CONTENTS

Sample answers

Sample questions and answers  from speaking part 1, 2 and  3

Key vocabulary

Words and terms frequently used  when talking about work

Word formation

Learn how to use  wide variety of parts of speech, such as nouns, verbs, adjectives

Collocations

Find out groups of words that usually used together by native speakers

Useful resources

References to teaching and authentic materials related to this topic: IELTS blogs, podcasts, videos and articles

Downloads

Download this article in PDF.

 
 

TRAVEL VOCABULARY IELTS Speaking

Travel: Sample questions and answers for IELTS speaking exam

 

Part 1

  1. Do you like to travel?

-Yes, I do. I am keen on broading my horizons and there is nothing that helps to do it more comprehensively than travelling.

  1. What kind of places have you visited in your life?

-Sadly, I didn’t get to see many destinations inside and outside of my native country. I have traveled a bit in the South of Russia and went to see parts of Switzerland, Italy, France, Ukraine, Serbia, Belarus and Germany.

 

  1. Which place would you really like to visit? Why?

– I had first thought about this when I was in middle school, much before I first left Russia. I remember seeing Machu-Pikchu in one of our books about nature and falling in love with it. Since then, I have always wanted to go to Peru and this old Inks city.

  1. What’s the best place you’ve ever visited?

-The city that has really astonished me with its beautiful architecture and history was Paris. This is not only the capital of culture, economics and education, but also the place full of vivid art and romance.

  1. How do you prefer to travel on long journeys?

-When it takes a lot of time to get to a destination, I definitely prefer to travel by a sleeping train. These are trains with comfortable beds where it’s possible to relax and recharge before reaching new places.

 

 

 

 


Part 2

Describe an interesting journey you have been on. You should say:

    • where you went
    • how you travelled there
    • who you went with

and say how it affected your life at the time

One of my favourite trips is the one I did in March to Paris. There is a peculiar thing about me – I don’t like travelling without a clear purpose. I would rather go to a conference abroad than just fly to another country with no purpose other than wandering streets. So, this is exactly what happened on my journey to France. I was invited to attend a 3-days workshop on corporate mergers and acquisitions with BCG that stands for Boston Consulting Group.

The hosting company paid all my expenses including a round flight to Paris, however I had a hard time receiving a visa, so I had to reschedule initial itineraries. After I finally landed in the French capital, a transfer driver picked me up and drove to a chateau, which turned out to be a beautiful countryside hotel set up in an old mansion.

There was not only me, but also 50 other young people – students from the best European universities. The acceptance rate to this annual event is only 4%, so I felt very privileged to be there. I have not only made friends from all over the world, but also solved a real-life business case where we had to value and sell a company, presenting the strategy to the management board afterwards. And the best final part of the event was a sight-seeing trip around Paris, where I admired the Eiffel Tower, the Notre Dame de Paris, and many other breathtaking cathedrals and palaces that France is so famous for.

 

Part 3

  1. Which method of travel do you consider safest?

Well, in my opinion, travelling by train is the safest. So far, it has been the means of transportation that is the least prone to accidents. Since it runs along its own railway, it is not very likely for two trains to crash. I reckon, most accidents that happen with trains are due to mechanical or technical issues which could be avoided if the system is checked and monitored properly.

  1. Has travel become safer in recent years?

Yes, I believe so. The modern technological progress allows for constant improvement of transportation quality, especially because the demand for journeys is rising. This is due to the ability to use enhanced materials that can endure higher loads and tougher exploitation conditions. Another breakthrough is the Artificial Intelligence solutions that make transport more reliable – it is able to predict accidents, crashes and break-downs.

  1. What are the pros and cons of low-cost air travel?

Low-cost air travel allows people with budget constraints to cover long distances in short periods of time. However, when travelling on board of low-costers one should remember that they trade their comfort for cheap tickets. Usually, meals and baggage fees are not included into initial price. Planes might be old and seats may not be that comfortable. There is also a possibility of poor customer service on board.

 

 

Key vocabulary: Definitions and examples

 

 WORD

 

DEFINITION

 

EXAMPLE

TRAVEL – BY AIR

 

airport

a place aircraft flights run to and from: a station for air travel

 

Transfer times cover the average period taken from leaving the airport to arriving in your resort.

 

to take off

the action of becoming airborne

 

The plane about to  take off from Nice, heading for Luton airport.

 

plane

an airplane

 

An hour later than planned, the plane took off.

 

to land

come down through the air and alight on the ground

 

The plane landed safely with the remaining engine.

 

low-cost air travel

travel via airline that generally has lower fares and fewer comforts

 

Bradford International Airport is served by many operators including low-cost airlines

 

check-in

the place where travellers report to on arrival at the airport

 

You can still use self check-in if you are travelling with hold luggage.

 

TRAVEL – SEA / OCEAN

 

voyage

long journey usually involving travel by sea

 

Tasman made several voyages to the Far East.

 

 

ship

a large boat that carries passengers or goods by sea

 

The wooden ship took fifteen days to make the crossing to America.

 

to sail

travel in a boat with sails, especially as a sport or recreation

 

There are many lakes and rivers where you may fish, canoe or sail.

 

sailboat

a boat propelled by sails

 

I also have a 30-foot cruising sailboat.

 

port

a town or city with a harbor where ships load or unload

 

Because our town is a port, and because it has two rivers, there are often many people from other lands here.

 

ferry

a boat or ship for conveying passengers and goods, especially over a relatively short distance and as a regular service

 

We caught the overnight ferry from Birkenhead to Belfast.

 

cruise-ship

a passenger ship used for pleasure voyages

 

The distinction between ocean liners and cruise ships has blurred, particularly with respect to deployment.

 

boat

a small vessel propelled on water by oars, sails, or an engine

 

There is also boats available for hire.

 

TRAVEL – BY LAND

 

subway

underground railway system

 

The New York City subway system is one of the world’s largest.

 

underground

underground railway system

 

The London underground is like a moving public thoroughfare.

 

tube

the underground system in London

 

It’s in a quiet residential area close to the tube.

 

train

a series of connected railway vehicles pulled by a locomotive

 

London is 80 minutes away by shuttle service, with trains every 30 minutes.

 

traffic

vehicles moving on roads

 

Summer holidays often mean hours stuck in traffic in a hot car.

 

road

a path for vehicles to drive on

 

Follow the road down to Clanbrassil Street.

 

railway

a track made of parallel bars on which trains run

 

Probably the most famous landmark along the railway is Ribblehead Viaduct with its 24 arches.

 

TRAVEL – VACATION

 

hike

a walk outdoors for pleasure

 

Take a hike on some of these tracks.

 

camp

a place with tents or other shelters for people holidaying or travelling

 

The tour involves staying in camps in the mountains.

 

vacation

a period of time away from work, especially in which one travels; holiday

 

We found that people were taking fewer vacations and spending more time in one destination.

 

trip

a journey or visit somewhere

 

My wife Jen and I visited Borneo in March 2004, as part of a longer trip including Thailand and Nepal.

 

travel agent

the person working in company that provides travel and tourism related services to the public

 

Travelers really need travel agents for complex trips.

 

travel

the action of traveling, typically abroad

 

International travel, was catastrophically affected by the September 11th attacks on New York.

 

tourist

a person who is traveling or visiting a place for pleasure

 

Many areas have important natural features which serve to attract  tourists.

 

suitcase

a case with a handle and a hinged lid, used for carrying clothes and other personal possessions

 

She has a whole suitcase of shoes.

 

sightseeing

the activity of visiting places of interest as a tourist

 

The members took us sightseeing in the Yellowstone National Park

 

route

a way or course taken in getting from a starting point to a destination

 

The driver must take you to your destination by the shortest possible route.

 

passenger

somebody who travels in a vehicle, aircraft, train, or vessel but is not the driver or a member of its crew

 

Rail passengers in Germany have to deal with unreliable timetables

 

motel

a roadside hotel designed primarily for motorists

 

We found a motel on the other side of Mississippi

 

luggage

suitcases and bags used when travelling

 

He has no luggage, no passport, just the clothes on his back

 

to go camping

the activity of going to a place with tents or other shelters for people holidaying or travelling

 

Find a rock every time you go camping and write a memory on it.

 

journey

a short, easy, or routine trip from one place to another

 

How long is the train journey?

 

hotel

an establishment providing accommodations, meals, and other services for travelers and tourists

 

We will make all your hotel bookings and arrange the tour for you.

 

hostel

cheap hotel

 

It is widely known the fact that hostels are cheaper than hotels.

 

to book

to make a reservation or registration

 

During the course of one week four hundred guests were booked into a hotel.

 

to go sightseeing

to visit places of interest in a particular location

 

On Saturday I took the opportunity to go sightseeing.

 

excursion

an organized trip, often one that is part of a holiday a leisure activity

 

During the trip the pupils will go on several excursions.


destination

the place where someone or something is going

 

It took us five days to reach our destination, Ban Pong , 30 miles north of Bangkok.


to go abroad

to visit a foreign country or countries

 

In order to go abroad, one has to start from the scratch and work accordingly.


ticket

a piece of paper or small card that gives the holder a certain right, especially to enter a place, travel by public transport, or participate in an event

 

There is no booking fee when you buy tickets in person at the galleries.


guide

a person who shows others the way

 

He began his journey to the ruin of ancient Loulan City, accompanied by five cameramen and two local guides.


locals

a local person

 

Talking with locals is a great way of really getting to know a new place


getting to know

learn, find out

 

I love seeing the world and getting to know it’s people.


countryside

the land and scenery of a rural area

 

In the Chinese countryside, nobody seems to know where anything is.


scuba diving

the sport or pastime of swimming underwater using scuba gear

 

Stav and I are off to Sharm to go scuba diving and lounging around in the sun.


to get lost

unable to find one’s way; not knowing one’s whereabout

 

Touring motorcyclists are supposed to get lost.


TRAVEL – ADJECTIVES

incredible adventure activities

impossible to believe

 

I will never forget incredible adventure activities we experienced during the trip.


indigenous peoples

first peoples, aboriginal peoples, native peoples, occurring naturally in a particular place

 

New Zealand recognises its indigenous people in its constitution.


dangerous places

hazardous places, likely to cause harm

 

it’s a good idea to know how to behave and what not to do when traveling to dangerous places


tropical islands

Islands with extremely hot climate, situated in the regions of the world that lie between the tropics

 

Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest reef covered with hundreds of unique tropical islands


exciting

causing one to feel great enthusiasm and eagerness

 

Nottingham is a vibrant and exciting city, recently voted the third best shopping city in the UK


fantastic

extraordinarily good or attractive

 

head all the way to the top for a fantastic view of the city.


foreign

from, in, characteristic of or of another country

 

Touring motorcyclists are supposed to get lost.


overseas

from, to, or relating to a foreign country, especially one across the sea

 

Earnings from overseas visitors contributed more than £ 3 billion to the economy


memorable

noteworthy or pleasurable and therefore likely to be remembered

 

At any time of year, a visit to Durlston is a memorable experience.


cross-country

across a region or country

 

Cross-country travel allows you to see the beauty of this country


tiring

making one feel tired

 

It has been a tiring journey, and I shall sleep well tonight.


pleasant

giving a sense of happy satisfaction or enjoyment

 

In the afternoon we took a walk – just long enough to feel a pleasant tiredness


 

Word Formation

 


WORD

PART OF SPEECH

EXAMPLE

 

check-in

noun

You can still use self check-in if you are travelling with hold luggage.

to check-in

verb

Check-in online via the airline website


 

hike

noun

Take a hike on some of these tracks.

hiking

noun

I am a teacher in a local high school and our hobbies include hiking and photography .


safe

adjective

Australians experience a safe lifestyle.

safety

noun

When travelling near crocodile habitats, observe safety signs and don’t swim in rivers.

safely

adjective

You can safely enjoy New Zealand’s unique landscapes.


 

travel

noun

International travel, was catastrophically affected by the September 11th attacks on New York.

travelling

adjective

A convenient  traveling route to the destination will also be suggested

to travel 

verb

As you travel the mountain roads look out for the monuments in memory of 1944.

 


Collocations

 


to come by

to go by

to travel by

It’s two hours by

verb+by+

ship

 

take

travel by

catch

get

miss

wait for

run for

board

get on

hop on

jump aboard/on

get of

verb+

train

 

catch

get

take

miss

board,

get on

get off

step off

verb+

plane

 

go by

go on

take

travel by

run for

catch

get

miss

board

get on/onto

verb+

bus

 

air

bus

car

coach

rail

sea

train

foreign

international

overseas

world

long-distance

business

leisure

cheap

risk

adjective+

travel

 

agency

business

company

firm

industry

arrangements

plans

allowance

costs

expenses

insurance

travel+noun

travel

 

be able/unable to

be free to

want to, wish to

be forced to

have to

verb+

travel

 

long

short

bus

car

railway

train

comfortable

easy

pleasant

safe

arduous

hard

tiring

dangerous

cross-country

epic

adjective+

journey

 

extended

long

quick

overnight

weekend

annual

forthcoming

fantastic

great

memorable

round

foreign

overseas

round-the-world

European

shopping

sightseeing

adjective+

trip

 

Useful resources

 

 

IELTS Websites

 

Podcasts

 

Articles

 

Videos


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