IELTS Speaking Part 2 cue card · Memorable moments

Describe a memorable trip you took

The full cue card, a one-minute plan for its prompts, a sample answer by Lingo Copilot and the vocabulary for this topic.

Start the free evaluation

Describe a memorable trip you took.

You should say:

where you went
who you went with
what you did there

and explain why this trip was memorable.

How to plan your answer in 1 minute

A minute is short. Spend it on keywords for each prompt, in the order of the card:

0:00–0:10
Choose your answer
Decide on a memorable trip you took. Pick something real that you know well, so the details come easily when you speak.
0:10–0:20
Where you went
Write two or three keywords, not sentences: a name, a place, a time or a detail you can expand on.
0:20–0:30
Who you went with
Write two or three keywords, not sentences: a name, a place, a time or a detail you can expand on.
0:30–0:40
What you did there
Write two or three keywords, not sentences: a name, a place, a time or a detail you can expand on.
0:40–0:55
And explain why this trip was memorable
Note one reason and one short example or story. This is the part you can keep developing until the examiner stops you at two minutes.
0:55–1:00
Check the order
Number your notes in the order of the prompts, then use them as a checklist while you talk.

Sample answer

Written for practice. Use it for ideas and phrasing rather than memorising it, then answer about your own experience.

Sample answer by Lingo Copilot · 247 words

So, I want to describe an exhilarating trip I took to the Amalfi Coast in southern Italy about two years ago. I went with my partner, and we spent ten days exploring the picturesque villages perched along dramatic clifftops overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea. Our itinerary was deliberately loose, allowing us to go with the flow rather than rushing between landmarks. We hiked the famous Path of the Gods, a trail carved into the mountainside offering breathtaking scenery at every turn, and we took a detour by boat to the island of Capri, where we explored hidden sea caves and swam in impossibly blue water. We spent lazy afternoons wandering through lemon groves, sampling local cuisine at family-run trattorias, and we'd lose track of time in the narrow cobblestone streets of Positano and Ravello. One particularly enchanting evening, we attended an outdoor concert at a villa perched above the sea as the sun set behind us. What made this trip truly memorable was a combination of unexpected moments and deep personal connection. The defining moment came on our fifth day when we stumbled upon a tiny village off the beaten track, where an elderly couple invited us into their home for homemade limoncello and stories about pre-war life on the coast. That unscripted moment of genuine hospitality created a lasting memory more powerful than any cathedral or gallery. It was a once in a lifetime experience that still makes me nostalgic whenever I see photographs of the Mediterranean.

Another sample answer (2 of 3)

Sample answer by Lingo Copilot · 259 words

I'm going to describe a life-changing experience I had travelling through northern Vietnam with a group of university friends approximately three years ago. There were four of us, and we spent two weeks journeying from Hanoi through the mountainous northwest to Sapa and Ha Giang before returning via Ha Long Bay. We packed an extraordinary range of activities into those fourteen days. We hit the road on rented motorbikes from Hanoi, navigating winding mountain passes through colourful terraced rice paddies that changed colour with the altitude. In Sapa, we trekked through remote hill-tribe villages, where the hospitality of the local Hmong families was overwhelming. They welcomed us into their stilted wooden homes, offering rice wine and pointing out trails that led to hidden waterfalls. In Ha Long Bay, we kayaked through limestone karsts at dawn, the mist rising from the emerald water creating a scene of almost unreal beauty. We also took the scenic route whenever possible, choosing longer paths over efficient highways. This trip was memorable because it really changed how I view travel. It was a world away from the comfortable European holidays I'd grown accustomed to, and it challenged me to recharge through adventure rather than relaxation. The spontaneous decision to extend our stay in Ha Giang after a chance encounter with local riders proved to be a blessing in disguise, leading us to the most spectacular mountain pass in all of Southeast Asia. I've been reminiscing about this journey ever since, and it sparked a passion for cultural immersion that shapes every trip I plan.

Another sample answer (3 of 3)

Sample answer by Lingo Copilot · 256 words

Let me recount an unforgettable solo trip I took to Patagonia in southern Argentina roughly eighteen months ago. Travelling alone was itself an exhilarating departure from my comfort zone, but that solitude proved to be what made it so transformative. I spent twelve days trekking through Torres del Paine National Park and exploring the surrounding wilderness. I hiked the full W Circuit over five days, camping beneath the iconic granite towers and watching glaciers calve massive chunks of ice into turquoise lakes. On rest days, I'd take a detour to quieter trails where I encountered guanacos and Andean condors in their natural habitat. One awe-struck morning, I woke before dawn and walked to a lookout where the first light illuminated the peaks in shades of gold and pink. I simply sat there, losing track of time, overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the landscape. What made this trip so memorable was the release it provided during a difficult chapter of my life. I'd recently left a demanding job and was grappling with uncertainty about my future. The breathtaking scenery of Patagonia, so vast and indifferent to human concerns, offered perspective that no amount of reflection at home could've achieved. Every spontaneous decision on the trail, from choosing which fork to follow to striking up conversation with fellow trekkers, helped restore my confidence in my own judgment. That solo journey helped me make a clean break from my former anxieties, and it was a watershed experience that marked a clear before and after in my personal growth.

Useful vocabulary

exhilaratingadjective: making one feel thrillingly alive, energised, and intensely stimulated
picturesqueadjective: visually attractive, especially in a quaint, charming, or bygone way
hospitalitynoun: the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests or strangers
itinerarynoun: a planned route or journey, including details of places to visit and activities
nostalgicadjective: characterised by a sentimental longing for the happiness of a past period or place
serendipitousadjective: occurring or discovered by chance in a happy or beneficial way
rejuvenateverb: to restore vitality, energy, or youthful vigour after a period of exhaustion or stagnation
awe-struckadjective: filled with a sudden and overwhelming feeling of reverence and wonder
camaraderienoun: mutual trust and friendship among individuals who spend time together, especially during shared experiences
enchantingadjective: delightfully charming or attractive in a way that seems almost magical
watershedadjective: marking a turning point; an event after which things develop in an entirely distinct direction
transcendverb: to go beyond the range or limits of something abstract, such as expectations or ordinary experience
unscriptedadjective: not following a prepared plan or text; occurring naturally without predetermined structure
kaleidoscopicadjective: having complex patterns of colours, shapes, or impressions that constantly shift and change
catharsisnoun: the process of releasing, and thereby providing relief from, strong or repressed emotions

Useful collocations

breathtaking scenery
The breathtaking scenery along the coastal highway left us in a state of perpetual awe for the entire drive.
lasting memory
The warmth of the locals created a lasting memory that outshines even the most photogenic landscapes we encountered.
travel companion
Choosing the right travel companion proved just as crucial to the trip's success as choosing the destination itself.
cultural immersion
The trip was designed around cultural immersion, with homestays replacing hotels and local markets replacing restaurants.
sense of adventure
A shared sense of adventure kept our spirits buoyant even when logistical mishaps threatened to derail the itinerary.
defining moment
The defining moment of the trip came on the fourth day, when an unexpected encounter reshaped our entire perspective.
uncharted territory
Venturing into uncharted territory without a guide heightened every sense and made each discovery feel intensely personal.
emotional resonance
The trip carried an emotional resonance that extended well beyond the physical journey and into a deeper self-awareness.
panoramic view
The panoramic view from the cliff edge stretched across an unbroken horizon where the sea met the sky seamlessly.
spontaneous decision
Every spontaneous decision we made on that trip yielded richer experiences than anything our meticulously planned itinerary could offer.
memorable experience
Watching the sunrise over the temples was the most memorable experience.
picture-postcard scenery
The Swiss Alps had picture-postcard scenery everywhere you looked.
travel bug
That trip gave me the travel bug, and I've been exploring ever since.
trip of a lifetime
Our safari in Tanzania was genuinely the trip of a lifetime.
rough it
We roughed it for a week, camping in the mountains without electricity.

Part 3 questions on this topic

In the test, Part 3 continues with wider questions linked to your Part 2 topic. Questions from our question bank:

Do you think travelling helps people become more open-minded?
How important is cultural exchange for international understanding?
Should young people be encouraged to travel before starting their careers?

Practise this cue card out loud

Reading a sample answer is not the same as speaking for two minutes. Take the free IELTS Speaking evaluation: a full test with a timed Part 2 long turn, an estimated band and feedback. This card is also in the app's IELTS question bank.

Start the free evaluation

Scores are AI estimates for practice, not official IELTS results.

Short on time?

Answer one Part 1 question out loud and get an estimated band. No signup.

Try the free IELTS Speaking scorer