Describe an enjoyable journey by public transport?: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

Where you went
Who you were with
What you did
How you felt about it

2 unique answers with expert feedback

What do you think makes train journeys special compared to other forms of transport?

Train journeys often allow for more interaction with fellow passengers, creating unique experiences. The scenic views and the slower pace can also enhance the journey, making it more enjoyable and memorable.

How do you think traveling with strangers can impact your perspective on life?

Traveling with strangers can provide fresh insights and diverse experiences. It allows you to learn from others' stories, which can broaden your understanding of different lifestyles and challenges, ultimately enriching your own life.

What advice would you give to someone who is hesitant to travel alone on public transport?

I would encourage them to embrace the experience as an opportunity for personal growth. Traveling alone can lead to unexpected friendships and valuable lessons, making it a rewarding adventure.

Band 5-6

00:00

Today I went to my office Sholimandur, so while I am traveling I felt so tired and I usually went through bus like government transport and then while I am traveling I am just listening to the music like Spotify music, after that when I reached the office I felt so tired. I am usually traveling through a government bus, so I went to office from my home to the office through the government transport only, so I want to like I want to change I want to take the bus like three times, so like three stops is there, so when I am traveling I am always I am usually traveling alone, so I felt so lonely in that time and then while I am traveling I am just listening to the Spotify music or I called to the I called to someone who is always close to my heart and I will start speaking about the day how the days went and how I spent my the whole entire day, so after reaching my home I felt so tired and so so much of leg pain and then some body pains is there, so while I am just traveling I am just listening a jam and always sit to the window side of the bus and I'm just seeing the nature how the nature is and then and then and I'm and I'm just thinking how my how my life is going on and what are the improvement should I take off and then so it's all about it so

Follow up questions

What do you enjoy most about traveling by public transport?

I enjoy the opportunity to relax and listen to music while traveling. It gives me time to reflect on my day and enjoy the scenery outside the window. The experience can be quite calming, especially when I’m feeling tired.

How do you think public transport can be improved?

Public transport can be improved by increasing the frequency of buses and ensuring they are more comfortable. Additionally, providing better information systems for passengers and enhancing safety measures would make the experience more enjoyable.

Do you prefer traveling alone or with others on public transport?

I usually travel alone, which can sometimes feel lonely. However, it also allows me to have personal time to think and listen to music. Traveling with friends can be fun, but I appreciate the solitude and the chance to reflect on my life.

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Describe your favourite food at a traditional festival or a special event in your country

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.

Show all 2 answers

Cue 1:Where you went

Begin by mentioning the destination of your journey, such as a city or a specific place.
Include details about why this location was significant or enjoyable to you.

Example

I took a memorable journey to the beautiful hill station of Munnar in Kerala. The lush green tea plantations and the cool climate made it a perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Cue 2:Who you were with

Mention the person or people you traveled with and your relationship to them.
Explain how their company contributed to the enjoyment of the journey.

Example

I traveled with my close friends from college. We hadn’t seen each other in a while, so it was great to catch up and share stories during the journey.

Cue 3:What you did

Describe the activities you engaged in during the journey, such as sightseeing or enjoying local food.
Highlight any memorable moments or experiences that stood out.

Example

During the journey, we enjoyed the scenic views from the bus and stopped at various viewpoints to take pictures. We also tried some delicious local snacks from roadside vendors, which added to the fun.

Cue 4:How you felt about it

Share your emotions and thoughts about the journey, focusing on what made it enjoyable.
Reflect on any lessons learned or experiences gained from the trip.

Example

I felt incredibly happy and relaxed throughout the journey. It reminded me of the importance of taking breaks and spending quality time with friends. The trip was not just about reaching Munnar, but also about the joy of traveling together.

Conclusion

Summarize the key points of your journey and its significance.
Mention how this experience has influenced your perspective on traveling by public transport.

Example

In conclusion, my journey to Munnar was not only enjoyable because of the destination but also due to the wonderful company and experiences we shared. It reinforced my belief that public transport can be a great way to explore new places and create lasting memories.

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

Failing to provide specific details about the journey can make your answer sound vague and uninteresting. It's important to paint a clear picture for the examiner.

Tip

Include specific locations, activities, and feelings to enhance your response. For example, mention the city you visited and what you enjoyed doing there.

2: Ignoring Emotional Impact

Not expressing how you felt during the journey can make your answer less engaging. Emotions help to connect with the listener and make your story memorable.

Tip

Share your feelings about the journey, such as excitement or relaxation. Use descriptive words to convey your emotions effectively.