How to Describe a Time When You Felt Very Nervous About Something in IELTS Speaking

In the IELTS Speaking test, one of the topics that often comes up is describing a time when you felt very nervous about something. Examiners look for a variety of elements in your answer, including fluency, coherence, grammatical range and accuracy, and lexical resource. This common question typically appears in Part 2 of the speaking test, where you are required to speak for 1-2 minutes on a given cue card. However, it can also come up in Part 3, where deeper discussion about the topic is expected.

Understanding how to craft a compelling and coherent response to such a prompt can significantly boost your speaking score. This guide will provide you with detailed examples and tips on how to effectively handle this topic.

Part 1: Introduction and Interview

Common Questions in Part 1

1. Can you tell me about a time when you felt very nervous?
2. What types of situations make you feel nervous?
3. How do you usually cope with nervousness?

Example Answer for Part 1:

Question: Can you tell me about a time when you felt very nervous?
Answer:
“Certainly. One of the most nerve-wracking experiences I had was when I had to give a presentation in front of my entire school. I had spent weeks preparing for it, but the sheer number of people made me extremely anxious. I remember my hands were shaking, and my voice was trembling initially. However, once I got past the first few minutes, I started feeling more comfortable and confident in my delivery.”

Part 2: IELTS Cue Card

Cue Card Example

Cue Card:

Describe A Time When You Felt Very Nervous About Something.
You should say:

• When it happened
• What caused you to feel nervous
• How you dealt with the feeling
• And explain how you felt about the situation afterward

Example Answer:

“One of the most nerve-wracking moments I experienced was during my final high school exams, which took place about three years ago. The exams were crucial as they determined my eligibility for university admission. The pressure to perform well was immense, and the anxiety was overwhelming. The night before the exams, I could hardly sleep, my mind was racing with thoughts about failure. To cope with this sensation, I employed several techniques, such as deep breathing exercises and visualization, imagining myself successfully completing the exams. Ultimately, after the exams were over, I felt a tremendous sense of relief and accomplishment. This experience taught me the importance of preparation and staying calm under pressure.”

exam-stress|Exam Stress|A student feeling stressed while studying for an exam, surrounded by books and papers.

Follow-up Questions (Bullet Points):

1. Why do you think people feel nervous in situations like this?

   • People often feel nervous in high-stakes situations because they worry about the potential consequences of failure. This worry can be magnified if they place a lot of importance on the outcome.

2. In what ways can nervousness be beneficial?

   • Nervousness can enhance focus and concentration, pushing individuals to prepare more thoroughly and perform at their best.

3. Do you believe that practice can help overcome nervousness?

   • Absolutely, practice is one of the best ways to reduce nervousness as it builds confidence and familiarity with the task at hand.

Part 3: Two-way Discussion

Example Examiner Questions and Answers:

1. Do you think people are more nervous now than they were in the past? Why?

   • In some ways, people today might be more nervous due to the higher level of competition and societal expectations. Modern life involves a lot of scrutiny, especially with social media, which can increase feelings of anxiety.

2. Can being nervous affect a person’s performance? How?

   • Yes, being nervous can both positively and negatively affect performance. On the one hand, a moderate amount of nervousness can heighten alertness and improve focus. On the other hand, excessive nervousness can lead to mistakes and hinder performance.

3. How can institutions help individuals manage nervousness?

   • Institutions can offer workshops on stress management, provide counseling services, and create a supportive environment that reduces the stigma around mental health issues.

Important Vocabulary and Phrases

1. Nervous (adj) – /ˈnɜː.vəs/: Feeling worried, uneasy or slightly scared.

   • Example: “I felt incredibly nervous before my final exams.”

2. Anxious (adj) – /ˈæŋk.ʃəs/: Experiencing worry, unease, or nervousness.

   • Example: “Many students feel anxious about their future.”

3. Cope (verb) – /koʊp/: To deal effectively with something difficult.

   • Example: “She found it hard to cope with the stress of her job.”

4. Pressure (noun) – /ˈpreʃ.ər/: The use of persuasion, influence, or intimidation to make someone do something.

   • Example: “The pressure to succeed in school is immense.”

5. Relief (noun) – /rɪˈliːf/: A feeling of reassurance and relaxation following release from anxiety or distress.

   • Example: “There was a sense of relief after the exams were over.”

Conclusion

Handling the topic “Describe a time when you felt very nervous about something” requires a combination of clear, coherent storytelling and good use of vocabulary. Practicing your responses and ensuring you include relevant details will help you excel in the IELTS Speaking test. Remember to stay calm, speak clearly, and structure your answers well.