IELTS Speaking Part 1: Travelling Questions and Answers
Part 1 questions
Move one question at a time: listen, answer, compare and retry. The complete question text remains in the page HTML for accessibility and search.
- 01Do you prefer to sit by the window when travelling?
- 02Did you have a long journey with your family as a child?
Read the complete transcript
Yes, I normally spend quite a bit of time looking out of the window when I'm travelling by car or bus. I like to take in the changing landscape, notice small details like the weather or the architecture, and it helps me relax and think. If the route is especially scenic I'll lean against the window and watch for a long time, though sometimes I’ll check my phone if it’s a long journey.
Preparation status: Predicted topic cycle. This independent practice resource is not an official IELTS paper, and the questions in your test can be different. How topics are labelled.
See the topic before you speak
Use the images as idea prompts. Describe what you notice, connect it to your experience, then answer the real question.
Model answers, heard side by side
Start with the simpler answer, switch bands to hear how the same task can be developed, then record a personal response. These are teaching examples, not official answers or score guarantees.
Do you prefer to sit by the window when travelling?
Yes, I usually like to sit by the window when I travel. I enjoy looking at the view and it helps me sleep. If the journey is short I sometimes choose the aisle so I can get up more easily.
Most of the time I pick a window seat. I find it relaxing to watch the landscape go by and it’s easier to doze off with something to lean on. That said, on short trips or when I know I’ll need to move around a lot I’ll take an aisle seat so I can stretch my legs and get to the loo without disturbing others.
I generally prefer a window seat, though it depends on the type of trip. On trains and planes a window gives you uninterrupted views and a surface to rest your head, which makes sleeping easier and the journey feel less tiring. However, if it’s a short hop or I need to work on my laptop, I’ll opt for an aisle so I can stand up and move freely. Ultimately I choose the seat that best suits how I plan to spend the time – sightseeing and resting versus getting things done.
Did you have a long journey with your family as a child?
Yes, when I was a child we had long journeys with my family. We drove to the coast and it took many hours. We played games in the car and I remember being bored but excited to reach the beach.
When I was young my family often took long car journeys, usually to the coast or to visit relatives. One trip that sticks in my mind took about six hours; we passed through lots of countryside and my parents played music while we sang along. The journey felt long at the time, but it was also a chance to talk and play games, which made us feel closer.
Yes, several long journeys with my family are still vivid in my memory. One summer we drove for nearly eight hours to a coastal town; the route wound through hills and little villages and felt endless to a child. Despite the boredom, the drive became a time for family bonding — we shared snacks, told stories and our parents taught us to spot different types of birds and farm animals. Those stretches of road taught me patience and turned travelling from a chore into something I now associate with shared memories rather than just displacement.
How to answer Travelling IELTS Speaking questions
This Travelling set contains 2 short interview questions. Start each answer with the information the examiner asked for, then extend it with one reason, example or contrast. The goal is spontaneous, connected speech—not a mini-essay.
- Answer the exact question in the first sentence.
- Add one reason or specific personal detail.
- Use an example or contrast only when it adds new information.
- Finish naturally and let the examiner ask the next question.
Question-by-question approach
| Practice question | Useful answer move |
|---|---|
| Do you prefer to sit by the window when travelling? | Answer directly, give a reason and add one natural personal detail. |
| Did you have a long journey with your family as a child? | Give a real past example, then say what changed or why it mattered. |
Vocabulary focus
Useful language already demonstrated in the model answers includes window seat, aisle seat, stretch my legs, road trip, family bonding, long haul. Learn each meaning and a natural word partnership, then use the item in a fresh answer instead of copying a complete script.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Giving a memorised response that only partly answers the question.
- Adding difficult vocabulary without checking meaning or collocation.
- Restarting after every error instead of correcting briefly and continuing.
- Reading the model answer before recording your own first attempt.
Travelling practice FAQ
How long should my answer be for Travelling in Part 1?
Aim for a direct answer plus a reason or detail, usually two to four sentences. Stop when the idea is complete rather than forcing a fixed word count.
Should I memorise the Travelling model answers?
No. Use them to notice structure and language, then answer from your own experience. Memorised wording can fail when the examiner changes the question.
What if I have no experience of the topic?
Say that honestly, then explain a related preference, observation or hypothetical example. You are assessed on language, not specialist knowledge.
