Hi everyone, and welcome to the IELTS TIME podcast — your go-to space for building confidence and ideas for the IELTS Speaking test. In this episode, we’re focusing on the part 3 topic: Travelling and Tourism.
You’ll hear Joseph responding to a series of typical questions related to this theme. As always, pay attention to how he develops his ideas and the kind of vocabulary he uses — this can help you build your own responses and speak more naturally when it’s your turn in the exam. Let’s jump in.
What is the importance of the travel and tourism industry?
Well, I’d say it’s really crucial for a couple of main reasons. Firstly, economically, it’s a major source of jobs and income globally, supporting countless businesses like hotels, airlines, restaurants, and local attractions. It generates significant revenue for many economies, including bringing in vital foreign currency. Secondly, on a cultural level, it’s incredibly important for fostering understanding between different peoples as they interact and experience diverse ways of life firsthand. It genuinely helps broaden perspectives and can also contribute to preserving local traditions and heritage sites through the interest and funds it provides.
What do you think is the function of tourist guides?
Okay, tourist guides… what’s their function? Well, I reckon their main job is obviously to provide information, right? Like, giving historical context, explaining the cultural significance of landmarks, or sharing interesting facts that visitors wouldn’t easily find on their own.
But I think good guides do more than just that. They act as interpreters, not just of language sometimes, but of the culture itself. They can bring a place to life with stories and anecdotes, making the experience much more engaging and memorable than just wandering around alone. Plus, they handle the practical stuff – navigating unfamiliar places, managing time efficiently, and maybe recommending authentic local spots, which really helps enhance the overall trip.
Is reading a good way to get to know other countries?
Yeah, definitely, I think reading is a really valuable way to get to know other countries, for sure. You can learn so much about the history, the culture, the politics, social issues… things you might not grasp just from a short holiday. Books, articles, even blogs can give you a much deeper understanding and context that really enriches your perspective.
Having said that, I reckon it probably doesn’t give you the full picture on its own. Reading tells you a lot, but it can’t fully capture the atmosphere, the energy, the everyday interactions, or just the general ‘vibe’ of a place. You miss out on the sensory experiences, like the taste of the food or the sound of the language being spoken all around you. So, while reading is fantastic for knowledge, I think it probably works best alongside actually experiencing the country, if possible.
How do people get information about other countries?
Right, how people get info… Nowadays, I guess the internet is overwhelmingly the primary source for most people, isn’t it? You’ve got everything instantly available – search engines, news websites from all over the world, travel blogs, and especially social media. Platforms like Instagram or YouTube give you such visual, immediate glimpses into life elsewhere, through photos and vlogs shared by travellers or locals.
Besides the web, traditional media still plays a role. People watch TV documentaries or news reports, maybe see films set in different countries which can shape perceptions. And like we just discussed, reading books or articles remains a key way to get more in-depth knowledge.
And then there’s just talking to people – friends, family, or colleagues who might have travelled somewhere or who are from another country. Hearing firsthand accounts and personal experiences is often a really trusted way to learn.
How does travelling abroad affect young people?
Oh, I think travelling abroad can have a huge impact on young people, usually in really positive ways. For starters, it often gives them a massive boost in independence and confidence. You know, having to navigate a new environment, maybe figure out transport or order food in a different language – it really pushes them to rely on themselves and solve problems on their own.
It also massively broadens their horizons and makes them more open-minded, I reckon. When you actually see firsthand how people live in a different culture, with different values and customs, it challenges your own perspectives and makes you realise there isn’t just one ‘right’ way to do things. It can make you much more understanding and less judgemental.
Plus, it just builds adaptability. Things don’t always go to plan when you travel, and learning to cope with unexpected situations is a really valuable life skill. So yeah, I think it fosters personal growth in quite a profound way.
What do you think makes countries different?
Well, I’d say a combination of factors create those differences. Primarily, a country’s geography and history significantly influence its culture and development. For instance, a nation’s resources shape its economy, while historical events mold its traditions and values. Beyond that, the social and political systems, and of course, the people themselves, contribute to a country’s unique identity. How people interact, their beliefs, and their overall outlook, really make each nation distinct.
What do you think of national identity?
What do I think of national identity? Well, it’s a complex thing, isn’t it? On one hand, I think it can be a really positive force, a way for people to feel a sense of belonging and shared history. It can foster a sense of unity and pride, especially in times of hardship. You see that a lot in how people rally behind their country during sporting events, for example, or in times of national crisis.
However, I also think it can be problematic. Sometimes, a strong sense of national identity can lead to exclusion or even prejudice against those who are seen as ‘outsiders.’ It can also be used to justify harmful actions or policies, like aggressive nationalism or xenophobia. So, while I understand the appeal of national identity, I think it’s important to be mindful of its potential downsides and to promote a more inclusive and tolerant understanding of what it means to belong to a nation. Ultimately, I think a healthy sense of national identity should be about shared values and a commitment to working together for the common good, rather than just focusing on differences.
Alright, welcome back! You’ve just heard Joseph tackling some Part 3 questions on the topic of travelling and tourism. Let’s dissect his responses and see what we can learn.
First up, the importance of the travel and tourism industry. Joseph nailed this one. He highlighted both the economic and cultural significance. Notice his use of phrases like “major source of jobs and income globally,” and “generates significant revenue.” That’s strong vocabulary for the economic aspect. And then, he transitioned smoothly to the cultural side, using “fostering understanding” and “broaden perspectives.” He also added a great point about preserving local traditions, which shows a sophisticated understanding of the topic.
Now, let’s look at the function of tourist guides. Joseph used “reckon,” which is fine for spoken English, but for a more formal tone, “I believe” or “I consider” might be preferable. However, he did a great job expanding on the basic answer. He said they “act as interpreters, not just of language sometimes, but of the culture itself.” That’s a fantastic point! He didn’t just stick to the obvious; he went deeper. He also used the phrase “authentic local spots,” which is a great way to emphasize the guide’s role in providing a genuine experience.
Next, “Is reading a good way to get to know other countries?” Joseph said “definitely,” but then balanced it by saying “having said that, I reckon it probably doesn’t give you the full picture.” That’s critical in Part 3 – showing you can consider different viewpoints. He used “grasp,” “atmosphere,” and “sensory experiences,” which are all excellent vocabulary choices. He made a good point about reading being best paired with experiencing a country first hand.
Moving on to how people get information about other countries. “Nowadays, I guess the internet is overwhelmingly the primary source…” is a very natural way to start. He then gave specific examples like “search engines,” “travel blogs,” and “social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube.” Giving specific examples is crucial for demonstrating fluency. He also didn’t forget traditional media and personal accounts, which showed a well-rounded understanding of the topic.
“How does travelling abroad affect young people?” Joseph gave a really strong response here. He used phrases like “massive boost in independence and confidence,” “broadens their horizons,” and “fosters personal growth in a profound way.” He also used great examples like “navigate a new environment” and “cope with unexpected situations.” This answer was very well-structured and used excellent vocabulary.
Then, “What makes countries different?” Joseph broke it down into geography, history, social and political systems, and the people themselves. He used phrases like “significantly influence,” “mold traditions and values,” and “unique identity.” He kept it concise but thorough, which is exactly what you want in Part 3.
Finally, “What do you think of national identity?” This is a tricky question, and Joseph handled it well. He acknowledged both the positive and negative aspects, using phrases like “sense of belonging,” “foster unity,” and “exclusion or prejudice.” He then concluded with a balanced perspective, saying “a healthy sense of national identity should be about shared values and a commitment to working together for the common good.” That’s a sophisticated and thoughtful response.
And that’s it for today’s episode. Hopefully, hearing Joseph’s take on these questions gave you some fresh ideas and vocabulary you can use in your own answers. Thanks for listening, and we’ll see you next time with more IELTS Speaking practice!
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