Describe A Long Car Journey You Went On: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

Where did you go?
Who did you go there with?
What did you do there?
How did you feel about the journey?

17 unique answers with expert feedback

What was the most memorable part of the wedding you attended?

The most memorable part of the wedding was the traditional rituals and the vibrant atmosphere. The decorations were stunning, and the food was delicious. It was heartwarming to see family members coming together to celebrate, and the joy on my uncle's face made it truly special.

How did you feel about driving while you had a fever?

Driving with a fever was quite challenging. I felt dizzy and fatigued, which made it hard to concentrate. I had to take frequent breaks to rest and ensure I was safe on the road. It was a tough experience, but I was determined to get my family home safely.

What are your thoughts on road safety in India?

Road safety in India is a significant concern. Many drivers ignore traffic rules, which can lead to dangerous situations. I believe there needs to be more awareness and stricter enforcement of traffic laws to ensure the safety of all road users, especially on highways.

Band 6-7

00:00

The last long journey I went last year along with my family to Kashmir. I am residing in central of India and Kashmir is in the northern part of my country. Kashmir is such a beautiful place it got a title of heaven on earth and it is something very beautiful and interesting. I went there along with my daughter to make her view the scenery there and she felt ecstatic after going there. Also when we went there I have given her some money to spend and what I observed I was expecting that she is going to be fairly frugal in spending but she spent all her money like extravagant and although it gives her some happiness Kashmir is a place which should be visited by a person once in a life This is a place which is totally different from other cities. It is having beautiful hills and even the grass are like a carpet grass and it's totally out of the world. Our journey is very long. First we took a train. We reached Delhi, a capital of India. From there we boarded a flight to Jammu and Kashmir. It's a capital of the city. And that's it. It was a beautiful experience.

Follow up questions

What was the most memorable part of your journey to Kashmir?

The most memorable part of the journey was witnessing the breathtaking landscapes of Kashmir. The lush green hills and the serene lakes were unlike anything I had ever seen. My daughter’s joy while exploring the beauty of nature made the experience even more special.

How did you prepare for the long journey?

We prepared by packing essentials like clothes suitable for the weather, snacks for the train and flight, and a camera to capture memories. We also researched places to visit in Kashmir to make the most of our time there, ensuring we had a well-planned itinerary.

Would you recommend Kashmir to others? Why?

Absolutely! I would highly recommend Kashmir to others because of its stunning natural beauty and unique culture. It offers a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, and the experiences there, like local cuisine and hospitality, are truly unforgettable.

Band 6-7

00:00

So, there are lots of road trips I have gone through like, but today I will talk about a trip where I went in the last year with my colleagues, so we had a project in Bihar, it was a SC project where we provide classes of robotics to the students, SC students, after completing that project we were deciding that we should celebrate what we have done, then we should celebrate, so there were lots of plans, where should we go, what should we try, at the end we decided to have an international trip, so we decided to go to Nepal, however there were some options, so we can go by airplane, by train or something, but instead of this we decided to go by booking a car, so we booked a car, then we visited there and we had two options there, either we can go to Kathmandu or Pokhara, firstly we decided to visit the Pokhara as in one of the restaurant we saw that there is a scenery from the Pokhara and it was looking so awesome, so we decided to go, first visit the Pokhara, during our visit the road was broken, like we all had to suffer a lot during the whole travel, but the final result was, like it was amazing, the beauty of the Pokhara is amazing, we visited the top of the mountain, then we clicked few photos from there and the view, the surrounding was, it was looking beautiful, after that we then had a road trip to the Kathmandu.

Follow up questions

What challenges did you face during the car journey?

During the journey, we faced several challenges, especially with the broken roads. It made the travel uncomfortable and longer than expected. However, we tried to make the best of it by enjoying the scenery and bonding with each other during the ride.

How did you feel about traveling by car instead of other options?

Traveling by car gave us more flexibility and the chance to explore the surroundings at our own pace. It allowed us to stop whenever we wanted to take pictures or enjoy the view, which made the journey more memorable compared to flying or taking a train.

What was the highlight of your trip to Pokhara?

The highlight of our trip to Pokhara was definitely reaching the top of the mountain. The breathtaking views and the sense of achievement after the challenging journey made it unforgettable. We also enjoyed taking photos and sharing laughs with my colleagues.

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Describe a place in your country or part of your country that you would like to recommend to visitors/travellers

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Band 6-7

00:00

Me, I am a claustrophobic person, so travelling in a car is quite a difficult task for me. But still I had travelled to Goa in a car with my friends and in that travel plan I realised that travelling in a car can be happening. At first I was a bit nervous and anxious for travelling by car, but my friends convinced me to travel by car. But later I found out that it was one of the experiences which I had never experienced earlier. I felt really happy to be in the car, to spend time talking, sharing experiences and old memories with my friends. I not only enjoyed the company of my friends, but also the beautiful view of the Oven Ghats.

Follow up questions

How do you usually feel about long journeys?

I often feel anxious about long journeys, especially in confined spaces like cars. However, I try to focus on the positive aspects, like the company of friends and the beautiful scenery, which can help ease my anxiety.

What do you think makes a road trip enjoyable?

I believe a road trip becomes enjoyable when you have good company, engaging conversations, and beautiful landscapes to admire. Sharing experiences and making memories with friends can turn a long journey into a delightful adventure.

Have you ever faced any challenges during a long car journey?

Yes, my claustrophobia can be a challenge during long car journeys. However, I try to manage it by taking breaks, enjoying the scenery, and staying engaged with my friends to distract myself from any discomfort.

Band 6-7

00:00

I went to Saudi Arabia KSA. KSA stands for Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. I went there to spend time to do Umrah with my family. I visited with my family to perform Umrah since last year ago. I feel very happy when we done Umrah, we done Tawaf, all pilgrims, all rituals we have done. At the time I feel very happy because family is there and beautiful place is there. This is the most beautiful place in the world which I like it very much. No doubt, my happiness, my peace, my calming, everything is there. I love to go Makkah. Makkah is present in the middle of Saudi Arabia. This is the God's house. All Muslims will come and do perform Umrah. Everyone should go there to see very nice place. Yes, I like it very much. Makkah is a very beautiful place. Makkah is God's house. It is located in Saudi Arabia. Yes, this is also my opinion.

Follow up questions

What was the most memorable part of your journey to Saudi Arabia?

The most memorable part of my journey was performing Tawaf around the Kaaba. It was a deeply spiritual experience, surrounded by my family and fellow pilgrims. The atmosphere was filled with devotion and joy, making it a moment I will cherish forever.

How did you prepare for your trip to perform Umrah?

We prepared by researching the rituals of Umrah and packing appropriate clothing. We also made sure to book our flights and accommodations in advance. Additionally, we discussed our intentions and spiritual goals for the pilgrimage to enhance our experience.

What advice would you give to someone planning to go on a similar journey?

I would advise them to learn about the rituals of Umrah beforehand and to stay patient during the journey. It's important to focus on the spiritual aspect and to enjoy the experience with family. Also, staying hydrated and comfortable is key, as it can be quite crowded.

Show all 17 answers

Cue 1:Where did you go?

Begin by mentioning the destination of your journey clearly.
Provide some context about why you chose this particular place.

Example

I went on a long car journey to Manali, a beautiful hill station in Himachal Pradesh. I had always wanted to visit Manali because of its stunning landscapes and the opportunity to enjoy some adventure sports.

Cue 2:Who did you go there with?

Mention the people who accompanied you on this journey.
Share a bit about your relationship with them to add a personal touch.

Example

I traveled with my family, including my parents and my younger sister. We often go on trips together, and this journey was special as it was a chance for us to bond and create lasting memories.

Cue 3:What did you do there?

Describe the activities you engaged in during your stay.
Highlight any memorable experiences or events that stood out.

Example

During our time in Manali, we went trekking, visited the famous Hadimba Temple, and even tried paragliding. The highlight was definitely the trek to Solang Valley, where we enjoyed breathtaking views and took lots of photos.

Cue 4:How did you feel about the journey?

Share your emotions and thoughts about the journey itself.
Reflect on what the experience meant to you personally.

Example

I felt exhilarated throughout the journey. The drive was filled with beautiful scenery, and I enjoyed every moment spent with my family. It was a refreshing break from our daily routine, and I returned home feeling rejuvenated.

Conclusion

Example

Overall, this long car journey to Manali was not just about reaching a destination; it was about the experiences we shared and the memories we created together as a family. I cherish this trip and look forward to more adventures in the future.

Following this structure will ensure you cover all the essential points while providing a clear and engaging response to the cue card topic.

Tips to answer this Cue Card

1: Vague Descriptions

Using vague language can make your answer less engaging and informative. Specific details help the examiner understand your experience better and keep their interest.

Tip

Include specific locations, activities, and emotions to create a vivid picture of your journey.

2: Ignoring the Cues

Failing to address all the cues can lead to an incomplete answer. This may result in missing out on important aspects of your journey that could impress the examiner.

Tip

Make sure to answer all the cues: where you went, who you were with, what you did, and how you felt.

Overly Short Responses

Providing overly brief answers can make it seem like you lack experience or knowledge about the topic. This can negatively impact your score.

Tip

Expand on your answers by adding details, anecdotes, and reflections to demonstrate your speaking ability.

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Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

Pitampura Test Centre, New Delhi

Answer

I like to taste different types of cuisine. Here I would like to talk about my favorite dish at my traditional festival of Onam which is Sadya. Sadya is popular in my city. We are experimenting these cuisines on Onam festival day. Onam is a famous festival in my city. All family members get together in my home and we make a delicious Sadya. There are many ingredients includes that Sadya. Moreover, we make a big feast that day as well as we create a lot of memories together and we wear that day the traditional dress called Sari and men wear the Dhotis. That festival is really important to us because the whole day we are conducting different kinds of games at our homes and all the family members came together. It's a memorable day in my life. This is the festival. We are making the Sambar and Aviyal. These all the kinds of foods are making with the vegetables.

Talk about a toy you liked in your childhood

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 8

Sector 34 Test Centre, Chandigarh

Answer

The toy which I liked in my childhood was a panda doll, which makes me pleasant and makes me more blush. The pandas are the most beautiful creatures of the world, which looks gigantic and has pooshy cheeks and they are like stars in the clouds and they dream in me. Furthermore, these have been given by my father. My father is a very very beautiful artistic person, who makes me think of that. Every day you will face every difficulties and make you suffer and move forward. Pandas are always seen in Japanese countries. It is my lifelong dream to visit a Japanese country and click a photo with the original pandas, which makes sounds better.

Describe a time you were in a place where you didn't know the local language

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 6.5

Whitefield Test Center, Bengaluru

Answer

As India is a very large country full of diversity, so there are many places which have their own language and speak their native language. The place which I visited and I didn't know about their language was Leladakh, which is about 300 km away from my hometown and it is a very good place as it consists of different kind of trees, animals and have many scenic views and I visited over there last year in summers as it was the best time to visit because it has many, it was cold over there and we had summers in our area so it was the best time to visit over there and I went over there with my whole family.

Describe a time when your friend damaged something you owned

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7

Begumpet Test Centre, Hyderabad

Answer

When I was a kid, I had a little pencil box which had these four buttons which gave the pencil box an operative use. When you press the button, the box would open up. When you press the second button, a little part of it would slide out. Basically it was just a little electronical and a fun thing to have and I owned it when I was in 6th. One day after break, I was standing and talking there with one of my friends and another friend of mine was running through the hallway and accidentally she pushed my shoulder and my pencil box hit the ground and it broke into multiple pieces to the point that it was not functional anymore.

Describe a book you recently read

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

CBD Belapur Test Centre, Navi Mumbai

Answer

It Ends With Us is a book I read recently. It's by the author Colleen Hoare. It's mainly a story about two teenagers, Atlas and Lily, and how they just handle their life going through high school, adolescence, and just domestic violence at home. Both of them come from very, very different families. However, they have one common determining factor between them, which is domestic violence. The abuse that they've seen their moms go through is just insane, and they connect through that on a different level. They're actually in the same high school, but they never speak to each other until Atlas actually crashes into an empty house next to Lily's villa. When Atlas is homeless and he doesn't have anywhere to go, he just comes and breaks into the house next to Lily's, and Lily helps him with all the daily necessities like clothes and food, medicines and stuff. Furthermore, their friendship blossoms into love, but it doesn't really fructify as Atlas has to leave. This book really gave me a lot of knowledge about domestic abuse and how to deal with it.