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Describe a trip that you are planning to take in the future

Try the card on the exam timer first, then read the band-8 sample answer and the Part 3 questions that follow it.

Practice it like the exam

Part 2 · Candidate task card

Describe a trip that you are planning to take in the future.

You should say:

  • where you plan to go
  • who you plan to go with
  • what you plan to do there

and explain why you want to go on this trip.

Ready

1 minute to prepare, then 2 minutes to speak. It switches on its own.

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Band 8 sample answer

257 words · about 2 minutes at a natural pace · Phrases from the vocabulary list are highlighted.

I'm planning a trip to Japan, which I hope to take next spring, if everything goes according to plan. It has been a dream of mine for a long time, and I've started saving money for it already.

I'm planning to go with my best friend, Dilnoza, who shares my interest in Japanese culture. We'd like to stay for about two weeks. We've already drawn up a rough itinerary: we'll begin in Tokyo for four days, then take the bullet train to Kyoto, and finish in Osaka. In Tokyo, we want to visit the markets and the modern districts, in Kyoto the old temples and gardens, and in Osaka we hope to sample the local cuisine, especially the street food. We've also thought of going to see the cherry blossoms, which is why we've chosen spring. We'll book the flights and accommodation well in advance, because that's the busiest season.

There are a number of reasons why I want to go. First of all, I've been fascinated by the contrast between ancient traditions and advanced technology there, and I'd love to see it with my own eyes instead of just in films. Second, I've been learning a few Japanese phrases for the past year, and I'd like to try using them. Third, I think it will be a refreshing break after a long period of hard work. Finally, I believe it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to soak up the atmosphere of a completely different culture. I'm counting down the months already and reading blogs every evening to prepare.

What to notice

  • It takes the points on the card in order, so the examiner can follow it.
  • Each point gets a specific detail or a short story, which is what keeps a talk going for two minutes.
  • The "explain" line at the end gets the most time, because that is where you give an opinion and show your range of language.

We wrote this answer for practice; it does not come from IELTS. Take its structure and phrases and tell your own story, because examiners notice memorised answers.

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Useful vocabulary

PhraseMeaning
book in advancereserve tickets or rooms early
off the tourist trackaway from the usual tourist places
draw up an itinerarymake a detailed travel plan
sample the local cuisinetry the typical food of a place
a once-in-a-lifetime tripa journey you will likely never repeat
soak up the atmosphereenjoy the mood of a place

Plan it in one minute

Choose what to talk about in the first ten seconds, then write two or three key words for each point. Full sentences take too long to write and to read back.

Who or what you could talk about

  • A city break to Istanbul or Prague
  • A hiking trip in the mountains
  • A visit to relatives living abroad

How to spend the two minutes

  1. 25 swhere you plan to go
  2. 25 swho you plan to go with
  3. 25 swhat you plan to do there
  4. 45 sand explain why you want to go on this trip.

Part 3 questions

In the exam these come straight after your talk, on the wider subject: Travel and tourism. Answer each in 3–4 sentences, with your view, a reason and an example.

  1. Why do people like to travel to other countries?
  2. Is it better to travel alone, with friends or with family?
  3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of tourism for local people?
  4. How has the internet changed the way people plan their trips?
  5. Will people travel more or less in the future?

Frequently asked questions

How do I talk about future plans in an IELTS cue card?

Say what you would like to do, why, and how you would go about it. Mix future forms: "I'm planning to", "I'd love to", "if I had the chance, I would". A plan you really have gives you more to say than an invented one.

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