Cue Cards Samples with band 8 answers
Describe your journey to your school or office - Cue Card # 619
- Details
- Last Updated: Thursday, 24 July 2025 14:33
- Written by IELTS Mentor
- Hits: 60703
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 your journey to your school or office.
You should say:
- what type of transport you use
- how long it takes
- whether you use the same type of vehicle always
and explain if you enjoy it or not.
[Instruction: You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you are going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]
Model Answer 1:
Travelling at least one hour, back and forth, from home to office and vice versa every day may seem to be an easy task on the surface, but when you are travelling at least five days per week, it suddenly doesn’t seem to be so easy unless your journey is reasonably comfortable.
Talking about my journey from my hometown (“Sintra”, which is one of the major tourist destinations of Portugal and a suburb of the capital Lisbon) to my office in Lisbon, which fortunately never gave me any trouble for my last few years of journey mainly because I use the train to travel back and forth even though it costs me a little extra. I always try to travel by “urban” trains which only run between large cities like Lisbon to Porto, and Lisbon to Sintra.
There are four different kinds of trains in Portugal, depending on the distance they travel. Anyway, it takes a good 30 minutes to reach my office from my home, but it doesn’t feel that long due to the fact that the trains in my country are very comfortable with spacious seats and comfortable temperatures no matter what time of the year you are travelling. And that’s exactly why I always try to travel by train unless, of course, there is a valid reason to choose other means of transportation.
I enjoy my train journey from my home to my office and vice versa because most of the area between Lisbon and Sintra is really scenic and beautiful as Sintra itself is a beautiful tourist spot. In fact, Portugal is a very beautiful country with beautiful mountainsides, vineyards, olive trees and sparkling sea coast. Besides, the environment inside the train is remarkably peaceful with no unnecessary noise. Finally, I absolutely enjoy the train journey because it is never really dependent on the weather and as such very reliable. By the way, I rather enjoy the “rhythmic” sound of a moving train as it helps me take a little nap during my journey.
Model Answer 2:
Thank you very much for the time and opportunity that you have given me here to talk about my daily commute to my office. I typically travel to my office by public transportation, specifically by bus. The journey begins with me walking a short distance from my home to the nearest bus stop. Once there, I board the bus that takes me directly to my office building.
On average, the journey takes about 30 minutes, depending on traffic conditions. However, during rush hours, especially in the mornings, it can take a bit longer due to congestion on the roads.
While I primarily use the bus for my daily commute, there are times when I opt for alternative modes of transportation such as biking or carpooling with colleagues. These alternatives provide some flexibility and variety in my commute, especially on days when the weather is pleasant or when I need to run errands after work.
As for whether I enjoy my commute, I would say it's a mix of both positive and negative experiences. On the one hand, I appreciate the convenience of public transportation as it allows me to relax, read, or catch up on emails during the journey. It also helps reduce my carbon footprint, which aligns with my commitment to environmental sustainability.
On the other hand, there are days when the bus can be crowded, or delays may occur, which can be frustrating. Additionally, during inclement weather or when the bus is running late, my commute can become less enjoyable.
Overall, while there are aspects of my commute that I appreciate, such as the convenience and environmental benefits of public transportation, there are also challenges that I encounter from time to time.
Sample Answer 3:
Thank you very much for this nice topic. I am a fourth-year medical student, and I have to travel for an hour each day to reach my medical college. Now I would say how I travel to my college on a typical day and how I feel about the journey.
My father owns a car and I mostly use it to travel to and from my college. This is a Honda SUV and is quite comfortable. My college is around forty kilometres away from our home. Considering the road traffic, it takes me around an hour or so to get there.
I would say, I enjoy this daily journey of mine. During my second year, I had to take public buses to commute to my college for about three to four months, and the experience of commuting in public transportation was not pleasant. It used to kill more times per day than it does now. Compared to this experience, I would say I am happy and content to have a private car to reach my college now.
I wake up at around 7.00 in the morning, eat my breakfast, and get ready for college. Afterwards, I call our driver to start the engine. The car leaves our house at around 7.40 am and reaches our college at approximately 8.40 am. During this one hour, I mostly read a newspaper or an academic book. Sometimes, when I do not feel like reading, I enjoy the view on both sides of the road. The only time I dislike this journey is when our car gets stuck due to the bad traffic. On some occasions, let's say once or twice a month, the traffic is so bad that I have to wait for about two hours, double the usual time, to reach my college. Apart from the choking traffic jams and delays, I mostly enjoy my journey to my medical college.
Sample Answer 4:
I am a doctor and work in a private hospital in the city where I live. City dwellers often witness notorious traffic congestions, and I am no exception. I really appreciate the opportunity to talk about my experience of commuting to and from my office.
I am lucky that the doctors in our city are privileged to have official transportation. The hospital, where I work, has a full spectrum of bus service that carries office staff. Mercedes-Benz buses usually carry us, and a single bus can take around 20 people at a time. One of the designated buses picks me up from my home early in the morning, and sometimes in the afternoon based on my hospital duty schedule. I would say the bus is comfortable, and I like to ride in it to commute to and from my office rather than taking my own car.
The hospital is around 60 miles from my residence, and it takes me less than one and a half hours to reach there in the early morning. If I take the same journey in the evening - when the traffic is usually heavy, sometimes it takes me more than two hours!
As far as I know, the hospital authority has four buses that are exclusively dedicated to carrying the doctors and nurses of the hospital. So I take one of these four buses every day. They look so identical that it's hard to tell the differences, you know what I mean. Since the drivers are also on shifting duty, I cannot be sure who will drive the bus the next morning!
I like the journey except for the time when the traffic is bad and we are stuck on the road. I usually carry a book or a magazine that I read on the bus. Sometimes, I listen to music and try to enjoy the side view. But often I have to be on the phone while I travel, though I do not like it very much, to discuss professional matters. On the way back home, I often take a nap to refresh myself, and it's funny that I can sleep for a while on the bus almost every day after a busy and tiresome working day.
Idea generation for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
This topic asks you to talk about your daily commute to your school, university, or workplace. You should mention what mode of transport you usually take, how long the journey typically lasts, whether your mode of transport varies or remains the same, and finally, how you feel about the journey itself. To develop a strong answer, you should describe the route, the environment during the commute, any challenges or pleasant experiences you encounter, and your personal preferences about commuting. Below are a few ideas to help you formulate your own response.
1. Taking the city bus daily:
I usually take a public bus to get to my university. The ride takes about 40 minutes depending on traffic, and I’ve been using the same route for over two years. I like listening to podcasts during the trip, but the crowd during rush hour can be tiring. Still, I find it economical and fairly convenient.
2. Riding a bicycle to the office:
I use a bicycle to commute to my office, which is only around 5 kilometres from where I live. It takes about 20 minutes, and I use it almost every day unless it’s raining. I love the fresh morning air and the physical exercise. It’s eco-friendly and energises me before work.
3. Commuting by subway/metro:
My journey to the office involves taking the underground metro. It takes around 25 minutes and is very punctual and efficient. I always take the metro because it's reliable and avoids traffic. I enjoy watching people and reading short articles on my phone during the ride.
4. Driving my own car:
I drive my car to work, which takes about an hour due to heavy traffic in the morning. I enjoy the privacy and comfort, and I usually listen to news or music on the way. Although traffic jams are frustrating, I like having control over my schedule.
5. Walking to school:
My school is just a 15-minute walk from home, so I always go on foot. It’s a pleasant and peaceful walk through quiet residential streets. I enjoy watching the sunrise and hearing birds chirping. Walking also helps clear my mind before classes.
6. Sharing a ride with a colleague:
I carpool with a colleague who lives nearby. It takes around 45 minutes to reach the office. We split the fuel costs, and it’s nice to have company during the trip. It’s also more sustainable than driving separately.
7. Using a scooter/motorbike:
I use my scooter to travel to college, which takes only 20 minutes even during peak hours. It's flexible, and I can avoid traffic by using narrow roads. I enjoy the freedom and speed, although safety is a concern on busy streets.
8. Taking a school van:
During my school days, I used to travel by school van along with ten other students. The ride took about 30 minutes, and we had a lot of fun chatting and sharing snacks. Though not always comfortable, those were some of the best moments of my school life.
9. Using a ridesharing app:
I often use ridesharing services like Uber to go to meetings or temporary workspaces. It takes 20–30 minutes depending on the location. I like the convenience, although it can get expensive. I use this option when I have tight schedules or early appointments.
10. Taking the ferry: Since I live near a river, I take a ferry to reach my office located on the other side of the city. It’s a refreshing 15-minute ride that I thoroughly enjoy. The scenic water views and cool breeze make this commute unique and pleasant.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
When describing your daily journey to school or office, using specific vocabulary can effectively convey the mode of transport, travel time, consistency of your commute, and your overall feelings about it. Thoughtful word choices will help you articulate the details of your routine and any challenges or benefits, making your response both descriptive and engaging. Here are some relevant words and phrases:
Commute: – Travel some distance regularly between one's home and place of work or study.
Example: My daily commute to the office typically takes about 45 minutes.
Public transport: – Transport by bus, train, taxi, etc., available to the general public, especially when regularly scheduled and operating on fixed routes.
Example: I primarily rely on public transport for my journey.
Personal vehicle: – A vehicle owned or leased by an individual for private use, such as a car or motorcycle.
Example: On weekends, I sometimes use my personal vehicle for longer distances.
Motorised rickshaw: – A three-wheeled vehicle, often for public hire, propelled by a motor.
Example: For shorter distances, a motorised rickshaw is often my preferred choice.
Carpooling: – An arrangement in which a group of people travel together in a car, usually one that belongs to one of the group, especially to save costs or to share responsibilities.
Example: Some of my colleagues engage in carpooling to reduce their commute expenses.
Peak hours/Rush hour: – The times during the day when traffic is heaviest.
Example: During peak hours, the journey can take significantly longer due to congestion.
Off-peak hours: – Times when demand is lower, often resulting in less traffic or lower fares.
Example: Travelling during off-peak hours can cut the commute time by half.
Traffic congestion: – Heavy traffic making movement slow or difficult.
Example: Traffic congestion is a major factor affecting the duration of my journey.
Consistent: – Acting or done in the same way over time, especially so as to be fair or accurate.
Example: I try to maintain a consistent schedule for my morning commute.
Reliable: – Consistently good in quality or performance; able to be trusted.
Example: Public transport here is generally reliable, which is why I prefer it.
Unpredictable: – Not able to be foreseen or known in advance; uncertain.
Example: The journey can sometimes be quite unpredictable due to roadwork or weather.
Tedious: – Too long, slow, or dull; tiresome or monotonous.
Example: On some days, especially when there's heavy traffic, the commute feels quite tedious.
Stressful: – Causing mental or emotional stress.
Example: Dealing with the morning rush can be quite stressful.
Relaxing: – Helping to make one feel calm and less tense.
Example: If I can find a seat, the train journey can actually be quite relaxing.
Productive: – Achieving or producing a significant amount or result.
Example: I use the time on the bus to read or listen to podcasts, making it quite productive.
Convenient: – Fitting in well with a person's needs, activities, and plans.
Example: Despite the traffic, using public transport is often the most convenient option for me.
If you prepare for the topic "Describe your journey to your school or office", you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe a journey that you went on.
2) Describe a journey that you remember well.
3) Describe a journey that you recently made.
4) Describe one of your typical days.
5) Describe something you do almost every day.
6) Describe an educational trip that you had in your school.
7) Describe your favourite means of transportation for daily commute.
Report