Part 2 (Cue Card) Travel & Places

A Memorable Journey

Cue Card

Describe a memorable journey you have taken.

You should say:

and explain and explain what made this journey so memorable for you

Model Answer

Well, I'd like to describe a journey I took about two years ago to the countryside in the northern part of Vietnam with two of my closest friends. We decided to go on a motorbike trip through the mountain passes, which was something we'd been planning for ages. Actually, the whole trip lasted about five days, and we covered roughly six hundred kilometres in total. The scenery along the way was absolutely breathtaking — I'm talking about towering limestone mountains, lush green rice terraces, and these winding roads that seemed to go on forever. During the journey, we stopped at several small villages where we got to interact with the local people, who were incredibly welcoming. We tried traditional food that I'd never tasted before, and we even stayed overnight in a homestay run by a local family. To be honest, what made this journey truly memorable wasn't just the picturesque landscapes, although those were stunning. It was more about the sense of freedom and adventure. There's something special about being on the open road with your best friends, not really knowing what you'll discover around the next bend. I also remember one evening when we parked our bikes on a hilltop and just sat there watching the sunset in complete silence. That moment has stayed with me ever since. I'd say it was one of those rare experiences that really puts things into perspective and reminds you what matters most in life.

Key Vocabulary

breathtaking
extremely impressive, beautiful, or awe-inspiring
towering
extremely tall and impressive
lush
growing thickly and healthily, very green and rich
winding
following a twisting or curving path
welcoming
friendly and making visitors feel comfortable
picturesque
visually attractive, especially in a charming old-fashioned way
puts things into perspective
helps you see what is truly important compared to everything else
stunning
extremely beautiful or impressive

Pronunciation Guide

picturesque /ˌpɪktʃəˈresk/
Stress the final syllable RESK. Three syllables: 'pik-chuh-RESK'. The 'esque' ending rhymes with 'desk'.
scenery /ˈsiːnəri/
Stress the first syllable SEE. Say 'SEE-nuh-ree', not 'SKEN-ery'. The 'sc' is pronounced as a simple 's' sound.
memorable /ˈmemərəbəl/
Stress the first syllable MEM. Four syllables: 'MEM-uh-ruh-bul'. A common mistake is stressing the second syllable — keep it on the first.

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Speaking Tips

For travel topics, engage the examiner's senses with descriptive language — mention what you saw, heard, tasted, and felt. Rather than listing activities like a travel itinerary, focus on two or three vivid moments and describe them in detail. Ending with a reflective statement about what the journey meant to you elevates your answer to Band 7-8 level.

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