Topics about short trips appear very frequently in the IELTS Speaking test as they are closely related to travel, relaxation, and lifestyle. To score high on this topic, instead of just dryly listing tourist destinations, you need to incorporate personal experiences, use vivid descriptive language, and natural phrases.

In this article, Ms. Le Thi Thanh Nhan (IELTS 8.0 teacher at ECE Language Center) will provide you with a complete set of sample answers for all three parts of the IELTS Speaking test. Let’s dive in!

Suggested Vocabulary & High-Scoring Phrases

Hoạt động & Trải nghiệm (Activities & Experiences)

Cụm từ	Ý nghĩa
A weekend getaway	A weekend trip
A hidden gem	A beautiful but little-known place
Take in the scenery	Admire the view, enjoy the scenery
Wander around	Stroll around and explore
Sample the local cuisine	Enjoy local cuisine
Soak up the atmosphere	Enjoy the atmosphere
Get away from the hustle and bustle	Escape the city’s hustle and bustle

Cảm xúc & Lợi ích (Feelings & Benefits)

Cụm từ	Ý nghĩa
Recharge my batteries	Recharge energy
Clear my mind	Relax my mind
Leave feeling refreshed	Leave feeling refreshed
Do wonders for your mental health	Very beneficial for mental health
Switch off from work	Temporarily set work aside
Create meaningful memories	Create meaningful memories
Strengthen relationships	Strengthen relationships

Thời gian & Kế hoạch (Time & Planning)

Cụm từ	Ý nghĩa
Make the most of my time	Make the most of my time
Within driving distance	Close enough to drive to
Worth the trip	Worth the trip
Fit into my schedule	Fit into my schedule
Take a break from my daily routine	Take a break from my daily routine
Escape the summer heat	Escape the summer heat

IELTS Speaking Part 1 Sample Answers – Short Trips & Holidays

In Part 1, answer concisely, stay on topic, and incorporate 1-2 collocations to make your speech sound more natural.

Question 1: Do you like travelling?

Sample: Absolutely. I really enjoy travelling because it gives me a chance to take a break from my daily routine and experience something different. Even a short trip helps me clear my mind and come back feeling refreshed. I also think travelling broadens my perspective because I get to experience different cultures, food, and ways of life.

Question 2: Do you prefer long holidays or short trips?

Sample: I’d probably go for short trips. They’re much easier to fit into my schedule, and I don’t have to spend too much time planning. A weekend getaway is usually enough for me to recharge my batteries before getting back to work. Besides, short trips are generally more affordable, so I can travel more often throughout the year.

Question 3: Where do you usually go on holiday?

Sample: I usually choose places that aren’t too far from where I live, especially coastal towns or places surrounded by nature. They’re close enough for a weekend trip, but they still feel like a completely different environment. I prefer destinations where I can slow down, enjoy the scenery, and get away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Question 4: What do you usually do during a short trip?

Sample: I like to keep things simple. I normally wander around, try some local food, take lots of photos, and spend some time taking in the scenery. I don’t like packing my schedule because I want the trip to feel relaxing rather than exhausting. For me, it’s more about enjoying the overall experience than trying to tick off every tourist attraction.

IELTS Speaking Part 2 Sample Answer

Prompt: Describe a place you would like to visit for a short time.

You should say:

• Where it is

• Who you would like to go with

• What you would do there

• And explain why you would only like to stay there for a short time.

Sample Answer:

I’d like to talk about Da Lat, which is a city in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. I’ve always wanted to visit for a short getaway.

Although I’ve seen countless photos and travel videos about it, I haven’t actually had the chance to go there yet. If I could, I’d love to go with a couple of close friends because I think it would be much more enjoyable to explore the city together.

If I visited Da Lat, I’d probably spend most of my time wandering around the city, trying local specialties, and visiting cafés with beautiful mountain views. I’d also like to rent a motorbike and explore some nearby attractions, such as waterfalls and flower gardens. Since the weather there is much cooler than in my hometown, I imagine it would be the perfect place to unwind and escape the summer heat. In the evening, I’d probably walk around the night market, <b data-path-to-node="32" data-index-in-node="