JAM topic · Intermediate
A Time I Made a Mistake
Describe a mistake you made in the past and explain how you fixed the problem.
How to structure your minute
- 1
Start
introduce the mistake you made
- 2
Middle
describe how you solved the issue
- 3
End
explain what you learned from it
Sample answer
about 135 words · 1 minuteLast year, I was responsible for organizing a dinner party for my close friends at home. I planned everything carefully, but I forgot to check if anyone had special dietary restrictions. On the evening of the party, I served a meat dish, only to discover that two of my guests were strict vegetarians. I felt terribly embarrassed and guilty for not asking them earlier. Immediately, I apologized for my oversight and rushed to the kitchen to prepare a fresh meal using vegetables and pasta I had in the fridge. Luckily, my friends were very understanding, and we ended up having a wonderful dinner together. This mistake taught me to always pay attention to small details when planning events. Now, I always ask my guests about their food preferences before preparing any menu for a gathering.
Use it for ideas. Say it your own way.
Useful phrases
serve a ... dish
The waiter served a hot dish to the guests.
feel terribly embarrassed
I felt terribly embarrassed when I forgot his name.
pay attention to ...
You should pay attention to the safety rules.
food preferences
Please let us know your food preferences before the trip.
Common mistakes
I forgot checking their dietary preferences.
I forgot to check their dietary preferences.
Use 'forget to do' when failing to perform a planned action.
I felt very embarrassed for my mistake.
I felt very embarrassed about my mistake.
Use 'embarrassed about' when referring to actions or mistakes.
Tips for this topic
- Structure your explanation clearly using chronological time order.
- Emphasize the action you took to fix the situation quickly.
Now say it yourself
Speak on “A Time I Made a Mistake” for one minute. You get what went well and the one thing to fix.