IELTS Speaking 2025 Part 2&3: Describe a Time When You Were Very Busy ⏳📅

Describe a Time When You Were Very Busy ⏳📅

Ideas 💡

• When? During exam season 📚, an important work deadline 💼, a family event 🎉
• Why? Too many tasks at the same time 🤯, unexpected responsibilities 🚨
• What you did? Created a schedule 📝, asked for help 🙋‍♂️, prioritized tasks ✅
• How you felt? Stressed but motivated 💪, exhausted but satisfied 😌

Useful Grammar & Structures 🏗️

✅ Past Simple & Past Continuous (I was preparing for my exams while also working on a project.)
✅ Used to & Would (I used to stay up late whenever I had a deadline.)
✅ Phrasal Verbs (Catch up on, deal with, run out of time, put off, buckle down)

Collocations 🌟

1. Juggle multiple tasks at once 🤹‍♂️ (xử lý nhiều nhiệm vụ cùng lúc)
2. Work around the clock ⏰ (làm việc không ngừng nghỉ)
3. Meet a tight deadline 🏃 (đáp ứng thời hạn gấp rút)
4. Feel overwhelmed with work 😵 (cảm thấy quá tải với công việc)
5. A sense of accomplishment 🏆 (cảm giác thành tựu)

Full Sample Answer (2+ minutes) 🎤

One of the busiest times in my life was when I was preparing for my university entrance exam 📚 while also working on a side project. This happened about two years ago, and I remember feeling extremely overwhelmed because I had to juggle multiple tasks at once.

During that time, I had to spend hours revising complex subjects like math and physics 📖. At the same time, I was involved in a group project that required a lot of research and coordination. To deal with the situation, I created a detailed schedule, listing all the tasks I needed to complete. I also set priorities, making sure I finished the most urgent ones first ✅. Additionally, I tried to maintain a healthy routine by sleeping at least six hours a night and taking short breaks to recharge.

Even though it was a stressful period, I felt a huge sense of accomplishment when I successfully completed my project and passed my exam with flying colors 🎉. Looking back, I realize that being busy taught me valuable time management skills and helped me become more resilient!

🎤 Part 3: Follow-up Questions & Answers

1. Do you like to be always busy? ⏳🤔

Ideas 💡

• Yes, being busy keeps me productive & motivated 🚀
• No, everyone needs rest & work-life balance ⚖️
• Ideal: A mix of both—busy but with time to relax

Collocations 🌟

1. Stay productive and efficient 💼 (duy trì năng suất và hiệu quả)
2. A fast-paced lifestyle 🏃 (lối sống nhịp độ nhanh)
3. Maintain a work-life balance ⚖️ (duy trì cân bằng công việc và cuộc sống)

Sample Answer 🎤

I think it depends! Being busy can be good because it helps me stay productive and efficient. However, I don’t believe people should be busy all the time. We also need to relax and enjoy life to maintain a work-life balance. So, I prefer having a mix—being busy when necessary but also having time to unwind.

2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of being busy? 📊

Ideas 💡

• Advantages: Improves time management ⏳, makes life meaningful ✨, helps achieve goals 🎯
• Disadvantages: Causes stress 🤯, affects health 😷, reduces personal time 🕰️

Collocations 🌟

1. Enhance problem-solving skills 🧠 (nâng cao kỹ năng giải quyết vấn đề)
2. Increase productivity levels 📈 (tăng mức độ hiệu suất)
3. Lead to burnout 🔥 (dẫn đến kiệt sức)

Sample Answer 🎤

Being busy has both good and bad sides. On the one hand, it can enhance problem-solving skills and increase productivity levels, helping people achieve their goals faster. On the other hand, being constantly busy can lead to burnout, causing stress and even health problems. That’s why it’s important to find a balance!

3. Do you think children should learn through playing games or under pressure? 🎮📖

Ideas 💡

• Playing games: Makes learning fun 🎉, increases creativity 🎨, helps social skills 🤝
• Pressure: Helps build discipline 📚, improves problem-solving 🧠, prepares for real-life challenges 💼
• Balance is best!

Collocations 🌟

1. Make learning enjoyable 😊 (khiến việc học thú vị)
2. Encourage critical thinking 💡 (khuyến khích tư duy phản biện)
3. Develop resilience under pressure 💪 (phát triển khả năng chịu áp lực)

Sample Answer 🎤

I think children learn best when education is engaging and interactive. Playing games can make learning enjoyable and encourage creativity. However, a little pressure can also help children develop resilience and prepare for future challenges. So, I believe a combination of both is ideal!

4. What kind of pressure do people experience at work? 💼⚠️

Ideas 💡

• Deadlines & workload ⏳
• Competition & expectations 🎯
• Work-life balance struggles ⚖️

Collocations 🌟

1. Cope with workplace stress 😟 (đối phó với căng thẳng công việc)
2. Handle a demanding workload 📂 (xử lý khối lượng công việc lớn)
3. Meet high expectations 🎯 (đáp ứng kỳ vọng cao)

Sample Answer 🎤

Employees face many types of pressure at work. Some have to handle a demanding workload, while others struggle to meet high expectations from their bosses. Workplace stress can also come from competition among colleagues. To cope with this, people need to manage their time well and take breaks when necessary!