Transportation is a common topic in recent IELTS Speaking exams. Although the questions may seem familiar, many candidates still struggle due to limited vocabulary and unclear strategies for developing their answers.
In this article, IDP IELTS will help you strengthen your vocabulary on the topic of Transportation and provide you with sample answers that reflect real exam scenarios.
1. Sample Answers for Transportation – IELTS Speaking Part 1
Question: How often do you take buses
Nearly every day. Since my house is quite far from my institution, it is not practical for me to use a motorbike. Moreover, traffic is constant, especially during rush hours, and the air is heavily contaminated by exhaust fumes. To save time, reduce expenses, and help protect the environment, I prefer taking the bus.
Vocabulary highlights:
institution: organization
constant: continuous
rush hours: peak traffic time
contaminated: polluted
exhaust fumes: vehicle emissions
contribute: to help bring about
Question: Will there be more people taking public transportation in the future
It is hard to predict whether public transportation will become more common, based on how it is currently used. Honestly, I hope more people will switch to metro transit. In my opinion, it is the most effective solution to address global warming and environmental damage, as our planet is becoming increasingly uninhabitable.
Vocabulary highlights:
metro transit: subway system
global warming: climate change due to rising temperatures
environmental damage: harm to nature
uninhabitable: unsuitable for living
Question: Would you ride bikes to work in the future
Absolutely not. Riding a bike exposes you to erratic weather and air pollution. It is even more dangerous on main thoroughfares or highways, where vehicles travel at high speeds. I would much rather take a bus or ride a motorbike.
Vocabulary highlights:
expose yourself to: put yourself at risk of
erratic weather: unpredictable weather
thoroughfares: major roads
2. Sample Answer – IELTS Speaking Part 2
Cue Card: Describe how often you use public transport
Well, I travel by bus almost every day. As it is the cheapest way to get around, it suits someone like me who is on a tight budget. Besides, I can simply sit and admire the view while commuting.
Sometimes I choose to ride my motorbike instead, depending on the weather. If the weather is nice, I prefer using my own bike for the sake of mobility and convenience. But when it is pouring with rain, I would definitely take the bus, as I dislike wearing a raincoat and find it unsafe to ride on slippery roads.
To be honest, I rarely take the bus because it is often jam-packed and not punctual. This means I risk being late for work. On top of that, I always feel uncomfortable on buses and the smell makes me feel nauseous.
Vocabulary highlights:
get around: travel from one place to another
means of transport: mode of transportation
dirt-poor: very poor
admire the view: enjoy the scenery
from time to time: occasionally
mobility: ease of movement
pour with rain: rain heavily
wet and slippery: damp and dangerous to walk or drive on
jam-packed: very crowded
hop on a bus: get on a bus
on top of that: in addition
vomit: feel like throwing up
punctual: on time
3. Sample Answers – IELTS Speaking Part 3
Question: What are the pros and cons of low-cost air travel
It allows more people, especially low-income individuals, to travel. However, more flights mean more air pollution since airplanes still rely on fossil fuels like oil and gas to operate.
Vocabulary highlights:
low-income: earning little money
fossil power: fossil fuel energy
operate: to function
Question: How easy is it to travel around your country
It is generally easy, but in big cities, traffic jams during rush hour are a major issue due to private cars and motorbikes. That is why I often prefer buses over my own vehicle to commute to work.
Vocabulary highlights:
traffic jam: heavy traffic congestion
commute: travel to work or school
rush hour: time of day with the most traffic
Question: Which method of travel do you consider safest and why
Honestly, flying is my top choice because it is the safest in my opinion. Aircraft follow a designated flight line in the sky, which reduces the chance of traffic crashes compared to road transport.
Vocabulary highlights:
flight line: air route
traffic crash: road accident
4. IELTS Speaking Vocabulary – Transportation Topic
Vocabulary Related to Roads
Vocabulary | Meaning | Example |
petrol station | fuel station | The house is next to the petrol station |
pedestrian crossing | crosswalk | She was hit at the pedestrian crossing |
pedestrian | person on foot | A pedestrian was injured in the accident |
ring road | bypass road | The ring road is always full of traffic |
roundabout | traffic circle | Turn right at the next roundabout |
multi storey car park | parking garage | There is a multi storey car park nearby |
one way street | single direction road | I drove the wrong way on a one way street |
dual carriageway | divided highway | We are back on the dual carriageway again |
level crossing | railway crossing | The level crossing is near the construction |
change gear | shift gears | He knows how to change gear smoothly |
traffic signs or lights | road signals | Drivers must understand traffic signs |
transport infrastructure | transportation systems | Transport infrastructure improved recently |
Vocabulary Related to Vehicles
Vocabulary | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
moped | motorized bike with pedals | He goes to work on his moped |
van | large vehicle for transport | We need to hire a van to move furniture |
barge | flat boat for canals | The barge moved slowly down the river |
caravan | mobile home | They stayed in a caravan on holiday |
minibus | small passenger bus | The school uses a minibus for field trips |
scooter | motorized two-wheel vehicle | Always wear a helmet on a scooter |
bicycle or bike | pedal-powered vehicle | I will ride my bike to the office |
metro train | underground train | The metro train operates every 10 minutes |
space rocket | spacecraft | They launched a space rocket last year |
5. Common Phrases and Idioms – Transportation Topic
Useful Expressions
reduce traffic accidents
raise awareness among drivers
install speed cameras
the most popular mode of transport
driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
improve road traffic safety
licence suspension
run a red light
bad driving habits
pose a serious threat to road users
ban cars from city centers
Popular Idioms
go from point A to point B: describe travel from one place to another
bumper to bumper: very heavy traffic
backseat driver: someone who gives unwanted driving advice
hitch a lift or ride: get a ride from someone
hit the road: begin a journey
beat the traffic: leave early to avoid congestion
Ace the Transportation Topic with IDP IELTS
The vocabulary and sample answers provided above are tailored to help you succeed in the IELTS Speaking test. Use these phrases and examples to build strong, natural responses and maximize your score.
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