Speaking Test – Part 1 – Travelling
Topic – Travelling:
Q. How did you reach the examination centre?
Answer: The examination centre is far from where I live. So, I had to take a bus to reach the examination centre by road.
Q. Do you like travelling?
Answer: Yes, I do like travelling, whenever I get an opportunity, to see what my country and the rest of the world has in store for us. So far, I have travelled to India, Nepal, Turkey, Malaysia and Bangladesh outside of my country.
Q. How do you usually travel?
Answer: I usually travel by road on a bus unless I am going to my work, in which case, I take my motorbike. In case I am travelling to a foreign country, then I, of course, take a plane.
Q. What are the most common types of transportation run on the streets in your country?
Answer: The most common types of transportations in my country are public bus and Taxi. We also do have a railway system and the government is planning to expand our water transportation system.
Q. Which types of transportation do people in your country often use to move?
Answer: People mostly use public buses and four-wheel-drive pickups to move around. A large number of them use their own bicycles and motorbikes while affluent people use private cars.
Q. Do you like travelling?
Answer: I must admit I’m a travel lover (1) and travelling to a new country is always on top of my todo list every year. Travelling helps me broaden my horizons ( 2) and blow off some steam (3) after strenuous (4) working days.
(1) A travel lover /ˈtræv.əl ˈlʌv.ər/
Example: Travel-lovers need to keep living fully
( 2) To broaden my horizons /ˈbrɔː.dən maɪ həˈraɪ.zən/
Example: When I went to university I wanted to broaden my horizons.
(3) To blow off some steam /bləʊ ɒf sʌm stiːm/
Example: To blow off some steam, they took archery lessons together.
(4) To be strenuous /ˈstren.ju.əs/
Example: His doctor advised him not to do any strenuous exercise
Q. How many cities have you travelled to?
Answer: Probably 6. Last year, during my winter break, I had a chance to travel with a group of my best friends and visited the Northern region of my country. We are also planning to travel overseas next month.
Q. What kind of cities do you like to travel to?
Answer: Since HCMC is usually hot and humid all year round(5) , I would love to visit cities that have cool weather like Da Lat or Sa Pa. Additionally, I also want to get away from the hustle and bustle(6) of the city life, so anywhere which gives me a sense of tranquility (7) would be my kind of city to visit.
5)All year round /ɔːl jɪər raʊnd/
Example: The venue shows movies all year round.
(6) To get away from the hustle and bustle
Example: We both have busy lives and it’s good to get away from the hustle and bustle.
(7) A sense of tranquility
Example: I love the sense of tranquility in my hometown.
Q. What is the place that left you the deepest impression when travelling?
Answer:Honestly speaking, it is Sapa. The city has its unique charm and picturesque scenery(8) that takes my breath away (9) just by looking at the photos I took during the trip. This place is definitely worth visiting (10) and words alone are not enough to describe its beauty.
(8) Picturesque scenery ˈsiˈ.nˈr.i/
Example: The countryside in this region is very picturesque scenery.
(9) To take my breath away (idiom)
Example: The beauty of the Taj Mahal took my breath away
(10) To be worth visiting
Example: Two other sites are eminently worth visiting.
Q. Do you enjoy travelling? [Why/Why not?]
Answer: Ibn Battuta, one of the world’s famous travellers of the middle ages, once said that “Traveling leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller”. Now, I am not too sure if there are any people in this world who don’t like to travel, but I do- I really, really like travelling whether it is inside my beautiful country or outside of it.
I love travelling because it reminds me of how “unimportant” I really am and my life is to this big and wonderful world in the grand scheme of things. Getting exposure to new places, new customs, new traditions, new cultures and new people can take our life experience to a whole new level by opening our eyes and hearts to new possibilities which just wouldn’t really be possible otherwise. Travelling helps me realize that my life isn’t the only life I could live as I could be anywhere and anybody at any point of time without getting caught up so much in my daily routine life.
Q. Have you done much travelling? [Why/Why not?]
Answer: I am not too sure how much exactly is ‘much”, but I think that I have done my fair share of travelling. In fact, having travelled extensively not only inside my own country but also to some Asian, European and North American countries so far, I guess it is fair to suggest that I am a well-travelled person. I have been lucky to travel these countries mostly because of family reasons, either to see some of the family members who are already living in some of those countries, or to take some of them there for the purpose of providing better treatments. Of course, I am looking forward to the days when I will have to travel to some countries purely for fun and adventures.
Q. Do you think it’s better to travel alone or with other people? [Why?]
Answer: I think that it is better to travel with other people because we should be able to share the fun and adventures of travelling with somebody on the spot. Besides, wandering around along in a new place can be a bit tiring and boring sometimes. Friends are like families when you are travelling in a country, far away from your home. So, if you ever are not feeling well, or if you ever get into to “troubles”, you know that your friends are there to support you and take care of you, particularly if you are travelling abroad.
Finally, if you are with your friends, you don’t really have to worry about planning your trips alone because your friends can help you with this, especially, when you don’t know for sure what things/activities are more fun and adventurous than others.
Q. Where would you like to travel in the future? [Why?]
Answer: I would like to travel to many places in future, but one particular place, which comes to my mind, is Japan. Having carried some of the most interesting cultures and traditions for thousands of years, Japan certainly is one of the most beautiful and clean countries in the world worth a visit. Besides, the people of Japan interests me a lot because of their very gentle and calm demeanour. I would also like to visit Japan as I would just love to witness the Sakura, Japanese Cherry Blossom and the best in the world, from up close during the spring festival in Osaka which attracts more than 1.5 million visitors from all over the world over the entire 4 weeks of the festival. Finally, the marvellous architecture of Japanese temples, castles and shrines are just too unique and great to be missed.
