job to check and mark the term papers of almost a hundred students. So, while I was busy attending the classes on a regular basis, I was also busy conducting the regular research works to complete my thesis and also checking the term papers of the undergraduate students at the same time since most of my teachers were very strict about getting all of his student to participate in regular class discussion. By the way, studying an undergraduate programme and graduate program is a different story. It can be said that while in an undergraduate program, a student is able to build on previously learned concept and skills, a graduate student has to spend a lot of time in making his or her own discoveries. On top of that, the post-graduate supervisors, teachers or educators very rarely offer any lifelines to their post-graduate students. In other words, the post-graduate educators hardly provide ever any deadline extensions as far as the date of paper/thesis submission is concerned. Anyway, remaining busy is a natural thing for a graduate student because a lot depends on the results of a Masters degree as far as the question of a better career and a better life is concerned. So, it was only natural for me to remain busy at that time because I wanted to finish my university life on a good note. Besides, I also wasn’t able to manage my time that efficiently back then which made my life even busier as a graduate student.   Sample Answer 2: We all get busy in times of exam, sickness of a family member, for completing assignments, to meet deadlines etc. and though most of us wish to lead a relaxed and hassle-free life, the situation demands our promptness in action and we all get busy then. One such busy time I still remember was the time when I had the deadline to submit my thesis paper in the final year of my university. I had about 2 months to complete the thesis and I killed almost 2 weeks due to my job pressure. I joined a company as a part-time employee at the beginning of my final term and had to work for about 4-5 hours per day. I had classes to attend, exams to prepare for, study and work at the office. I had hardly a few hours remaining for my personal stuff and I was worried that I was falling behind my schedule for my thesis paper submission. The thesis was a complex one and I had to visit libraries, browse the internet, do group discussions and meetings and brainstorm a lot to organise the writing for the thesis. Moreover, I had to visit some local offices to collect data for my thesis. Those days were so tough and I had been so busy that sometimes I slept for 4 hours only at night. The work pressure, tension, tight schedules, deadlines, moving from place to place, classes & study were my life. I did not visit my parents for the whole semester as they were in my hometown. There was hardly any month that I did not go to my hometown to meet my parents but during that period I did not have the chance to do so. In fact, I was unable to go to my hometown for about 7 months. I usually watch 2-3 movies on my computer each week, go for walks each morning, visit some close friends, maintain my social networking profiles and update my blog but during this period I was so busy that I did not do any of these activities I usually maintain. I am so lucky that I was finally completed the thesis and submitted it in due time. To my surprise, I got a straight 'A+' in my thesis, continued my job and did well in my term final. But for that, I had to sacrifice a lot and maintain a strict routine. I slept 4-5 hours each day on an average, read academic books and notes in public transportation while moving from one place to another, and utilised every single hour I got. Moreover, to finish things in time, I stopped a lot of my other activities that I usually do. Thus I had been able to handle the pressure and deadline. I have to thank some of my teachers, classmates and some of my friends without whom it would have been impossible for me to finish everything correctly and in time.     Similar Cue Card Topics Your preparation for this cue card topic would help you talk about the following cue card topics as well: Describe a busy day you had. Describe a stressful time you remember. Describe a busy time you remember from the past.
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
Describe
a time/period in your
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
life
when you were
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
very
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
busy
. You should say: when it was why you were
so
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
busy
how you managed your
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
busy
schedule and
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
explain
why you were
so
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
busy
then.
Possible typo: you repeated a whitespace
 
Model Answer 1:

I
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
think
that over the years, I have been
reasonably
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
good
at
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
time
management
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
except for
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
some
occasional hick-ups.
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
But
there was a
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
time
when I become
really
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
busy
, and I was
really
struggling to manage my
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
time
when I was doing my Master’s degree from a university about 4 years ago.

Of course
, I wouldn’t
really
be
so
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
busy
, to
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
begin
with, if I had chosen a difficult
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
thesis
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
topic
.
On top of that
, I was
also
serving as a
Use a smart opening quote here: "“".
"
teaching assistant
Use a smart closing quote here: "”".
"
which itself was like a full-time job to
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
check
and mark the
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
term
papers of almost a hundred
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
students
.
So
, while I was
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
busy
attending the
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
classes
on a regular basis, I was
also
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
busy
conducting the regular research works to complete my
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
thesis
and
also
checking the
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
term
papers of the undergraduate
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
students
at the same
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
time
since most of my teachers were
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
very
strict about getting all of his
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
student
to participate in regular
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
class
discussion.

By the way, studying an undergraduate
Possible spelling mistake. 'programme' is British English.
programme
and
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
graduate
program is a
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
different
story. It can
be said
that while in an undergraduate program, a
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
student
is able to build on previously learned concept and
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
skills
, a
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
graduate
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
student
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
has to
spend a
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
lot
of
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
time
in making
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
his or her
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
own
discoveries.
On top of that
, the post-graduate supervisors, teachers or educators
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
very
rarely offer any lifelines to their post-graduate
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
students
.
In other words
, the post-graduate educators hardly provide ever any
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
deadline
extensions as far as the date of paper/thesis submission
is concerned
.

Anyway
, remaining
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
busy
is a natural thing for a
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
graduate
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
student
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
because
a
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
lot
depends on the results of a
For an academic degree, use "Master’s".
Masters
degree as far as the question of a better career and a better
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
life
is concerned
.
So
, it was
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
only
natural for me to remain
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
busy
at that
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
time
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
because
I wanted to finish my university
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
life
on a
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
good
note.
Besides
, I
also
wasn’t able to manage my
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
time
that
efficiently
back then which made my
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
life
even busier as a
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
graduate
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
student
.
Possible typo: you repeated a whitespace
 
Sample Answer 2:

We all
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
get
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
busy
in
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
times
of exam, sickness of a family member, for completing assignments, to
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
meet
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
deadlines
etc. and though most of us wish to lead a relaxed and hassle-free
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
life
, the situation demands our promptness in
Use a comma before 'and' if it connects two independent clauses (unless they are closely connected and short).
action and
we all
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
get
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
busy
then. One such
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
busy
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
time
I
still
remember was the
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
time
when I had the
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
deadline
to submit my
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
thesis
paper in the final year of my university. I had about 2 months to complete the
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
thesis
and I killed almost 2 weeks due to my job pressure. I
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
joined
a
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
company
as a part-time employee at the beginning of my final
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
term
and had to
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
work
for about 4-5
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
hours
per day.
Three successive sentences begin with the same word. Consider rewording the sentence or use a thesaurus to find a synonym.
I
had
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
classes
to attend, exams to prepare for, study and
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
work
at the office.
Three successive sentences begin with the same word. Consider rewording the sentence or use a thesaurus to find a synonym.
I
had hardly a few
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
hours
remaining for my personal
Use a comma before 'and' if it connects two independent clauses (unless they are closely connected and short).
stuff and
I
was worried
that I was falling behind my schedule for my
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
thesis
paper submission. The
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
thesis
was a complex one and I had to
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
visit
libraries, browse the internet, do group discussions and meetings and brainstorm a
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
lot
to
Possible spelling mistake. 'organise' is British English.
organise
the writing for the
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
thesis
.
Moreover
, I had to
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
visit
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
some
local offices to collect data for my
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
thesis
. Those days were
so
tough and I had been
so
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
busy
that
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
sometimes
I slept for 4
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
hours
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
only
at night. The
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
work
pressure, tension, tight schedules,
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
deadlines
, moving from place to place,
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
classes
Possible spelling mistake found.
&amp
; study were my
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
life
. I did not
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
visit
my parents for the whole semester as they were in my hometown. There was hardly any month that I did not go to my hometown to
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
meet
my parents
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
but
during that period I did not have the chance to do
so
. In fact, I was unable to go to my hometown for about 7 months. I
usually
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
watch
2-3 movies on my computer each week, go for walks each morning,
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
visit
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
some
close friends, maintain my social networking profiles and update my blog
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
but
during this period I was
so
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
busy
that I did not do any of these activities I
usually
maintain. I am
so
lucky that I was
finally
completed the
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
thesis
and submitted it in due
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
time
. To my surprise, I
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
got
a straight 'A+' in my
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
thesis
, continued my job and did
well
in my
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
term
final.
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
But
for that, I had to sacrifice a
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
lot
and maintain a strict routine. I slept 4-5
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
hours
each day on an average, read academic books and notes in public transportation while moving from one place to another, and
Possible spelling mistake. 'utilised' is British English.
utilised
every single
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
hour
I
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
got
.
Moreover
, to finish things in
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
time
, I
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
stopped
a
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
lot
of my other activities that I
usually
do.
Did you forget a comma after a conjunctive/linking adverb?
Thus
I had been able to handle the pressure and
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
deadline
. I
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
have to
thank
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
some
of my teachers, classmates and
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
some
of my friends without whom it would have been impossible for me to finish everything
correctly
and in
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
time
.
Possible typo: you repeated a whitespace
   
Similar Cue Card
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
Topics
Your preparation for this cue card
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
topic
would
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
help
you talk about the following cue card
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
topics
as
well
:
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
Describe
a
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
busy
day you had.
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
Describe
a stressful
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
time
you remember.
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
Describe
a
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
busy
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
time
you remember from the past.
22Linking words, meeting the goal of 7 or more
97Repeated words, meeting the goal of 3 or fewer
15Mistakes

IELTS speaking Describe a time/period in your life when you were very busy. v. 1

Speaking
  American English
6 paragraphs
924 words
5.5
Overall Band Score
Coherence and Cohesion: 5.5
  • Structure your answers in logical paragraphs
  • ?
    One main idea per paragraph
  • ?
    Include an introduction and conclusion
  • ?
    Support main points with an explanation and then an example
  • Use cohesive linking words accurately and appropriately
  • ?
    Vary your linking phrases using synonyms
Lexical Resource: 5.0
  • Try to vary your vocabulary using accurate synonyms
  • Use less common question specific words that accurately convey meaning
  • Check your work for spelling and word formation mistakes
Grammatical Range: 5.5
  • Use a variety of complex and simple sentences
  • Check your writing for errors
Task Achievement: 5.0
  • Answer all parts of the question
  • ?
    Present relevant ideas
  • Fully explain these ideas
  • ?
    Support ideas with relevant, specific examples
Labels Descriptions
  • ?
    Currently is not available
  • Meet the criteria
  • Doesn't meet the criteria
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