Describe a mistake you have once made

IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card 447 with Model Answer:

Describe a mistake you have once made.

You should say:

• what mistake it was
  
• when you made it
  
• how you made it
  

and explain how you felt about making this mistake.

[You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you are going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]

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Model Answer 1:

We all wish that we could avoid making any kind of mistakes in our life and have an error-free life. But as humans, we all make mistakes, which I think is a part of human life. For this topic, I would like to talk about a mistake that I made recently. Before I go into the details, I'd like to thank you for this topic and the time you have allowed me to talk about it.

Due to the unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic, our country was locked down several times. Considering the situation of the pandemic, the lockdown was also relaxed, temporarily lifted and so on. So one evening, when the announcement came for strict lockdown and restrictions of movement from midnight, I was a bit less wise the next day.

It was perhaps a fine evening on Sunday last July when I got fully dressed up and got out of the home to have my regular evening walk despite the fact that we should not be out due to lockdown and the authority's attempt to stop the spread of the virus. I did put on my mask and went outside to walk but I completely forgot that the lockdown was in place and I should not be out of the home to comply with the laws and Corona restrictions.

It was a big mistake which I realised only when I walked for about 40 minutes on the street and then stopped by a police car. It was, in fact, a blunder and very unwise of me. I felt really bad once I realised my mistake. I felt that I was one of those bad people whose acts jeopardise the government's initiative to save lives and stop the virus from spreading and causing destruction.

I sincerely apologised to the officer who believed my words and advised me to use a nearby park or rooftop for the evening stroll. I thanked him and felt ashamed of my mistake. Though it was an honest mistake, it was a mistake nevertheless.



Model Answer 2:

Introduction:
I have always believed that mistakes are an inevitable part of life, and they provide valuable lessons for personal growth and development. I don't know how much they have helped me develop as a person, but I sure remember most of them and try not to repeat them. One particular mistake I made stands out in my memory as a significant learning experience. It occurred during my college years, and I will talk about it here.

What mistake it was:
The mistake I made was submitting an assignment late during my final semester of college. It was a crucial project that carried a substantial weightage in the course, and I underestimated the time and effort required to complete it.

When you made it:
It happened during my last semester, which was already a challenging time with multiple assignments and exams. It was in the year 2019. I had a hectic schedule and had been juggling various responsibilities, causing me to lose track of time and procrastinate on this particular assignment.

How you made it:
I made this mistake by not properly managing my time and underestimating the complexity of the assignment. I delayed starting the project, assuming that I would be able to complete it within a short time frame. However, as the deadline approached, I realized that I had significantly underestimated the research and writing process involved.

And explain how you felt about making this mistake:
I felt a mix of regret, disappointment, and anxiety about the consequences of my actions. I had always prided myself on being organized and diligent, so this mistake was a blow to my self-perception.

Additionally, I was anxious about the potential impact on my final grade and the impression it might create with my professor. I realized that my mistake had compromised my academic integrity and tarnished my reputation as a responsible student. Luckily, the teacher was so understanding, and when I told him the whole truth about the delay, he did not mark me poorly for a late submission.