Describe a trip you were looking forward to that was delayed or postponed – IELTS speaking part 2
Describe a trip you were looking forward to that was delayed or postponed
You should say:
- When it was
- Where you were planning to go
- Why it was delayed or postponed
And explain how you felt about it
Example 1:
“ I remember a time just over a year ago, during my summer holidays when I was eagerly counting down the days to a trip I had been looking forward to for weeks.
My family and I were planning a weekend getaway to a nearby amusement park. We had been talking about it for so long and had made all the necessary preparations, purchasing tickets, booking a hotel, and making a list of all the rides we wanted to go on.
However, just a day before our scheduled departure, we received news that a strong storm was forecasted for the entire weekend. Sadly, it meant that our highly anticipated trip would have to be postponed.
My heart sank at the thought of having to wait even longer to go on this adventure. It was like a balloon filled with excitement being popped by a sad reality.
To make things worse, the storm ended up being even stronger than predicted, and our trip got delayed for a whole month. It was tough to swallow, but we had no choice but to accept it. As a result, we had to cancel our hotel reservations and reschedule everything, which was not only a hassle but also a bit disheartening.
Our trip eventually happened a few weeks later,and it turned out to be better than we could have ever imagined. So, I learned to never lose hope, even when things get delayed or cancelled.
Thank you.”
- Idioms
“To count down the days” means to eagerly anticipate a future event or to eagerly await the passage of time until a specific date or event occurs.
Example: I can’t wait for summer break to start! I’ve been counting down the days since the beginning of the school year.
The idiom “my heart sank” means to feel a sudden sense of disappointment, sadness, or fear.
Example: When I heard the news of my grandmother’s passing, my heart sank and I felt an overwhelming sense of grief.
The idiom “tough to swallow” means difficult to accept or believe.
Example: Finding out that your friend has betrayed you is tough to swallow.
The idiom “hassle” means to cause trouble, annoyance, or inconvenience.
Example: I don’t want to go through the hassle of returning this item, so I’ll just keep it.
Example 2:
“A couple of years ago, I was eagerly awaiting a school trip to London during the summer holidays. My friends and I had been planning this trip for months, and we were excited to explore the city, visit popular tourist attractions, and experience the rich culture of England.
However, our excitement soon turned to disappointment when we received an email from the school informing us that our flight was delayed by a few hours.
I remember, I was heartbroken and felt like our trip was ruined. I had been anxiously waiting for this trip, and now it seemed like it was never going to happen.
To make matters worse, the delay was due to bad weather conditions in London, and there was no guarantee that we would be able to leave on our scheduled flight. It felt like a dark cloud had settled over our trip, and I couldn’t help but feel downhearted.
To pass the time, my friends and I chatted, played games, and tried to distract ourselves from the disappointment. Thankfully, after a few long and restless hours, we finally boarded our flight and arrived in London, although much later than expected.
Despite the delay, we had a wonderful time exploring London and creating unforgettable memories with our friends.
Thank you.”
- Idioms
The idiom “a dark cloud” is used to describe a feeling of negativity and gloom. It often refers to a situation or circumstance that brings a sense of impending danger or sadness.
Example sentence: “Everyone could feel a dark cloud hanging over the office after hearing about the company’s recent problems, and layoffs.”
Describe a trip you were looking forward to that was delayed or postponed – IELTS speaking part 2
What are the most popular forms of public transportation in your country?
“In my country, the most popular form of public transportation would have to be the bus. Buses are widely used as they are affordable and cover most areas in the city. They also have a frequent schedule and are a convenient mode of transportation for daily commuters.
Another popular mode of transportation is the subway or metro, which is preferred for longer distances and has a faster travel time.
In my personal opinion, these two forms of public transportation are the most convenient and efficient, especially in cities with heavy traffic.
However, some people also prefer taxis or ride-sharing services for their convenience and comfort.”
Is public transportation in your country generally reliable?
“In my country, public transportation is generally reliable for the most part.
For instance, the subway system in my city runs consistently on time and is a very popular mode of transportation for commuters.
Mind you, there are occasional delays or disruptions due to unexpected maintenance issues or construction.
On the other hand, buses can quite often be less reliable, often arriving late or experiencing overcrowding during rush hour.
As well as that, there can sometimes be delays with flight times, due to weather conditions, or other unforeseen circumstances.
Personally, I find public transportation to be convenient and cost-effective, but improvements can still be made to make it even more efficient and reliable.”
How do you think that the government could improve public transportation in your country?
“Well, in my opinion, I guess there are a few key ways that the government could improve public transportation in our country.
Firstly, they could invest in upgrading and expanding the existing infrastructure, such as adding more bus and train routes, as well as improving the quality of the vehicles.
On top of that, implementing a more efficient and user-friendly payment system, like contactless cards or mobile payments, could make using public transportation even more convenient for people.
Another thing they could do is, offering discounted fares for students and low-income individuals, which could encourage more people to use public transportation.
Overall, I believe these improvements could make public transportation a more reliable and cost-effective option for commuters.”
What difficulties can people face when travelling?
“Well, personally,I think that travelling comes with its own set of challenges. One of the major difficulties is the language barrier, which can make it difficult to communicate with locals and navigate the area.
Another issue is adjusting to different cultures, customs, and traditions, which can be overwhelming and intimidating.
As well as that,travelling can also be physically tiring, with long flights, jet lag, and unfamiliar foods. For example, during my trip to Japan, I struggled with using chopsticks and felt overwhelmed by the fast-paced city life.
Despite these challenges, in my opinion, the benefits of travelling and experiencing new cultures outweigh the difficulties.
For example, when I visited Japan, I struggled to adjust to their time zone and found it difficult to explore the city.
Nevertheless, I believe that these challenges are worth it for the experience and memories gained from travelling.”
More links to IELTS speaking part 2 and part 3 topics with example answers
Describe a time you picked up something thrown by another person
Describe a time you heard someone complaining about something
Describe a public facility that has been renovated or improved
Describe a uniform you wear or have worn in school or work
Describe a place where you go to relax
Describe a time you bought something at a street market
