Here is a Band 9 Speaking Part 2 answer for the cue card “Describe a bad service you received in a restaurant”. This cue card has been seen recently in an IELTS exam in Australia. The answer below shows a good way to respond to this question.
Watch and listen in the video, or read the model answer below:
Speaking test
Part 2 (Cue Card)
Describe a bad service you received in a restaurant. You should say
– when and where it happened
– what happened
– how you felt about the service
and explain how the experience could have been improved.
Answer
Oh, do I have a story for you! Picture this. It was pouring rain on Friday afternoon, and I thought, why not treat myself to lunch at this supposedly amazing restaurant downtown? So, there I was, super excited for a great meal.
But, oh boy, right from the start, things felt off. The waiter barely noticed me and seemed like he’d rather be anywhere else. I asked about the menu, and he mumbled something I could barely understand. I figured maybe he was just having a rough day.
Then it got worse. My food took forever to arrive, and when it did, it had a weird taste. I tried to get the waiter’s attention, but he was nowhere to be found. Drinks were forgotten, orders were messed up – it was like a comedy sketch gone wrong.
Now, I’m a patient person, but this was too much. I felt annoyed and confused at the same time. Was this place always like this, or was it just my luck?
But here’s the kicker – just as I was about to storm out, the chef, who overheard my complaints, came to my table. He was genuinely sorry and explained they were short-staffed. To make up for it, he gave me a free dessert and promised a discount next time.
I was shocked, to say the least. His sincerity turned my whole experience around. This outing was anything but ordinary, starting with frustration and ending with a surprising dose of hospitality.
Read more model answers on the VIP Club website