The topic of describing a trip that didn’t go as planned is a common one in IELTS Speaking tests. It allows examiners to assess candidates’ ability to narrate past events, express emotions, and use a range of vocabulary related to travel and problem-solving. This topic has appeared frequently in past IELTS exams and is likely to continue being a popular choice in future tests.
Part 1: Introduction and Interview
In this section, the examiner may ask you some general questions about travel and holidays. Here are some possible questions and sample answers:
Do you like traveling?
Band 6-7 Answer: Yes, I do enjoy traveling. It’s a great way to relax and learn about new cultures. I try to go on a trip at least once a year.
Band 8-9 Answer: Absolutely! I’m passionate about traveling. It’s not just a hobby for me; it’s a way to broaden my horizons and immerse myself in different cultures. I make it a point to embark on at least one major journey annually, if not more frequently.
Have you ever had any problems while traveling?
Band 6-7 Answer: Yes, I have. Once, I missed my flight and had to wait for hours at the airport. It was quite stressful.
Band 8-9 Answer: Indeed, I have encountered my fair share of travel mishaps. On one occasion, I found myself stranded in a foreign city due to a last-minute flight cancellation. It was quite a harrowing experience, but it taught me the importance of being flexible and resourceful when traveling.
Part 2: Long Turn
Here’s a sample cue card related to the topic:
Describe a trip that didn’t go as planned. You should say:
- Where you went
- Who you went with
- What went wrong
- And explain how you felt about it
Sample Answer (Band 6-7)
I’d like to talk about a trip to Bali that didn’t go as planned. I went there with my best friend last summer for a week-long vacation. We were really excited about it.
The problem started when we arrived at our hotel. We found out that they had overbooked the rooms, and they didn’t have a place for us to stay. We had to spend a lot of time looking for another hotel, which was quite frustrating.
Then, on the third day, my friend got sick with food poisoning. She had to stay in the hotel room for two days, which meant we couldn’t do many of the activities we had planned.
To make matters worse, it rained heavily for the last two days of our trip, so we couldn’t enjoy the beach or go on the boat tour we had booked.
I felt really disappointed about how the trip turned out. We had been looking forward to it for months, and it seemed like everything that could go wrong did go wrong. However, we tried to make the best of it by watching movies in the hotel room and chatting.
Sample Answer (Band 8-9)
I’d like to recount a rather ill-fated journey I undertook to Bali with my best friend last summer. We had meticulously planned this week-long sojourn, brimming with excitement about the tropical paradise that awaited us.
Our misfortunes began to unfold the moment we arrived at our hotel. To our utter dismay, we discovered that they had egregiously overbooked their rooms, leaving us without accommodation. We found ourselves embroiled in a time-consuming and exasperating search for alternative lodging, which significantly ate into our precious vacation time.
The series of unfortunate events continued when, on the third day, my friend succumbed to a severe bout of food poisoning. She was confined to our hotel room for two days, which threw a wrench into many of our carefully laid plans.
As if to add insult to injury, the final two days of our trip were marred by relentless downpours, dashing our hopes of basking on the beach or embarking on the boat tour we had eagerly anticipated.
I felt thoroughly disheartened by the turn of events. We had pinned our hopes on this vacation for months, and it seemed as though Murphy’s Law was in full effect. However, we made a concerted effort to salvage what we could of the trip, finding solace in movie marathons and heart-to-heart conversations in our hotel room.
This experience, while far from ideal, taught me valuable lessons about adaptability and maintaining a positive outlook in the face of adversity. It also strengthened the bond between my friend and me, as we weathered these challenges together.
Follow-up Questions
- How did you handle the situation when things went wrong?
Band 6-7 Answer: We tried to stay calm and find solutions. We called the hotel booking company to help us find a new hotel, and we bought medicine for my friend when she got sick.
Band 8-9 Answer: We adopted a proactive approach to mitigate the impact of these unforeseen circumstances. We liaised with our hotel booking platform to secure alternative accommodation and sought out a reputable pharmacy to obtain appropriate medication for my friend’s ailment. Throughout the ordeal, we made a conscious effort to maintain a positive attitude, viewing these challenges as opportunities to test our problem-solving skills and resilience.
- Did this experience change your attitude towards traveling?
Band 6-7 Answer: Yes, it did. Now I always make sure to have a backup plan and travel insurance. I also try to be more flexible with my expectations.
Band 8-9 Answer: This experience served as a wake-up call, prompting me to reassess my approach to travel planning. I now place great emphasis on having contingency plans in place and investing in comprehensive travel insurance. Moreover, it has taught me the value of maintaining flexibility in my itinerary and managing my expectations. I’ve come to appreciate that sometimes the most memorable travel experiences stem from overcoming unexpected challenges.
Part 3: Two-way Discussion
Examiner: Do you think it’s important to plan every detail of a trip?
Band 6-7 Answer: I think it’s good to have a general plan, but it’s also important to be flexible. Sometimes unexpected things can happen, and you need to be able to adapt.
Band 8-9 Answer: While I believe that a certain degree of planning is essential to maximize the travel experience, I would argue against micromanaging every aspect of a trip. A well-structured itinerary can certainly provide a framework for the journey and ensure that key attractions are not missed. However, leaving room for spontaneity can lead to serendipitous discoveries and authentic local experiences that often become the highlights of a trip. Moreover, rigid planning can create undue stress when unforeseen circumstances arise, as they inevitably do in travel. The key is to strike a balance between preparation and flexibility, allowing for both peace of mind and the thrill of the unexpected.
Examiner: How has technology changed the way people travel?
Band 6-7 Answer: Technology has made traveling much easier. We can book tickets and hotels online, use maps on our phones, and easily stay in touch with family back home.
Band 8-9 Answer: Technology has revolutionized the travel landscape in myriad ways. It has democratized travel planning, enabling individuals to curate their own experiences without relying heavily on travel agencies. Smart devices equipped with GPS and translation apps have rendered navigation in foreign lands far less daunting. Social media platforms and review sites have created a culture of information sharing, allowing travelers to make informed decisions based on others’ experiences. Moreover, the rise of the sharing economy through platforms like Airbnb has transformed accommodation options, often providing more authentic and cost-effective alternatives to traditional hotels. However, this technological ubiquity also presents challenges, such as the potential for over-reliance on devices and the erosion of the sense of discovery that comes with getting lost in a new place. Striking a balance between leveraging technology and preserving the essence of travel as an unplugged, immersive experience is a consideration for modern travelers.
Key Vocabulary and Phrases for High Scores
-
Ill-fated [ɪl-feɪtɪd] (adjective): Unlucky or unsuccessful.
Example: Our ill-fated journey was plagued with problems from the start. -
To throw a wrench into [θroʊ ə rentʃ ˈɪntuː] (idiom): To cause problems or difficulties.
Example: The sudden illness threw a wrench into our carefully planned itinerary. -
To weather the storm [ˈweðər ðə stɔːrm] (idiom): To successfully deal with a difficult situation.
Example: Despite the challenges, we managed to weather the storm and make the best of our trip. -
Serendipitous [ˌserənˈdɪpɪtəs] (adjective): Occurring by chance in a happy or beneficial way.
Example: Our unplanned detour led to a serendipitous discovery of a hidden beach. -
To make a concerted effort [meɪk ə kənˈsɜːrtɪd ˈefərt] (phrase): To try very hard to do something, especially when working with others.
Example: We made a concerted effort to salvage our vacation despite the setbacks.
Examiner’s Advice
To achieve a high score in the IELTS Speaking test, particularly when discussing a trip that didn’t go as planned:
- Use a variety of descriptive vocabulary to vividly portray the situation and your emotions.
- Employ a range of complex sentence structures to demonstrate linguistic flexibility.
- Provide specific details and examples to support your narrative and make it more engaging.
- Show your ability to reflect on the experience by discussing what you learned or how it changed your perspective.
- Practice speaking about both positive and negative travel experiences to be prepared for any question.
- Work on your fluency by regularly discussing travel topics with friends or language exchange partners.
- Listen to travel podcasts or watch travel vlogs to expose yourself to authentic language use in this context.
Remember, the key to success in the IELTS Speaking test is not just about what you say, but how you say it. Confidence, fluency, and the ability to elaborate on your ideas are crucial factors in achieving a high band score.