Where did you go on your last holiday?
Last winter I went to Sreemangal with my family for three days. It's in the north-east of the country, and we stayed in a small eco-resort right next to the tea gardens. The highlight was a walk through Lawachara forest early in the morning, when we spotted a few monkeys in the trees.
Who do you usually go on holiday with?
Usually my family, because my parents still like to organise one trip a year, often over the winter break. Recently, though, I've started going on short trips with university friends too. Those are cheaper and far more chaotic. We once took an overnight launch to Barishal with no real plan, which was brilliant.
Do you prefer holidays by the sea or in the mountains?
The mountains, I think, although Bangladesh doesn't really have proper mountains, just fairly modest hills. I find places like Bandarban much more peaceful than Cox's Bazar, which gets incredibly crowded during holiday periods. There's something about waking up above the clouds, with the air cool and quiet, that a busy beach can't compete with.
Do you like planning your holidays in detail?
Only up to a point. I like to sort out the essentials, such as how we're getting there and somewhere safe to stay, especially since train tickets sell out fast around Eid. Beyond that, I prefer to leave the days fairly open, because some of my best memories come from things we never planned.
Where would you most like to go on holiday?
Nepal, without a doubt. I'd love to do one of the shorter treks in the Himalayas and finally see snow, which I've only ever seen in films. It's also close enough to be affordable for a student, so I'm hoping to go with friends after my final exams.
Sample answers written by Abroadway as models of natural, high-band speaking (not official IELTS samples).
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