Mastering the IELTS Speaking Exam: Describe a Time When You Had to Stay Calm in a Difficult Situation

The IELTS Speaking test evaluates your ability to communicate effectively in English. The examiners assess your fluency and coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and accuracy, and pronunciation. Among the various topics that frequently appear, describing a time when you had to stay calm in a difficult situation is a popular question.

Introduction

The IELTS Speaking test is divided into three parts:

• Part 1 (Introduction and Interview): General questions about yourself and a range of familiar topics.
• Part 2 (Long Turn): You will be given a card with a topic and you need to talk about it for 2 minutes. Then, the examiner may ask one or two questions on the same topic.
• Part 3 (Two-way Discussion): More abstract questions related to the topic in Part 2.

Examiners look for fluency, coherence, a wide range of vocabulary, grammatical accuracy, and clear pronunciation. Knowing how to articulate your experiences and thoughts clearly can significantly boost your score.

In this article, we’ll dive into a common but challenging topic: “Describe a time when you had to stay calm in a difficult situation.”

Part 1: Introduction and Interview Questions

Common Questions

1. Can you tell me about yourself?
2. What do you do for work/study?
3. Can you describe a time when you had to stay calm in a difficult situation?

Suggested Answer

Question: Can you describe a time when you had to stay calm in a difficult situation?

Answer:
“Sure. Once, I was in a situation where we were in the middle of a crucial presentation at work, and suddenly, the projector stopped working. Everyone looked at me, expecting a solution. I took a deep breath and calmly started addressing the audience without visuals, explaining the key points manually. After a few minutes, I managed to fix the projector while keeping the audience engaged. Staying calm helped me think clearly and resolve the issue efficiently.”

Part 2: Long Turn

Cue Card

Describe a time when you had to stay calm in a difficult situation. You should say:

• what the situation was
• why it was difficult
• how you managed to stay calm
• and explain what the outcome was.

Model Answer

“I’d like to tell you about a time when I had to stay calm during a particularly stressful situation at work. Last year, I was part of a team responsible for leading a major project for a very important client. Just a day before the final presentation, one of our critical team members fell ill, leaving us short-staffed and behind schedule.

The difficulty arose because we had a strict deadline and immense pressure to deliver high-quality work. As the team leader, I knew I had to keep my composure and stay calm, not only for myself but also to encourage my team members to stay focused and motivated.

I managed to stay calm by taking a step back and prioritizing the most crucial tasks that needed to be completed. I delegated responsibilities based on each member’s strengths and worked closely with them to reassess our strategy. Additionally, I practiced some deep-breathing techniques and took short breaks to maintain my mental clarity.

staying calm

In the end, we successfully completed the project on time, and even though it wasn’t easy, we received positive feedback from the client for our professionalism and capability. This experience taught me the value of maintaining composure, which helps in managing and overcoming challenging situations effectively.”

Follow-Up Questions

1. How do you generally handle stressful situations?

   • Answer: “I typically handle stress by breaking down the problem into smaller, more manageable tasks. I also focus on staying organized and maintaining a positive mindset.”

2. Do you think it’s important to stay calm under pressure? Why or why not?

   • Answer: “Absolutely, staying calm under pressure is essential as it helps us think clearly and make better decisions. It also reduces the chances of making errors that could worsen the situation.”

3. Can staying calm influence others during a difficult situation? How?

   • Answer: “Yes, staying calm can positively influence others. It sets a good example and helps to create a more stable and focused environment, which is critical during challenging times.”

Part 3: Two-way Discussion

Discussion Questions

1. Why do you think some people are better able to stay calm than others?

   • Suggested Answer: “Some people may be naturally more composed, but often, it’s about experience and practice. Individuals who regularly face challenges learn to handle stress better over time.”

2. Do you think it is more challenging for young people to stay calm? Why?

   • Suggested Answer: “Yes, it can be more challenging for young people as they may lack experience dealing with high-pressure situations. However, with proper guidance and practice, they can improve their ability to remain calm.”

3. How can people improve their ability to stay calm in difficult situations?

   • Suggested Answer: “People can improve by practicing stress management techniques like deep breathing, meditation, and staying organized. Moreover, preparing for potential challenges and seeking advice from experienced individuals can also be beneficial.”

Vocabulary and Key Phrases

Here are some essential words and phrases to help you articulate your answer more effectively:

• Composure (noun): /kəmˈpəʊʒər/ – The state of being calm and in control of oneself.

  • Example: “Maintaining composure is crucial in stressful situations.”

• Engaged (adj): /ɪnˈɡeɪdʒd/ – Involved in activity or being busy.

  • Example: “He managed to keep the audience engaged throughout the presentation.”

• Delegated (verb): /ˈdelɪɡeɪt/ – To assign tasks to others.

  • Example: “I delegated tasks based on everyone’s strengths.”

• Prioritizing (verb): /praɪˈɒrɪtaɪz/ – To arrange or deal with in order of importance.

  • Example: “Prioritizing tasks helped manage the workload efficiently.”

• Stress management: Techniques to control and reduce stress.

  • Example: “Practicing stress management techniques can improve overall well-being.”

Examiner Tips

1. Practice Regularly: Familiarize yourself with a range of topics and practice speaking about them.
2. Stay Calm: Taking deep breaths before answering can help you maintain composure.
3. Structure Your Answer: Follow a clear structure—introduction, main points, and conclusion.
4. Use Rich Vocabulary: Incorporate synonyms and advanced vocabulary.
5. Engage in Conversations: Regularly engage in English conversations to improve fluency and confidence.

By following these tips and practicing regularly, you can improve your performance and achieve a higher score in the IELTS Speaking test.