IELTS Speaking Part 2 · Travel
Describe a short trip you took recently
Describe a short trip you took recently
You should say:
- where you went
- when you went there
- who was with you
and explain how you felt about this trip.
How to plan your answer
Use your 1 minute to jot down key words for each point, not full sentences.
- 1
where you went
Where: Went to a quiet coastal village about two hours away by train.
- 2
when you went there
When: Took this short weekend getaway a couple of months ago in early autumn.
- 3
who was with you
Who: Traveled alongside a close friend from university whom I had not seen recently.
- 4
and explain how you felt about this trip.
Feeling/Closing: Felt completely refreshed and rejuvenated after taking a break from city life.
Sample answer
about 229 words · 2 minutesI would like to talk about a weekend trip I took a couple of months ago in early autumn. My close friend from university and I decided to visit a quiet coastal village situated about two hours away by train from where I live. We both had been working long hours, so we really needed a break from our usual routines. We left early on a Saturday morning and stayed in a small bed and breakfast near the seafront. The main aim was just to unwind, so we spent most of our time taking long walks along the rugged coastline, breathing in the fresh sea air, and chatting about everything we had missed in each other's lives recently. On Sunday afternoon, we explored the local cobblestone streets, stopped by a cozy cafe for hot drinks, and enjoyed some freshly caught seafood at a family-run restaurant before heading back home in the evening. Looking back, I felt incredibly refreshed and rejuvenated by this short trip. Even though it lasted less than forty-eight hours, escaping the hustle and bustle of the city gave me a much-needed mental reset. It reminded me how important it is to step away from daily stresses every now and then, and spending quality time with a good friend made the experience even more special. Overall, it was a memorable escape that I hope to repeat soon.
A teaching example, not a script to memorise. Say it in your own words.
Useful phrases
a break from our usual routines
Taking a short vacation is a great way to get a break from our usual routines.
hustle and bustle
Many people move to smaller towns to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.
a much-needed mental reset
Spending a quiet weekend in nature provided me with a much-needed mental reset.
refreshed and rejuvenated
After a peaceful walk along the beach, I woke up feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
step away from daily stresses
It is important for overall health to step away from daily stresses regularly.
Common mistakes
I go to a short trip last month.
I went on a short trip last month.
Use simple past for completed events and the preposition 'on' with trips.
The short trip made me to feel relaxed.
The short trip made me feel relaxed.
The structure 'make someone do something' requires a bare infinitive without 'to'.
We discussed about our future plans.
We discussed our future plans.
The verb 'discuss' is transitive and does not take the preposition 'about'.
Tips for a higher band
- Use descriptive adjectives like 'rugged', 'cobblestone', or 'coastal' rather than generic terms like 'nice' or 'good'.
- Incorporate natural transition phrases such as 'looking back' and 'even though' to improve coherence.
- Focus on natural pause groups and intonation so your spoken response does not sound rehearsed.
Part 3 follow-up questions
After Part 2 the examiner may ask deeper questions on the same theme.
- Why do you think short weekend trips are becoming more popular than long vacations?
- What benefits can local tourism bring to small towns and villages?
- How might travel habits change in the future due to environmental concerns?
Now try this cue card
1 minute to prepare, up to 2 minutes to speak, then a band estimate and tips for each criterion.
Practice estimate, not an official IELTS score.