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✦ IELTS Topic: Travel by Bus & Coach – 10 Useful Phrases

Catch a bus
e.g., I usually catch a bus to school every morning.
Miss the bus
e.g., I missed the bus and had to wait 30 minutes for the next one.
Bus stop
e.g., There’s a bus stop right outside my house.
Coach station
e.g., We arrived at the coach station just before departure.
Long-distance coach
e.g., I booked a seat on a long-distance coach to visit my family.
Overcrowded bus
e.g., During rush hour, the buses are often overcrowded.
Bus fare
e.g., The bus fare is cheaper if you buy a monthly pass.
Timetable delay
e.g., The timetable said 3 p.m., but the coach was delayed by 20 minutes.
Comfortable seats
e.g., The coach had surprisingly comfortable seats and free Wi-Fi.
Get off at the wrong stop
e.g., I wasn’t paying attention and got off at the wrong stop.

✦ IELTS Speaking Practice – Travel by Bus & Coach

Part 1: Introduction & Interview

Do you often travel by bus or coach?
What do you like or dislike about buses?
Are coaches popular in your country?
When was the last time you took a coach trip?
Have you ever missed a bus?

Part 2: Cue Card

Describe a time you travelled by bus or coach.
You should say:

where you went
what the journey was like
who you were with
and explain how you felt about the experience.

✦ Sample Answers Using the Phrases

Part 1 Answers

1. Yes, I catch a bus to work almost every weekday.
2. I dislike overcrowded buses, but they’re convenient.
3. Yes, long-distance coaches are common and quite affordable.
4. Last month, I went to the coast on a coach — it had really comfortable seats!
5. I once missed the bus after a late class and had to walk home.

Part 2 Sample Answer

A few months ago, I travelled by long-distance coach from my city to the countryside to visit a friend. I arrived at the coach station early and found my seat.

The journey was smooth, and the coach had comfortable seats and even Wi-Fi. I sat by the window and listened to music for most of the trip.

Unfortunately, there was a timetable delay, so we arrived about half an hour late. Still, it was a nice break from driving myself, and I’d definitely do it again.

✦ Comprehension Test: Bus & Coach Travel

1. "I usually catch a bus to school every morning."
Q: What does the speaker do regularly?

2. "I missed the bus and had to wait 30 minutes for the next one."
Q: What happened to the speaker?

3. "There’s a bus stop right outside my house."
Q: What’s near the speaker’s home?

4. "We arrived at the coach station just before departure."
Q: Where did they arrive?

5. "I booked a seat on a long-distance coach to visit my family."
Q: What kind of transport did they choose?

6. "During rush hour, the buses are often overcrowded."
Q: What’s a problem at busy times?

7. "The bus fare is cheaper if you buy a monthly pass."
Q: How can someone save money?

8. "The timetable said 3 p.m., but the coach was delayed by 20 minutes."
Q: What was wrong with the timing?

9. "The coach had surprisingly comfortable seats and free Wi-Fi."
Q: What made the ride pleasant?

10. "I wasn’t paying attention and got off at the wrong stop."
Q: What mistake did the speaker make?

✦ Answer Key

Takes a bus every day.
Missed the bus and had to wait.
A bus stop.
At the coach terminal.
A coach for a long trip.
Too many people on the bus.
Buying a pass.
The coach was late.
Seats and amenities.
Got off at the wrong place.