One of the most frequent topics in the speaking test is to describe a journey that didn’t go as planned, as it allows examiners to assess your ability to use narrative tenses and descriptive language. This guide provides a comprehensive Band 9 model answer, a Band 7 alternative, and expert strategies to help you master this specific IELTS Speaking Part 2 cue card.

The Cue Card

Describe a journey that didn’t go as planned. You should say:
• When and where it happened
• Who was involved
• What you did
• Why it was significant or memorable
And explain why the journey didn’t go as planned.

Band 9 Sample Answer

To be perfectly honest, I’m usually a meticulous planner, but there was this one time about three years ago that taught me how unpredictable travel can be. My best friend and I had organized what we thought was going to be a flawless road trip through the Scottish Highlands. We’d mapped out every single stop, from the Isle of Skye to the remote village of Applecross, and we were incredibly excited to photograph the rugged landscapes. However, things started to go sideways almost as soon as we reached the more mountainous regions. About halfway through our second day, the weather took a turn for the worse—which isn’t unusual for Scotland—but this was a full-blown torrential downpour that triggered a minor landslide, blocking the only main road to our destination. We were essentially stranded in the middle of nowhere with no cell service. Instead of panicking, we had to backtrack several miles until we found a tiny, obscure guesthouse in a village called Plockton. It wasn’t on our itinerary at all, but it turned out to be the highlight of the trip. We spent the evening in a local pub, listening to traditional folk music and chatting with a local fisherman who told us the most incredible stories about the area’s history. If the road hadn’t been blocked, we would have just sped past this hidden gem. It was significant because it shifted my perspective on travel; I realized that the most authentic experiences often happen when you miss an appointment or a planned stop and just let the day unfold. Looking back, that logistical nightmare was actually a blessing in disguise because it forced us to slow down and truly connect with the local culture, rather than just ticking boxes on a tourist map.

Band 7 Sample Answer

I would like to talk about a trip I took to Thailand last summer with my family. We planned to take a night train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai because we heard it was a great way to see the countryside. However, when we arrived at the station, we found out that there was a major delay because of some mechanical problems with the tracks. We ended up waiting for over six hours in the crowded station. At first, we were very frustrated because we had booked a nice hotel in Chiang Mai and we were losing time. To pass the time, we decided to explore the local markets near the station, which we hadn’t planned to do. We ate some amazing street food that was much better than the food we had in the tourist areas. When the train finally arrived, it was very late, and we reached our destination the next morning exhausted. This journey didn’t go as planned because of the technical issues with the railway, but it was memorable because it taught me to be patient. Even though it was a bit of a disaster at the start, we managed to have a good time by trying new things. I think it’s important to stay positive when things go wrong during a holiday.

How the Band 9 Answer Scores Top Marks

Fluency and Coherence

The speaker exhibits a natural flow, using discourse markers like “To be perfectly honest,” “However,” and “Looking back,” to guide the listener through the narrative. There are no unnatural pauses, and the ideas are logically sequenced. The use of cohesive devices, such as “Instead of panicking,” helps transition between the problem and the solution, which is essential for a high score. For more on this, you can check out our General Overview of IELTS Speaking Test to understand how coherence is graded.

Lexical Resource

The vocabulary is sophisticated and precise. Words like “meticulous,” “rugged,” “torrential,” and “itinerary” demonstrate a high level of lexical range. The speaker also uses idiomatic expressions effectively, such as “things started to go sideways,” “hidden gem,” and “blessing in disguise.” These phrases are used naturally within the context of travel, which is exactly what examiners look for at Band 9. This level of vocabulary is also covered in our IELTS English Speaking Course.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy

The response uses a variety of complex structures. For instance, the third conditional—“If the road hadn’t been blocked, we would have just sped past…”—is used perfectly to reflect on an alternative past. The speaker also employs the past perfect (“We’d mapped out…”) and relative clauses (“…who told us the most incredible stories”). The grammar is consistently accurate, which is a hallmark of a top-tier performance.

Pronunciation

At a Band 9 level, the speaker uses intonation to convey meaning and emotion. For example, the emphasis on “incredibly excited” or the slight pause after “blessing in disguise” adds a layer of engagement. Word stress is accurate, and the speech is easy to understand throughout. Pronunciation isn’t just about accents; it’s about clarity and the musicality of the language.

Vocabulary and Idioms to Use

Grammar Structures That Boost Your Band Score

• Third Conditional for Regrets/Reflection: “If I had checked the weather forecast, I would have brought an umbrella.”
• Past Perfect for Sequencing: “By the time we reached the station, the train had already departed.”
• Inversion for Emphasis: “Not only was the flight delayed, but they also lost my luggage.”
• Passive Voice for Formal Tone: “The road was blocked by a sudden landslide.”
• Relative Clauses for Detail: “We stayed in a small village, which was famous for its seafood.”
• Used to / Would for Past Habits: “I used to travel every summer, but now I prefer staying home.”
• Mixed Conditionals: “If we hadn’t missed that bus, we wouldn’t be sitting in this beautiful park right now.”

Part 3 Follow-up Questions

Do people prefer planned or spontaneous travel?

I think it largely depends on the individual’s personality, though there seems to be a shift toward spontaneity among younger generations. Many people prefer meticulous planning because it provides a sense of security and ensures they don’t miss out on famous landmarks. However, others find that a rigid itinerary can be quite stifling. In my view, a balance is best. While it’s helpful to have a general idea of where you’re going, leaving room for the unexpected allows for those serendipitous moments that often become the most memorable parts of a trip. According to the IELTS Official Website, being able to discuss these nuances is key to a high score.

How has technology changed the way we travel?

Technology has fundamentally revolutionized the travel experience. In the past, people relied on paper maps and guidebooks, which made getting lost a common occurrence. Nowadays, with GPS and smartphones, navigating a foreign city is virtually effortless. Furthermore, apps like Airbnb and TripAdvisor have made it much easier to find authentic local experiences and avoid “tourist traps.” However, one could argue that technology has also made us more distracted; instead of soaking in the atmosphere, many travelers are preoccupied with capturing the perfect photo for social media. It’s a double-edged sword, really.

Is it better to travel alone or with others?

Both have their merits, but they offer very different experiences. Traveling with others provides a shared history and a sense of safety, especially in unfamiliar environments. It’s also more economical as you can split the costs of accommodation and transport. On the other hand, solo travel offers unparalleled freedom. You don’t have to compromise on your itinerary or wait for anyone else. It forces you to step out of your comfort zone and often leads to more interactions with locals. Personally, I find that traveling with an energetic person that you know can make even a boring journey exciting.

What are the benefits of international travel?

International travel is incredibly enriching because it exposes us to different cultures, languages, and ways of life. It challenges our preconceived notions and helps us develop a more global perspective. Beyond personal growth, it also fosters empathy and understanding between different nations. When you experience someone else’s culture firsthand, it’s much harder to hold onto stereotypes. Additionally, for many, it’s a way to decompress from the stresses of daily life and gain a fresh outlook on their own situation. It’s essentially an education that you can’t get from a textbook.

How do unexpected problems impact the travel experience?

While unexpected problems can be incredibly stressful in the moment, they often serve as the catalyst for growth. Dealing with a cancelled flight or a language barrier requires problem-solving skills and resilience. It tests one’s behaviour and patience, which are valuable life skills. Interestingly, these “disasters” often become the stories we tell most frequently once we return home. They add a layer of adventure to the journey that a perfectly executed plan simply cannot provide. In the long run, these challenges usually make the traveler more confident and adaptable.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Being Too Generic: Avoid saying “everything was bad.” Be specific about what went wrong (e.g., a flat tire, a missed flight, or a weather event).
• Ignoring the “Why”: The cue card asks why it didn’t go as planned. Ensure you clearly explain the cause, such as a technical failure or a misunderstanding.
• Over-focusing on the Negative: While the journey didn’t go as planned, try to include a positive outcome or a lesson learned to show maturity in your speaking.
• Losing Track of Time: You have 2 minutes. Don’t spend 90 seconds on the background and only 10 seconds on the actual problem.
• Simple Tense Usage: Many students only use the Past Simple. To reach Band 7 or 8, you must use the Past Continuous and Past Perfect to set the scene.
• Lack of Connectives: Don’t just list events. Use words like “consequently,” “as a result,” or “unexpectedly” to link your sentences.

Practice Tips for This Cue Card

• Record and Review: Record yourself answering the prompt and listen for “filler” words like “um” or “ah.” Try to replace them with natural pauses or discourse markers.
• Use a Timer: Practice speaking for exactly 2 minutes. This helps you get a feel for the pacing required in the actual exam.
• Brainstorm “Plan B” Stories: Even if you haven’t had a major travel disaster, think of a small “hiccup” and expand on it using descriptive language.
• Focus on Transitions: Practice moving from the description of the plan to the description of the problem. Use phrases like “That’s when things took an unexpected turn.”
• Expand Your Vocabulary: Review our list of 6 alternatives for ‘In My Opinion’ to vary your language in Part 3.

Mastering the ability to describe a journey that didn’t go as planned is a vital step toward your target score. By combining a compelling narrative with advanced grammar and vocabulary, you can impress any examiner. For more practice on current topics, visit our guide on IELTS Speaking Topics Jan–Apr 2026 and keep refining your skills!