Lateness
Band 5-7 Vocab
Punctual (adjective): On time; prompt.
Example sentence: It's essential to be punctual for meetings to show respect for others' time.
Delay (noun): A period of time by which something is late or postponed.
Example sentence: The train experienced a delay of 30 minutes due to technical issues.
Appointment (noun): A pre-arranged meeting or arrangement.
Example sentence: I have an appointment with the dentist at 2 PM.
Excuse (noun): A reason or explanation given to justify being late.
Example sentence: She offered a sincere excuse for her tardiness, explaining her car broke down.
Obligation (noun): A duty or commitment to do something.
Example sentence: Punctuality is an obligation when attending work-related events.
Apologize (verb): To express regret or say sorry for being late.
Example sentence: I sincerely apologize for my tardiness; there was unexpected traffic.
Consequence (noun): The result or effect of being late.
Example sentence: The consequence of her lateness was missing the opening remarks of the conference.
Schedule (noun): A plan that outlines a timetable for events.
Example sentence: Please check the schedule for any changes in the meeting time.
IELTS Sample Answer
Question: Describe a time when you were late for an important event. Explain the reason for your lateness and the consequences it had.
Last month, I was late for a friend's birthday party. The reason for my lateness was unexpected traffic on the way to the venue. I left home on time, but the delay caused me to arrive nearly 30 minutes late. I felt obligated to apologize to my friend and the other guests for my tardiness. I explained the situation and expressed my regret, emphasizing that it was beyond my control.
The consequence of my lateness was missing the birthday cake-cutting ceremony and some early celebrations. Despite my apology, I realized the importance of being punctual to avoid such situations. I have since become more conscious of planning my travel time to ensure I am on schedule for important events.
Band 7-9 Vocab
Promptness (noun): The quality of being ready and quick to act.
Example sentence: His promptness in responding to emails impressed his colleagues.
Chronically (adverb): In a way that is constant or regularly occurring.
Example sentence: She was chronically late, causing frustration among her peers.
Adherence (noun): The act of sticking to a schedule or following through with commitments.
Example sentence: Successful professionals often show strict adherence to deadlines.
Efficacy (noun): The ability to produce the intended result; effectiveness.
Example sentence: The efficacy of the new system was evident in the improved project completion times.
Protocol (noun): A set of rules or procedures to be followed in official or formal situations.
Example sentence: The company has a protocol for handling situations when employees are consistently late.
Compulsory (adjective): Required by law or a rule; mandatory.
Example sentence: Attendance at the safety training session is compulsory for all employees.
Sanction (verb): To give official permission or approval.
Example sentence: The manager sanctioned a flexible work schedule to accommodate employees' diverse needs.
Mitigate (verb): To make less severe, serious, or painful.
Example sentence: Effective time management can mitigate the impact of occasional lateness.
IELTS Sample Answer
Question: Discuss the impact of chronic lateness on personal and professional relationships. Provide examples and suggest ways to mitigate this behavior.
Chronic lateness can significantly affect personal and professional relationships. In a professional setting, it may undermine one's efficacy and adherence to protocol. For example, consistently arriving late to team meetings can disrupt the workflow and hinder the completion of projects on time. This behavior may lead to sanctions or even impact career advancement.
On a personal level, chronic lateness can strain relationships. A pattern of arriving late to social gatherings or appointments may convey a lack of respect for others' time, resulting in frustration or strained connections. Mitigating this behavior requires self-awareness and a commitment to improving time management skills. Establishing a compulsory routine, such as setting reminders or using productivity tools, can contribute to promptness and positively impact both personal and professional interactions.