IELTS Topic: Vacation/Holiday
VOCABULARY & EXPRESSIONS
Go over the following vocabulary and expressions with your tutor. Read the word/expression and definition out loud, and your tutor will go over anything you do not understand. Practice creating a sentence or two to make sure you know how to use the word/expression properly.
Vocabulary/ Expressions
All-inclusive: (adj)
your food, drinks, and hotel room are all included in one price
The holiday destination that was offered by the travel agency was an all-inclusive package deal to Mauritius
Sightseeing: (noun)
the activity of visiting places of interest in a particular location
I will be going sightseeing on my next trip to Belgium.
Resort: (noun)
a place where people can go on vacations to relax or for an activity they enjoy
We are going to take a three-day break at the resort in the mountains.
Self-guided tour: (noun)
when you go visit a place of interest without an expert
I really enjoy taking a self-guided tour around Istanbul as I can get to take my time and see all the sites.
Guided tour: (noun)
an organized group being shown around a place of interest by an expert
I often take guided tours of the city when I visit Rome.
Tour Guide: (noun)
an expert who takes tourists, usually in a group, to a place of interest
The tour guide expertly showed us around the museum.
Long weekend: (noun)
an extended weekend including Friday and/or Monday
We have a long weekend coming up next month as we will be celebrating a national holiday.
Getaway: (Noun)
go on vacation/holiday or a short break away from home
Last weekend my friends and I went on a short getaway to the mountains.
Set off: (phrasal verb)
start a journey or trip
I will be setting off for Germany tomorrow.
Travel light: (idiom)
to bring a few things with you on a trip
I always try to travel light when I go on business trips.
PART 1 QUESTIONS
Introduction and interview (4-5 minutes)
Here are possible questions that might come up during the test. Go over them with your tutor.
In the first part, the examiner will ask you a number of general questions
Topic
Do you like the holidays? Why / why not?
Why are vacations/holidays important to you?
What is your favorite type of holiday?
What was the best holiday you’ve ever had?
Do you like traveling?
Do you prefer to travel or stay at home during holiday periods? Why?
Where do you like to go on vacation/holiday?
What do you usually do on vacation/holiday?
What are some important holidays in your country?
What is your general attitude towards public holidays?
Are there a lot of public holidays that you share with other countries?
What do you like to do when you have a day off from work?
Are there many tourists visiting your country during the holiday season?
PART 2 QUESTIONS
Individual long turn (3-4 minutes)
Here are possible questions that might come up during the test. Go over them with your tutor.
You will have 1 minute to prepare to speak, and then you will talk for 2 minutes, during which the examiner will not speak.
Part 2 – sample task card
Sample A
Part 2 Questions
Describe a tourist attraction you once visited.
You should say:
When you visited it
Where is it situated
Who you went with
and say what you liked most about it.
Sample B
Part 2 Questions
Describe the worst vacation/holiday you went on.
You should say:
where you went
when you went there
who was with you
and explain why you chose that particular place, and why it was the worst vacation/holiday you went on.
Sample C
Part 2 Questions
Describe a vacation/holiday you want to go on in the future.
You should say:
where you want to go
when you want to go
who you want to go with
and explain why you want to go on this vacation/holiday.
PART 3 QUESTIONS
Two-way discussion (4-5 minutes)
Here are possible questions that might come up during the test. Go over them with your tutor.
In the last part, you will talk with the examiner about issues related to the topic on the card.
Why do some people prefer to travel in their own country and not abroad?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of booking vacations/holidays online?
Do you think people are prepared for emergencies when they go on vacation/holiday?
Is it better to travel alone or with a tour group?
What makes a tourist attraction popular?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of going on a vacation/holiday during the low season?
What are some of the benefits of going away on a vacation/holiday?
Why is it not good for holidays to be too long?
Why do some people like going to big cities on vacation/holiday?
