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| Describe a time you were very busy |
Describe a hotel you have stayed in
- when it was
- what you had to do during that time
- how you managed it
You will have one to two minutes to speak about the topic. You have one minute to consider what you will say. If you want, you can make some notes to help you.
Sample Answer 1
I work part-time as a sales manager at a store that sells computer hardware from all over the world. Last month, on the 24th, I had to stay busy because sales were under a lot of pressure. In fact, it was the best sale of the year because the company marked its 50th anniversary by giving all of its products a 50% discount.
The sale started as soon as the shop opened in the morning. People rushed into the display area. Since I only work part-time, I didn't get there until the afternoon, when the sales pressure started. I've never seen so many people in one place before. A large number of people went to the store and bought what they needed. They were glad that there was less of each product. And it really made them happy that they were able to get the expensive items for half the price. Some customers have even bought more than one product or gadget.
I had to help the clients and give them the direction they needed. Also, it was my job to make sure no one was stealing. The people in charge of the store saw theft happen last year, so they are aware of the problem this year. I was told to be very careful. I was also in charge of greeting customers and clients when they came into the shop and showing them what they needed. But I had to do other things at the same time. I had to put the products in order, keep the inventory neat and clean, and do other tasks that were important. So, I had to stay busy all the time to get everything done. Also, I had to move around the shop to take care of everything.
It was hard for me to keep track of everything. In fact, I got tired of doing each job over and over again. But I had no other choice but to do my job until my duty hours were up. I had been through a very busy day. I managed the activities by following a plan. First, I looked at the CCTV screens to make sure everything was okay. I left the monitoring room when I didn't see anything that seemed odd. The second part of my job was to meet and talk with the clients. So, I had to wait by the front door to greet people who might come in. When someone walked into the store, I greeted them and asked if I could help by showing them the products and appliances I sold. After they chose the product or appliance they needed, it was no longer my job to help them, so I gave them to another sales executive.
At first, I felt like I needed a break. But there are some interesting perks to being busy. When someone is busy doing something, time goes by quickly. It seems like time goes by quickly during those times. Yesterday, I couldn't keep track of time. I went to work at the store at 4:00, and I left at 10:00. On some days, I don't want time to go by, but last night was a very different story. Also, it was really fun and interesting to meet new people and tell them about the benefits and features of the products. On regular days, there isn't such a rush of sales, and work hours seem boring. I really liked how busy I was at work, and I hope to always be as busy as I was that day.
Sample Answer 2
This is a great topic for a conversation, so thank you for bringing it up. I had to set up a college competition in Paris last summer. So, I had to keep myself very busy all week long. I was busy from morning until evening. In fact, it's not as easy as pie to plan a cultural fest. I was alone and had to do almost everything. Even though some of my classmates helped me, I had to handle everything on my own.
At first, I was told to make a plan and choose a group to do the tasks. But, unfortunately, I couldn't find the right people to help me out. Because of this, I had to be alone and do everything. The planning for the program started the night before, when I got a little sleep. Then the tasks began in the morning, and I dove right in. This went on for a whole week.
It wasn't as easy as it sounds to run the whole event. I'm having trouble figuring out how to arrange the guests and participants. Also, I had to plan for the prizes and make sure they were ordered and delivered right before the ceremony where the prizes were given out. I was also in charge of fixing up the venue on the college campus. Everything was done in the end, but there wasn't enough coordination.
It was a mixed bag. At one point, I thought about giving up everything because no one helped me plan or get ready. But I didn't give up, and I did what I needed to do. So, it worked out. And the most important thing is that I got a prize and a lot of praise after the event. But I have to say that it really was a great week for me. Only my willpower and mental strength kept me standing through the whole thing.
Sample Answer 3
Occasionally, we are all diligent with respect to particular tasks and errands. During such times, we tend to disregard all other aspects of our lives and concentrate solely on the task at hand. The motivation behind such concentrated efforts can vary from individual to individual. Volunteering for my college's annual festival was a time when I was similarly preoccupied.
In December of 2018, our freshman year of college was coming to a close. The majority of our classmates were either event hosts or volunteers supervising various activities. My college campus designated me as the volunteer for all academic events on an entire floor. Thus, I had a lot on my plate and was engaged in a variety of supervision duties.
As a volunteer, I was primarily responsible for resolving any issues that arose on the floor I oversaw. If a host or participant encountered any issues, they could approach me to have their questions answered and their problems resolved. Unsurprisingly, a number of participants approached me with inquiries about the fest's events, registration procedures, and other incidental details.
A few event organizers sought my counsel on how to address specific issues during their events. I was able to effectively manage my responsibilities despite my busy schedule by allocating sufficient time to each issue that arose. The college festival was a tremendous success, and I had a great time volunteering for the event.
Part 3 - Discussion
1. Are you often busy?
In fact, my position is flexible. Sometimes my hands are full, especially when the boss assigns me new responsibilities. I am as busy as a beaver and work overtime for several weeks. But after I finish my work, I will have ample time to relax. This is why I enjoy my job so much.
2. What are the advantages and disadvantages when people keep busy?
Regarding the positives, I believe busy people can learn how to manage their time, remain organized, and work efficiently. Aside from that, they will never be bored because they are constantly on the move. However, if they are constantly busy, they likely feel exhausted and tired. Additionally, staying busy may lead to stress, anxiety, or illness.
3. Do you think children should learn through playing games or under pressure?
In my opinion, it is preferable for children to learn through play. Throughout this process, children can practice both what they know and what they do not know. It enables them to experiment through trial and error, discover solutions to problems, determine the most effective strategies, and develop new confidence and skills. Children will likely become bored if they study in a stressful environment because they lack the skills necessary to deal with pressure.
4. What kind of pressure people may experience at work?
There are numerous types of stress that employees may encounter on the job. Long hours, a heavy workload, or job insecurity are examples of work-related stresses. Some individuals experience stress due to conflicts with co-workers or supervisors. In addition, meeting the deadline or achieving the objectives is an additional form of pressure, particularly for those who are ambitious or have high self-expectations.