How would you answer these Cambridge 19 Speaking Test 2 questions?
Cambridge 19 Speaking Test 2 | PART 1
Holidays
Do you prefer spending holidays with friends or with family?
It really depends on the type of holiday, but generally, I prefer spending them with friends.
Don't get me wrong, I love my family, but there's just something about exploring new places with your mates that's hard to beat.
With friends, there's more freedom to do spontaneous things and stay out late.
Plus, we tend to have similar interests, so planning activities is a breeze.
That said, family holidays have their charm too - especially around Christmas when it's all about tradition and coziness.
What kind of holiday accommodation do you like to stay in?
I'm a big fan of AirBnbs or vacation rentals. You get more space and freedom compared to hotels, and it feels more like you're living like a local.
I love having a kitchen to cook some meals - it saves money and lets you try out local ingredients.
Plus, you often end up in more interesting neighborhoods.
That said, if I'm splurging, a nice boutique hotel can be amazing.
But generally, give me a quirky apartment in a cool area over a generic hotel room any day.
What plans do you have for your next holiday?
I'm actually in the early stages of planning a trip to Japan for next spring.
It's been on my bucket list forever, and I'm hoping to time it right for the cherry blossom season.
The plan is to spend a few days in Tokyo, then take the bullet train to Kyoto and maybe squeeze in a visit to an onsen town.
(Note: onsen = a natural hot spring)
I'm really excited about trying all the food - especially the ramen and sushi.
Still need to nail down the details, but just thinking about it gets me pumped!
Is your city or region a good place for other people to visit on holiday?
Absolutely! I live in Edinburgh, and it's a fantastic place for visitors.
The city's got this incredible mix of history and modern culture.
You've got the castle and the Royal Mile for your dose of medieval charm, but then there's also a buzzing arts scene, especially during the Fringe Festival in August.
The architecture is stunning - it's not called the "Athens of the North" for nothing.
And if you want nature, Arthur's Seat is right there in the middle of the city.
The only downside might be the weather, but hey, that's part of the Scottish experience, right?
Cambridge 19 Speaking Test 2 | Part 2
Describe a car journey you made that took longer than expected
You should say:- where you were going
- who you were with
- how you felt during the journey
Sample Response
Oh, I've got just the story for this one. It was a road trip I took with my best mate, Jack, from Edinburgh to London. We were heading down for a music festival, and we were beyond excited.
We set off early on a Friday morning, thinking we'd make it in about 7 hours. I was behind the wheel of my old Volkswagen Golf - not the fanciest ride, but it had character. Jack was in charge of the music and snacks, essential for any good road trip.
At first, everything was going smoothly. We were cruising down the M6, singing along to our favorite tunes, and the weather was surprisingly decent for once. But then, about halfway through the journey, things started to go pear-shaped.
First off, we hit some brutal traffic just outside of Birmingham. I'm talking proper gridlock - we barely moved for over an hour. It was frustrating, to say the least. We tried to keep our spirits up by playing silly car games, but I could feel my patience wearing thin.
Then, just as the traffic started to clear, my car decided it wasn't having the best day either. The engine started making this weird rattling noise, and I knew we had to stop. We pulled into a service station, and I spent a good 30 minutes trying to figure out what was wrong. Turns out it was just a loose heat shield, but it added another delay to our trip.
By this point, we were both feeling pretty knackered. The excitement had worn off, and we were just eager to get to London. But the universe had other plans. We took a wrong turn somewhere around Milton Keynes and ended up on some country backroads. Jack's navigation skills left a lot to be desired, I must say.
In the end, what should have been a 7-hour journey turned into a 12-hour odyssey. We rolled into London well past midnight, exhausted but relieved. Looking back, though, it's those unexpected detours that made the trip memorable. We still laugh about it to this day, especially Jack's awful attempt at reading a map.
So yeah, that's the story of my unexpectedly long car journey. It was a test of patience and friendship, but we made it in the end. And hey, at least we had some good stories to tell at the festival!
Cambridge 19 Speaking Test 2 | Part 3
Driving a car
How interested are young people in your country in learning to drive?
It's a bit of a mixed bag, to be honest. When I was growing up, getting your driver's license was this huge milestone – like a rite of passage into adulthood. But nowadays, I've noticed a shift. A lot of my younger cousins and their friends aren't in such a rush to learn.
I reckon it's down to a few factors. For one, public transport in cities has improved loads. Then there's the rise of ride-sharing apps like Uber. Why bother with the hassle and expense of owning a car when you can just tap your phone and get a ride?
That said, it really depends on where you live. In rural areas, driving is still pretty essential. And there's still a good chunk of young people who see driving as a symbol of freedom. But overall, I'd say there's less urgency about it than there used to be.
What are the differences between driving in the countryside and driving in the city?
Oh, chalk and cheese, those two! City driving is all about constant vigilance. You've got to watch out for pedestrians, cyclists, buses – it's like a real-life game of Frogger sometimes. And don't get me started on parking – it's a nightmare!
Countryside driving, on the other hand, is more about handling different road conditions. You might be cruising along a narrow lane with hedges on both sides, or navigating a winding mountain road. And you've always got to be prepared for the odd tractor or sheep crossing!
In the city, it's all about short distances and stop-start traffic. In the countryside, you're often covering longer distances at a more consistent speed. But you've got to stay alert for sudden bends or wildlife jumping out.
Personally, I find country driving more enjoyable. There's something relaxing about those long, open roads. But I reckon city driving hones your reflexes more. Both have their challenges, that's for sure.
Do you consider most drivers where you live to be good drivers?
That's a tricky one. I'd say most drivers here in Edinburgh are... competent. They get from A to B without major incidents. But good? That's debatable.
There's definitely a subset of drivers who are real pros – patient, courteous, always signaling. But then you've got the other end of the spectrum – the ones who treat roundabouts like a Formula 1 circuit.
I think a big issue is impatience. People are always in a rush, and that leads to some dodgy decision-making. And don't even get me started on how people park – some of the creative interpretations of parking spaces I've seen are truly mind-boggling.
That said, I do think most drivers here are safety-conscious. We've got pretty stringent driving tests, which helps. But there's always room for improvement, isn't there?
Electric cars
How popular are electric cars in your country?
Electric cars are definitely on the rise here in the UK, but I wouldn't say they're mainstream just yet. It's like we're in this transition period. You see more and more Teslas and Nissan Leafs on the road, and charging points are popping up all over the place.
I'd say there's a lot of interest and curiosity. People are aware of the environmental benefits and the potential long-term savings. But there's still some hesitation, mainly around the initial cost and concerns about range.
It's interesting to see the shift, though. A few years ago, electric cars were seen as this niche, eco-warrior thing. Now, they're becoming more of an aspirational purchase. It's not uncommon to hear people saying their next car will be electric.
So, popular? Yes, increasingly so. But we're not at the tipping point yet where they're the default choice for most people.
In what ways could more people be persuaded to buy electric cars?
I think the key here is addressing the main concerns people have. First off, the price needs to come down. If electric cars were more on par with traditional vehicles cost-wise, I reckon we'd see a huge uptake.
Improved infrastructure is another biggie. People need to feel confident they can charge their car as easily as they can fill up with petrol. So, more charging points, faster charging times – that sort of thing.
Then there's the range issue. Battery technology is improving, but there's still this 'range anxiety' that puts people off. If we can get to a point where electric cars can consistently do long journeys without needing to charge, that would be a game-changer.
Education plays a part too. There are still a lot of misconceptions about electric cars. More test drive events, clearer information about the benefits and savings over time – these could help sway people.
Lastly, I think government incentives could make a big difference. Things like tax breaks or grants for electric car buyers could give the market a real boost.
Do you think all cars will be electric one day?
You know, if you'd asked me this a few years ago, I might have been skeptical. But now? I'd say it's not just possible, it's probably inevitable. The writing's on the wall for petrol and diesel cars.
We're already seeing many countries set target dates for phasing out new fossil fuel vehicles. The technology is advancing rapidly, and as more money pours into research and development, electric cars will only get better and cheaper.
That said, I don't think it'll happen overnight. There'll be a long transition period where we see a mix of electric, hybrid, and traditional cars on the roads. And there might always be some niche uses for combustion engines – classic cars, certain types of heavy machinery, that sort of thing.
The real question is how long it'll take. My guess? Within my lifetime, we'll see electric cars become the norm rather than the exception. But it'll require a massive overhaul of our infrastructure and energy systems.
It's an exciting prospect, though, isn't it? Imagine cities with no vehicle emissions, no noise pollution from engines. It could revolutionize urban planning and our whole relationship with transport. So yeah, I reckon the future is electric – it's just a matter of when, not if.
IELTS 19 Test 1