Book or magazine that you have read on a journey

IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card 503 with Model Answer:

Describe a book or magazine that you have read while you were on a journey.

You should say:

• what book or magazine it was
• where you were travelling
• how long you did read

and explain how you felt about reading this book or magazine during this journey.

[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.]

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Model Answer 1:
When I am on a long journey, I usually carry a book or magazine with me so that I can read it from time to time in order to get rid of the boredom of a long journey. I did the same thing when I was travelling on a bus from my hometown to the capital city of my country about a few months ago.

It was actually a monthly magazine – a magazine on men’s lifestyle – which I was carrying with me on that occasion. But, even though I was carrying the magazine with me, I wasn’t exactly looking forward to reading it on that day, mainly because the bus staff was playing some nice songs and music from the old days, and these were the type of music and songs which I have always liked. So, I wanted to enjoy the music as long as I could. But, then, suddenly the music was stopped, apparently because they wanted to concentrate more on the road and its traffic.

Having seen no other better alternatives, I started to read the magazine, rather randomly, from page to page, in order to skim through the main contents or the points of the magazine. No doubt, there were some really interesting facts and information on men’s lifestyle in that magazine, which could actually improve the lives of men, but there were some vague or unsubstantiated contents as well which could easily confuse men like me, especially things like how often men should cry to let their emotion out, or how men should sleep on their beds to keep their bone structure strong.

But, all in all, it was a good magazine to keep me busy for a good couple of hours, mainly because it offered me some unique insights into men’s health and lifestyles which I otherwise was not much familiar with before. I also felt like the magazine was well-written and well-organized, except for a few inconsistencies here and there, to draw and keep the attention of all kinds of men, regardless of their age, profession and cultural backgrounds.

Sample Answer 2:
Oh! this topic reminds me of a book that I finished and enjoyed while I was travelling. I will share the experience with you.

During a journey back in 2018 from Penang to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, I had the pleasure of reading the book called "The Confession" by John Grisham. This legal thriller kept me on the edge of my seat for the entirety of the 5 or 6 hours that I spent reading it.

The book "The Confession" follows the story of a man falsely accused of murder who, in order to clear his name, must reveal a dark secret from his past. Grisham's writing is both gripping and thought-provoking, leaving me with a sense of intrigue throughout the book. As I read, I couldn't help but feel a sense of escapism from the monotony of travelling. The book transported me to a different world, filled with tension and drama. It was the perfect distraction from the long journey and I found myself completely absorbed in the story.

Furthermore, the book also serves as a reminder of the power of truth and the importance of standing up for what is right. The protagonist's unwavering determination to clear his name despite the odds against him was truly inspiring.

Overall, "The Confession" by John Grisham was an excellent choice for reading during my journey. Not only did it provide a welcome distraction, but it also left a lasting impression on me. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a page-turner with a thought-provoking storyline. I am really glad that I choose to read this book during the journey.