Describe A Trip That Presented A Challenge To You Cue Card

Dec 21, 2023

Describe a trip that presented a challenge to you Cue Card answers are given below. The candidate has to talk about a scenario given in the question. The answers are centered upon some questions like - where you were going to? What kind of challenge was it? how you dealt with it and say if you believe there was a better way of dealing with it.

Three sample answers are given in this article. The candidate should answer cue card questions by being on the point and mentioning key details.

What is a Cue Card: IELTS Speaking Part 2 includes cue cards containing topics on which candidates are to speak. Candidates get 2-3 minutes to speak and 1 minute for note-taking. In IELTS Speaking Part 2, candidates' proficiency in grammar and vocabulary is assessed along with their confidence to speak in English.

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Topic: Describe a trip that presented a challenge to you.

You should say:

- where you were going to
- what kind of challenge it was
- how you dealt with it

and say if you believe there was a better way of dealing with it.

Model Answer 1

Where were you going?

Last year my family decided to go to the Mediterranean for a short beach vacation.

What kind of challenge was it?

We had been planning our trip all winter, so we prepared for every possible situation. We loaded the car with bags, a spare tire, and some tools in case the car broke down and headed out. After 200 miles of driving, our car made a strange knocking noise that we couldn't understand at all.

How you dealt with it?

We stopped at the nearest gas station and had a mechanic check it out. It turned out that my father had forgotten to tighten the nut on one of the wheels. It was a miracle that the wheel didn't fall off. The mechanic took care of the car, made sure the rest of the car was in good order, and wished us luck. They safely arrived at their destination. In retrospect, I should have done a thorough inspection and looked at the car more closely. Ironically, my father is a big fan of the "safety first" mentality.

If you believe there was a better way of dealing with it?

Because this oversight on his father's part could have cost us our lives.

At the end of the day, we learned a valuable lesson and made it through the trip unscathed.

Model Answer 2

Where were you going?

In the past year, I embarked on a journey to a paradisiacal destination boasting my country's most exquisite tea gardens. My tour guide promised an exhilarating and enchanting experience; however, it metamorphosed into a monotonous affair - this transformation defying all expectations.

I meticulously planned this trip well in advance, cognizant of the limited vacation time I receive from my job. In an effort to ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience, I engaged with a renowned tour organizing agency in my country; their role was to handle everything - from hotel bookings to menu selection - on behalf of me. Naturally, these arrangements incurred substantial costs that I willingly bore for an assuredly exciting journey.

What kind of challenge was it?

Everything proceeded smoothly throughout my trip until we reached our destination. The bus that ferried us was not only nice and comfortable but also--significantly--it initiated a turn for the worse in conditions upon my arrival at the hotel prearranged for our stay; indeed, an unpleasant smell permeated from the selected lodging facility itself. Indeed: Upon arriving at the hotel—chosen meticulously for its allure—a foul stench greeted me; this was a stark contrast to the initial comfort I experienced on our journey there via an agreeable bus ride provided by you. Complicating matters for me further, the hotel manager announced that I must share my room with another guest - an accompanying person also interested in touring the tea gardens. The reason given: a purported shortage of rooms within the establishment to accommodate all guests adequately.

How you dealt with it?

Yet it was during this tour where things took a turn for worse; impending unfavorable weather conditions led them to curtail my visitation period at said tea garden prematurely – arguably marking it as its most disappointing aspect.

If you believe there was a better way of dealing with it?

Indeed, the touring company failed to gather sufficient essential information from its partners - such as the hotel: an oversight that compromised my expectations for the trip. Moreover; I found out later that not only had they overlooked proper planning in terms of contingency measures against inclement weather but also neglected any backup arrangements altogether. Ultimately, my trip did not meet the high expectations I had set, despite the substantial amount of money invested.

Model Answer 3

Where were you going?

My family, last year, elected to embark on a brief beach vacation in the Mediterranean.

What kind of challenge was it?

Having meticulously planned our winter trip, we equipped the car with an array of essentials: bags for a variety of situations; a spare tire--anticipating potential breakdowns—and some tools. After journeying past 200 miles, though, our expedition was interrupted by an enigmatic knocking noise from within the vehicle which defied all comprehension. All winter, we meticulously planned our trip; consequently - fully aware and prepared for every possible situation. Laden with essentials such as bags to accommodate various scenarios—a spare tire: in anticipation of potential breakdowns—and necessary tools—we loaded up the car and set out on our adventure. However after driving approximately 200 miles into it—all appeared normal until then—the unexpected occurred; a strange knocking noise emanated from within the vehicle that defied any form of understanding at all...

How you dealt with it?

Stopping at the nearest gas station, we engaged a mechanic to inspect it: indeed, my father had neglected tightening the nut on one of the wheels. The fact that the wheel did not dislodge—this was nothing short of miraculous. The mechanic, after ensuring the car was in good order and wishing us luck, safely delivered it to its destination. Looking back, I should have conducted a more thorough inspection of the vehicle myself; scrutinizing it with closer attention was imperative. Ironically, the "safety first" mentality captivates my father.

If you believe there was a better way of dealing with it?

This oversight, potentially jeopardizing our lives, originates from his father.

Ultimately, we emerged from the journey unharmed and with a valuable lesson learned.

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