Describe a person who apologized to you
Describe a person who apologized to you. You should say:
- Who the person was?
- When it was?
- Why this person apologized?
- Explain how you felt about it.
💡 You have 1 minute to prepare and should speak for 1-2 minutes.
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Sample Answer
I would like to talk about a time when my close friend Ankit sincerely apologized to me, and how that moment strengthened our friendship.
Who the person was
Ankit and I have been friends since school, and we often work on projects together. He is usually very reliable, which is why this incident stayed in my mind.
When it was
This happened about a year ago, during our final semester of college. We were preparing for an important group presentation that carried a lot of marks.
Why this person apologized
Ankit was responsible for researching a big section of our topic. Because of an unexpected family emergency, he couldn’t finish his part and forgot to inform me in advance.
I discovered this the night before the deadline and had to stay up late to complete everything myself.
The next morning, as soon as he reached college, he came to me and apologized right away. He explained the situation honestly and thanked me for covering his work without trying to make excuses.
How I felt about it
At first I was exhausted and a little annoyed, but when I saw how genuine and humble his apology was, my feelings changed.
I felt respected and appreciated, and I realized that everyone can make mistakes. What matters is the willingness to accept responsibility. In the end, we presented successfully, and our friendship became even stronger.
Conclusion
This experience showed me the importance of saying sorry at the right time. A sincere apology, like the one Ankit gave, can turn a stressful situation into a lesson about trust and understanding.
Follow-up Questions (Part 3)
Is it important to say sorry?
Yes, absolutely. Saying sorry is important because it shows respect and responsibility. When someone apologizes, it helps heal relationships, reduces misunderstandings, and allows both people to move forward. Without an apology, small conflicts can grow into bigger problems.
In what situations do people say sorry?
People usually say sorry when they hurt someone’s feelings, make a mistake at work or school, arrive late, or break something that belongs to another person. Sometimes it’s also used in daily conversation, like when we accidentally bump into someone on the street.
Why do some people hate to say sorry?
Some people avoid apologizing because they feel it will make them look weak or guilty. Others have a big ego and don’t like admitting they were wrong. In some cultures, people think that saying sorry means losing face or respect, so they hesitate.
In what situations should we apologize immediately?
We should apologize immediately when our actions have caused direct harm or inconvenience, such as insulting someone, damaging property, or spreading wrong information. A quick apology can prevent further anger and shows that we truly care about the other person’s feelings.
When do people say thank you?
People usually say thank you whenever they receive help, a gift, or a kind gesture. It can be something small, like someone holding the door, or something big, like getting support during a difficult time. Saying thank you keeps relationships warm and positive.
When was the last time you found it hard to accept an apology?
I remember once a classmate kept repeating the same mistake after apologizing many times. It was hard to accept his apology because it felt insincere—an apology only matters when the person is also trying to change their behaviour.
Do you think accepting apologies is always the correct thing to do?
Not always. Accepting an apology is healthy when the person is genuinely sorry and willing to make things right. But if the apology is only words without action, or if the mistake is repeated many times, it’s reasonable to set boundaries before forgiving.
- • Use the 1-minute preparation time to make notes and organize your thoughts
- • Speak for the full 1-2 minutes - don't stop too early
- • Use past tense when describing experiences or events
- • Include specific details and examples to make your answer interesting
- • Practice transitions between different points in your answer
- • Stay calm if you can't think of a perfect example - any relevant story works
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