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

1. Catch a bus
   e.g., I usually catch a bus to school every morning.

2. Miss the bus
   e.g., I missed the bus and had to wait 30 minutes for the next one.

3. Bus stop
   e.g., There’s a bus stop right outside my house.

4. Coach station
   e.g., We arrived at the coach station just before departure.

5. Long-distance coach
   e.g., I booked a seat on a long-distance coach to visit my family.

6. Overcrowded bus
   e.g., During rush hour, the buses are often overcrowded.

7. Bus fare
   e.g., The bus fare is cheaper if you buy a monthly pass.

8. Timetable delay
   e.g., The timetable said 3 p.m., but the coach was delayed by 20 minutes.

9. Comfortable seats
   e.g., The coach had surprisingly comfortable seats and free Wi-Fi.

10. Get off at the wrong stop
    e.g., I wasn’t paying attention and got off at the wrong stop.

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✦ IELTS Speaking Practice – Travel by Bus & Coach

Part 1: Introduction & Interview

1. Do you often travel by bus or coach?

2. What do you like or dislike about buses?

3. Are coaches popular in your country?

4. When was the last time you took a coach trip?

5. Have you ever missed a bus?

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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.

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✦ 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.

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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.

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✦ 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?

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✦ Answer Key

1. Takes a bus every day.

2. Missed the bus and had to wait.

3. A bus stop.

4. At the coach terminal.

5. A coach for a long trip.

6. Too many people on the bus.

7. Buying a pass.

8. The coach was late.

9. Seats and amenities.

10. Got off at the wrong place.

 

🧛 Dracula – Chapter 7 (Adapted, ~600 words)

Title: Lucy’s Strange Illness

Lucy was getting worse. Mina was very worried. Although Lucy didn’t remember her sleepwalking, she now looked pale and weak. She often held her hand to her throat, where the small red marks were still visible.

Mina wrote in her journal:

“Lucy’s health is failing. She walks and talks like she’s in a dream. Her mother thinks it’s the sea air, but I know something is wrong.”

One morning, Lucy could not get out of bed. Her skin was very cold, and her lips looked blue. Mina quickly sent a telegram to Arthur Holmwood, Lucy’s fiancé.

Arthur came at once. Shocked by Lucy’s condition, he called his friend, Dr. John Seward, who worked at a mental hospital nearby.

Dr. Seward examined Lucy but didn’t know what was wrong.

“She is losing blood,” he said. “But there is no bleeding. I need help.”

He sent a message to his old teacher, Professor Abraham Van Helsing, a wise man from Amsterdam who knew about rare and strange diseases.

Van Helsing arrived the next day. He was kind but serious. After looking at Lucy, he turned to the others.

“We must act fast. She needs a blood transfusion. Who will give their blood?”

Arthur stepped forward without hesitation. They gave Lucy a transfusion, and at once her face turned pink, and she began to breathe better.

Everyone felt relieved, but Van Helsing seemed worried. He gave Mina a piece of garlic and told her to put it around Lucy’s neck and in her room.

“Garlic?” Mina asked, surprised.

“Yes,” Van Helsing said. “It will protect her. Do not remove it.”

Mina promised to follow his instructions exactly.

The next day, Van Helsing returned to find the garlic gone—and Lucy weaker than before.

“What happened to the garlic?” he asked.

Lucy’s mother explained she had removed it because it smelled bad. Van Helsing did not scold her, but his face showed fear.

They tried another blood transfusion, this time using Dr. Seward’s blood. Lucy got better again.

But at night, her condition worsened. Each time she seemed to improve, she would suddenly grow weak again, always with new marks on her neck.

Van Helsing began to stay at the house every night. He said nothing of his theories, but Mina could tell he was afraid—afraid of something not natural.

She continued to write in her journal:

“Something evil is hurting Lucy. I feel it. I don’t know what it is—but it comes at night.”

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📘 Glossary

Word	Meaning
Pale	Having little color in the face
Telegram	A message sent quickly by wire (used before phones)
Fiancé	A man engaged to be married
Mental hospital	A hospital for people with mental illness
Blood transfusion	Giving blood from one person to another
Garlic	A plant used in cooking, also believed to protect from evil in legends
Protect	To keep safe from harm
Worsen(ed)	To get worse
Remove(d)	Taken away
Evil	Very bad or harmful; connected with dark or bad powers

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❓ Comprehension Questions

1. What was happening to Lucy’s health?

2. Who did Mina call to help Lucy?

3. Why did Van Helsing use garlic?

4. What happened when Lucy’s mother removed the garlic?

5. How did Lucy keep getting better and then worse?

6. Why did Van Helsing stay overnight at the house?

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✅ Answers

1. Lucy was growing weak, pale, and cold, with red marks on her neck.

2. Mina first called Arthur, who brought Dr. Seward, who then called Professor Van Helsing.

3. Garlic was used to protect Lucy from harm (possibly supernatural).

4. Lucy became weaker again, and new marks appeared on her neck.

5. After a transfusion, she improved, but at night she grew worse with new symptoms.

6. Van Helsing believed something unnatural was attacking Lucy at night and wanted to protect her.

 

✦ IELTS Topic: Travelling by Train – 10 Useful Phrases

1. Catch a train
   e.g., I usually catch a train to work every morning.

2. Miss the train
   e.g., I overslept and missed the train to the airport.

3. Train station
   e.g., The train station was busy with commuters and tourists.

4. Platform number
   e.g., The train to Manchester departs from platform number 3.

5. Reserved seat
   e.g., I booked a reserved seat to make sure I had space to work.

6. Onboard services
   e.g., The onboard services included free Wi-Fi and refreshments.

7. Express train
   e.g., We took the express train to London — it was much faster.

8. Train timetable
   e.g., Always check the train timetable before your journey.

9. Change trains
   e.g., We had to change trains halfway through the journey.

10. Scenic route
    e.g., The train journey through the mountains took the scenic route.

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✦ IELTS Speaking Practice – Travelling by Train

Part 1: Introduction & Interview

1. Do you often travel by train?

2. What do you like or dislike about train journeys?

3. Are trains common in your country?

4. Do you prefer trains or buses?

5. Have you ever missed a train?

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Part 2: Cue Card

Describe a train journey you enjoyed.
You should say:

• where you were going

• what the train was like

• what you did during the journey
  and explain why you enjoyed it.

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✦ Sample Answers Using the Phrases

Part 1 Answers

1. Yes, I catch a train to university almost every day.
2. I enjoy the view, especially when the train takes a scenic route.
3. Trains are very common, especially between big cities.
4. I prefer trains because of the onboard services and comfort.
5. Yes, I once missed the train because I was stuck in traffic.

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Part 2 Sample Answer

Last spring, I took a train from Edinburgh to the Highlands. I had a reserved seat and boarded at the central train station just after lunch.

The train followed a scenic route through hills and valleys. I used the onboard services to grab a coffee and enjoy the ride.

I had to change trains once, but it was easy because I’d checked the train timetable in advance.

It was a relaxing and beautiful trip — the landscape was stunning, and the express train made the journey quick and comfortable. I’d definitely do it again.

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✦ Comprehension Test: Travelling by Train

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

2. "I overslept and missed the train to the airport."
Q: What happened to the speaker's journey?

3. "The train station was busy with commuters and tourists."
Q: What was the station like?

4. "The train to Manchester departs from platform number 3."
Q: Where can the speaker board the train?

5. "I booked a reserved seat to make sure I had space to work."
Q: Why did the speaker reserve a seat?

6. "The onboard services included free Wi-Fi and refreshments."
Q: What was provided on the train?

7. "We took the express train to London — it was much faster."
Q: What was special about this train?

8. "Always check the train timetable before your journey."
Q: What should you check before travelling?

9. "We had to change trains halfway through the journey."
Q: What did they do during the trip?

10. "The train journey through the mountains took the scenic route."
Q: What made the journey special?

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✦ Answer Key

1. Takes the train daily.

2. Missed it due to waking up late.

3. Very crowded and active.

4. At platform 3.

5. To ensure space and comfort.

6. Internet and drinks/food.

7. It was faster than usual trains.

8. The train schedule.

9. Switch to another train.

10. It went through beautiful scenery.