Describe a time when you were cheated IELTS Cue Card

For part 2 of the IELTS exam, also known as the IELTS cue card (Speaking), you will have to sharpen your communication and grammatical skills. We have provided 3 sample answers and 5 follow-up questions on the topic “describe a time when you were cheated” for enhancing your performance in IELTS speaking task 2.

IELTS Speaking Part 2 - Cue Card

You will be given one minute to prepare for the topic “describe a time when you were cheated”. The topic will contain 3-5 questions for discussion, and you have to speak for another two minutes. Hence, part two lasts for 3-4 minutes.

Describe a time when you were cheated 

You should say

What was the occasion/ What the situation was?
When did this happen?
Who was the person?
What did he hide?
Why do you think the person did not tell the whole truth?

Describe a time when you were cheated - Model answers and Follow up Questions

For your convenience, we have included three sample responses to the "describe a time when you were cheated" as well as 5 follow-up questions of IELTS speaking cue card part 3.

Describe a time when you were cheated model answer 1

Introduction
Even though I don't trust people easily, there was one time I was ditched and cheated on just because I believed her.

What was the occasion/ What the situation was?
Well, it was a dance competition in which we students had to participate. So we started practising it for months. Initially, our whole group knew that I was an excellent & talented dancer and deserved to be in the centre of the dance. But, little did I know that there was jealousy prevailing between my very own best friends.

When did this happen?
So, on the day of the competition, everything was perfect. We rehearsed our dance 2 times; our costumes were ready; our makeup was on point, and nothing was left incomplete.

Who was the person?
The person was my best friend, with whom I spent my whole childhood. The same person destroyed the hard work of our group and ruined my whole day. 

What did she hide?
We were told to change into our costumes. So everyone except me was in their outfits. I couldn't find mine, because she purposely hid it in the locker. Wandering around to search it I found it torn and stained. Eventually, I was left behind crying, while everyone else stepped on the stage to perform. Also, to my surprise, my centre place was taken by the person who did this all.

Why do you think the person did not tell the whole truth?
I reckon the only reason why she did this was because of jealousy, just because I stood out from her and the crowd, as she wanted to be in the spotlight. Additionally, if she would’ve told me, everyone would have opposed her. Hence, she planned this.

Conclusion
Eventually, we lost the competition, as everyone on stage was shocked and couldn't perform well. But, if she told me what she wanted, I would have given her that, at least we would have won the competition.

Describe a time when you were cheated model answer 2

Introduction

• The worst kind of betrayal occurs when someone you care deeply about lets you down. When a trusted friend betrays you, the wounds take longer to heal. I'd like to share my story about how a friend stabbed me in the back.

What was the occasion/ What the situation was?

• Our class teacher was nominating students for the honourable role of head boy and head girl of the school. 
• And it had to be the best, most active, and responsible student in the class. Initially, my best friend and I got selected for this role. 
• At first, my friend denied taking this responsibility just so that I felt that I was the only person selected.

When did this happen?

• So, I felt the same and chilled on the day when the head girl was to be selected. 
• However, she had made other plans, she told the class teacher that I didn't want to take responsibility and said wrong things about me behind my back. 
• Which eventually made the class teacher select her instead of me.

Who was the person?

• I was betrayed and taken back on that day by my very own best friend. 
• I saw my dream of becoming a head girl shredded when her name was announced on the stage.

What did she hide?

• She lied that she didn’t want to be one, just so that I would have a false impression of not having any competition, and stayed relaxed throughout her plan.

Why do you think the person did not tell the whole truth?

• She had the fear that if she didn't tell the teacher or either me the truth, I would have taken the position.
• Even though we were so close and shared everything she lied and hid her real face from me.

Conclusion

• All in all, I wish I knew her real intentions. 
• Besides that, I shouldn't have relaxed and instead should’ve proved and shown how responsible and active I was. 

Describe a time when you were cheated model answer 3

Introduction
I was so innocent and curious at the time when I had to order a few clothes from an Instagram page. I never knew a scam like this would happen.

What was the occasion/ What the situation was?
While scrolling on Instagram, I came across a page known as beauty world. Saw how authentic and full of trendy clothes their page was. I got fascinated and decided to buy from their website. I ordered a bunch of clothes as many festivals were near. My order was confirmed when I blindly paid them a huge amount via card.

When did this happen?
The delivery time was 5 days. But already a week has gone by. I tried to reach out to them but they always had an excuse for it. Sometimes they blamed it on covid and the rest of the time they kept telling me that it was on the way. And so 2 weeks passed but I didn't get any response from them regarding my parcel. 

Who was the person?
The owner was a person based in Delhi. In spite of having many followers on social media, he fooled people like us. I couldn't really verify the identity of the owner, but when I checked the page I saw comments from other people about the same scam.

What did he hide?
He was a scammer, who took money from people but never sold the goods. He gave people assurance through his communication skills and presentation of his page. But what he did showed  how dishonest and greedy he was.

Why do you think the person did not tell the whole truth?
I told everyone about it and made people aware of such scams. Soon after that, I went to check back on that page but it no longer existed. I think because now everyone knew about his truth, and so nobody would buy from his page, he deleted it.

Conclusion
I shouldn't have paid a huge amount by blindly trusting anyone and without knowing much about the seller. I think both of us have learned a very big lesson.

IELTS Speaking Part 3 Describe a time when you were cheated - Follow Up Questions

The 5 follow-up questions for the content "Describe a journey that didn't go as planned" are presented below. You are required to provide a succinct explanation to each question during the IELTS Speaking Part 3 test, which should last for about 4-5 minutes.

 1. Do you believe there are occasions when it's appropriate to make a White lie?
Considering that lying is so intrinsic to the human condition and may make everyone's lives simpler, most people think it's fine. Plus, white lies don't cause any harm to anyone's feelings. You may tell a friend they look great in an outfit that isn't your fave. It's all about avoiding hurt sentiments and making difficult interactions more bearable.

2. Do you believe that honesty alone is the most essential trait in a person?
One of the most essential characteristics of a person, in my view, is integrity. Discipline, intelligence, a helping personality, a sense of humour, and many other characteristics are also crucial in a person.

3. Do you believe that honesty should be emphasised in early childhood?
Children have very open minds and may learn quickly. They learn by watching their parents, so it's easier to shape their behaviour in the desired direction. Truthfulness is a trait that can be easily instilled in children by their parents. Young children just require guidance in developing socially acceptable behaviours.

4. Do you believe that being entirely honest at all times can be disadvantageous?
Well, it is commonly believed that honesty is the best policy. However, sometimes being too honest means being too direct. It may sound impolite or perhaps offend our closest loved ones. For instance, telling a person he or she sings pitifully could damage his or her self-esteem. Depending on the circumstances, it may or may not be appropriate to tell the whole truth. If telling the whole truth makes us dangerous, ruins our reputation, or causes harm, then it is not always worth being honest.

5. Some believe that liars are individuals with excellent memories; what do you think?
There is little doubt that liars require a good memory, but whether or not they have a good memory is debatable. Those with poor memories are likely to be caught quickly because they will forget which lie they told and in what context.

Related IELTS cue card topics

Check out the other IELTS cue card topics to practise

• Describe a place you have visited recently.
• Describe a journey that didn't go as planned.

Conclusion

Via using our 3 sample responses and 5 follow-up questions on the topic "Describe a time when you were cheated", you can improve your grammatical and communications skills. Make sure you practise our other speaking cue cards as well.