Describe a Time When Someone Apologized to You | IELTS Speaking Cue Card | 8 Band Sample | Sep–Dec 2025
When it was
Who this person is
Why he or she apologized to you
And how you felt about it
Vocab/idioms
1. Go down the drain → wasted effort
2. Vanished like thin air → disappeared suddenly
3. Sigh of relief → calm feeling
4. Part and parcel → essential part
5. Eye-opening experience → realisation moment
Well, there is no doubt that there are some situations when people feel sorry to each other. Here, I would like to talk about a memorable incident when someone apologized to me, and that person was none other than my close friend.
If I talk about the time, it happened nearly six months ago when my friend and I planned to go to the cinema to watch a newly released movie. We had been waiting for that film for a long time, so I was really excited. However, on the day of the show, my friend arrived very late, and because of this, we missed the first half of the movie. To be honest, I felt extremely annoyed because, as the saying goes, “time is money,” and my entire plan seemed to go down the drain.
Moving further, after realizing his mistake, my friend immediately came to me with a genuine apology. He explained that he was stuck in a traffic jam and couldn’t reach on time. What impressed me was that he not only said sorry but also offered to buy the tickets again for the next day. This thoughtful gesture showed that his apology was heartfelt and sincere.
Frankly speaking, all my anger vanished like thin air, and I felt a sigh of relief. I also realised that mistakes are part and parcel of life, but what really matters is the courage to accept them. This incident made our bond even stronger, and I felt truly valued as a friend.
All in all, it was an eye-opening experience that proved to me the real power of a simple and honest apology.
Follow-ups
1. On what occasion do people usually apologize to others?
Well, there are some situations when people usually say sorry, such as when they hurt someone’s feelings, arrive late, or break something by mistake. For example, in my daily life, I often see students apologizing to teachers if they forget to bring their homework.
2. Do people in your country like to say sorry?
Yes, to a great extent. In my country, most people are quite humble and they do not hesitate to apologize. For instance, even strangers say sorry if they accidentally step on someone’s foot in public transport. This shows that people here value politeness.
3. Do you think people should apologize for anything wrong they do?
Definitely, I strongly believe that if someone makes a mistake, they should say sorry because it helps to rebuild trust. For example, when a colleague admits an error at work and apologizes, it not only reduces anger but also makes the relationship stronger.
4. Why do some people refuse to say sorry to others?
In my view, some people refuse to apologize because of their ego or pride. They think saying sorry will make them look weak. For example, I know a neighbour who had a small argument with his friend but never said sorry, and as a result, their friendship broke
