IELTS Speaking 2025 Part 2&3: Describe a Time When the Vehicle You Took Broke Down on Your Trip 🚗⚠️

Describe a Time When the Vehicle You Took Broke Down on Your Trip 🚗⚠️

Ideas 💡

• Where it happened → On a highway, in the countryside, in the city
• When it happened → During a road trip, on the way to an important event, at night
• Who you were with → Friends, family, colleagues, alone
• Impact of the breakdown → Delayed arrival, had to find another way, experienced an adventure

Useful Grammar & Structures 🏗️

✅ Past simple & past continuous (We were driving along the highway when the car suddenly broke down.)
✅ Narrative sequencing (At first, we thought it was a minor issue, but then we realized it was serious.)
✅ Causal linking phrases (As a result, we had to wait for a mechanic.)
✅ Idioms & phrasal verbs (Out of the blue, our car broke down. / We had to call for a tow truck.)

Collocations & Idioms 🌟

1. Break down unexpectedly ⚠️ (bất ngờ hỏng xe)
2. Stranded in the middle of nowhere 🏕️ (mắc kẹt giữa chốn hoang vắng)
3. Call for roadside assistance 📞 (gọi cứu hộ đường bộ)
4. A nerve-racking experience 😰 (trải nghiệm căng thẳng)
5. A blessing in disguise 🌈 (điều tưởng xấu mà lại tốt)

Full Sample Answer (2+ minutes) 🎤

I clearly remember a time when I had a rather unexpected and stressful experience due to a vehicle breakdown. It happened about a year ago when my friends and I were on a road trip to a mountainous area. We were driving through a remote countryside road, enjoying the breathtaking scenery, when suddenly, our car started making a strange noise and slowed down. Within minutes, the engine completely shut down, and we found ourselves stranded in the middle of nowhere.

At first, we thought it was just a minor issue, so we tried restarting the car, but nothing worked. We checked under the hood, but since none of us were car experts, we had no idea what was wrong. As a result, we had to call for roadside assistance, but unfortunately, we had poor mobile reception in that area. We started to panic because it was getting dark, and the road was completely deserted.

Luckily, after about 30 minutes, a kind passerby stopped to help us. He happened to be a mechanic, and after inspecting our car, he found out that there was a problem with the battery. He helped us jump-start the vehicle, and we were able to continue our journey. Although this situation was a nerve-racking experience, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise because we learned the importance of being prepared when traveling. Now, I always make sure to check my vehicle before any long trip and carry emergency tools just in case something like this happens again.

🎤 Part 3: Follow-up Questions & Answers 🚎🚗

1. What do you think needs to be improved in public transport?

Ideas 💡

• Reliability → Reduce delays and cancellations
• Comfort & cleanliness → Improve hygiene and seating conditions
• Coverage → Expand routes to less accessible areas
• Affordability → Make fares cheaper for low-income citizens

Collocations 🌟

1. Frequent delays and overcrowding 🚆 (sự chậm trễ và đông đúc thường xuyên)
2. Improve efficiency and punctuality ⏳ (cải thiện hiệu quả và đúng giờ)
3. Affordable and accessible transport 💰 (giao thông công cộng giá cả hợp lý và dễ tiếp cận)
4. Eco-friendly alternatives 🌍 (phương tiện thân thiện với môi trường)

Sample Answer 🎤

In my opinion, several improvements could be made to public transport to encourage more people to use it. First of all, there should be better punctuality and reliability because frequent delays and overcrowding discourage people from choosing buses or trains. Additionally, improving comfort and cleanliness would make public transport more appealing to commuters. Another important aspect is expanding transport routes to areas that are currently underserved, especially in rural regions. Lastly, making public transport more affordable would benefit low-income citizens and reduce traffic congestion caused by excessive car usage.

2. Who likes to travel more, older people or younger people?

Ideas 💡

• Younger people → More adventurous, fewer responsibilities
• Older people → Have more money and free time after retirement

Collocations 🌟

1. Have a thirst for adventure 🏕️ (có niềm đam mê phiêu lưu)
2. Financially stable 💰 (ổn định về tài chính)
3. Seek comfort and relaxation 🌴 (tìm kiếm sự thoải mái và thư giãn)
4. Backpacking culture 🎒 (văn hóa du lịch bụi)

Sample Answer 🎤

I think both older and younger people love traveling, but for different reasons. Younger people, especially students and young professionals, have a thirst for adventure and often engage in backpacking culture, exploring new places on a budget. However, they may lack financial stability, so they tend to go for cheaper travel options. On the other hand, older people, especially retirees, have more financial resources and free time, allowing them to travel more comfortably. They often prefer luxury travel experiences rather than adventure trips. In short, both groups love traveling, but their preferences and travel styles differ.

3. Are there fewer people using private cars because of improved public transport?

Ideas 💡

• Yes: Cities with efficient public transport see lower car usage
• No: Many people still prefer cars for convenience

Collocations 🌟

1. Reduce traffic congestion 🚦 (giảm tắc nghẽn giao thông)
2. More environmentally friendly 🌱 (thân thiện hơn với môi trường)
3. Rely on personal vehicles 🚗 (phụ thuộc vào xe cá nhân)
4. Commuting convenience ⏳ (sự tiện lợi khi đi lại)

Sample Answer 🎤

In some cities where public transport has been significantly improved, there has been a notable decline in private car usage. This is because efficient public transport can reduce traffic congestion and is more environmentally friendly. However, in many areas, people still rely on personal vehicles because public transport may not be convenient or accessible enough. Many commuters prefer the comfort and flexibility of driving their own cars rather than dealing with crowded buses or trains.

4. What are the advantages and disadvantages of private transport?

Ideas 💡

✅ Advantages: Convenience, flexibility, privacy
❌ Disadvantages: High costs, traffic congestion, environmental issues

Collocations 🌟

1. Travel at one’s own pace 🚘 (đi lại theo nhịp độ của riêng mình)
2. Contribute to air pollution 🌫️ (góp phần gây ô nhiễm không khí)
3. Fuel and maintenance costs ⛽ (chi phí nhiên liệu và bảo trì)
4. Cause traffic congestion 🚦 (gây tắc nghẽn giao thông)

Sample Answer 🎤

Private transport has several advantages. Firstly, it offers convenience and flexibility, allowing people to travel at their own pace without depending on fixed schedules. Additionally, private vehicles provide privacy and comfort, especially for long-distance travel. However, there are also disadvantages. Owning a car can be expensive due to fuel and maintenance costs, and it also contributes to traffic congestion and air pollution. Therefore, while private transport has its benefits, it’s essential to find a balance and encourage eco-friendly alternatives like electric vehicles or improved public transport.