Compiled by Ms.

Thai Bao for IELTS 1 Page |1

HOLIDAY – TRAVEL – JOURNEY

PART 1
1. Do you like to travel? - Yes, I do. I am keen on broadening my horizons and there is nothing that helps to do it more
comprehensively than travelling.
2. What kind of places have you visited in your life? - Sadly, I didn’t get to see many destinations inside and outside of
my native country. I have traveled a bit in the South of Russia and went to see parts of Switzerland, Italy, France, Ukraine,
Serbia, Belarus and Germany.
3.Which place would you really like to visit? Why? - I had first thought about this when I was in high school. I
remember seeing different documentaries filmed in Europe. Each individual countries has their own personal reasons that
urges me to visit one day in the future, from history, culture and natural beauty to the local cuisines or people there. also,
it’s noted that many European countries are home to the most cultured of all civilizations, which is the feature that I want
to experience and observe.
4. What’s the best place you’ve ever visited? - The city that has really astonished me with its beauty, safeness and
cleanliness was Singapore. Despite its diminutive size, Singapore has managed to mark it as a top-notch destinations to
the travelers.
5. How do you prefer to travel on long journeys? - For long hauls such as transoceanic flights, air travel is
unquestionably the fastest and most convenient way to get to my destination to my mind.
6. What do you do in your holidays?
7. Who do you usually spend the holidays with?
8. Do you prefer travelling alone or in a group?
9. Why are holidays important to you?
10. If you could take a holiday anywhere in the world, where would you go? Why?

PART 2
MODEL 1:
Today, I will tell you about my all-time favorite travel destination – Dalat city, which is actually situated in a highland
region to the south of Vietnam. I’m such a big fan of this charming city that I pay a visit here like 5 times a year. It’s the
best getaway for me because especially after months of working nonstop which can really suck the life out of you.
Dalat has acquired quite a reputation for a number of things. To start off, let’s talk about the weather. In spite of being
located in a tropical region, the city’s temperate climate stands in stark contrast to the tropical climate found elsewhere in
VN. I think this’s one of the reasons why so many tourists from neighboring provinces have chosen this place on a regular
basis. It’s such a great retreat from the heat and humidity that we have to live with day in and day out. So as I told you
before, I’ve come here like 5 times a year because it provides me with a temporary respite from the hustle and bustle of
city life. And I get to have my peace and quiet when I’m here. You know, even though there’s some traffic of course, it is
lot less crazy than the traffic in HCMC where I’m living. And I get to be in touch with nature more, and all of this can be
incredibly therapeutic.
So if you’re looking for something a little less tranquil. You should definitely check out this place – DL market. It’s so
bustling at night. You can find all kinds of things right here ranging from fresh produce, some of VN’s finest varieties
coffee to the delicate handicrafts produced by the local artisans. Speaking of the local cuisine, DL’s famous for Banh
trang nuong. This is a kind of grilled rice paper, topped with ham, sausage, onions, eggs, and chili sauce. It’s incredibly
crispy and savory, so don’t forget to check it out either. Also, don’t forget to try soya milk, mixed with condensed milk. I
know it sounds like a strange combination, but trust me, if you’ve tried it, you’ll come back for more.
Another thing to put on your to-do list while you’re here is to visit the organic strawberry farms where you can handpick
the different types of strawberries and savor the unique texture and flavors. In the evening, you can take a stroll around the
lake called HXH lake. It’s super romantic if you do with the significant other.
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Describe a journey [e.g. by car, plane, boat] that you remember well.
You should say:

 where you went

 how you travelled
 why you went on the journey
and explain why you remember this journey well.

[You will have to talk about the topic for 1 to 2 minutes. You have one minute to think about what you're going to say. You
can make some notes to help you if you wish.]

Model Answer 1:
A journey is always pleasant to me. It not only gives us entertainment, it is helpful to teach over different unknown issues
as well. The most important benefit of travelling is the excellent opportunity to gather knowledge. The knowledge earned
in first hand experienced cannot be found on books or any other place. So, people like to travel and it’s a trend for a long
past. But sometimes the journeys are not pleasant and the travellers have to undergo different unexpected situation during
the trips.

Recently I have made a train journey and it was the most thrilling event in my life as I have never ridden on trains before.
I went to join at the marriage ceremony of one of my intimate friends who has passed his childhood days with me. The
area where the friend is getting married is at the farthest part of the country and requires trains to reach there.

Fourteen of our childhood friends planned to reach the village marking the marriage and accordingly we bought fourteen
train tickets for the purpose. My friends and his family members had started for the village earlier before our journey. On
the planned night of the journey, we got out of home reached the railway station to catch the train. But interestingly the
train was half an hour late due to an accident on its way to the railway station. We all rode the train and finally, the
journey at night on a train begins.

It was the most thrilling experience in my life I have ever made so far. It was highly enjoyable to me due to the nature of
the journey. I used to hear experiences of people attentively when they described their experiences about the train
journeys but could not ride on a train due to different reasons. So, when the other childhood mates made the plan, I was
the only one of them who jumped out of joy.

The journey is truly substantial one for me. It was a moonlit night when the train started and my seat was just beside the
window. I looked at the full moon and it appeared that I am floating on the heaven with a great speed. The trees were
passing us fast and the illuminated distant localities appeared like stars to me, shining on the large sky. The deep emotions
that I felt on the night journey are inexpressible.

Alternative Answer 2: 

Well, the journey I still remember very vividly is the one I took to Nha Trang, a coastal resort city in southern Vietnam,
where my sister lives with her husband. It was probably early February 2014 when I got a call from my brother-in-law
that my sister has given birth to a beautiful baby girl. We were expecting the baby a few days later but that was indeed a
very good news as this was the first baby in our family and both the mother and child were doing fine as my brother-in-
law informed me.

I immediately returned home from my university to give this wonderful and happy news to my parents. My parents were
quite excited and they planned to visit the newborn and my sister on the following day. It was more than 10 hours’
Compiled by Ms. Thai Bao for IELTS 1 Page |3
journey and we started in the early morning next day.

We went to the local train station and luckily got three first-class seats on the train. I am very fond of train journey as it
gives me the freedom to walk in different compartments of the train, read books pleasantly, enjoy the meal in the train
cafeteria, buy books and magazines, use the lavatory if needed and enjoy the scenic beauty of the countryside, unlike the
monotonous long bus journey. The journey was a very pleasant one and I finished a book that I took with me. Besides, I
read two magazines and a daily newspaper that I bought from the station. I specifically remember the journey because my
parents were with me and they also enjoyed being out of home after a long. The longing and waiting to see the new baby
also made it a pleasant journey and a memorable one. My mother told me some stories of my childhood that she never
shared with me before and my father told about his first experience on a train and that was so funny that we laughed quite
loudly!

Sample answers
Well, it has been two years since I had my very first motorbike trip with my colleagues to one of the most ancient villages
situated in the Northwestern part of our country. And I have to say that it was the most memorable trip that I’ve ever had.
Our group with 3 people made a decision to visit a village because we wanted to get away from the hustle and bustle of
the city and get off the beaten track. Moreover, the village was fairly typical of the countryside in our country, so we
wanted to get an insight into the lifestyle of local people there.
We set out for a day trip quite early. I’m always a night owl, not an early bird, so leaving the city at 5 a.m made me feel
like I was deprived of sleep. However, I was over the moon shortly after embarking on the trip to the village. This was
because on the way to get there, we had a chance to get the magnificent views of breathtaking landscapes which is
totally different from the city we are currently living in.  After a long drive, we got to the picturesque village which made
me feel deliriously happy. We rented some bikes to cycle around the village to feel the vibes of the village. After
that, we visited some 400-year-old ancient house and had a look at communal houses where the local people gathered for
festival celebrations or public meetings. Then we had lunch and the food was scrumptious.  In the afternoon, we joined a
cooking class with the villagers who were extremely friendly and clever at making traditional cakes. The highlight of the
trip to the village was going to the paddy fields to help the farmers harvest the crop. It was  once-in-a-lifetime experience
which we really enjoyed. My friend was like a dog with two tails while I was also on cloud nine. We relished everything
in the village from the fresh air, cozy ambience to beautiful landscapes such as small houses or paddy fields. We hoped
that we can have a longer trip to the countryside down the road if we had more spare time.
Model Answer 1:
I have been lucky to have a number of memorable journeys over the years. So, thank you very much for offering me this
great opportunity to share the experience of one of those journeys which I probably would never forget.

This journey, one of the most memorable ones of my life, took place when I just started my university, and I needed to
visit my youngest uncle at a city, far away from my hometown, where he just had started his first job. So, naturally, I was
quite excited. The excitement grew even bigger when one of my elder cousins, who also was travelling with me, informed
me that we were actually going to make the journey with a high-speed train which just had started operating from my
home town only a few weeks ago.

We were told that it was going to be a 6 to 7 hours journey and that train would travel, nonstop, at a speed of 200
kilometers per hour. So, it was a whole new experience for me, and I just couldn’t wait to board the train as soon as I
arrived at the station. By the way, my cousin very smartly had selected a couple of window seats at the front of the brand
new train, so we both knew that it was going to be a great experience, and it indeed was as the train started to run like a
bullet with a whistle within seconds of starting our journey. The objects outside the train felt like they were just coming at
our sight and vanishing like some ghosts within a fraction of a second.

Anyway, I remember every minute of this journey so well, mainly because I never really travelled on a train that ran so
fast and furiously. I remember it also because the service on that train was awesome. Finally, I also tried some of the most
delicious foods I have ever eaten, and that too at an affordable price!
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Sample Answer 2:
I went to the USA last month to attend a conference arranged for health journalists. It was an interesting journey and most
importantly, my first flight out of my country, Greece. I was amazed by the journey and the experience will be memorable
always. This cue card appears exciting and I will describe the event in brief now. 
I travelled by aeroplane and also used some other local transports in the USA. But the journey by aeroplane was the most
impressive one in my life. It took around 11 hours to reach the USA from Greece. I reached the airport in my private car
and then boarded in the aeroplane. I was too excited that I could not sleep the entire time. Initially, I felt a bit of
uncomfortable as it was my first air ride too. But gradually I coped with the situation. I had to visit the country for some
official purposes. I am a senior reporter of health in a national newspaper of Greece. A conference of the journalists
dealing with health issues was supposed to take place in the USA. My office authority selected me to join the conference.
I was chosen for my extraordinary performance in reporting about the health issues of the country.   

I can recall every detail of the journey. In fact, I was really happy to have the chance to visit America and the flight was
really enjoyable. I joined at the conference and presented a paper as well which was appreciated heavily by the other
participants at the conference. Moreover, I also received a prestigious certificate for participating in this international
conference. I had visited in different parts of New York, where the conference took place. Considering everything, it was
a great trip in my life and I will never forget my experience from this trip.
SAMPLE ANSWER
The thing that troubles me more often than not when living in the city is that majority of people are riding motorbikes
rather than cars. As a result, most people don’t know how to drive a car, including me, which also annoys me, since I have
always wanted to take a road trip across the country. A road trip by car from the south to the north of my country would
be tough and adventurous because hundreds of marvelous destinations are waiting to be explored. However, it is
worth taking risks and stepping out of your comfort zone to truly experience what life has to offer when your legs can
still carry you rather than to regret later in your life.
“If you wanna go fast, go alone. If you wanna go far, go together.” It might be fun if you were a  lone traveller and didn’t
enjoy getting lagged behind your schedule. But, the adventure could be more colourful and unexpected, when you’ve got
company, especially during a long journey like the one I prefer. Hence, my choice would be to pick up a close friend or
two who share the same vision, the same eagerness to capture the beauty of nature. We would start from the south
where we are living and move north. On the go, we could stop by our favorite beaches a little longer than other places
because there isn’t anybody who doesn’t have time for juicy coconuts and white sand paradise. Traditional cuisine would
also be our utmost priority whenever we reach a new place as the best way to live like a local is to eat like a local. A car
is our best choice because it would give us room to comfortably converse with each other and shelter from inclement
weather during our journey if any. It is not only about the destinations but also about the time I would love to spend with
my dear friends as we would share the same space in a four-wheel vehicle along the road; and at the end of the day, it’s
the people that matter.
Vocabulary & useful expression
 more often than not: usually
 take risks: to do something that might be dangerous
 have to offer: have something available to be used or appreciated
 get lagged behind: get fallen behind
 cuisine (n): style of cooking
 utmost (a): greatest; most extreme
 inclement (a): (of the weather) not pleasant; cold, wet, etc.
 at the end of the day: in the end, finally
 shelter (v): protect or shield from something harmful, especially bad weather
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Part 3: Details Discussion:

Reasons for daily travel

Q.  Why do people need to travel every day?

A.  People need to travel in their everyday life for a large number of reasons. The most important thing is their job – they
need to attend their office and thus they need to travel using different transportation mode. But not only the service
holders, people of all strata in a society needs to travel for many other purposes. They need to shop, need to visit relatives,
friends or others for important matters, need to go for learning at schools or educational institutions and many other
issues.
A. Nowadays, travelling has turned into a part and parcel of our everyday life. Most people need to travel every day from
place to place for different reasons such as work, study or shopping for daily necessities, while others travel for pleasure
purposes.
A. Well, it seems like the movement is one of the most fundamental activities of the human being. They travel every day
to reach different destinations including educational institutes, workplaces, or markets. They often travel to meet
someone, visit a place where they engage in recreational activities, buy or sell something, to fulfil a personal or
professional need and so on. Since necessary establishments are not located at a place and people have very different
professions and daily requirements, they need to travel to a variety of locations and then get back home at the end of the
day.
Q.  What problems can people have when they are on their journey, for example, to work or school? Why is this?
A.  A few troubles may occur during their travel to school or office and the most common trouble is the traffic congestion
on a busy road. It mostly happens when the traffic rules are violated, vehicles are parked on here and there on the roads,
non-motorized vehicles occupy the important streets, and mostly the narrow roads where the traffic is large. It is also
responsible for the law violation competition among the public vehicle drivers, pedestrians crossing the roads etc. These
are the common problems and the regular commuters are to adjust to the situation.
A. Peoples can be subject to many incidents during their daily journeys such as traffic jams, accidents, bad weather, air
pollution. The most noticeable problem facing them is holdups in rush hours. Traffic jams happen as the number of
vehicles is on the rise, but the roads are not wide enough to accommodate all the vehicles at a time. Hence, traffic
congestion is a very common scenario for the busy cities if people travel too frequently.
A. I think traffic congestion is the most heinous predicament people face while commuting to their schools and offices.
The traffic jam kills valuable time, create anxiety among many and make them miss their important schedule. Besides,
some people are allergic to dust and yet they have to travel to and from their offices each day. Long queue for a public
bus, extra taxi fare, pickpocketing and accidents are some of the common problems people face every day. It’s quite sad to
notice that some women face even more challenges and problems while they are on the road.

Q.  Some people say that daily journeys like these will not be so common in the future. Do you agree or disagree?
Why?
A. After passing a certain time, daily journeys will not be necessary but that should be applicable in some specific areas.
When online presence is required for a formal meeting, someone does not need to be physically present there. If you work
digitally, you always do not need to be at your workplace and there is no travel required. But if you are driving your own
car, you cannot do that sitting on your writing desk at home. So, I partly agree that in near future journeys will be reduced
for the advancement of the technology.

Benefits of international travel  

Q.  What do you think people can learn from travelling to other countries? Why?
A.  Travelling to a foreign country is one of the best ways to learn about that country and gain direct knowledge. When
travellers are on a foreign trip, they try to get information about the culture and customs of the specific geographical
location. They also do not miss the foods of the nation, visits the popular spots, ride on the common vehicles get pictures
and have much fun. In fact, they learn about the country by their own attempt which is unavailable on books.
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A. Travelling offers first-hand experiences and enhances our horizon and way of thinking. Travelling to foreign lands is
even more beneficial. It helps us learn about a totally new culture, diversity of human interaction and refreshes us from
our monotonous lifestyle. It is said that a new country always brings new ideas and experience and this eventually helps
us become more receptive to other cultures and races. For instance, after I visited Europe, I started realising that we live in
a world where we have a diverse lifestyle and hence we should always respect other cultures.

Q.  Can travel make a positive difference to the economy of a country? How?

A.  Definitely, travel can bring a positive change in the economy of a country. When the travellers go for a trip in a
foreign country, they spend money on their desires. As a result, the travelling spots’ economy gets boosted. For instance,
if you are travelling in France, certainly you will buy the miniature model of the Eiffel Tower for your collection. If the
tourists start buying the miniatures, its demand is on the rise, then its production will also go up and the production
requires employment, while the employed people will have a decent living with the wages they get and thus the economy
of the entire locality will go up. It is happening for your travel in the country.   
A. I think travelling brings benefits both for the host country and the country of origin of the tourists. From tourism’s
point of view, the number of tourists and travellers directly contribute to the economy of many countries who rely on
tourism. On the other hand, tourists often get ideas for new ventures or businesses both in the national and international
arena and this has quite a powerful impact on the economy of a country. For instance, the entrepreneur of a large IT firm
in my country actually got inspired to launch his company after he visited a similar company in Finland.
The tourism sector can play an important role as a driving force of economic development. The impact this industry can
have in the different stages of economic development depends on the specific characteristics of each country. At the
spatial level, tourists prefer to travel in regions with little industrial development. They also tend toward areas of little
agricultural value. For these reasons, tourism can become a dynamic force in regional economies. Within a country,
tourism demand originates in urban concentrations where the highest incomes are found. A percentage of such incomes is
normally set aside for tourism in areas that are geographically different from the visitors’ home base, reinforcing the
process of internal income redistribution. Internationally, a portion of the tourism consumption by developed countries
occurs in developing countries, favoring the process of international income redistribution.
Hotels account for about 75 percent of tourism employment. The tourism sector, particularly hotels, can play an important
role in attracting foreign investment and providing training for nationals.
For example: The tourism sector in the Latin American and Caribbean countries contributes significantly to GDP
earnings,
For many countries tourism is seen as a main instrument for regional development, as it stimulates new economic
activities. Tourism may have a positive economic impact on the balance of payments, on employment, on gross income
and production, but it may also have negative effects, particularly on the environment.

Q.  Do you think a society can benefit if its members have experience of travelling to other countries? In what
ways?
A.  A society could be benefited if the travelling experiences are used in a proper manner. When the travellers will return
to their native lands, they may share their experiences with their families or in any formal or informal discussions. As a
result, the knowledge is shared. The travellers may establish a profitable model that they have seen in their foreign trips
and that could employ people or the models could be used for the benefits of the society. They can also find some
exemplary social works in foreign countries and might start practising that. Thus the knowledge and experience the
travellers gather from their visit to others countries can positively contribute to establishing a better society in their home
country.
Sustainable tourism has three interconnected aspects: environmental, socio-cultural, and economic. Sustainability implies
permanence, so sustainable tourism includes optimum use of resources, including biological diversity; minimization of
ecological, cultural and social impacts; and maximization of benefits for conservation and local communities. 
tourists travel promotes expectations about the destination, including some promotes cultural, such as traditions,
gastronomy, art, crafts, architecture and the material elements of the history, celebrations festive and traditional music.
The values and cultural identity of the locals, the conditions in land use, the socialisation between the parties, the
traditional form of domestic organization, environmental health, religion and even the typical clothing changed.
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 fostering of faith in the lost traditions increased education
• revival of lost traditions
• fosters global human dignity
• fostering interest in shopping of souvenirs
• faith and community attachment
• increased cultural acceptance
• interaction and awareness
• connectivity and respect for guest
• fostering of conservation of art and culture

1. How easy is it to travel around your country?

We have a good number of public transportations including bullet trains, modern buses and aeroplanes and I would say
someone can travel in my country very easily. Major cities in my country have airports and it makes commuters’ life
hassle-free. Since we have eight-lane highways and they are maintained periodically, someone can drive his/her own car
to commute from one area to another smoothly. Besides, metro rails are convenient for city-dwellers to commute to and
from their offices and citizens can take long-route trains to visit other districts and they are comparatively cheaper.

2. Which method of travel do you consider safest?

Despite some common misconceptions, I believe airways are the safest means of transportation. We have frequent
national and international flights and the service is really excellent. Aviation accidents are deadly and claim the lives of
many, and such accidents often make headlines which gives an impression that air travel is nocuous. However, if we
compare air causalities with that of road accidents, we can easily learn that air travel is the safest. Flying is the most
secure way to get around in my country as flights are well-organised and the air traffic is controlled more efficiently by
trained professionals
3. Has travel become safer in recent years?

Some people would say that accidents and casualties are higher in modern time than in the past. But I believe that
travelling in recent years has significantly improved and offers more convenience to commuters. We see more accidents
these days because they all are being reported in the news unlike the past when we could hear about only major accidents.
In recent days, we have more strict traffic rules, acute safety measures including biometric checking, and modern
transportations which are built considering safety in mind. Rigid airport rules make terrorist attacks almost impossible.
A typical train station in my country has more than 15 train schedules and they carry thousands of passengers each day.
Such a station used to have only three to four trains a day. If we consider the number of vehicles and commuters with that
of the past, we would get a real picture of road safety, which I believe has advanced in recent days.
4. What are the pros and cons of low-cost air travel?

The major benefit of cheap air travel is that many people can afford to visit more places around the world and thus foster
the tourism industry. More frequent travels by ordinary people make them tolerable to other cultures and it maintains
global peace.
Among the demerits, increasing flights are responsible for air pollution. Cheap air travel attracts more passengers and thus
they indirectly contribute to air pollution. Moreover, low-cost air tickets do not ensure desirable comfort and amenities
which people often regret. Food and drinks in such a journey are unreasonably expensive and it often includes hidden fees
and charges.

5. How do you think people will travel in the future?

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That’s an interesting question and I will be both realistic and imaginative to answer this. I believe people will prefer to
take aeroplanes and speedy trains in the near future to travel to long-distance and flights will be cheaper to attract more
passengers. Cars would be our constant companion and we would rely on our automobiles more than ever to travel within
the city.
After 30 or 40 years, our cars would be able to fly short-distance and even run on the river, much like a science-fiction
vehicle. After 50 years or so, we will have flying cars that will take us to our offices and the software instead of human
will drive those cars. After a century later, we will have personal pods of SkyTran carrier that would use the airways
rather than moving on a road. After a few centuries later, who knows, we might even teleport straight to our destination
from our home!
6. Should the government in a country focus more on rail transports or road transports? Why?

I believe the decision should be made based on the geological condition, existing infrastructure, population and economic
condition of the country. For instance, if a country has mostly hilly tracks and rivers, developing rail tracks is both
challenging and expensive. For such countries, connecting highways and road transports are more practical and cost
effective. Moreover, if the country does not have enough rail tracks already, it should focus on developing and enhancing
roads rather than rails. Finally, countries with higher population should consider developing their railroads as it can carry
a great number of people at a time. Whether to invest in road or rail transportation, thus, should be made based on a
number of factors rather than a single one.

7. Why do you think people go on holiday?

- To build and strengthen relationships

- to improve health and wellbeing
- to relax and have an adventure
- to escape from routines, worry and stress.
- to gain / broaden horizon: learning and discovery are strong motivators for today travelers.
- to mark a special occasion/ reminisce: Some travelers take vacations to celebrate milestones in their lives: new
relationships, marriages, birthdays, or professional achievements. Vacations that mark special occasions are usually taken
with loved ones and provide memories that last a lifetime.
Life is too short to spend in doing the same things over and over again for all of our lives and become “bored” to death.
The only way we can get rid of this “boredom” is to do something different from time to time, and there just seems to be
no better way of doing this than going on holidays. So, people go on holidays to enjoy their lives a little and have some
fun as it helps them to reduce their stress and increase the level of immunity. In fact, some reports suggest that people,
who do not take vacations, have a 21% higher risk of death from all causes.  When you go on holidays, you become more
positive about your life and surroundings around you as you get exposed to new environments, different human
behaviours, cultures and diverse ways of doing things. In other words, going on holidays serve for you as an unstructured
education for you where you absorb “treasures of lessons” which is not possible to gain otherwise.

8. How important is it for families to go on holiday together?

It is absolutely important for families to go on holidays together because when working or doing something, we tend to
compromise on our relationships, especially within our families. In fact, as “work deadlines” take priority in our lives, we
usually miss out on family gatherings and regular bonding opportunities. Now, if we wait for our retirements to
compensate for our lost time and opportunities, we will have to wait for a long, long time.
But, luckily we can make up for those lost time and opportunities by going on holidays with our families together by
carefully planning them whenever we get an opportunity. In other words, we should never underestimate the power of
Compiled by Ms. Thai Bao for IELTS 1 Page |9
holidays as a very good way to create an even stronger bond with our families even if it means to spend an hour enjoying
a family meal together.
- Families, as we know it, are getting smaller. In the 21st century, the age of fast-evolving technologies and
communication systems the family systems of the world are disintegration. This is for various reasons and mostly because
of economic convenience and opportunities.

In the era of technology what is getting eroded is the old-fashioned family system.. The advent of the nuclear families, of
course, put an end to the social advantages of the joint family system, however, the smaller families bonded together more
closely. But with the passage of time and kids going off in pursuit of dreams, what remains are a handful of memories.
Traveling or holidaying with the family is one sure way to ensure being connected and bonded with each other.  It is so
true that families that holiday together stay together. Importance of holiday or the benefits of going on a holiday is
innumerable. A holiday is the best gift that parents can give to kids or vice-versa. Holidays offer a wonderful opportunity
for families to get closer and discover unknown dimensions of each other. Holidays curate memories that linger with you
for a lifetime.
It is really incredible that most of the time even though families stay under one roof, it
takes a holiday away from home to discover many unknown traits and facets. The stern
and strict father suddenly erupts into a joyous song, the nagging mother becomes an
angel of sweetness and kids begin seeing her in a new light. Parents discover the hidden
talents of kids and so on. The holiday becomes more memorable if you holiday with your
parents or grandparents. A family holiday is indeed a wonderful catalyst where the family
members come into their own.
9. Why do some people go on holiday alone?

Do you think a society can benefit if its members have experience of travelling to other countries? In what ways?
When you’re on vacation alone, the lack of familiar people to interact with forces you to engage much more directly with
your surroundings—on where you are rather than who you’re with. This is probably why many travelers report more vivid
memories from solo trips; their attention is absolutely focused on their surroundings.

You’ll Meet More Locals

Unable to rely on your traveling partners to buy breakfast, use their better language skills to get things done, or distract
you during a boring train ride, you’ll have to turn to the locals—whether you’re looking for human interaction or not.

A solo traveler can also seem more approachable. If you’re with a partner or friend, it’s tempting to talk mostly with each
other, and outsiders might not want to impose. But if you’re by yourself, it’s often easier for someone else to strike up a
conversation with you (or vice versa).

You Can Change Plans on a Dime

When traveling in a group, changing plans can be rife with interpersonal, financial, and other concerns. When on a
vacation alone, you can simply make a decision and move on. This can apply to decisions both small and large, from
deciding where to eat to choosing whether to rent a car and leave town.
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You Have Complete Financial Control

Want to blow a ton of money on a waterfront room? Go for it. Want to spend next to nothing on food? Fine. Want to go
only to free museums, events, and attractions? Keep your money. As a solo traveler, you have the last (and only) word on
every dollar you spend.

Traveling Alone Builds Confidence

SmarterTravel Senior Editor Sarah Schlichter notes that her first solo trip, originally a source of trepidation, ultimately
offered a wellspring of confidence.

“I remember how scared I was the first time I traveled by myself—and sometimes I still am,” she says. “It can be lonely
and unsettling not to have anyone else around for backup. But being able to get yourself out of a jam or figure out where
you are when you’re lost can give you a new sense of confidence and faith in your own resourcefulness. For me this
carried into not only other trips but also into my life at home.”

10. What kind of holidays will be popular in the future?

We can debate all we want on what kind of holidays will be popular in the future, but one thing is for sure that some are
going to be real “hi-tech” and much more “luxurious” than what it is in the present days. Interestingly, the popular UK
newspaper, The Guardian, published a news article in 2014 on what kind of holidays would be popular in the future (in
2024, to be precise) in which it predicted that travellers will “have no need to encounter a single human being” from the
moment they check into the hotel to the moment when they check out! In other words, robots will do the job. In fact, hotel
rooms will be transformed into digital, hyper-interactive spaces in which even the pillows will be “embedded” with
electronic device(s) to massage your neck and wake you up in the morning! Now, if that wasn’t enough surprising for
you, please wait till you read what else the newspaper had to say! Anyway, it went on saying that “the walls will display
high definition images of your friends and family, hologram personal trainers will hang out with you and the shower will
use sound technology to “agitate” dirt from your body, using a traffic light system to indicate when you’re clean enough
to get out.” Sounds pretty cool! Doesn’t it!

11. Is it better to take a holiday in your own country or in a foreign country? Why?

I would say that I would prefer to take a holiday in my own country since my country has pretty much everything from
blue and beautiful oceans to mountains and from snow to plenty of green spaces and plenty of unique architectures. In
fact, my country is among the top 10 visited countries in the world with more than 30 million travellers visiting it every
year. So, I would rather be interested to see my own beautiful country than some distant foreign lands. Besides, I would
certainly feel more comfortable and secured when having holidays in my own country. On top of that, I haven’t also
travelled to most areas and locations in my own country since it has a rather large area. So, if I visit some of those
locations, the chances are I will get to see something very unique right here in my own country without ever needing to
see them in another country. Of course, I have nothing against visiting another country, but, given what I already have in
my country, I would always prefer my own country as a popular holiday destination over others.

12. What problems can people have on holiday in a foreign country?

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People can have a number of problems, especially if they don’t know the language of the locals, when enjoying a holiday
in a foreign country. For example, you may lose your important stuff, or you yourself might get lost in the process of
travelling from one place to another, and you would be in real trouble if you couldn’t communicate your problems
properly to the locals. You would also have trouble getting used to the food of a foreign land no matter how “exotic” and
delicious they may sound. However, the biggest problem of having holidays in a foreign country would be getting really
sick. With no family or close friends (considering that you are travelling alone) and no proper health insurance policy,
your life could be in real danger in a foreign country if you were ever to fall sick.

13. How have holidays changed over the past few decades?
What is different about travelling nowadays compared to in the past?

I suppose now it’s easier than ever to arrange travel. You can book flights and hotels online and research about anywhere
in the world before you even set off. It means that you know a lot more about a destination before you even arrive there.

You have more flexibility and choice now when travelling and there are many more guides and reviews of places which
you can read and so learn more about the things you’d like to see and do in whichever destination you choose to go to.

It’s the organizing of travel which has been revolutionized by technology more than how we travel, yes, airplanes and
trains may be faster than in the past, but the whole process of finding out about a place and organizing somewhere to stay
and buying your train or flight online makes everything so much easier.

The other big difference is that because more people are travelling – it’s now cheaper than ever to travel, which is great.
Samples Answers :
What do you do in your holidays?
Sometimes I travel to broaden my horizons, to admire the beauty of nature and to plunge myself into the picturesque
landscape in other regions in my country. Every now and then, I just stay at home with my family and have a little get-
together to celebrate the holidays.
Vocabulary
Broaden/widen/expand one’s horizon (phrase) to make you see a wider range of opportunities and choices | expand
one’s range of interests, activities, and knowledge.
Plunge oneself into something (phrase) to suddenly start doing something with energy and enthusiasm, but sometimes
without thinking about it first.
Every now and then (idiom) sometimes
Get-together (noun) a small informal meeting or social gathering
Who do you usually spend the holiday with?
It depends on what kind of holiday it is. If it’s Christmas vacation, I prefer to hang out with my friends here and
there and have a chit-chat. If it’s New Year holiday, I just want to celebrate the holiday with my family and relatives in a
cozy ambience.
Vocabulary
Here and there (idiom) in various places
Chit chat (noun) inconsequential conversation; gossip
Do you prefer travelling alone or in a group?
I would say that I’m kind of an introvert so I would rather travel alone to some tranquil and peaceful beauty spots than
travel with a group of people during the holiday.
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Kind of (phrase) used when you are talking about someone or something in a general way without being very exact or
definite.
Introvert (noun) someone who tends to concentrate on their own thoughts and feelings rather than communicating with
other people.
Why are holidays  important to you?
A holiday is a perfect time for recharging my batteries after a year full of challenges and obstacles, having some me
time and planning for the upcoming year.
Vocabulary
Recharge my batteries (phrase) regain one’s strength and energy by resting and relaxing for a time
Me time (noun) Time spent relaxing on one’s own as opposed to working or doing things for others, seen as an
opportunity to reduce stress or restore energy
Plan ahead (phrase) to think carefully about a series of actions that you need to take to achieve something
If you could take a holiday anywhere in the world, where would you go? Why?
If the choice is in my hands, I’m yearning for travelling to […..] on Christmas vacation when the weather is neither too
cold nor too hot. There I can contemplate the picturesque scenery.
Vocabulary
In my hands (idiom) In one’s the responsibility, charge, or care
Yearn for doing something (phrase) to want something a lot, especially something that you know you may not be able
to have
Contemplate (verb) to look at something or someone for a long time | admire
Useful Collocation and Expressions for IELTS Speaking – Topic : Travel
To get away : To escape, to go somewhere that is not your home. You can also use the noun “a getaway.”
Example: Last week, I had a great chance to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city to visit an ancient village in
the countryside.
A thirst for adventure: strong desire for travelling/adventure
Get itchy feet: have a strong desire to travel
Example: I’ve always had a thirst for adventure and often get itchy feet so I decided to set out to a journey from the North
to the South of Australia next month.
To find a gem: When you find a place where only locals go and other tourists don’t visit.
Example: Try to find a local guide when you visit a foreign country to successfully find a gem during your trip.
Arduous journey: difficult & tiring journey
Break the journey: stop for a short time during journey
Example: I had a arduous journey to the South of Vietnam last year. I thought I would break the journey somewhere but I
finally did it all in one go.
Adventurous explorer: a traveler who is willing to do or try new and daring things
Have a stopover: Have a brief overnight stay in a place when on a long journey to somewhere else, usually by air
Example: I had a stopover in China on the way to Thailand, had a bit of a rest, and did the sights there before travelling
on.
Low-cost airline: discount or budget airline
Put somebody on standby: make me wait to see if a seat become available
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Example: Last week I got a flight on a low-cost airline to Paris. I then tried to get a flight to the UK but they were all full,
so they put me on standby.
To take a red eye: To take a late night airline flight
Example: I had to take a red eye and now I’m exhausted.
Intrepid explorer: brave, with no fear of dangerous situations
Example: In the course of a long and proud career, an intrepid explorer turned herself into a perfect lady.
Off the beaten track: An unusual route or destination
Example: My best friend is a intrepid traveler who has a real sense of adventure. He always love to set out on a journey
off the beaten track
Unexplored wilderness: not looked into or investigated; something that you have not done or experienced before
Example: I’m thirsty for a journey into unexplored wilderness and getting right off the beaten track.
To take the road less traveled: To do things differently and to think outside of the box.
Example: Adventurous travelers like to take the road less traveled when visiting a new country.
A real sense of adventure: the urge to explore beyond your daily surroundings and open yourself up to the adventure
To have wanderlust: To want to move around and see a lot of things around the world. To not want to stay in one place.
Example: I had a incurable case of wanderlust.
The first leg of the journey: the first segment of a journey; the first flight of a multi-flight trip.
Example: The first leg of the journey got me to the UK but it just gave me very little indication of what lay ahead.
off the beaten track (path):  in a place where few people go; unusual route/destination
Example: Most young travelers make the effort to get off the tourist trail and look for off the beaten path destinations to
experience the raw beauty of the country.

TỪ VỰNG CHUNG VỀ TOPIC TRAVEL

1. Danh từ về các kì nghỉ
 Short break: A short holiday – Kỳ nghỉ ngắn ngày
E.g: I feel so stressed after a hard – working week that I am certainly going to have a short break this weekend.
 Sightseeing: Đi tham quan chủ yếu nhằm mục đích đi và ngắm cảnh
E.g: Most primary – school students are really interested in going sightseeing because they will not have to go to school.
 Package tour = Package holiday: /ˈpækɪdʒ tʊə(r)/a holiday where you purchase the travel and accommodation
together (Kỳ nghỉ trọn gói) >> IELTS TUTOR lưu ý chỗ package holiday sở dĩ package là noun mà vẫn dùng được ở đó
thì sẽ được lí giải ở điểm ngữ pháp danh từ dùng như tính từ mà IELTS TUTOR đã hướng dẫn kĩ 
E.g: Booking a package tour will help me to save a huge amount of money because buying foods and drinks outside is
very expensive.
 Holiday of a lifetime: a special holiday that you are unlikely to repeat (Kỳ nghỉ đặc biệt trong đời)
E.g: Before I am 30 years old, I should have a holiday of a lifetime so that I can enjoy the interesting tastes of life.
 Self-catering: /ˌself ˈkeɪtərɪŋ/ – danh từ không đếm được – a holiday where you supply your own food – Kỳ nghỉ
tự phục vụ đồ ăn
E.g: If we have self – catering, we will not only save a lot of money, but also have fresh foods and drinks for ourselves.
 Tourist trap: Somewhere where too many tourists go and where food, drink, entertainment, etc. is more
expensive than normal – Nơi nhiều khách du lịch đến và bóc lột khách du lịch (bằng cách lấy tiền đắt)
E.g: I wonder why tourist traps are such appealing places that visitors can spend a huge amount of money.
 Wildlife safari: /ˈwaɪldlaɪf//səˈfɑːri/ – danh từ không đếm được – a holiday, often in Africa, to observe wild
animals – Chuyến đi thám hiểm động vật hoang dã
E.g: I am very passionate about animals, so my friends and I are going to have wildlife safari to Africa next week to find
out more endangered animals.
2. Danh từ chỉ các thứ cần thiết cho một kỳ nghỉ
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 Guided tour: An organised group shown around a place of interest by an expert -Chuyến đi có hướng dẫn viên
du lịch
E.g: If you want to travel around Da Nang to enjoy all beautiful landscapes there, you really need to have a guided tour.
 (Youth) hostel: A cheap form of accommodation – Nhà trọ thanh niên (phòng giá rẻ)
E.g: Choosing to stay in a youth hostel when having a holiday is a saving – cost option for everyone.
 Holiday brochure: a glossy publication with details of holiday packages – Cuốn sách nhỏ về những kỳ nghỉ
E.g: It is very nescessary for tourists to read holiday brochures when they have a holiday.
3. Một số danh từ mô tả các địa điểm tham quan
 Places of interest: Sites of interest to tourists – Địa điểm thu hút khách du lịch
E.g: Do you know some places of interest in Da Nang? I am going to have a short break there next week, so I am
preparing for this holiday.
 Holiday resort: A place where lots of people go for a holiday – Khu nghỉ dưỡng
E.g: I want to go a holiday resort this weekend so that I can reduce stress after a hard – working week.
 Breathtaking view of ST: An extremely beautiful view – Cảnh đẹp ngoạn mục
E.g: We are enjoying a breathtking view of Da Nang which attracts tons of visitors each year.
 Picturesque village: Very pretty village – Ngôi làng rất đẹp
E.g: When we went to Sa Pa to do some volunteer, we saw a picturesque village where we can’t forget.
 Holiday destination: Where you go for a holiday – Điểm đến
E.g: Sa Pa is a quite popular holiday destination for both local residents and foreigners.
 Out of season: (adj) Outside of the main holiday period – Trái mùa
E.g: We should not go to Ha Giang out of season because there is no breathtaking view to see at that time.
 Stunning landscape: Extremely beautiful countryside – Phong cảnh tuyệt vời của vùng nông thôn
E.g: When standing on the peak of the mountain, we see completely a stunning landscape of Ha Giang.
 Far-off destination: Somewhere a long way away – Điểm đến xa xôi
E.g: South Polar is considered as a far – off destination that few visitors want to come there.
 Travel agent: A shop that specialises in booking holidays – Đại lý du lịch
E.g: I have just stopped by a travel agent near my office to book a flight to Nha Trang.
 Departure lounge: Where you wait for your flight to be called – Phòng chờ khởi hành
E.g: Sitting in the departure lounge makes me excited about this holiday.
 tourist attractions: places which tourists tend to visit.
->Despite not being a tourist attraction, new fountain is very popular among the locals.
 hordes of tourists: crowds of tourists.
->Hordes of tourist can be seen during summer near the city park.
 in the middle of nowhere: in a place that is far away from where most people live.
->My grand-mother lives in the middle of nowhere, but she loves her old little village.
 head for: go in a direction for.
->I’m heading for France for my next holidays.
 all-inclusive: a hotel deal where the price includes accommodation, meals and drinks at any time.
->I’ve never thought that hotels with all-incusive service are so comfortable! You can grab a piece of cake at 6 a.m. or
get a cocktail at midnight.
4. Động từ chỉ hoạt động khi đi “Holiday”
 To get away from it all: To take a holiday to escape a busy or stressful lifestyle – Thoát khỏi tất cả đi du lịch để
giảm căng thẳng
E.g: I will take a holiday to …. to get away from it all so that I can work effectively in the next week.
 To put one’s feet up/ to let my hair down: To sit down and relax, especially with your feet raised and supported
– Thư giãn
E.g: After a hard day’s work, it’s nice to get home and put your feet up.
 To do some sunbathing: Tắm nắng
E.g: It is very healthier if you do some sunbathing in the morning than in the afternoon.
 To try/ sample the local food: Thử các món đặc sản
E.g: It is really wonderful to try the local food when we have a holiday in Hoi An.
 To go out at night: đi chơi buổi tối
E.g: If we go to Ho Chi Minh city, we should spend time going out at night because that is when there are a range of
lively activities for the youth.
 To dive: Lặn
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E.g: My friends are really excellent at diving, so they will teach you to dive when we go to Sam Son next week.
 To go sailing: Chèo thuyền
E.g: Going sailing is the most interesting game that I have ever played.
 To windsurf: Lướt ván
E.g: Windsurfing is a quite dangerous sport that a few Vietnamese people dare to try.
 To waterski: Trượt nước
E.g: Have ever you waterskied when you were at primary school?
 To laze around on the sandy beach: Nghỉ ngơi, thư giãn bên bãi biển
 E.g: After my friends and I go shopping in Nha Trang, I will spend all afternoon lazing around on the sandy
beach.
 To enjoy bustling trade: Tận hưởng sự mua sắm nhộn nhịp
E.g: When you come to Ben Thanh market, you will enjoy bustling trade there.
 To take a sunset cruise: Đi ngắm mặt trời lặn
E.g: It is very romantic if my boyfriend and I can take a sunset cruise in this holiday.
 To dispel the heat of summer: Xua tan cái nắng của mùa hè
E.g: Sam Son is an ideal destination of Ha Noi people in order to dispel the heat of the summer.
 To promote tourism image: Quảng bá hình ảnh du lịch
E.g: To promote tourism image for foreigners, the government should enhance the advertisement system.