Getting lost in a city is a common experience that many IELTS candidates can relate to. This topic frequently appears in IELTS Speaking tests, particularly in Part 2, where you may be asked to describe a time when you were lost. Let’s explore how to effectively answer questions related to this topic and maximize your score.
Part 1: Introduction and Interview
In Part 1, the examiner may ask general questions about your experiences with navigation or getting lost. Here are some possible questions and sample answers:
Q: Do you have a good sense of direction?
Band 6-7 Answer:
“I’d say my sense of direction is average. I can usually find my way around familiar places, but I sometimes get confused in new environments.”
Band 8-9 Answer:
“To be honest, my sense of direction is rather hit-or-miss. While I’m generally adept at navigating familiar territory, I can find myself completely disoriented in unfamiliar surroundings. It’s a skill I’m constantly working on improving.”
Part 2: Long Turn
Here’s a sample cue card related to the topic:
Describe a time when you got lost in a city
You should say:
- Where it was
- What you were doing there
- How you got lost
- How you found your way
And explain how you felt about this experience.Band 6-7 Sample Answer:
“I remember getting lost in Bangkok a few years ago. I was there on vacation with my friends, and we decided to explore the city on our own one day. We were trying to find a famous temple, but we took a wrong turn and ended up in a residential area. We couldn’t read the street signs, and our phone batteries were low, so we couldn’t use GPS. We walked around for about an hour before we found someone who spoke English and could give us directions. It was a bit scary at first, but in the end, we laughed about it and saw some interesting parts of the city we wouldn’t have otherwise.”
Band 8-9 Sample Answer:
“I vividly recall an instance when I found myself hopelessly lost in the labyrinthine streets of Venice. I was on a solo backpacking trip through Europe, and Venice was my third stop. The city’s intricate network of narrow alleys and canals, while undeniably charming, proved to be a navigational nightmare.
I had set out early one morning, determined to visit the renowned Rialto Bridge. However, my overconfidence in my ability to navigate without a map led me astray. I soon found myself in a maze of identical-looking streets, each one seeming to lead to yet another picturesque but unfamiliar canal.
As the hours ticked by, my initial excitement gave way to a growing sense of anxiety. My phone had died, and I couldn’t rely on digital maps. I tried asking locals for directions, but my rudimentary Italian only seemed to compound the confusion.
Eventually, I stumbled upon a small square where a group of tourists was gathered around a guide. I discreetly joined the group and followed them until I recognized a landmark. From there, I was able to retrace my steps to my hotel.
This experience was simultaneously frustrating and exhilarating. While I felt a sense of vulnerability being lost in a foreign city, I also discovered a newfound appreciation for the art of getting lost. It allowed me to explore hidden corners of Venice that I might have otherwise missed, and it taught me valuable lessons about preparation and humility when traveling.”
Follow-up questions:
- How did this experience change your approach to exploring new cities?
- What advice would you give to someone visiting a new city for the first time?
Band 6-7 Answer for Q1:
“After getting lost in Venice, I became more careful about planning my trips. Now I always make sure to have a map and a portable charger for my phone.”
Band 8-9 Answer for Q1:
“This experience was truly eye-opening and led to a significant shift in my travel philosophy. I now approach exploring new cities with a delicate balance between spontaneity and preparation. While I still relish the thrill of wandering off the beaten path, I’ve learned the importance of arming myself with essential tools like offline maps, portable chargers, and a basic grasp of the local language. Moreover, I’ve come to appreciate the value of embracing uncertainty in travel, as some of the most memorable experiences often stem from unplanned detours.”
Describe a travel experience that went wrong can be a great way to practice your speaking skills for situations like getting lost in a city.
Part 3: Two-way Discussion
In Part 3, the examiner might ask more abstract questions related to the topic of navigation and city exploration. Here are some potential questions and sample answers:
Q: How has technology changed the way people navigate in cities?
Band 6-7 Answer:
“Technology has made it much easier for people to find their way around cities. Smartphones with GPS and map apps help people locate places quickly and get directions. This has reduced the chances of getting lost, but some people think it also makes the experience of exploring a city less adventurous.”
Band 8-9 Answer:
“The advent of technology has revolutionized urban navigation, fundamentally altering the way we interact with and experience cities. Smartphones equipped with GPS and sophisticated mapping applications have rendered the traditional paper map virtually obsolete. These digital tools provide real-time navigation, complete with traffic updates and public transport information, dramatically reducing the likelihood of getting lost.
However, this technological reliance is a double-edged sword. While it undeniably enhances efficiency and convenience, it may also diminish the serendipitous discoveries and authentic local interactions that often arise from losing one’s way. There’s a growing concern that over-reliance on these tools might lead to a deterioration of our innate spatial awareness and problem-solving skills.
Moreover, the ubiquity of technology in navigation has sparked a counter-movement of sorts, with some travelers deliberately choosing to explore cities without digital aids, seeking to recapture the sense of adventure and discovery that comes with navigating by instinct and interaction with locals.”
Q: Do you think the ability to navigate without technology is still important? Why or why not?
Band 6-7 Answer:
“Yes, I think it’s still important to be able to navigate without technology. Sometimes technology can fail, like when your phone battery dies or you don’t have internet access. Being able to read a physical map or ask for directions can be very useful in these situations.”
Band 8-9 Answer:
“The ability to navigate without technology remains critically important in today’s digital age, and its significance should not be underestimated. While technological aids have undoubtedly simplified navigation, relying solely on these tools can lead to a dangerous dependency that may prove problematic in various scenarios.
Firstly, technology is not infallible. Device malfunctions, battery depletion, or lack of internet connectivity can leave one stranded if they lack basic navigation skills. Moreover, in emergency situations or natural disasters, when digital infrastructure may be compromised, the ability to orient oneself using natural landmarks or paper maps could prove literally life-saving.
Furthermore, navigating without technology fosters cognitive skills that are valuable beyond mere direction-finding. It enhances spatial awareness, improves memory, and develops problem-solving abilities. These skills contribute to overall cognitive health and can be applied in numerous other areas of life.
Lastly, there’s an intangible yet significant aspect to manual navigation – the sense of connection it creates with our environment. Reading a physical map or asking locals for directions often leads to a deeper engagement with a place, fostering memorable experiences and cultural exchanges that a GPS-directed journey might bypass.
In essence, while embracing technological advancements, we should view traditional navigation skills not as obsolete, but as complementary tools that enhance our overall capacity to interact with and understand our surroundings.”
Man reading paper map in city
Key Vocabulary and Phrases for High Scores
Labyrinthine (/ˌlæbəˈrɪnθaɪn/) – adjective: complicated and difficult to navigate
Example: “The labyrinthine streets of the old town made it easy to get lost.”Disoriented (/dɪsˈɔːrientɪd/) – adjective: having lost one’s sense of direction; confused
Example: “I felt completely disoriented after taking several wrong turns.”To retrace one’s steps – phrase: to go back the same way you came
Example: “When I realized I was lost, I tried to retrace my steps to the hotel.”Serendipitous (/ˌserənˈdɪpɪtəs/) – adjective: occurring or discovered by chance in a happy or beneficial way
Example: “Getting lost led to a serendipitous encounter with a local artist.”To get one’s bearings – phrase: to determine one’s position or situation
Example: “It took me a while to get my bearings in the unfamiliar city.”
Describe a time when you were lost in an unfamiliar place can provide more examples of using these phrases effectively.
Examiner’s Advice
To score high in the IELTS Speaking test when describing a time you got lost in a city:
- Use a variety of descriptive vocabulary to paint a vivid picture of your experience.
- Incorporate idiomatic expressions naturally to demonstrate language proficiency.
- Structure your response logically, covering all points in the cue card.
- Show reflection on the experience, discussing how it affected you or what you learned.
- Practice speaking about various travel experiences to improve fluency and confidence.
Remember, the key to success in IELTS Speaking is not just about what you say, but how you say it. Aim for clear pronunciation, natural intonation, and a good range of grammatical structures.
Describe a friend who is a good listener can be another interesting topic to practice your speaking skills, as it requires similar descriptive language and personal reflection.
Lost traveler asking local for directions
By following these guidelines and practicing regularly, you’ll be well-prepared to tackle any question about getting lost in a city during your IELTS Speaking test. Remember, the examiner is looking for your ability to communicate effectively in English, so focus on expressing your ideas clearly and confidently.
Describe a meal you prepared for someone is another topic that can help you practice descriptive language and personal storytelling, skills that are equally valuable when discussing experiences like getting lost in a city.