Practise this cue card out loudPrepare for 1 minute, speak for up to 2 minutes, then compare with the Band 8 sample and try the Part 3 questions.
This card is a gift for grammar: talking about a future, imagined trip lets you show conditionals and future forms (“I’d love to…”, “If I went…, I would…”). It also covers related cards such as “your dream holiday destination” and “a country you would like to visit”. Here’s a one-minute plan, a Band 8 sample answer and the Part 3 travel questions.
How to plan your answer in one minute#
You get one minute and a pencil. Don’t write sentences: note one or two key words per point, plus a detail or two that will make your story vivid. For example:
- where it is: Norway, the fjords, north-west coast
- how you learned about it: documentary on TV 3 years ago + a friend’s photos
- what you would do there: ferry through the fjords, hike to a cliff, northern lights, stay in a cabin
- explain why you want to visit it: nature on a huge scale, total contrast with my busy city, a challenge
Practise, then compare: Band 8 sample answers
Record your own answer first, listen back, then compare. Don’t memorise these: examiners spot memorised answers. Borrow the structure and the highlighted vocabulary instead.
Part 2 sample answer (cue card)
Cue card
Describe a place you would like to visit in the future.
You should say:
- where it is
- how you learned about it
- what you would do there
- and explain why you want to visit it.
Sample answerShowHide
A place I’ve wanted to visit for years is the fjord region on the west coast of Norway. For anyone who doesn’t know, fjords are long, narrow stretches of sea surrounded by enormous cliffs, created by glaciers thousands of years ago.
I first learned about them from a nature documentary I watched about three years ago. I remember being completely amazed by the aerial shots of waterfalls crashing straight into the sea. Then, last year, a friend of mine went there on holiday and sent me photos almost every day, which made me even more determined to go.
If I had the chance, I’d like to spend about a week there, ideally in late summer. I’d take one of the ferries that travel through the fjords, because apparently that’s the best way to appreciate how huge they are. I’d also love to do the hike to a famous cliff called Preikestolen, which sticks out above the water like a giant table. It’s quite a demanding walk, so I’d need to get a bit fitter first! And if I stayed until autumn, I might even be lucky enough to see the northern lights. I’d rather stay in a small wooden cabin than a hotel, to get the full experience.
The main reason I want to go is the scale of the nature. I live in a big, noisy city where you rarely see the horizon, so the idea of being surrounded by mountains and silence is incredibly appealing. I also see it as a bit of a personal challenge, since I’ve never really done serious hiking. It’s not the cheapest destination, so I’m saving up, but I’m hoping to make it happen within the next couple of years.
Useful language:long, narrow stretches of seaaerial shotsmore determined to goappreciate how hugea demanding walkincredibly appealingmake it happen
Part 3 sample answers
Why do people like to travel to other countries?
Sample answerShowHide
For most people it’s a break from routine and a chance to experience something completely different: new food, landscapes and ways of life. Travel also broadens your mind, because you realise that your way of doing things isn’t the only way. And for some, it’s simply about relaxing somewhere warm without any responsibilities.
Useful language:a break from routinebroadens your mind
Is it better to travel alone or with others?
Sample answerShowHide
Each has its advantages. Travelling alone gives you complete freedom, and you’re more likely to meet local people because you’re not in your own bubble. Travelling with friends or family is safer and more fun in many ways, since you share the memories. Personally, I think everyone should try a solo trip at least once.
Useful language:complete freedomin your own bubblea solo trip
How has the way people plan holidays changed?
Sample answerShowHide
Enormously. People used to rely on travel agents and guidebooks, whereas now they book everything online and read reviews before choosing anywhere. Social media has also become a huge influence: many people choose destinations because they’ve seen them on Instagram, which has made certain places overcrowded.
Useful language:rely on travel agentsa huge influenceovercrowded
Do you think tourism will change in the future?
Sample answerShowHide
I think it will become more expensive and probably more regulated, partly because of environmental concerns about flying. We might see more people choosing destinations closer to home or taking trains instead of planes. Virtual tourism might grow too, though I doubt it will ever replace the real experience.
Useful language:more regulatedcloser to homevirtual tourism
Want your own answer scored? With Worddemy Pro, the AI examiner asks you real Part 1–3 questions and gives a band score for fluency, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation.
Why this answer would score well#
- Excellent grammar range for the topic: second conditionals (If I had the chance, I’d…), I’d rather… than…, might even be lucky enough to, present perfect continuous feel (I’ve wanted to visit for years).
- Explains unfamiliar terms (“For anyone who doesn’t know, fjords are…”), a sign of strong communication skills.
- Specific plans (ferry, a named hike, northern lights, a wooden cabin) easily fill two minutes.
- Personal reasons connected to the speaker’s life (a noisy city, a personal challenge), not just “it’s beautiful”.
Other ideas you could talk about#
You don’t have to use a true story, and you can adapt one you know well. Other good choices:
- A big city you’ve seen in films (New York, Tokyo, Paris)
- A natural wonder: a desert, a rainforest, a national park
- A place connected to your family history
- A place in your own country you’ve never visited
Mistakes to avoid#
- Using only “will” for an imagined trip. Mix would, I’d love to, I’m hoping to, if I…, I’d….
- Only listing tourist attractions. Explain what you would do and why.
- Forgetting how you learned about it, which is an easy point that gives you a natural story to start with.
Want more? Practise a random card with the 2-minute timer in the cue card generator, or see every Speaking topic with sample answers.