Describe A Travel You Were Looking Forward To But Was Delayed: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

Where were you going?
Why was it important for you?
Why was it delayed?
What happened in the end?

42 unique answers with expert feedback

What other places have you traveled to that you enjoyed?

I have traveled to several places, including Paris, London, and Tokyo. Each city has its unique charm and culture. Paris was magical with its art and architecture, London was rich in history, and Tokyo amazed me with its blend of tradition and modernity. I cherish each experience.

How do you usually plan your trips?

I usually start by researching the destination online, looking for popular attractions, local cuisine, and cultural experiences. I also check the best times to visit and read reviews from other travelers. Once I have a rough itinerary, I book flights and accommodations in advance.

What do you think is the most important aspect of traveling?

I believe the most important aspect of traveling is experiencing new cultures and meeting new people. It broadens your perspective and helps you appreciate diversity. Additionally, creating memories with family or friends during these trips makes the experience even more valuable.

Band 7

00:00

సంపగ్సను పేటిక పేటికా పేటికంగు వారత్ పిటికు పేటిక సానువ మించం పేటిక పేటిక పేటిక పేటిక పేటిక పనుపటి నిష్పతే తో వెరిత� షేన్స్ ఘొన్ను వద్ద సంవత్సరం పేటికంగు పేటిక పేటిక పేజీదాన్ చార్గలు జూడి . One trip I was really looking forward to but unfortunately got delayed was a vacation to Japan. I had been planning to go to Tokyo and Kaito with a group of friends during the cherry blossom season which is usually around late March to early April. I was extremely excited about this trip because I have always been fascinated by Japanese culture, food and especially the scenery during spring. We had made detailed plans to visit temples, try local street food and even booked tickets to a sumo wrestling match. The idea of experiencing the cherry blossoms in full bloom was something I have been dreaming about for years. However, just a few weeks before our departure, a major earthquake struck Japan and while the areas we planned to visit went heavily affected, the transformation systems were disrupted and some tourist sites were closed temporarily due to safety concerns and the uncertainty we had to choose but the postponed our trip. I felt really disappointed at first because we had been planning it for months and it was something I had been saving up for but at the same time I understood that safety comes first. We eventually rescheduled the trip for the following year and when we finally went it was absolutely worth the wait.

Follow up questions

What specific activities were you most excited about in Japan?

I was particularly excited about visiting historical temples, trying authentic Japanese street food, and attending a sumo wrestling match. The cherry blossoms were a major highlight, and I had planned to take lots of photos and enjoy picnics under the blooming trees.

How did you feel when you had to postpone your trip?

I felt really disappointed because I had been looking forward to this trip for so long. It was tough to accept the delay, especially after planning everything in detail. However, I understood the importance of safety and was grateful we could reschedule for the following year.

What did you learn from this experience?

I learned that sometimes, despite our best plans, unforeseen events can occur. It taught me the importance of flexibility and prioritizing safety. I also realized that good things come to those who wait, as our eventual trip was even more rewarding than I had imagined.

Band 6-7

00:00

Recently, I have planned a trip to Bangalore with my family for a three-day trip but unfortunately due to my university exam I was not able to go looking and I was more the Bangalore trip was most looking forward trip but later after university exam I have rescheduled the travel and last week I went to Bangalore with my family and that was so enthusiastic that it was for 3D trip and we were able to explore each aspects of Bangalore as we know it is a shopping paradise we were able to explore and indulge the shopping culture like commercial street, brigade road and chickpea. Additionally, we visited Nandi hills as the morning

Follow up questions

What were your feelings when your trip was delayed?

I felt quite disappointed when the trip was delayed due to my university exams. I had been looking forward to spending quality time with my family and exploring Bangalore, so it was frustrating to have to postpone it.

How did you prepare for your trip after rescheduling?

After rescheduling, I made sure to research more about Bangalore's attractions and shopping spots. I also created a detailed itinerary to maximize our time there, ensuring we wouldn't miss out on any must-visit places.

What was the highlight of your trip to Bangalore?

The highlight of our trip was definitely visiting Nandi Hills early in the morning. The sunrise view was breathtaking, and it was a perfect way to start our day before diving into the vibrant shopping scene of Bangalore.

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Band 6-7

00:00

As many of you might have a group of friends whom you might have decided to go for a trip. In same way I also have few of my friends group whom we decided ok so this is the trip we have to go and we planned for Rajasthan. But as you might have guessed our trip had got cancelled at the last minute. The reason was that I could still remember the reason that one of my friend had decided not to go in the last minute because he had some of his girlfriend issues so that's why he had decided he was not allowed to come to the trip. Then what to do then we decided ok he has cancelled however he has cancelled the trip so we might have also might be also cancelled the trip. But after few days one of my friend again called me and told me that we have planned for the Rajasthan this time and it might be great if you could come. So not ignoring this opportunity I joined with them and I was so happy that I joined it was really a wonderful trip that we had planned and enjoyed it a lot. And I would definitely remember this for a whole lifetime about this trip and would definitely want to plan it once again to go there.

Follow up questions

What was the most memorable part of your trip to Rajasthan?

The most memorable part of the trip was visiting the forts and palaces in Jaipur. The architecture was stunning, and we learned so much about the history of the region. Additionally, experiencing the local cuisine and culture made the trip truly unforgettable.

How did you feel when the trip was initially canceled?

I felt quite disappointed when the trip was canceled. I had been looking forward to spending time with my friends and exploring Rajasthan. It was frustrating, but I understood my friend's situation. However, when the trip was rescheduled, I was excited again.

Would you recommend Rajasthan as a travel destination? Why?

Absolutely! Rajasthan is rich in culture, history, and beautiful landscapes. The vibrant markets, traditional music, and delicious food make it a unique experience. I would recommend it to anyone looking for an adventure filled with cultural experiences.

Band 6-7

00:00

Well, me and my best friend once have decided to visit a beautiful place and a very famous tourist destination in our country which is placed at Kashmir and its name is Kullu Manali and it was our dream destination to visit once in our life because the beauty of the nature, the cooling temperature, all these things attract us very much. Not only us, I think it's a dream place of each and every person in India and the thing that we are struggling was the fund we can't manage because we are students now so we didn't have enough money to go there alone and we think that it will be possible in one day and we are what? The plan was came on when I was in Bangalore. I was so much exhausted by my work and I messaged, I texted my friend that I am coming back to Kerala, we can go anywhere to explore and my friend said that we can go to Kullu Manali but he thought that it will be, we have decided to go on after 4 to 3 months but in my mind I think that we can go in next month itself so on that time I had money.

Follow up questions

What specific activities were you planning to do in Kullu Manali?

We were really looking forward to trekking in the mountains, visiting the local markets, and enjoying the beautiful landscapes. We also wanted to try some adventure sports like paragliding and river rafting, which are popular in that area.

How did you feel when you found out your trip was delayed?

I felt really disappointed and frustrated because I had been looking forward to this trip for so long. It was hard to wait, especially since I had already imagined all the fun we would have. But I tried to stay positive and think of it as an opportunity to plan better.

Have you managed to visit Kullu Manali since the delay?

Yes, we eventually managed to save enough money and planned our trip to Kullu Manali a few months later. It was an amazing experience, and I’m glad we didn’t give up on our dream to visit such a beautiful place.

Show all 42 answers

Cue 1:Where were you going?

Begin by mentioning the destination you were excited to visit.
Include details about what attracted you to this place, such as its culture, scenery, or activities.

Example

I was looking forward to visiting Goa, a beautiful coastal state in India known for its stunning beaches and vibrant nightlife. I had planned this trip for months because I wanted to relax by the sea and experience the famous Goan culture.

Cue 2:Why was it important for you?

Explain the personal significance of this trip, such as a special occasion or a much-needed break.
Share your feelings about the anticipation and excitement leading up to the trip.

Example

This trip was particularly important for me because it was my first vacation after a long year of working hard at my job. I was feeling quite stressed, and I believed that a few days in Goa would help me recharge and enjoy some quality time with my friends.

Cue 3:Why was it delayed?

Describe the reason for the delay, whether it was due to external factors like weather or personal circumstances.
Make sure to convey your disappointment and how it affected your plans.

Example

Unfortunately, my trip was delayed because of unexpected heavy rains in Goa. The weather forecast predicted a storm, and my flight was canceled just a day before we were supposed to leave. I felt really disappointed as I had been looking forward to this getaway.

Cue 4:What happened in the end?

Discuss how you handled the situation and whether you were able to reschedule your trip.
Share any positive outcomes or lessons learned from the experience.

Example

In the end, I managed to reschedule my trip for the following month. Although I was initially upset, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise as the weather was perfect during the new dates. I had an amazing time in Goa, and it was worth the wait!

Conclusion

Example

Overall, while the delay was frustrating, it taught me the importance of patience and flexibility in travel plans. Sometimes, things don’t go as expected, but they can still turn out wonderfully in the end.

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: Lack of Detail in Description

Candidates often provide vague answers without enough detail. This can make the response less engaging and informative, leading to a lower score.

Tip

Include specific details about the destination, your feelings, and the significance of the trip to make your answer more vivid and interesting.

2: Ignoring the Delay Reasons

Some candidates forget to explain why the trip was delayed, which is a key part of the cue card. Omitting this can leave the answer incomplete.

Tip

Clearly explain the reasons for the delay, whether it was due to weather, personal issues, or other factors, to provide a full picture.

Rushing Through the Conclusion

Many candidates rush their conclusion, failing to summarize what happened in the end. This can leave the listener unsatisfied.

Tip

Take a moment to reflect on the outcome of the trip and share any lessons learned or feelings about the experience to wrap up your answer effectively.

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