Updated on January 03, 2025
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Holidays and Travel

This vocabulary set covers words and phrases related to holidays, travel, and tourism. These terms frequently appear in IELTS Writing, Speaking, Reading, and Listening sections when discussing topics like vacation plans, global travel trends, and tourism's impact on economies and cultures.

Holidays and Travel Flashcards - Vocabulary Practice for IELTS

These exercises focus on Holidays and Travel Vocabulary

 

List of Holidays and Travel Words for the IELTS

Word/Phrase

Definition

Example

Free Time Activities

Things people do for leisure.

Reading and cycling are her favorite free time activities.

Special Occasion

An important event or celebration.

The couple planned a trip to Paris for a special occasion.

Character

A person in a story or the nature of a place.

The historic town has a unique character.

Plot

The storyline of a book, movie, or play.

The plot of the travel documentary was engaging.

Accommodation

A place to stay or live temporarily.

The hotel offers luxury accommodation for its guests.

Skyscraper

A very tall building.

The city is known for its iconic skyscrapers.

Part-Time

Working or studying for only part of the day or week.

She took a part-time job to fund her travels.

Bossy

Dominating or giving orders.

The tour guide was a bit bossy, but very knowledgeable.

Beach Holiday

A vacation spent by the sea.

They planned a beach holiday in the Maldives.

Skiing Holiday

A vacation involving skiing activities.

A skiing holiday in the Alps is on my bucket list.

City Break

A short trip to a city for leisure.

They enjoyed a city break in Barcelona over the weekend.

Gradually

Slowly over time.

Tourism in the region has gradually increased.

Slight Increase

A small rise in numbers or levels.

There was a slight increase in the number of tourists this year.

Sharp Rise

A sudden and significant increase.

The data shows a sharp rise in international travel during summer.

Drop Rapidly

To decrease quickly and significantly.

Hotel bookings dropped rapidly due to the pandemic.

Fluctuate

To vary or change frequently.

The cost of air tickets tends to fluctuate during peak seasons.

Steadily

In a consistent and stable manner.

Tourism revenue has steadily grown over the past decade.

Historic Promenade

A walkway with historical significance.

The historic promenade offers stunning views of the old city.

Provide Good Value for Money

To offer a lot in return for the price paid.

The tour package provides good value for money.

Be Worth

To have value or merit.

The long flight was worth it for the amazing experience.

Reassure

To comfort or encourage someone.

The travel agent reassured us that our trip would be safe.

Do More Harm Than Good

To have a negative rather than positive effect.

Mass tourism can sometimes do more harm than good to local communities.

Related Problem

An issue connected to another.

Overcrowding in tourist spots is a related problem to increased travel.

Fuel

To supply energy or stimulate something.

The beautiful beaches fuel the area's popularity among tourists.

Consequence

A result or effect of an action.

One major consequence of tourism is environmental degradation.

Commute to Work

To travel regularly to and from work.

Many city residents commute to work by train.

Make Redundant

To dismiss someone from their job.

The company made several employees redundant after the lockdown.

Rely On

To depend on someone or something.

Many small businesses rely on tourists for income.

Be Forced To

To have no choice but to do something.

They were forced to cancel their trip due to bad weather.

Manufacturer

A company that produces goods.

The travel gear manufacturer introduced eco-friendly luggage.

Political Goodwill

Positive relations between governments.

Political goodwill between countries boosts tourism.

Reduce Prices

To lower the cost of something.

Airlines often reduce prices during off-peak seasons.

Concern

A matter of importance or worry.

Environmental impact is a major concern in tourism.

Lower the Price of

To decrease the cost of something.

The hotel lowered the price of its rooms to attract more visitors.

Trading Route

A path used for the exchange of goods.

The Silk Road was a famous trading route in ancient times.

Adventurer

A person who seeks exciting or risky experiences.

The adventurer explored uncharted territories.

Man-Made Materials

Substances created by humans, not natural.

Modern hotels often use man-made materials for construction.

Occur

To happen or take place.

Seasonal festivals occur during the spring and autumn.

Pass Along

To move or transmit from one place to another.

Stories about the place are passed along through generations.

Exist

To be present or real.

Evidence suggests that ancient civilizations existed along this coast.

Literally Means

The exact or literal meaning of something.

"Safari" literally means "journey" in Swahili.

Sign of Civilization

Evidence of an advanced human society.

The ancient ruins are a clear sign of civilization.

Illustration of Holidays and Travel

Usage in IELTS Exam Formats

Reading Section

  • Words like historic promenade, fuel, and related problem appear in passages about travel trends and tourism impacts.

Listening Section

  • Terms such as beach holiday, accommodation, and concern may appear in conversations about holiday planning or travel experiences.

Writing Section

  • Use phrases like do more harm than good, provide good value for money, and gradually in essays about the advantages and disadvantages of tourism.

    • Example: “Mass tourism can provide economic benefits, but it may also do more harm than good to local cultures.”

Speaking Section

  • Employ terms like be forced to, rely on, and trading route when discussing travel preferences or historical destinations.

    • Example: “Many cities rely on tourism as their main source of income.”

Common Mistakes

  1. Confusing "Accommodation" with "Accommodate":

    • Mistake: "We need to find accommodate for the night."

    • Correction: "We need to find accommodation for the night."

  2. Using "Fuel" for Physical Objects Only:

    • Mistake: "The sun fuels vehicles."

    • Correction: "The sun fuels interest in outdoor activities."

  3. Misplacing "Slight Increase" with "Sharp Rise":

    • Mistake: "There was a sharp rise in tourist numbers last month."

    • Correction: "There was a slight increase in tourist numbers last month."

  4. Overgeneralizing "Historic Promenade":

    • Mistake: "Every street near the sea is a historic promenade."

    • Correction: "Only walkways with historical significance are considered historic promenades."

  5. Mixing Up "Exist" and "Occur":

    • Mistake: "The festival exists in spring."

    • Correction: "The festival occurs in spring."

FAQ 

What is the difference between a "beach holiday" and a "city break"?

A beach holiday involves relaxing by the sea, while a city break is a short trip to explore a city’s attractions.

How is "do more harm than good" used in IELTS essays?

This phrase is ideal for discussing negative consequences, e.g., “Mass tourism often does more harm than good to local cultures.”

What does "gradually" mean in data description?

"Gradually" indicates a slow, steady change, e.g., “Tourist numbers have gradually increased over the past decade.”

Can "historic promenade" be used for modern walkways?

No, a historic promenade specifically refers to walkways with historical significance.

How is "provide good value for money" useful in Speaking tasks?

It’s helpful when discussing travel packages or accommodations, e.g., “The tour package provides good value for money with its range of activities.”

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