Describe an enjoyable journey by public transport : IELTS Cue Card

Bhargavee Sisodia

21 Jun 2024

Describe an enjoyable journey by public transport : IELTS Cue Card

Time management is one of the most crucial challenges that you might face during your IELTS exam preparation, especially for the IELTS speaking test. In the IELTS speaking test, there is a Cue Card Round, followed by a Follow-Up Questions Round. You will be given a topic on which you have to give a monologue of 2 minutes after preparing the answer for 1 minute. You need to be quick to chalk out the answer in your mind in 1 minute and the only way to do so is by practicing enough IELTS speaking topics and attempting the IELTS sample test. The next critical challenge during the speaking test is to complete the answer in 2 minutes. You are also expected not to complete the answer in below 1 minute. This is extremely tricky because you need to have an idea of how much to say so that the answer is completed within time and is not too short as well. You need to be aware of your speaking speed which is expected to be not too fast and not too slow. The more you practice speaking on various IELTS speaking topics, the more your fluency will increase.

All in all, your IELTS preparation requires you to practice timing the answers to the IELTS speaking questions and only practice will make you perfect for the IELTS test. Let's analyze one question from the IELTS practice test sample questions which is "Describe an enjoyable journey by public transport." This IELTS exam sample question will give you a first-hand idea of how to frame the answer and manage the time on how much to say based on your speed of speech. Let's aim for a high score on the IELTS exam!

IELTS sample test topic: Describe an enjoyable journey by public transport

As the examiner gives you the topic, take a deep breath first, and don't be nervous. Use the pencil and paper provided to you to break your answer to the speaking test into smaller segments. Write the heading down on the paper, like an introduction, when did you take the journey, with whom did you take the journey, describe the journey, what did you like about the journey, and a conclusion.

Now that you have the headings ready, think of the key points you want to put in your headings. Based on your IELTS exam preparation, as you will practice answering several IELTS speaking topics, you will have an idea of how many sentences you can put in each heading based on your speed of speaking. Let's now go through a few sample answers to the question "Describe an enjoyable journey by public transport." 

IELTS speaking test sample answer 1 : Describe an enjoyable journey by public transport

Introduction:

Traveling is one of my favorite hobbies and for me, the journey matters even more than the destination. My recent flight from Delhi to Kathmandu was one of the most surreal experiences of my life.

When did you take the journey:

I had a connecting flight to Kathmandu airport from Delhi airport on the 24th of January. It was an early morning flight of around 1 hour 45 minutes.

With whom did you take the journey:

I was traveling solo for the trip. For me, solo traveling gives one of the best experiences, teaches us various life skills and allows us to explore ourselves better.

Describe the journey:

Although the journey was fairly short, it was one of the best experiences that I had. I was lucky enough to get the "A" seat during my web check-in, but little did I know that this choice of seat would give me one of the best journey experiences. I remember falling asleep after the flight took off until I heard the captain's voice asking to look to our left. I looked out of the window and the view I saw was something I would never forget, it is etched in my memory forever. There stood the Himalayas! The snow-clad mountains with the morning sun falling on its peak. As the flight glided through the clouds, it almost seemed like there was an ocean of clouds looking like fluffy cotton and the peaks of the Himalayas were peeping out of them against the clear blue skies.

What did you like about the journey:

The best part of the journey was the view. Traveling always gives me fulfillment, especially mountains. I find peace in between the mountains and when I saw the Himalayas, the king of the mountains from my flight window, I literally had goosebumps. It was as if I would be able to touch it if I stretched my hands. Even now, when I close my eyes, the picturesque view flashes in my mind. It is as vivid as if it was just yesterday!

Conclusion:

If ever in my life, hypothetically, I am told that there is only one journey I can choose and repeat, I won't even take a second before answering that I would want to take a flight from Delhi to Kathmandu and sit at the seat "A." The journey will always be special and gratifying.

IELTS speaking test sample answer 2 : Describe an enjoyable journey by public transport

Introduction:

Recently I visited Rameswaram and had to travel by train, the Rameswaram Express from Chennai. The journey was thrilling and at the same time one of the most memorable experiences of my life.

When did you take the journey:

I took the trip a couple of months back and our train was scheduled to depart from Chennai in the late evening.

With whom did you take the journey:

I had my parents with me and thank God for that! What followed in this journey was so thrilling and unearthly at the same time and if my parents wouldn't have been there, I would have freaked out for sure. Their company made me comfortable and enjoy the thrill!

Describe the journey:

The journey was for a little more than 12 hours as the train was running late. However, the best and the most thrilling part of the journey was when the train was crossing the Pamban Bridge. It is a railway bridge built over the sea which connects the island of Rameswaram to the mainland of India. The train took about 15 minutes to cross the bridge and for safety reasons, the speed was extremely slowed down. Although the bridge is built at a safe height above sea level, looking out of the window felt like the waves would anytime touch the bridge. I could hear my heart pounding in my chest as my adrenaline was at its peak!

What did you like about the journey:

It was morning by the time the train reached Pamban and the journey through the Pamban bridge started. The view of the sea was clear in daylight. By the time we were halfway through the bridge, I was amazed at the vastness of the ocean. Although I have been to beaches in the past, the experience of looking at the ocean from the middle of it is something completely different. We could hear the sound of the waves and the sea meeting the sky at the distant horizon. It was picture-perfect as the train made its way through the ocean.

Conclusion:

I had expected the journey to be scary, however, all I felt was thrill and an adventure of a lifetime. It wouldn't be an understatement if I say that it was not only the best journey experience that I have had, but those 15 minutes of crossing the Pamban Bridge is also one of the best moments of my life. 

IELTS speaking test next section- Follow-up questions

As soon as you finish answering the question of the cue card section of your speaking test, the next part of the IELTS speaking test will begin. The examiner will ask you follow-up questions based on your answer and relevant to the topic. We have learned how to frame the answer for the IELTS speaking test, and now let's analyze the same topic "Describe an enjoyable journey by public transport" and discuss a few follow-up questions based on it.

Question 1: What do you think is more exciting, the journey or the destination?

Answer: Generally we plan a trip to visit a particular destination, however to me the journey is always more exciting. There are a few reasons behind it. First, there is always a thrill and excitement of reaching the destination and imagining what to expect there. Also, the company of the journey, not only our known ones but also unknown people whom we meet during the journey makes it worth the memory. For example, I had once traveled by bus from Mumbai to Goa with my parents when I was young. I befriended an elderly uncle and we exchanged numbers. I am still in touch with him and I associate the trip with that memory before everything else that I did in Goa.

Question 2: What is your favorite mode of public transport?

Answer: My absolute favorite mode of public transport is traveling by train. I like the fact that we get to spend more time enjoying and experiencing the journey. Although there is no doubt that flights are a convenient way to save time, however, to me, if I want to take a trip and enjoy myself, I would any day choose the option of train if feasible.

Question 3: What according to you is the safest way of public transport?

Answer: To me, accidents can happen anytime, anywhere. If it is destined for anyone, even the safest mode of public transport will become detrimental to them. However, according to data and statistics, the safest mode of public transport is airplanes. I think it is largely due to the fact that the technology and advancement of science along with optimal and standardized international aviation rules and Air Traffic Control make traveling by plane the safest. 

Conclusion

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