Describe a (long) car journey you went on IELTS Cue Card

IELTS CUE CARD TOPIC

Describe a (long) car journey you went on

You should say:
Where you went?
What you did at that place?
Who you went there with?
Explain why you went on that journey by car?And explain how you felt about that journey?

Sample Response 1

Introduction

In the modern era, we have many options to visit our favourite places. As far as long journeys are concerned, I prefer to have them by public transport. However, there was one occasion when I had a long journey by car.

Where you went?

I went to Manali Hill station in my car. It was a fourteen hours journey on one side.

What did you do at that place?

Being a nature enthusiast, I spent most of my time under the arms of nature. So firstly I went skiing. The experience was challenging initially, but I worked hard with determination, dedication and discipline and managed to learn it.

Apart from this, Manali is famous for its orchard farms. I visited numerous apple orchards and enjoyed fresh juicy apples over there. Moreover, the weather was cold so I enjoyed a cup of joe umpteen times.

Who you went there with?

I went there with my bosom friend Andrew.

Explain why you went on that journey by car.

The reason for having such a long journey by car was to experience the places on the way. For example, the hills of Himachal Pradesh are alluring, and on public transport, it is challenging to take so many halts.

That’s why I prefer a car. However, me and Andrew are fond of driving. That’s why we went in our vehicle rather than hiring a taxi.

And share the emotions experienced in this memorable journey.

I felt good about that journey because I had a gala with Andrew. Moreover, I tested my driving skills for the first time on hills, initially, I was apprehensive but later I got on swimmingly with it. Despite driving for such a long time, I wasn’t tired and always full of beans. The beautiful moments I had during that trip will remain etched in my memories. The trip was an exhilarating experience which invigorated me and rendered unforgettable memories that will be cherished forever.

Sample 2

Introduction

Being a travel fanatic, I have had numerous long car journeys. However, one of them is exceptional and hence worth mentioning.

Where you went?

I went from Mumbai to Goa.

What did you do at that place? And Who you went there with?

I went on the trip with my family, and the main reason was that my brother had permanent residency in Canada. And we had to shift there, and we wanted to spend some quality time together.

We did many activities in Goa and on the way. We tried our hand at adventure sports like river rafting, bungee jumping, snorkelling, and many more. We also enjoyed the mouth-watering delicacies of all the major cities on the way. Apart from this we did a lot of shopping and visited numerous religious places.

Explain why you went on that journey by car.

The main reason for travelling by car is to enjoy the journey to the full extent because when we travel by public transport or by air, we miss many locations on the way. Moreover, travelling by car is comfortable because you can take halts.

And share the emotions experienced in this memorable journey.

The whole journey was incredible. It helped us to meet and interact with people from different cultures and backgrounds. Moreover, it helped to enhance my knowledge exponentially because, on the way, I visited numerous museums and sites of historical importance.

Lastly, it allowed me to spend quality time with my family members. In this era, fierce competition has become an integral part of our lives, so we interact less with our family members. Therefore, a long journey by car is the best way to have a gala time with your family.

Sample 3

Introduction

Although I have been a part of numerous long drive-through cars, one is etched in my memories and worth mentioning.

Where you went?

I went to Mumbai by road in my car.

What did you do at that place?

After reaching Mumbai, I did many activities. I saw the villas of Bollywood superstars Amitabh Bachan and Shahrukh Khan. After that, I enjoyed the local cuisine and visited numerous worth-seeing places.

Who you went there with?

Since it was a long journey, I went with my friend so that we could drive alternatively to avoid fatigue.

Explain why you went on that journey by car.

Last year my brother got a job in Mumbai, and a few days after joining, he realized he needed a car. The reason was the maturity of his career, in which he had to travel places at a distance of about 100 km from Mumbai thrice a week.

He tried to go via public transport, but it consumed a lot of time, so his work output could have been better. He immediately told me to send him the car we had in our hometown via train. Since sending the vehicle through the goods train was a lengthy process of one week, I decided to drive the car from my home to Mumbai, which was a distance of around 2,000 km.

And explain how you felt about that journey.

The journey was remarkable because most of our distance travelled on highways. We maintained an average speed of 100 and reached Mumbai in 48 hours. It was tiring, but with one day’s rest, my laziness went from a toss and roamed here and there in Mumbai.

Sample 4

Introduction

Recently I had a long journey in the car, which is worth mentioning.

Where you went?

I went to my hometown to meet my family to celebrate the Diwali festival. The journey was a total of 1500 km.

What did you do at that place?

I did many things. Firstly I met my family and my relatives. We organized a party where we had a gala time together.

After that, I met my school friends, and we had a reunion where I was as happy as a clam.

As I got tired after the long car journey, I took a rest for one week, during which I ate various mouth-watering delicacies cooked by my mother. Moreover, I spent a lot of time in my garden, where I felt like I was in the lap of nature.

Who you went there with?

I had two of my friends from my hometown with me. They also did not get the tickets, so they decided to go with me.

Explain why you went on that journey by car.

The reason for travelling by car was that I could not get a train and air ticket due to heavy demand. So going by the car was the only option for me. The journey was 1,500 km, but it went nicely.

And explain how you felt about that journey.

The journey was incredible because, in our car, we had the freedom to halt at the place of our choice. So we had immense fun on the way. We visited numerous sites and met many friends on the way.

Moreover, we enjoyed the local cuisines of many Indian states. So, overall it was an enthralling experience, and the quality time spent on the journey will always remain etched in my memories.

Sample 5

Introduction

I have had numerous short journeys; I had a long drive once, which is worth mentioning.

Where you went?

I went to Goa to purchase a car by train, but on the way back, I travelled by car for a journey of 2000 kilometres.

What did you do at that place?

After reaching home, I showed my car to my near and dear ones, and we had a gala together.

Who you went there with?

I went there with one of my friends named Vivek Goyal.

Explain why you went on that journey by car.

I went to Goa to purchase the car because I got an excellent deal. After reaching there, I tried to send the vehicle by railway; however, due to the long waiting list, there were more viable options. After that, I decided to send I through Packers and Movers, but the price quote I received was exorbitant. So, in the end, I decided to drive the car back to my residence.

And explain how you felt about that journey.

I felt good about the journey because of many reasons. Firstly I developed the confidence to drive a car for long hours. Before this journey, I had never driven a car for more than 300 km at a stretch; however, the long drive from Goa to Chandigarh enhanced my confidence considerably.

Apart from this, the journey helped me to see various states of India. I halted at many places to relax and had beyond the conventional domain experience at all those places. Moreover, I spent quality time with my bosom friend Vivek and the beautiful moments I had during the trip will remain etched in my memories.

Sample 6

Introduction

Three years back I had a long car journey which is worth mentioning.

Where you went?

I went to Mumbai to pick up my brother.

What did you do at that place?

I went there during the peak of the Covid first wave. Due to the stringent lockdown, I could not do anything because all the picnic spots were not in operation. All I did was I picked my brother and went back to my hometown.

Who you went there with?

I went there with my bosom friend Vivek. The main reason for taking him along was to have company in the drive to Mumbai, which was 1,500 km.

Explain why you went on that journey by car.

I went by car because public transport was not in operation due to the lockdown, and hiring a taxi was imprudent because the chances of getting affected by the virus were high. My brother lost his job due to covid, so he had nothing to do in Mumbai. Moreover, it was challenging for him to meet both ends; I decided to bring him back to my hometown in my car.

And explain how you felt about that journey.

The journey was different because, due to the lockdown, there was no hustle and bustle on the roads. I vividly remember I had the same journey during my childhood on a taxi; during that time, it took fifteen hours, but due to no traffic congestion, I reached Mumbai in 12 hours.

Moreover, no toll plaza was operational, and we saved money.

Lastly, the trip made me feel close to nature because I saw many wild animals on the road as they could roam easily due to the lack of movement of people and automobiles on the road.

Sample 7

Indeed, the perks of having your vehicle must be addressed. And today, I would like to describe a long car journey that I went on with my family since we were commuting.

After a long time, we planned to go to an eminent hill station named Shimla, known as the queen of hills. It is renowned worldwide due to its culture and heritage. Between the roads, we stopped in a restaurant, ate the local cuisine, and learned about the local language and culture. Since we were commuting after a long time, we were enthusiastic.

We went on the car journey because my mother had sickness and felt dizzy whenever she went on public transport, so to prevent chaos or a sense of apprehension, we decided to go in a car. At that time, my mother was feeling over the moon.

Sometime after that, we went to the temple on Mall Road. The perk of having our car was that we carried our luggage on the journey, which was impossible if we went on public transport because they did not allow us to stop in between any roads and we could not enjoy wherever we wanted.

So we stopped the car between the mountains and clicked the pictures. And I will forever cherish those moments of my entire life. It was an overwhelming experience for me to go on a long car journey and spend all my time with my family.

Sample 8

Well, journey plays a stressbuster role in our life. And here I would like to talk about a time when I went on a journey. I remember it was during my summer vacation when my father planned to go to Manali.

And that time, my whole family packed luggage because it was our first long journey together. We stopped our car at a famous restaurant, and while having breakfast, we discussed the famous tourist attractions in Manali.

And when we reached, we booked a hotel, and at that time, we took a siesta to keep ourselves fit and fine. After that, my sister and I went shopping. First of all, we visited the wooden market, and on that place on that place there was a lot of hustle and bustle, and I purchased some products for my friends and siblings.

After that, I went to Mall Road, which is a well-known, and it is a famous place in Manali. There was a lot of hustle and bustle, and I clicked some pictures. In addition, I also shared the pictures with my friends on various social media platforms, and after that, my whole family member went to the Hidimba temple.

In totality, the whole journey was a mesmerizing experience for me.

Follow-ups

Here are some examples of follow-up questions that the examiner might ask during your speaking part 3 related to the cue card “Describe a (long) car journey you went on the IELTS Cue Card”.

1. What will cars be like in the future?

In the future, the car industry will undergo a paradigm shift. Right now most car manufacturers are focussing on petrol and diesel run cars. However, this scenario will change soon because it is a well-known fact that such cars cause a lot of pollution. Due to this reason, most of the cars in the future will run on alternate energy sources like electric and solar.

2. What’s the difference between men’s and women’s preference for cars?

In the modern era, the gender difference is fading, so there is no discrepancy in men’s and women’s preferences for the car. Some people prefer big cars while some choose small cars. Both males and females incline towards cars that provide comfort while driving, and it the size of the car does not matter to them.

3. What are the differences between bicycles and private cars?

There are many differences between bicycles and private cars. Firstly, as far as speed is concerned, there is no denying this conviction that cars are far ahead of cycles in terms of speed because they run on mechanical power, whereas cycles run on manual effort.

The other difference is that cars lead to traffic congestion because of their size, whereas cycles require minimal space.

4. Why do people like to have private cars?

People like to have private cars for two reasons. The first reason is comfort because traveling by car is more comfortable compared to public transport and cycles. Because in your vehicle you can install facilities as per your taste.

Apart from this having a private car saves time because you can decide the route as per your choice.

5. Is it good that everyone has a car?

Everyone having their cars is an imprudent approach because it would lead to two problems. Firstly, there will be a lot of congestion on the roads, and secondly, air pollution will incline considerably.

6. How to buy private cars in India?

Purchasing a car is an easy task in India. Every city has a plethora of dealers who sell cars. You can visit any dealer and take a test ride. After that, you can buy the car by paying and completing the paperwork. And in case you are short of funds, you can avail a loan.

7. Do many families own private cars in India?

Yes, numerous families hold private cars in my nation. The primary reason is that it is private and reasonably priced. These days, many cars are available in the market, and people purchase them after considering their budget.

8. What is the biggest benefit of a long journey?

A long car journey presents countless benefits beyond reaching a destination. Firstly, it empowers us to cherish quality bonding time with our near and dear ones, encouraging more profound associations and forming lasting memories. It delivers a chance to examine new places, uncover secret gems, and relish the beauty of the travel itself. It offers an opportunity to detach from the rush of daily life, delivering relaxation and a respite from routine. Long car journeys can also be a time for contemplation and self-reflection, letting one achieve clarity and standpoint. Eventually, the best advantage lies in the journey’s power to rejuvenate the senses, body, and soul through experience and emotional development.

9. What things we should carry for a long hour’s journey?

For a long car journey, it’s essential to pack a few necessities to guarantee convenience and preparedness. Firstly, carry travel papers like a car registration certificate, insurance, driving license, and pollution clearance. Take a water bottle to remain hydrated and some eatables for nutrition. Pack personal items such as phones, chargers, earphones, and essential medication. Convenience items such as a travel pillow, blanket, or eye mask can ensure you a relaxing journey. Moreover, having some entertainment options in the car, like music and organizing to read, is a prudent approach. Lastly, carry a small toiletry bag with necessities like hand sanitiser, napkins, and wet wipes for a comfortable journey.

10. What are some recommended strategies for entertainment and keeping passengers engaged during extended car rides?

There is no denying this conviction that we thrive primarily on music for entertainment during car journeys. Hence, it is worthwhile to prepare a playlist of favourite songs or tunes in advance. Apart from this playing interactive car games like “I Spy” or trivia is a prudent approach. Moreover, those who like gaming can carry portable gaming devices.

Furthermore, engaging in talks and storytelling with fellow travellers makes the journey relaxing. Lastly, taking occasional halts for sightseeing and photo-clicking is a sapient approach.

11. What are some budget-friendly tips for saving money on a car journey?

To have a car journey at a reasonable cost, pay attention to fuel-efficient driving procedures like keeping a constant speed and reducing excessive idling. Have a proper plan of your route in advance to stay away from toll roads and crowded spots. Packaging snacks and meals rather than spending money at roadside eateries is worthwhile. Leave no stone unturned to have deals on accommodations and attractions along your way to reduce the cost drastically.