This article features the IELTS Speaking cue card “Describe an occasion when you got incorrect information”, complete with model answers and follow-up questions. The IELTS Speaking test is divided into three parts: an introduction, an individual long turn, and a two-way discussion. In the individual long turn, you'll be given a cue card with a topic to speak about for 2 to 3 minutes. This is followed by a discussion section, where you'll respond to follow-up questions related to the same theme.

Describe an Occasion When You Got Incorrect Information – IELTS Speaking Cue Card

This guide focuses on the IELTS Speaking cue card topic: “Describe an occasion when you got incorrect information.” It includes model answers and follow-up questions to help you prepare effectively.

The IELTS Speaking test is structured into three sections:

1. Introduction – A short personal Q&A

2. Individual Long Turn – A cue card topic where you speak for 2–3 minutes

3. Two-Way Discussion – Follow-up questions based on your cue card topic

Cue Card Topic: Describe an Occasion When You Got Incorrect Information

You should say:

• When you got it

• How you got it

• How you found it was incorrect

• And how you felt about it

Model Answer 1

Introduction

As a passionate follower of state-level sports, I once came across false match results that threw me off completely. This happened just a few months ago during the peak of the championship season.

When you got it

I received the incorrect update through a sports tracking app that I had used for years without issue.

How you got it

This app typically offers real-time scores, match summaries, and post-match insights. Due to its past reliability, I didn’t question the results it showed that day.

How you found it was incorrect

Later that evening, I was reading another sports news article online and noticed that the final score and the winner of a crucial match were different from what the app had reported. The other source clearly contradicted what I had read earlier.

How you felt about it

I felt let down and a bit annoyed. Sports news should be precise, and this incident shook my confidence in the app. I had based conversations and opinions on the wrong outcome, which made me feel slightly embarrassed too.

Conclusion

That day taught me a valuable lesson about verifying information through multiple sources—even those you’ve come to trust. Real-time data can sometimes be inaccurate, especially during fast-paced events.

Model Answer 2

Introduction

Back in my final year of high school, I attended a college fair to explore universities and scholarship opportunities. Unfortunately, I ended up receiving inaccurate details about a scholarship I was eager to apply for.

When you got it

This happened during the college expo, where several universities set up booths to assist students in learning about higher education options.

How you got it

I spoke to a representative from a top university known for generous scholarships. They provided details that seemed to match my profile—application deadlines, eligibility, and benefits.

How you found it was incorrect

After the fair, I double-checked on the university’s official website and called the scholarship office. To my surprise, the information I had been given was completely wrong—even the scholarship didn’t exist in the way it was described.

How you felt about it

I felt disappointed and misled. I had already started preparing documents for a scholarship that wasn’t applicable to me. It also made me more skeptical about verbal information provided at public events.

Conclusion

This experience reminded me to always verify details from official sources before making important decisions, especially in academic and career planning.

Model Answer 3

Introduction

Waiting for my 12th-grade board results was an intense period of anxiety and anticipation. During that time, I mistakenly believed an incorrect date for the results due to a rumor I found online.

When you got it

A couple of weeks after finishing the exams, I started browsing online for the result announcement date.

How you got it

I read a comment in an online forum where someone confidently claimed to know the result date. Without checking official updates, I trusted the post because of how convincing it sounded.

How you found it was incorrect

When the expected day arrived, there was no announcement. After checking the official board website and calling my school, I learned that the actual release date was still several days away.

How you felt about it

I felt frustrated and anxious. The buildup to the wrong date made the wait feel even longer. I realized then how misinformation, even when harmless in intent, can cause emotional stress.

Conclusion

This situation highlighted the need to rely on official, verified information—especially for important life events like exam results.

Model Answer 4

Introduction

My cousin’s engagement was a joyful family event, but it came with a dose of chaos when a simple miscommunication led to misinformation about the actual event date.

When you got it

This happened during the planning phase, just weeks before the event.

How you got it

A message in our family group chat mistakenly mentioned the wrong date. A few of us didn’t cross-check it with the official invitation and accepted it as fact.

How you found it was incorrect

As the supposed date approached, some family members started asking questions that revealed confusion. We revisited the printed invitation and confirmed that the date in the group chat was incorrect.

How you felt about it

We experienced a mix of confusion and mild frustration. Fortunately, we caught the error in time, but it reminded everyone of how quickly misinformation can spread—even within families.

Conclusion

The incident emphasized the importance of double-checking key details and being careful with how information is shared, especially when organizing significant events.

IELTS Speaking Part 3 – Follow-Up Questions

Here are the follow-up discussion questions you might face in Part 3 of the speaking test, based on the topic of incorrect information:

Question 1: What kinds of professions are related to giving information to others?
Answer:
Professions such as journalists, teachers, tour guides, librarians, researchers, public speakers, and PR specialists are all deeply involved in sharing information with the public as part of their daily responsibilities.

Question 2: What is the difference between giving information by phone and email?
Answer:
Phone calls allow for immediate interaction and clarification, while emails provide a written record and are better for detailed, well-organized information. Calls are more personal; emails are more precise and permanent.

Question 3: How can people check whether a piece of information is correct or not?
Answer:
People can verify facts by checking official websites, using fact-checking platforms, consulting experts, or comparing multiple credible sources. It's also important to assess the source's bias and intent.

Question 4: Do people trust the information online?
Answer:
Trust in online information varies. Some people trust content from verified or official sources, while many remain cautious due to the prevalence of misinformation, especially on social media.

Question 5: Does an individual provide inappropriate information to someone in your country?
Answer:
Yes, it occasionally happens—either accidentally or intentionally. However, sharing incorrect or misleading information is generally frowned upon and not commonly practiced.

Question 6: Do you ever get any kind of incorrect information on a phone call?
Answer:
Yes, miscommunication during phone calls can easily result in wrong information being shared, especially if the topic is complex or if assumptions are made without confirmation.

Question 7: What kinds of wrong information are provided on social media in the contemporary era?
Answer:
Social media often spreads false news, manipulated images, conspiracy theories, fake health tips, and biased opinions. It’s important to verify claims before believing or sharing them.

Question 8: Is online information appropriate for school and college assignments?
Answer:
While online sources are convenient, they aren't always reliable. Students often turn to them out of necessity, but it's vital to double-check information for accuracy and prefer verified academic sources when available.