Speaking Test Model Answers
5. Driving & Traffic
Below you will find example model answers for IELTS test style speaking parts 1, 2 and 3 questions on this topic. You'll notice that some key advanced vocabulary for this topic is in bold in the model answers - you will find definitions and examples sentences at the bottom of the page for these.
SPEAKING
PART 1
1. Do you have a driver’s licence?
Yes, I’ve had a licence for several years. I passed the driving test when I was 20 years old.
2. Do you think it’s hard to learn to drive?
Absolutely, I found it really stressful. When you first get behind the wheel there is a lot to think about and learn. Luckily, my father helped me and I also had a good driving instructor.
3. When was the last time you travelled in a car?
I commute to work in my car so I used it yesterday. Oh, and what’s more my friend gave me a lift to this IELTS test centre in her car, so I was just in a car!
4. At what age are people allowed to drive in your country?
The minimum age you can get a learner’s licence is 18 in my country.
5. Do you think it’s important to be able to drive?
Yes, cars are very important. Unless you live in the city centre, you really need a car to get around. In fact, even if you live near an underground station in a city, it’s still useful to be able to drive when you travel into the countryside or when you go on holiday.
6. What kind of cars are most popular in your country?
A lot of people drive automatic cars in my city. Maybe it’s because of the heavy traffic and congestion - it’s just more comfortable with an automatic. Also, a lot of people like pick-up trucks, perhaps because they’re more convenient if you want to move stuff.
7. Is there anything you don’t like about driving?
Well, I think car exhaust emissions are bad for the environment and cause a lot of air pollution. Apart from that, I’d rather take a train than drive if I have the option, as it’s more relaxing, and you don’t need to worry about roadworks, reckless drivers or getting stuck in traffic.
8. Do you think you will travel by car more in the future?
That’s a good question. Right now I use a car quite often because public transport isn’t very good in my area. If I moved somewhere with better trains and buses I might use a car less, not more.
Listen:
PART 2
Describe a time you had a problem while driving.
You should say:
where you were going
what caused the problem
what you did to solve the problem
and explain how you felt about the situation
Model Answer:
Well, there was one time that I got stuck in really bad traffic when I was travelling back home. This happened a long time ago, maybe about 15 years ago.
So, I was driving home one Sunday evening when I hit really heavy traffic. In fact it was gridlock and the cars weren’t moving at all. I had been visiting my friend in another town over the weekend and I’d left her home at about 4pm. After driving for about 2 hours I reached the traffic jam and because the cars weren’t moving at all, I had to slam on the brakes.
I turned on the radio to listen to the traffic news and heard that there had been a pile-up further down the road. Sadly, there had been a collision between a lorry and a pick-up truck, and the damaged vehicles were completely blocking the road. Believe it or not, there was already a 4 mile tailback of cars. What’s more, the newsreader said that it would probably take the police and emergency services a few hours to clear the wreckage.
There wasn’t anything I could do. As we were on a motorway, there was no easy way for the police to divert the traffic. I sat in the traffic jam for 3 hours before it started moving again. By the time I got home I was absolutely exhausted and completely fed up!
Listen:
PART 3
1. Has transport changed in your country in the last 20 years?
Transport has changed quite a lot in my country. Many new roads have been built and the government has invested in new trains and subway infrastructure too. Whereas in the past people used buses or motorbikes, these days people prefer to use the subway or drive their own car. In some ways it’s much easier to get around, but because a lot more people drive cars now, the traffic is heavier, there’s more congestion, and there are a lot more accidents due to reckless driving.
2. What can we do to improve road safety?
That’s a good question. As I mentioned, there are too many dangerous drivers, so I think there should be stricter penalties for breaking traffic rules, like speeding or jumping red lights. Right now, the traffic police are a lot more strict about drink-driving, so that’s good, but many people still ride motorbikes without helmets. We also have a problem with very old vehicles, especially trucks that aren’t roadworthy, and they can be dangerous, so perhaps we need more checks of old vehicles.
3. How could the roads be improved in your country?
I think the main thing is to build them better, using higher quality materials. It seems like roads don’t last very long and there are constant roadworks, which cause traffic jams and congestion. We could also build more tunnels and bridges so that traffic can move more easily. I’d also like to see more speed bumps in residential areas, so that speeding is less of a problem. Right now, I really worry about kids on the roads as too many people drive too fast.
4. Why do some people prefer driving a car to taking a train or bus?
Well, it’s often more convenient to get around in your own car. There’s no need to walk to a bus stop or train station and wait for the bus or train to arrive. What’s more, in a car you have more privacy and you won’t be disturbed by other people. If you have a family, it’s usually easier to travel by car too. You can give your kids a lift to school, and you don’t need to worry about their safety on the streets or on public transport.
5. What measures can be taken to reduce traffic jams in cities?
That's a good question. Perhaps one way to reduce traffic congestion is to allow more people to work from home. There are many jobs where people don’t really need to be in the office every day. By allowing people to work from home, they won’t need to commute, and there will be much less heavy traffic during rush hour. Another idea is to invest more in more efficient and comfortable trains. If more people used public transport, rather than their own car, there would be less problems with gridlock in city centres.
6. How do you think transport will change in the future?
I think the biggest change that will occur will be in cars. In the future, I’m sure that cars won’t require a human behind the wheel. Already many car companies are working on self-driving vehicles, so I don’t think it will be very long until every car manufacturer makes them. What’s more, because collisions and pile-ups are nearly always caused by human error, I reckon that these cars will make the roads much safer. Finally, I think we’ll see more electric vehicles, so there will be fewer problems with exhaust emissions and we’ll have cleaner air in our cities.
Listen:
VOCABULARY
Topic Vocabulary:
behind the wheel (idiom):
Definition: Being the driver of a vehicle.
Example: Mum is behind the wheel, driving us to the park.
collision (noun [c]):
Definition: When two or more things crash into each other.
Example: The collision between the two cars caused a lot of damage.
commute (noun [u]):
Definition: The act of travelling from home to work or vice versa on a regular basis.
Example: Many people spend hours each day commuting to and from work.
congestion (noun [u]):
Definition: The state of being overcrowded or blocked, often used to describe traffic or a transport system.
Example: Congestion in the city centre is a major problem during rush hour.
exhaust emissions (noun [pl]):
Definition: The release of gases into the environment by vehicles, factories and other human activities.
Example: The factory's emissions contributed to air pollution in the surrounding area.
get around (phrasal verb):
Definition: Move from place to place, on foot, by car or by any other means.
Example: We use bicycles to get around the neighbourhood quickly.
give someone a lift (idiom):
Definition: To take someone in your car to where they want to go.
Example: Can you give me a lift to the store later?
gridlock (noun [u]):
Definition: A very bad traffic jam, when cars are stuck and can't move.
Example: The traffic was so bad that it led to gridlock on the highway.
heavy traffic (noun phrase):
Definition: When there are a lot of cars on the road, making it slow to move.
Example: We hit heavy traffic on our way to the concert.
jump a red light (idiom):
Definition: Driving through a traffic light when it's red.
Example: Don't ever jump a red light; it's dangerous and against the law.
penalty (noun [c]):
Definition: A punishment for doing something wrong, such as a fine.
Example: If you park in the wrong place, you might get a parking ticket as a penalty.
pile-up (noun [c]):
Definition: Many cars crashing into each other in a bad accident.
Example: Due to the heavy fog, there was a pile-up on the motorway.
reckless (adjective):
Definition: Not being careful or safe while driving.
Example: The reckless driver was going too fast and almost caused an accident.
roadworks (noun [pl]):
Definition: Repair or maintenance work being done on a road, often causing delays or diversions.
Example: The roadworks have been causing significant disruption to traffic in the area.
roadworthy (adjective):
Definition: When a car is safe to be driven on the road.
Example: Before a long trip, make sure your car is roadworthy and you won't have any problems.
rush hour (noun [c]):
Definition: The busiest time for travel, when most people are going to or returning from work.
Example: Avoid driving during rush hour if possible.
slam on the brakes (idiom):
Definition: To make a vehicle stop or slow down quickly by pressing the brake pedal.
Example: I had to slam on the brakes to avoid hitting the car in front.
speeding (noun [u]):
Definition: Driving faster than the speed limit of the road.
Example: The police officer gave him a ticket for speeding.
stuck in traffic (idiom):
Definition: When your car cannot move or moves very slowly, because there are too many cars on the road.
Example: We were stuck in traffic for an hour because of the accident ahead.
tailback (noun [c]):
Definition: A long line of cars stuck behind each other in a traffic jam.
Example: The tailback on the motorway stretched for miles due to the accident.
