Describe a Time When You Felt Bored | IELTS Cue Card

I have worked very hard to upload some topics from cue cards quickly to make your Speaking test preparations easy. One common topic you might see is “Describe A Time When You Felt Bored.”
This topic is your opportunity to show the examiner that you can talk about the personal experience you have. Be not afraid; it has nothing to do with speaking of the perfect story. It’s rather about how clearly and naturally you can deliver yourself when telling the story about when it happened, who was with you, what were you doing, and why it was boring.
I know that might sound a bit tricky to stretch out a story about boredom for 1-2 minutes, but trust me, it is totally doable! I have shared some sample answers and tips here to get you comfortable with this topic. Take your time going through them, and remember—you got this!

If you feel stuck or unsure, just drop me a message. I’m here to help you every step of the way.

The Thing to Remember While Describe a Time When You Felt Bored

1. When was it?
2. Who were you with?
3. What were you doing?
4. Why did you feel bored?

Introduction:

We have all been bored at some point in life: waiting for someone, sitting in a dull place, or just running out of things to do. Let me narrate to you how I felt being completely bored waiting for a late train at the railway station.

When was it?

About two years ago, I traveled from another city to meet my friend after work. It was in the evening and I had booked the last available train, but all went wrong when I reached the station and saw that the train had been delayed for three hours.

Who were you with?

I was traveling alone that day so, had no one to talk to nor share thoughts with. The station was crowded, and everyone was busy making their plans.

What were you doing?

Initially, I filled my time by swiveling through my mobile screen and listening to the playlists. Eventually, time ran out on the list; I just watched random people from the station—families making conversations, vendors offering snacks, and running small kids. I also managed to make a random phone call to a random man sitting beside me and talk to him, but nobody seemed interested. Eventually, it left me feeling restless again so I kept checking up from the announcement board for the same update.

Why did you feel bored?

I got bored because the situation was monotonous and hectic. Nothing much happened, and the hours seemed to drag on for ages. The battery on my phone was running low, so there was nothing to do but preserve it, which meant that I would not have music or entertainment. A lack of engagement with others and the slow progression of time intensified this boredom.

2 Sample – Describe a Time When You Felt Bored IELTS Cue Card

Introduction:

Boredom can strike you at the most unexpected of times. I remember one of these instances vividly because it was during a two-hour-long traffic jam on an evening when it was pouring, turning out to be perhaps the dullest experience of my life.

When was it?

This occurred last year while returning home from work. It was a Friday evening, and the traffic was terrible as usual, but the surprise downpour made things worse.

Who were you with?

I was alone in the car, with no one to talk to or keep me company. The rain was pouring heavily, and stepping out wasn’t an option.

What were you doing?

First, I tried to pass the time by listening to the radio, but the same repetitive songs and traffic updates made it dull. Then, I started scrolling through my phone, but poor network connectivity ruined that too. I looked out of the window, watching people rushing with umbrellas, but it didn’t help much.

Why did you feel bored?

I got bored because, in that scenario, I felt there was absolutely nothing one could do. Rainy weather and endless traffic did not offer any entertaining opportunities. I was tired by the end of this very frustrating, monotonous experience and was both exhausted and relieved when I reached home.

3 Sample – Describe a Time When You Felt Bored IELTS Cue Card

Introduction:

Boredom tends to strike when you are the least prepared for it. One such moment was when I had to sit through a long, unplanned power cut during a summer evening, with nothing to do to pass the time.

When was it?

This was about six months ago, when I was home on a weekend. The plan was to watch a movie after a tiring week, but just before I could start, the power went out.

Who were you with?

I was at home. My family had gone out to visit some relatives, and I had decided to stay back and relax.

What were you doing?

Then I tried to use my phone but with no electricity, no Wi-Fi, and my mobile data signal being very poor. So, I sat there, waiting for the power to return. I even made an attempt to read a book, but it was tough due to the heat and dim lighting.

Why did you feel bored?

I felt bored since I did not have any backup plan for such an unexpected situation. The silence, lack of distractions, and slow-moving time made it feel like the longest evening ever. The heat even made it worse since I could not relax or focus on anything. It was truly a dull and uncomfortable experience.

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IELTS Speaking Describe a Time When You Felt Bored: Follow-Up Questions

Q1. When do people feel bored?

People get bored when they cannot be bothered with the going on, or there isn’t anybody to talk to or play with. Boredom occurs when there are exciting places to visit or entertaining things to do. Keeping an occupied mind toward something stimulating would help prevent getting bored.

Q2. What can people do when they feel bored?

Nowadays, people mostly entertain themselves by watching movies on streaming platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+ Hotstar, and some like to take extended road trips or weekend gateways to hill stations. Unfortunately, people have lost the time and habit of reading books. In the past days, when there used to be no smartphones or the internet, people could find time to learn and read new things or even hone themselves.

Q3. Do people get bored with their daily routines?

Yes, people easily get bored with their daily routine, especially when they work in stressful environments. Repetitive tasks and lack of variety may drain their enthusiasm, pushing them to seek peaceful and relaxing places to recharge.

Q4. Is it easier for younger people to feel bored than older people?

Definitely! Young people take excitement in everything they do. If they don’t get that thrill or enjoyment, they lose interest immediately and become bored with life. Older people tend to be less impatient and less likely to get bored.

Q5. What can people possibly do when they are bored?

If boredom hits, people should do what they love to do. It doesn’t have to be something so productive, like volunteering or social work, but it may involve hobbies or learning skills such as playing a musical instrument, dancing, singing, or engaging in sports, which can be both fun and fulfilling.