Travel & Holidays – IELTS-Friendly Phrases

"A once-in-a-lifetime experience"
e.g., Visiting the Northern Lights was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
"Get away from it all"
e.g., Many people choose beach holidays to get away from it all and unwind.
"Off the beaten track"
e.g., I prefer destinations that are off the beaten track, away from the typical tourist spots.
"Broaden one's horizons"
e.g., Travelling to different countries helps me broaden my horizons and understand new cultures.
"Travel on a shoestring budget"
e.g., As a student, I often travel on a shoestring budget using hostels and public transport.
"A cultural eye-opener"
e.g., Visiting India was a cultural eye-opener — the traditions and food were unlike anything I’d experienced.
"A well-deserved break"
e.g., After months of exams, I took a well-deserved break to relax in the countryside.
"To immerse oneself in local culture"
e.g., I always try to immerse myself in local culture by staying with local families and eating traditional food.
"To be bitten by the travel bug"
e.g., I was bitten by the travel bug after my first solo trip to Europe.
"Jet lag and culture shock"
e.g., Long-haul flights can cause jet lag, and arriving in a very different country may lead to culture shock.

✦ IELTS Speaking Practice Test – Holidays & Travel

✦ Sample Answers Using Key Phrases

Part 1 Sample Answers

1. Do you like travelling?
Yes, absolutely. I was bitten by the travel bug a few years ago, and since then, I’ve tried to visit a new place at least once a year.

2. What kind of holidays do you prefer?
I prefer holidays that are a bit off the beaten track. I enjoy exploring places that aren’t flooded with tourists, where I can get a real sense of the local culture.

3. Do you prefer to travel alone or with others?
It depends, but I often enjoy solo travel because it helps me broaden my horizons. However, travelling with friends can also be fun and more affordable.

4. What do you usually do on holidays?
I try to immerse myself in local culture, whether that’s through food, language, or customs. I also take time to relax and get away from it all.

5. Do you think it's important to take regular holidays?
Yes, definitely. A well-deserved break is essential for both mental and physical health, especially for people with stressful jobs.

Part 2 Sample Answer

One of the most memorable holidays I’ve ever had was a trip to Iceland last year. I went there with my two best friends during the winter holidays.

We flew into Reykjavik and rented a car to explore the country. One of the highlights was seeing the Northern Lights — it was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We also visited natural hot springs and hiked through snowy landscapes, which was completely new for me.

We tried to travel on a shoestring budget, staying in hostels and cooking our own meals, but that didn’t take away from the experience. What made the trip unforgettable was how much we learned about the Icelandic way of life. It was a real cultural eye-opener, especially the way people embrace nature and sustainability.

Overall, the holiday helped me relax, broaden my horizons, and make unforgettable memories with my friends. I’d love to go back one day, perhaps in summer to see the Midnight Sun!

Here is a comprehension test based on the 10 holiday and travel-related phrases we discussed earlier. The test includes 10 questions, each based on one phrase, followed by the answer key.

✦ Comprehension Test: Holidays & Travel Phrases

Instructions:

Read each sentence carefully. Then answer the question that follows it.

1. "Visiting the Northern Lights was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience."
Q1. What does "once-in-a-lifetime experience" suggest about the trip?

2. "Many people choose beach holidays to get away from it all and unwind."
Q2. What is the main reason people take beach holidays in this sentence?

3. "I prefer destinations that are off the beaten track, away from the typical tourist spots."
Q3. What kind of places does the speaker like to visit?

4. "Travelling to different countries helps me broaden my horizons and understand new cultures."
Q4. What does "broaden my horizons" mean in this context?

5. "As a student, I often travel on a shoestring budget using hostels and public transport."
Q5. What does "on a shoestring budget" imply about the speaker's travel style?

6. "Visiting India was a cultural eye-opener — the traditions and food were unlike anything I’d experienced."
Q6. What does "cultural eye-opener" suggest about the speaker’s experience?

7. "After months of exams, I took a well-deserved break to relax in the countryside."
Q7. Why does the speaker describe the break as "well-deserved"?

8. "I always try to immerse myself in local culture by staying with local families and eating traditional food."
Q8. What does "immerse myself in local culture" mean?

9. "I was bitten by the travel bug after my first solo trip to Europe."
Q9. What does "bitten by the travel bug" mean in this sentence?

10. "Long-haul flights can cause jet lag, and arriving in a very different country may lead to culture shock."
Q10. What problems are described in this sentence?

✦ Answer Key

A1. It was a unique and very special event that may not happen again.
A2. To relax and escape from daily stress.
A3. Quiet, less touristy locations.
A4. To expand knowledge and gain new perspectives.
A5. The speaker travels with very little money.
A6. It was surprising and taught the speaker something new about another culture.
A7. Because the speaker worked hard before the break and earned the rest.
A8. To deeply experience the local lifestyle and traditions.
A9. The speaker became very interested in or addicted to travelling.
A10. Tiredness from flying and confusion or difficulty adjusting to a new culture.

English at Home

Wednesday, 18 June 2025