Mastering IELTS Speaking: How to Describe a Short Journey You Disliked

The topic of describing a short journey you disliked is a common theme in IELTS Speaking tests. It allows examiners to assess your ability to express personal experiences, emotions, and opinions in English. This topic has appeared frequently in past exams and is likely to remain relevant in future tests. Let’s explore how to approach this topic effectively across all parts of the IELTS Speaking test.

Describe a place you have visited recently can be a related topic that may help you prepare for this discussion.

Part 1: Introduction and Interview

In Part 1, the examiner may ask general questions about travel and journeys. Here are some potential questions and sample answers:

1. Do you enjoy traveling?
2. What kind of transport do you prefer for short journeys?
3. Have you ever had a bad experience during a short trip?

Let’s focus on the third question:

Sample answer (Band 7-8):
“Yes, I have. Last month, I had a rather unpleasant experience during a short bus ride to a neighboring city. The journey was supposed to take only two hours, but due to unexpected traffic and a minor breakdown, it ended up taking nearly five hours. The bus was overcrowded, and the air conditioning wasn’t working properly, which made the whole trip quite uncomfortable.”

Part 2: Long Turn

Here’s a sample cue card for this topic:

Describe a short journey that you disliked
You should say:
- Where you went
- Why you went on this journey
- Who you went with
- And explain why you disliked this journey

Sample answer (Band 7-8):

“I’d like to talk about a short journey I took last summer that I particularly disliked. It was a day trip to a nearby beach resort, about 100 kilometers from my hometown. I went there with a group of friends to celebrate a birthday.

We decided to go because we thought it would be a fun way to spend a hot summer day, and the birthday girl was especially excited about the idea of a beach party. There were five of us in total, all close friends from university.

The reason I disliked this journey was primarily due to a series of unfortunate events. Firstly, we got stuck in horrendous traffic on the way there, which turned what should have been a two-hour drive into a four-hour ordeal. The car’s air conditioning also malfunctioned, leaving us sweating profusely in the sweltering heat.

To make matters worse, when we finally arrived at the beach, we found it overcrowded and littered with trash. The water was murky, and there were jellyfish warnings, so swimming was out of the question. We ended up spending most of our time trying to find a clean spot to sit and protecting our food from persistent seagulls.

The cherry on top of this disastrous cake was the journey back home. We hit even more traffic due to a minor accident on the highway, and it took us nearly five hours to return. By the time we got back, we were all exhausted, sunburnt, and in terrible moods.

This experience taught me the importance of proper planning and having backup options for day trips. It also made me appreciate the value of researching destinations thoroughly before setting out. Despite the unpleasantness, it did give us a memorable story to laugh about later, though at the time, it was anything but funny.”

IELTS Speaking: Describing a disliked beach trip

Follow-up questions:

1. How do you usually cope with unexpected situations during travel?
2. Do you think it’s important to have a positive attitude even when things go wrong on a trip?

Sample answer for question 1 (Band 8-9):
“When faced with unexpected situations during travel, I try to maintain a level-headed approach. I believe it’s crucial to stay calm and assess the situation objectively. For instance, if there’s a delay or cancellation, I immediately start looking for alternative options or ways to make the most of the situation. I also think it’s important to be flexible and adaptable. Sometimes, these unexpected events can lead to unique experiences or opportunities we hadn’t anticipated. Additionally, I always make sure to have a contingency plan and some extra cash on hand, which can be incredibly helpful in managing unforeseen circumstances.”

Part 3: Two-way Discussion

In Part 3, the examiner might ask more abstract questions related to travel and transportation. Here are some potential questions and sample answers:

1. How has transportation changed in your country in recent years?
2. What are some of the challenges people face when using public transport for short journeys?
3. Do you think advancements in technology will significantly improve short-distance travel in the future?

Let’s focus on the second question:

Sample answer (Band 8-9):
“There are several significant challenges that people often encounter when using public transport for short journeys. Firstly, overcrowding is a major issue, especially during peak hours. This not only makes the journey uncomfortable but can also lead to delays and increased stress levels for commuters. Secondly, reliability is often a concern. Buses and trains may not always run on schedule, which can be particularly frustrating for those on tight schedules or with connecting journeys.

Another challenge is accessibility. While efforts have been made to improve this, many public transport systems are still not fully equipped to cater to people with disabilities or those traveling with young children or heavy luggage. Cost can also be a factor, particularly in cities where even short journeys can be relatively expensive.

Moreover, there’s the issue of comfort and cleanliness. Many people find public transport less comfortable than private vehicles, and concerns about hygiene, especially in the wake of the global pandemic, have become more pronounced.

Lastly, navigation can be challenging for tourists or those unfamiliar with the local transport system. Complicated route maps, unclear signage, or language barriers can make short journeys unnecessarily stressful.

To address these issues, I believe cities need to invest in modernizing and expanding their public transport infrastructure, focus on improving service frequency and reliability, and leverage technology to provide real-time information and easier navigation for users.”

Challenges of overcrowded public transport

Describe an enjoyable trip by public transport can provide a contrasting perspective to the challenges discussed here.

Key Vocabulary and Phrases for High Scores

To achieve a high score in IELTS Speaking, it’s crucial to use a range of sophisticated vocabulary and complex sentence structures. Here are some key terms and phrases that can elevate your response:

1. Ordeal (noun) /ɔːˈdiːl/ – a very unpleasant and prolonged experience
   Example: “The journey turned into an ordeal due to the extreme weather conditions.”

2. Malfunction (verb) /mælˈfʌŋkʃən/ – to fail to function normally or satisfactorily
   Example: “Our plans were disrupted when the car’s GPS malfunctioned.”

3. Horrendous (adjective) /həˈrendəs/ – extremely unpleasant, horrifying, or terrible
   Example: “We encountered horrendous traffic on our way to the airport.”

4. Contingency plan (noun phrase) /kənˈtɪndʒənsi plæn/ – a plan designed to take account of a possible future event or circumstance
   Example: “It’s always wise to have a contingency plan when traveling, especially for long journeys.”

5. Level-headed (adjective) /ˌlevəl ˈhedɪd/ – calm and sensible, especially in difficult situations
   Example: “Staying level-headed during travel mishaps can help you find solutions more easily.”

Describe a trip you took that was not as expected is another topic where you can apply these vocabulary items effectively.

Examiner’s Advice

To score high in the IELTS Speaking test, particularly when describing a disliked journey:

1. Be specific: Provide detailed examples and vivid descriptions of your experience.
2. Use a range of tenses: Incorporate past, present, and future tenses appropriately.
3. Show emotion: Express your feelings about the journey using varied vocabulary.
4. Reflect on the experience: Discuss what you learned or how it affected you.
5. Practice coherence: Ensure your ideas flow logically from one point to the next.
6. Expand your vocabulary: Use synonyms and idiomatic expressions to avoid repetition.
7. Work on pronunciation: Pay attention to word stress and intonation.

Remember, the key to success in IELTS Speaking is not just about what you say, but how you say it. Regular practice with a variety of topics will help you become more confident and fluent in expressing your thoughts and experiences in English.

IELTS Speaking practice session

Describe a food you disliked as a child but like now is another interesting topic that allows you to practice describing changing perceptions over time, which can be applied to travel experiences as well.