IELTS Speaking 2025 Part 2&3: Describe a Time When You Traveled to a New Place 🌍✈️

Describe a Time When You Traveled to a New Place 🌍✈️

Suggested Ideas for Each Part

• Where the new place is 📍

  • Da Lat – a beautiful mountain city in Vietnam
  • Hoi An – a charming ancient town with lantern-lit streets
  • Ha Long Bay – a UNESCO heritage site with stunning limestone islands

• When you went there 🗓️

  • Last summer during my vacation
  • During the Lunar New Year holiday with my family
  • A few years ago when I had a school trip

• Why you went there 🎯

  • To relax and escape from the busy city life
  • To experience the local culture and try traditional food
  • To take beautiful pictures and enjoy nature

• How you feel about the place 😍

  • Amazed by the breathtaking scenery and fresh air
  • Fascinated by the unique culture and friendly locals
  • Would love to visit again because it was unforgettable

Useful Grammar Structures

1. Past Simple for narrating the trip

   • I visited Da Lat last summer and had an amazing time there.

2. Past Continuous for describing ongoing actions

   • While we were exploring the town, we discovered a hidden café.

3. Comparatives for contrasts

   • Da Lat is much cooler than Ho Chi Minh City, which was a nice change.

Collocations

1. Breathtaking scenery 🌄 (khung cảnh ngoạn mục)
2. Bustling city life 🌆 (nhịp sống đô thị nhộn nhịp)
3. Local delicacies 🍜 (đặc sản địa phương)
4. Once-in-a-lifetime experience 🎭 (trải nghiệm có một không hai)
5. Warm and welcoming locals 🤗 (người dân thân thiện và hiếu khách)

Full Sample Answer (2 Minutes)

Last summer, I had the chance to visit Da Lat 🌲, a beautiful highland city in Vietnam. It was my first time there, and I was completely mesmerized by the breathtaking scenery 🌄 and the cool weather, which is quite different from the bustling city life 🌆 of Ho Chi Minh City.

I went there with my best friends as a way to relax after a stressful semester at university. We planned a four-day trip and made a list of must-visit places. The first day, we explored the city center and enjoyed some local delicacies 🍜, such as grilled rice paper and avocado ice cream. On the second day, we rented motorbikes and rode around the countryside, visiting flower gardens and waterfalls. The air was so fresh, and the landscapes were absolutely stunning.

One of the highlights of the trip was visiting Lang Biang Mountain. We hiked to the top, and from there, we could see the whole city covered in mist. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience 🎭. Another memorable part was meeting some warm and welcoming locals 🤗 who shared interesting stories about Da Lat’s history and culture.

Overall, the trip was incredible. I loved everything about Da Lat—the cool climate, the beautiful nature, and the delicious food. I would definitely love to go back again, maybe during the flower festival season!

Part 3: Discussion Questions & Sample Answers

1. Which do you prefer, living in a city or only visiting it as a tourist? 🏙️✈️

Ideas

• Living in a city: More job opportunities, convenient lifestyle
• Visiting a city: Less stressful, more exciting as a short trip

Collocations

1. Fast-paced urban lifestyle 🚀 (lối sống đô thị nhịp độ nhanh)
2. Convenient public transportation 🚋 (hệ thống giao thông công cộng tiện lợi)
3. Cultural attractions 🎭 (điểm tham quan văn hóa)

Sample Answer

Personally, I prefer visiting a city rather than living in one. Cities offer plenty of cultural attractions 🎭 and delicious food, which makes them exciting places to explore. However, the fast-paced urban lifestyle 🚀 can be quite stressful. When traveling, I can enjoy the sights and sounds of a new city without dealing with the daily challenges like traffic jams or high living costs. But of course, for work and convenience, living in a city with convenient public transportation 🚋 is a practical choice.

2. How do young children react when they go to school for the first time? 🎒

Ideas

• Some are excited: New friends, fun activities
• Some are scared: Separation anxiety, unfamiliar environment

Collocations

1. Separation anxiety 😢 (lo lắng khi phải xa bố mẹ)
2. New learning environment 🏫 (môi trường học tập mới)
3. Social skills development 👫 (phát triển kỹ năng xã hội)

Sample Answer

Young children react differently when they go to school for the first time. Some feel excited about meeting new friends and exploring a new learning environment 🏫, while others experience separation anxiety 😢 and cry when their parents leave. Over time, however, they get used to the routine and develop social skills 👫, which help them feel more comfortable in school.

3. How do young and old people react differently to new things? 👦👴

Ideas

• Young people: Open-minded, curious, quick learners
• Older people: More cautious, prefer traditional ways

Collocations

1. Tech-savvy generation 📱 (thế hệ am hiểu công nghệ)
2. Resistant to change 🚫 (không thích thay đổi)
3. Lifelong learning 📚 (học tập suốt đời)

Sample Answer

Young people tend to be part of the tech-savvy generation 📱, so they are quick to adapt to new trends and technologies. On the other hand, older people are sometimes resistant to change 🚫 because they are more comfortable with traditional ways of doing things. However, many older adults are embracing lifelong learning 📚 and trying to keep up with modern developments.

4. Why do some people want to go to college far away from home? 🎓

Ideas

• More independence: Learning to live alone
• Better opportunities: Higher-quality education, career prospects

Collocations

1. Broaden horizons 🌍 (mở rộng tầm nhìn)
2. Pursue academic excellence 📖 (theo đuổi thành tích học tập xuất sắc)
3. Step out of comfort zone 🚀 (bước ra khỏi vùng an toàn)

Sample Answer

Many students choose to study far from home to broaden their horizons 🌍 and gain independence. Living alone helps them develop important life skills and confidence. Others move away to pursue academic excellence 📖 at top universities that offer better courses and career opportunities. Although it can be challenging at first, it allows them to step out of their comfort zone 🚀 and grow as individuals.