IELTS Speaking Practice Set: Travel and Journeys

Yes, very much. Travelling lets me experience different cultures, food and landscapes first-hand, and it always gives me a fresh perspective on my own life. Even short weekend trips help me recharge.

Useful language:first-handa fresh perspectiverecharge

I prefer trains. They’re more comfortable than buses, you can walk around, and you get to watch the scenery go by. They’re also better for the environment than flying.

Useful language:watch the scenery go bybetter for the environment

Yes — a couple of years ago my flight to Istanbul was cancelled because of a storm, and I had to spend the night at the airport. It was frustrating at the time, but I ended up chatting with other stranded travellers, and now it’s quite a funny story.

Useful language:didn’t go as plannedstranded travellersended up

I’d love to visit Japan, especially Kyoto. I’m fascinated by the mix of ancient temples and modern technology, and I’ve heard the food is incredible.

Useful language:fascinated bythe mix of

I usually research the main sights and transport options online, book accommodation in advance and make a simple packing list. I don’t plan every hour, though — I like leaving time to explore.

Useful language:book in advancea packing listleaving time to explore

I’d like to describe a train journey I took through the mountains in the north of my country about two years ago.

I went from my home city to a small mountain town where my cousin had just started working as a teacher. The trip took about nine hours, which sounds long, but it turned out to be one of the most enjoyable journeys I’ve ever made.

I travelled with my younger brother. We hadn’t spent much time together since I moved away for university, so the long journey gave us the chance to catch up properly — we played cards, shared snacks and talked for hours.

We took an old regional train rather than flying or driving. It was slow and stopped at almost every village, but that was part of the charm. The railway climbs through pine forests and passes along the edge of a huge lake, and in some places the train goes through tunnels carved into the rock.

The journey was memorable for a few reasons. First, the scenery was breathtaking — at one point the whole carriage went quiet as we crossed a bridge high above a river. Second, we met some really friendly local people; an elderly woman shared homemade bread with us and told us stories about the region. And finally, it reminded me that the journey itself can be as rewarding as the destination. Since then, I’ve tried to choose slower ways of travelling whenever I can.

Useful language:turned out to becatch up properlypart of the charmbreathtakingas rewarding as the destination

Technology has made travel far more convenient and independent. People can compare prices, book flights and accommodation, and read reviews in minutes. Navigation and translation apps mean travellers rarely get lost or stuck because of language. On the other hand, some people spend so much time photographing and posting that they experience places less directly.

Useful language:compare pricesread reviewsexperience places less directly

Mass tourism can push up rents and property prices, forcing local residents out of city centres. It can overcrowd historic sites, damage natural environments and create a lot of waste. Local culture may also become commercialised, with traditions performed mainly for tourists. And the profits often go to large international companies rather than local people.

Useful language:push up rentsovercrowdcommercialisedinternational companies

I don’t think it can replace it completely. VR can give people a taste of famous places, which is great for education or for people who can’t travel. But travel involves all the senses — the smells, the food, the weather, meeting people — and unexpected experiences that a simulation can’t reproduce.

Useful language:a taste ofall the sensesreproduce

Climate change will probably change where and when people travel. Some popular destinations may become too hot in summer, ski resorts may lose snow, and coastal areas could be affected by rising sea levels. There may also be stricter rules or higher taxes on flying, which could make people choose closer destinations and slower transport like trains.

Useful language:too hot in summerrising sea levelsstricter rulescloser destinations

Travel exposes people to different ways of living and thinking, which challenges stereotypes and makes them more tolerant. Dealing with unfamiliar situations also builds independence and problem-solving skills. Many people say travelling makes them appreciate things at home they had taken for granted.

Useful language:challenges stereotypestoleranttaken for granted

I’d argue for a balance, but with more focus on domestic tourism than many countries currently have. Domestic tourism supports smaller towns and rural areas, is more stable during global crises and produces fewer emissions. International tourism brings in valuable foreign currency, though, so it shouldn’t be neglected.

Useful language:a balancemore stable during global crisesforeign currency