Describe a time when you got lost

The cue card

Describe a time when you got lost. You should say:

• where you were
• how you got lost
• what you did
• and explain how you felt

You have 1 minute to prepare and should speak for 1 to 2 minutes.

🎙 Practise this card with the examiner

Notes you could make in 1 minute

Write key words only, one line per bullet point:

• Tokyo, first night
• phone died, subway
• asked a shop owner
• scared, then grateful

Band 7+ sample answer

The time I'd like to describe is when I got completely lost in Tokyo on the first night of a holiday a few years ago.

I'd arrived in the afternoon, checked into my hotel, and then gone out to find somewhere for dinner. I was relying entirely on the map on my phone, which was a big mistake. After about an hour of wandering, my battery died, and I suddenly realised I had no idea where I was. All the streets looked similar, and most of the signs were only in Japanese.

At first I tried to retrace my steps, but I just ended up going round in circles. I also didn't have the hotel's address written down anywhere, which in hindsight was very silly. It was getting late and quite cold, and I started to panic a little.

In the end, I went into a small convenience store and tried to explain my problem to the man at the counter using a mixture of English and hand gestures. Luckily I remembered the name of the subway station near my hotel. He not only drew me a map, but also let me charge my phone for twenty minutes behind the counter, which was incredibly kind.

I felt terrified when it first happened, but afterwards I was mostly grateful, and a bit embarrassed. It taught me two lessons: always carry the address of where you're staying on paper, and don't be afraid to ask strangers for help, because most people are very willing.

🔊 Listen to the sample answer

About 252 words, or roughly 2 minutes at a natural speaking pace.

Useful vocabulary for this topic

• to lose my bearings
• to go round in circles
• to ask for directions
• a stroke of luck
• a complete stranger
• a huge relief

Why this answer works: it covers every bullet point, tells a short story with specific details (names, places, numbers), uses a range of tenses, and finishes with the "explain" point, which is where you show your best vocabulary.

Follow-up and Part 3 questions

Examiner's follow-up (Part 2): Do you use maps on your phone?

Part 3 discussion questions:

• Do people rely too much on GPS and map apps?
• What should tourists do to avoid getting lost?
• Are cities in your country easy to find your way around?
• How have maps changed over time?

Answer Part 3 questions in 3–4 sentences: your view, a reason, an example, and the other side.

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