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IELTS Speaking Part 2 · Travel

Describe a long journey you went on

Describe a long journey you went on

You should say:

  • where you travelled to
  • how you travelled
  • what you saw during the journey

and explain why this journey was particularly memorable to you.

How to plan your answer

Use your 1 minute to jot down key words for each point, not full sentences.

  1. 1

    where you travelled to

    Destination: Travelled to a remote coastal village in the northern province last summer.

  2. 2

    how you travelled

    Mode: Took an overnight sleeper train followed by a long scenic coach ride.

  3. 3

    what you saw during the journey

    Scenery: Saw vast mountain ranges, dense pine forests, and picturesque lakes along the route.

  4. 4

    and explain why this journey was particularly memorable to you.

    Conclusion: Memorable because it offered a complete break from city stress with good friends.

Sample answer

about 250 words · 2 minutes

I would like to talk about a long journey I took about two years ago when I travelled to a quiet coastal town in the northern part of my country. It was a place I had always wanted to visit because of its pristine beaches and tranquil atmosphere. To get there, my friends and I decided to take an overnight sleeper train, followed by a local coach for the final leg of the trip. The entire journey took around eighteen hours in total. Traveling by train was a deliberate choice because we wanted to slow down and really enjoy the transit rather than just rushing through an airport terminal. During the trip, the views outside the window were absolutely breathtaking. As dawn broke, I remember looking out to see endless rolling hills covered in mist, passing small agrarian villages, and eventually reaching winding coastal roads where the ocean stretched out to the horizon. We even caught a glimpse of a flock of seabirds flying over dramatic cliffs, which was truly a sight to behold. What made this journey particularly memorable to me was the deep sense of peace it brought. Spending so many hours unplugged from my usual routine allowed me to unwind completely. Sharing stories and laughing with my closest friends while watching the changing landscape created a strong bond between us. It was not just about reaching the destination; the travel itself felt like a healing experience, and that is why it stays so fresh in my memory.

A teaching example, not a script to memorise. Say it in your own words.

Useful phrases

  • the final leg of the trip

    We were completely exhausted by the time we reached the final leg of the trip.

  • a deliberate choice

    Taking the scenic route was a deliberate choice to avoid traffic.

  • caught a glimpse of

    I caught a glimpse of a deer running through the trees.

  • a sight to behold

    The sunrise over the mountain peaks was truly a sight to behold.

  • unplugged from my usual routine

    Going camping helped me stay unplugged from my usual routine for a few days.

Common mistakes

I went to a long journey by train last year.

I went on a long journey by train last year.

Use the preposition 'on' instead of 'to' when referring to journeys or trips.

The sceneries outside the train window was very beautiful.

The scenery outside the train window was very beautiful.

'Scenery' is an uncountable noun and does not take a plural form.

I travelled since ten hours to reach the village.

I travelled for ten hours to reach the village.

Use 'for' to express duration, whereas 'since' refers to a starting point.

Tips for a higher band

  • Use varied narrative tenses like past perfect and past continuous to show grammatical range.
  • Focus on describing sensory details and emotions rather than reading out an itinerary.
  • Use natural collocations related to travel rather than forcing idioms into the story.

Part 3 follow-up questions

After Part 2 the examiner may ask deeper questions on the same theme.

  • Do you think people nowadays prefer fast travel options over slower, scenic routes?
  • How has long-distance travel changed in your country over the past few decades?
  • What are the advantages and disadvantages of travelling alone compared to travelling in a group?

Now try this cue card

1 minute to prepare, up to 2 minutes to speak, then a band estimate and tips for each criterion.

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Practice estimate, not an official IELTS score.

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