Cue Cards Samples with band 8 answers
Describe a trip which was not up to your expectations - Cue Card # 485
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IELTS Speaking Part 2: IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card.
[The topic for your talk will be written on a card which the examiner will hand over to you. Read it carefully and then make some brief notes.]
Describe a trip which was not up to your expectations. (or)
Describe a journey that did not go as planned.
You should say:
- where you went
- what you did
- what happened during the trip
and explain why the trip was not up to your expectations.
[Instruction: You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you're going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]
Model Answer 1:
Last year, I took a trip to one of the most beautiful places with the most beautiful tea gardens in it. It was supposed to be a fun and exciting trip, as my tour guide had told me, but instead, it actually became a boring affair in the end.
Anyway, I had planned this trip well in advance since I don’t really get much vacation time from my job. To make the trip really smooth and fun, I even contacted a famous tour organising agency in my country, which was supposed to manage everything, from booking the hotel to deciding the food menu, on my behalf. For all these arrangements, of course, I had to pay a good amount of money to the touring agency, but I didn’t really mind it much since they assured me of a fun and exciting trip.
Now, everything was alright with my trip up until reaching our destination. After all, the bus, which took us to the destination, was nice and comfortable, but things started to become a bit messy and unpleasant as soon as I arrived at my hotel. In fact, the hotel, chosen for our stay, was spreading a foul smell. To make things a bit more complicated for me, the hotel manager told me that I would need to share my room with another guest (a person who was touring with me also to visit the tea gardens), apparently because the hotel didn’t have enough rooms for all the guests. However, the worst part of the tour was that my visit to the tea garden was cut short due to the forecast of some bad weather.
The trip indeed wasn’t up to my expectations since the touring company didn’t collect enough necessary information from its partners (i.e. hotel) to ensure an enjoyable experience for its customers. Besides, the touring agency didn’t have contingency plans to deal with bad weather. All in all, this was not what I was expecting from my trip after spending so much money.
Sample Answer 2:
I’ve racked my brain to think of a good example for this topic, but I came up with a hilarious one. Often when I set out on a trip or mini-adventure, I try to keep an open mind to be flexible and make the most of whatever experience presents itself. But things do not always go as planned. Here, I’ll tell you one such funny trip that didn't go as planned.
Some years ago, I celebrated my birthday by booking an exotic holiday. I was to spend some time in Tanzania on safari and then immediately afterwards travel on to the Island of Zanzibar for a two-day extension on the beaches there. The holiday itself was absolutely amazing, and when I got to Zanzibar, I couldn’t believe how lovely it was. Beautiful beaches, friendly and welcoming people, and extraordinary architecture.
Now, the first thing that happened in Zanzibar was that I heard from my travel agent that there was a problem with my return flight back to the UK. They were very sorry, but I’d have to stay on for three extra days – at their expense, of course – in a luxury hotel! I couldn’t believe it! However, this is not the unexpected trip I want to tell you about. Finding myself with some extra days to fill in an unknown location, I met up with some other travellers in the same situation, and we planned what we could do together. One of them had read about a really amazing restaurant in the city and suggested we all go there together. The problem was that gorgeous as Zanzibar undoubtedly was, its main centre really isn’t a city to explore at night. The winding maze of lanes with its mix of Swahili and Islamic influences was beautiful, certainly, but also nigh on impossible to navigate.
From memory, I think there were about half a dozen of us. We stepped outside our hotel, and just as we had been advised, a potential guide approached us and agreed to take us where we wanted to go for just a dollar. We handed over our fee, and he set off – at quite a pace. We jogged behind him through the dark maze of narrow lanes. It was exciting being out at night, the main town – called Stone Town with good reason – was even more spectacular and spooky at night. We marvelled at how our guide was able to take us down hidden rat-runs on seemingly un-navigable shortcuts. After half an hour or so, our guide announced we were at the restaurant because we had already paid him, and he then vanished into the dark. After a few seconds, we realised it wasn’t where we had wanted to go at all! It was a completely different restaurant, perhaps one where he got a commission for bringing tourists. Nevertheless, it looked very good, and laughingly, we decided to eat there anyway.
After our meal, it slowly dawned on us that we now had to find our way back to the hotel, and we had absolutely no idea where we were. This wasn’t looking so good. We paid our bill and managed to ask at the restaurant for directions to your hotel. We showed him the card with our hotel’s details on it. The restaurateur looked really confused. At first, we thought he just didn’t understand what we were asking, but eventually, he took us to the door, pointed down the road, and there was our hotel. It was within sight; we were perhaps 300 metres away from where we started off. Our guide, it seemed, had taken us round in a big circle, ending up almost back where we started!
It just shows that things might not always work out quite as planned or as expected, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that things end in disaster. Far from it, I think I get more pleasure from this traveller’s tale than I would if everything had gone exactly as expected from the outset!
[ Written by - Lucy Marris (2016): Careers Adviser (UK), TEFL teacher (Vietnam) ]
Sample Answer 3:
Thank you for this interesting topic. I usually enjoy travelling, but not every trip goes the way we hope. One of the most disappointing travel experiences I ever had took place last year in Acapulco, Mexico. Here, I will share this experience with you.
I decided to go there after a college friend praised its beautiful beaches and vibrant nightlife. Acapulco, after all, is one of Mexico’s oldest and most famous beach resorts. I imagined golden sand, breathtaking sunsets, and a relaxing holiday by the sea. Unfortunately, the reality was quite different.
The problems began even before I arrived. My flight was delayed for more than eight hours, which left me exhausted by the time I landed. Then, to make things worse, the hotel I had booked in advance told me they were “fully occupied,” and I had to wander the streets for hours before finding another place. The accommodation I eventually managed to get was far below standard, yet they still charged me an unreasonably high price. Even the restaurant there was so unhygienic that I preferred eating outside for the rest of my stay.
Although I did enjoy some parts of the trip, such as tasting delicious seafood and watching the sunset over the Pacific Ocean, the overall service in the city was quite disappointing. I noticed a clear divide between how wealthy tourists were treated compared to ordinary travellers. The facilities were underdeveloped, the hospitality felt insincere, and everything seemed overpriced.
In the end, I cut my trip short and returned home after just three days. Looking back, it was a frustrating experience. I realised that not all destinations live up to their reputation, and thorough planning is essential before setting expectations too high.
Model Answer 4:
Thank you very much for this interesting topic. It makes me think about a trip I took a couple of years ago that, unfortunately, did not go as planned and was a bit of a disappointment. I would like to thank you first and then share this experience with you.
The trip was to Sajek Valley, a beautiful and famous tourist spot in the hilly area of Bangladesh, known for its stunning views of clouds and mountains. I went there with a group of university friends during a long weekend. We were all incredibly excited to escape the city and immerse ourselves in nature.
Our plan was to spend three days and two nights exploring the valley. We wanted to hike to a few specific viewpoints, enjoy the famous sunrises and sunsets, and just relax in the serene environment. We had pre-booked a cottage and had a detailed itinerary of what we would do each day.
However, our trip was hit by an unseasonal spell of heavy monsoon rain. While a little rain is normal and can even add to the charm of the hills, this was a constant, torrential downpour that started on the first evening and didn't let up for the entire duration of our stay. The roads became very muddy and slippery, making our planned hikes impossible. The famous viewpoints were completely shrouded in thick fog and clouds, so we couldn't see anything.
So you now understand why the trip was not up to my expectations. The unpredictable weather completely ruined all our planned activities. We were unable to do any of the hiking or sightseeing that we had been looking forward to. The primary purpose of the trip was to experience the natural beauty of the place, but the weather made that impossible. Moreover, being stuck indoors for a significant portion of the trip was quite frustrating. It felt less like a vacation and more like being held captive, unable to explore.
Sample Answer 5:
Well, a trip that didn’t quite live up to my expectations was a visit to a famous hill station that is well-known for its scenic beauty and tranquil atmosphere. I had seen countless pictures of the place on social media, showing lush green valleys, fresh mountain air, and peaceful walking trails, so I was very excited to finally experience it in person.
I went there with a couple of close friends during the summer holidays, thinking it would be a perfect escape from the heat of the city. We planned to spend the entire weekend exploring viewpoints, trying local food, and enjoying some relaxation in nature. I imagined waking up to the sound of birds and sipping tea while watching the sunrise over the hills.
However, as soon as we arrived, it became obvious that our expectations were far from reality. The town was absolutely overcrowded with tourists. The narrow streets were jam-packed with cars and buses, and even walking from one place to another felt stressful. At the viewpoints, we could barely see the landscapes because hundreds of people were jostling for the same photo spot. Restaurants were overflowing, and we had to wait more than an hour just to get a basic meal. To make matters worse, the traffic jams were so severe that we ended up spending more time stuck in vehicles than actually enjoying the natural beauty.
I felt disappointed because I had been looking forward to peace and quiet, but instead, the experience was noisy, chaotic, and exhausting. The charm of the place was completely overshadowed by commercialisation and over-tourism. Although the destination itself was beautiful, the sheer crowd made it almost impossible to appreciate it. This journey was not up to my expectations because it reminded me that sometimes the reality of famous tourist spots is very different from the idyllic images portrayed online.
Idea generation for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
This Candidate Task Card topic asks you to describe a trip or journey that was not up to your expectations. To make a good answer, you should say where you went, what you did, what went wrong during the trip, and explain why it failed to meet your hopes. Below are some ideas with varied styles to help you develop a full response of your own:
1. Rain-ruined beach holiday:
I travelled to a popular seaside resort expecting sun, swimming and beach volleyball, but persistent rain kept us indoors for most of the stay. Activities were cancelled and the beachfront cafés closed early, so we spent more time waiting than relaxing. I left feeling disappointed because the trip’s main appeal - the weather and outdoor fun - never materialised, and the refund policies only covered a small portion of the cost.
2. Train delayed by hours en route to a family wedding:
I boarded an intercity train to reach a family wedding, but a technical fault caused a multi-hour delay and I arrived well after the ceremony. I spent the journey anxious, texting relatives and rearranging plans, then felt awkward entering mid-celebration. The trip failed to meet expectations because the single event that motivated the travel was missed, making the whole journey feel pointless.
3. Guided tour with poor organisation:
I joined a sightseeing tour hoping for a relaxed, informative day, but the guide turned out unprepared and the transport was late. Several advertised stops were skipped and the commentary was vague, so I felt let down by the lack of value for money. I left early and used the remaining time to explore independently, reflecting that reliability matters more than glossy brochures.
4. Mountain trek cut short by sudden injury:
On a hiking trip I’d planned for months, I twisted my ankle halfway up and had to descend with support from fellow trekkers. The scenic summit was out of reach and the injury forced me to seek medical attention instead of celebrating the climb. It was frustrating because the physical effort and planning didn’t pay off, and I returned home nursing both pride and regret.
5. Beach resort suffering from overcrowding:
I picked a supposedly peaceful resort for a quiet break, only to find dozens of group tours had arrived at the same time and the pool and restaurants were overwhelmed. Waiting times were long, and the vibe was far from the tranquil escape I’d imagined. I realised the travel date clashed with a local festival - a mistake that turned a relaxing plan into a noisy, stressful stay.
6. Road trip stalled by a vehicle breakdown:
My friends and I set off on a scenic road trip, but the car suffered an engine failure on day two and we were stranded for hours. We arranged towing and paid for repairs, which ate into the budget and cut short our itinerary. The trip did not meet expectations because mechanical failure turned planned adventures into logistics and expense management.
7. City break ruined by continuous rain and closures:
I went to a historic city keen to visit museums and cafes, but heavy rain flooded several streets and a transport strike closed key attractions. Instead of sightseeing, I spent time stuck indoors and missed pre-booked exhibitions. I felt disappointed because careful planning couldn’t overcome the combination of bad weather and strike actions that paralysed the city.
8. Cruise with poor hygiene and service:
I booked a short cruise for relaxation, but the ship’s cleanliness and customer service were below standard as the cabins weren’t cleaned on schedule and food options were limited. Several fellow passengers complained, and the overall atmosphere felt drained. The experience fell short because the core comforts and service levels that justify the price were missing.
9. Adventure activity cancelled at the last minute:
I travelled specifically to try a white-water rafting trip, but the operator cancelled due to low water levels and offered no suitable alternative. I tried to rearrange other activities but suitable options were booked out, so a key highlight of the journey disappeared. It was frustrating because the trip’s main memory was replaced by administrative disappointment rather than excitement.
10. Cultural exchange hampered by language barriers and poor host communication:
I signed up for a homestay expecting an immersive cultural exchange, but the host family’s schedule and limited English meant we rarely connected beyond basic courtesy. Activities I’d been promised never happened, and I spent evenings feeling isolated. The trip failed to meet expectations because communication and shared intent, the very reasons I chose that option, were missing.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
When describing a trip that didn't meet your expectations, using specific vocabulary can effectively convey your destination, what you did, the problems you faced, and your feelings about the experience. Thoughtful word choices will help you articulate the frustration, disappointment, and the unexpected challenges that arose, making your response both honest and relatable. Here are some relevant words and phrases:
Disappointing: – Failing to fulfil one's hopes or expectations.
Example: The trip was ultimately a very disappointing experience for everyone.
Mishap: – An unlucky accident.
Example: A series of unfortunate mishaps turned the journey into a disaster.
Unexpected turn: – A sudden and surprising change in a situation.
Example: The weather took an unexpected turn, which ruined all our outdoor plans.
Unforeseen circumstance: – A situation that was not anticipated or predicted.
Example: We were unprepared for the unforeseen circumstance that led to a major delay.
Hectic: – Full of feverish activity, confusion, or haste.
Example: The trip was so hectic that we didn't get a chance to relax at all.
Chaotic: – In a state of complete confusion and disorder.
Example: The whole journey was chaotic, from start to finish.
Frustrated: – Feeling or expressing distress and annoyance.
Example: I felt incredibly frustrated because everything seemed to be going wrong.
Underwhelming: – Not impressive; failing to make a strong or favourable impression.
Example: The place was quite underwhelming in person compared to its photos online.
Overhyped: – Publicised or promoted to an excessive degree.
Example: The destination was completely overhyped, and it did not live up to the reviews.
Let down: – Failed to provide the expected support or help.
Example: I felt let down by the tour company after all the promises they made.
Repercussions: – An unintended consequence, especially a negative one.
Example: Missing our connecting flight had negative repercussions for the rest of our itinerary.
Altered plans: – Changed or modified intentions or arrangements.
Example: We had to make altered plans on the spot due to the closure of a major road.
Setback: – A reversal or check in progress.
Example: The whole experience was a setback to our travel plans.
Lesson learned: – Gained knowledge or experience from a difficult or unpleasant situation.
Example: It was a difficult trip, but it was a lesson learned about planning for unexpected events.
Resilient: – Able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions.
Example: The experience taught me to be more resilient and flexible when travelling.
Unfortunate: – Unlucky.
Example: It was an unfortunate series of events that spoiled the trip for us.
If you prepare for the topic "Describe a trip which was not up to your expectations" or "Describe a journey that did not go as planned", you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe an important journey that was delayed.
2) Describe a time when you missed a bus, train or aeroplane.
3) Describe a journey [e.g. by car, plane, boat] that you remember well.
4) Describe a situation/ time when you were late.
5) Describe a time when the weather conditions forced you to change your plan.
6) Describe your experience of a service which was not good and you complained about.
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