B1CEFRWriting50 min

Writing: Road Trips and Travelling by Car

Road trips and travelling by car

Add to my libraryFree for teachers. You sign in only when you add the lesson.

Answers and an explanation for each question appear once you add this activity to your own library.

Unit: Road Trips & Car Travel

Module 1: Build-Up Practice

Get your vocabulary, linking phrases, and sentence structures ready before writing your essay.

📋 How to use this lesson

🧑‍🏫 For the Teacher

• Guide students step-by-step through the vocabulary, linking, and grammar exercises below.

• Spend about 15 minutes for Module 1, and have students click Check Answers after each section.

🎒 For the Learner

• Start by testing your knowledge of unit word forms and road trip collocations.

• Next, practice essential essay phrases and finish with the quick suggestions grammar recap.

A

Word Forms of Unit Words

Choose the correct grammatical form to complete each road trip sentence.

1. We decided to take the ___ route through the mountains instead of the highway so we could take pictures.

____ a. scene (noun) ____ b. scenic (adjective) ____ c. scenically (adverb)

2. The old dirt track was very ___, so the driver had to slow down to protect the car.

____ a. bump (noun/verb) ____ b. bumpy (adjective) ____ c. bumped (verb past)

3. Because we did not own an SUV, we looked for a reliable car ___ company at the airport.

____ a. rental (noun/adjective) ____ b. renter (noun person) ____ c. renting (participle)

4. The road climbs ___ into the hills, so drivers must use a low gear.

____ a. steep (adjective) ____ b. steepness (noun) ____ c. steeply (adverb)

5. The tank was almost empty, so our main goal was to find a service station and ___.

____ a. fuel (noun) ____ b. refuel (verb) ____ c. refuelling (noun/participle)
B

Collocations with Unit Words

Match the common words that natural English speakers use together.

1. When the main highway was closed due to repairs, we had to ___ a detour through the countryside.

____ do ____ take ____ lead

2. To reach the lake, get off the motorway at ___ 14 and follow the signs.

____ cross ____ junction ____ corner

3. Because driving for ten hours straight is exhausting, we decided to book an ___ stay in a small town motel.

____ overnight ____ evening ____ midnight

4. Electric vehicles help families save money on rising ___ costs during long holiday journeys.

____ petrol ____ engine ____ wheel

5. Vehicles travelling on the ___ network can move much faster than cars on congested city streets.

____ pavement ____ motorway ____ traffic
C

Common Essay Phrases

Fill in the blanks using each phrase from the word bank exactly once.

Word Bank: As a result For instance In my view On the other hand In addition

1. Trains allow passengers to relax, read, or sleep during travel. ___, modern rail tickets can be purchased quickly online.

Hint: Adds another supporting point to the first sentence.

____

2. Private cars give travellers total freedom to stop where they like. ___, public coaches run to fixed timetables that cannot be changed.

Hint: Introduces an opposite or contrasting perspective.

____

3. Many rural destinations lack regular public transit. ___, tourists visiting isolated coastal areas often find that driving is their only practical option.

Hint: Introduces a specific real-world example.

____

4. Rail networks run smoothly without facing heavy highway traffic jams. ___, travellers frequently arrive on time without unpredictable delays.

Hint: Shows the consequence or outcome of an action.

____

5. Both modes offer clear advantages, but ___, touring a nation by car gives visitors the most rewarding cultural discovery.

Hint: States the writer's personal judgment or opinion.

____
D

Paraphrase Sentences

Select the sentence that keeps the exact meaning while using different words and structure.

Original sentence:

"Travelling by car is the best way to see a country."

Which option best paraphrases this sentence?

____ a. Driving is always faster than taking a public bus across a country. ____ b. Going around a country in your own car is the best way to see it. ____ c. People should only visit countries that have good motorways and low petrol prices.

Original sentence:

"Public buses and passenger trains cause far less pollution than private vehicles."

Which option best paraphrases this sentence?

____ a. Public transport is much cleaner for the environment than private cars. ____ b. Buses and trains are too slow and expensive for everyday commuters. ____ c. Driving personal cars is illegal in cities with high air contamination.

Original sentence:

"Driving enables tourists to stop wherever they wish and change their route at any time."

Which option best paraphrases this sentence?

____ a. Tourists regularly lose their way when they travel without a printed map. ____ b. Drivers prefer motorways because scenic mountain passes are too dangerous. ____ c. With your own car you are free to stop anywhere and change your plans whenever you like.
E

Grammar Recap: Suggestions and Plans

Review how to suggest plans before practicing below.

Pattern 1

What about + -ing?

"What about taking the scenic route along the coast?"

Pattern 2

We could + verb

"We could rent a car at the station."

Pattern 3

I suggest + -ing / that we

"I suggest stopping overnight before driving up the steep hill."

Pattern 4

Shall we + verb?

"Shall we refuel before entering the motorway?"

Pattern 5

Why don't we + verb?

"Why don't we plan an alternative route to avoid traffic?"

1. "What about ___ (check) the tire pressure before we drive onto the motorway?"

Choose the verb form that fits after 'What about':

____ a. check ____ b. to check ____ c. checking

2. "I suggest that we ___ at the next junction to refuel and eat lunch."

Choose the verb form that fits after 'I suggest that we':

____ a. stop ____ b. stopping ____ c. stopped

3. "Why don't we ___ an economy car to reduce our petrol expenses?"

Choose the verb form that fits after 'Why don't we':

____ a. rent ____ b. renting ____ c. rented
Module 2

Writing Task

Time for your essay. Remember the goal is 200 words.

Essay Question
"Some people think that travelling by car is the best way to see a country. Others think that trains or buses are better. Discuss both views and give your own opinion."

Write at least 200 words.

📌 What to include in your essay

1. Unit Grammar (at least 3 sentences):

  • • What about + -ing?
  • • We could ...
  • • I suggest + -ing / that we ...
  • • Shall we ...?
  • • Why don't we ...?

2. Unit Words (at least 5 words):

motorway petrol detour junction rental overnight refuel scenic bumpy steep
📐

4-Paragraph Essay Plan

Use these exact paragraph starters to structure your writing.

Paragraph 1 Introduction

"In this essay I will discuss..."

Paragraph 2 First View

"Some people believe..."

Paragraph 3 Opposing View

"However, others argue..."

Paragraph 4 Conclusion

"In conclusion,..."

✅

Self-Check List

Tick each item as you review your finished essay.

____ 1. Word Count: My essay has at least 200 words. ____ 2. Task Prompt: I discussed both viewpoints and gave my own clear opinion. ____ 3. Vocabulary: I used at least 5 Unit words (motorway, petrol, detour, junction, rental, overnight, refuel, scenic, bumpy, steep). ____ 4. Grammar: I included at least 3 sentences using the suggestion patterns (What about -ing, We could, I suggest -ing/that, Shall we, Why don't we).
✍️

Your Essay

Write your complete essay below.

Grading Criteria: Task Response Coherence and Cohesion Lexical Resource Grammatical Range and Accuracy
____ (In this essay I will discuss...)
Module 3

Model Essay

Read this example of a B1-level student essay. Notice how they use the grammar and vocabulary we studied.

Essay Length: 218 words (B1 level)
Target Structures: 3 bolded patterns with notes
Paragraph 1: Introduction

In this essay I will discuss both sides of travelling by car and using public transport like trains or buses. Many people enjoy long road trips across the countryside, while others prefer public vehicles.

Paragraph 2: First View (Travelling by Car)

Some people believe that driving a car is the best way to see a nation. When we travel by car, we have total freedom. For example, if we want to take a detour to see a scenic lake, we can easily change our direction.

"Why don't we drive on country roads instead of the crowded motorway?"

💡 Note: Using Why don't we for suggestions

Also, if the road becomes bumpy or goes up a steep hill, drivers can slow down or make an overnight stop whenever they feel tired.

Paragraph 3: Opposing View (Trains and Buses)

However, others argue that trains and buses are better choices. Public transport helps people avoid paying high petrol prices. Passengers do not need to look for a service station to refuel or worry about missing a motorway junction. Also, people can sit back, read, and chat with friends instead of concentrating on traffic for hours.

Paragraph 4: Conclusion & Opinion

In conclusion, public transport is comfortable and cheap. However, in my view, using a rental car gives the best holiday experience.

"We could choose our own travel schedule and stop wherever we want."

💡 Note: Using We could for plans and possibilities

"I suggest that we try a car journey at least once to see new places."

💡 Note: Using I suggest that we for recommendations

🔍 Why this essay works for B1

Vocabulary In Action (All 10 Unit Words):

The essay includes motorway, petrol, detour, junction, rental, overnight, refuel, scenic, bumpy, and steep naturally in relevant travel contexts.

Balanced Essay Structure:

The writer used the 4 required paragraph starters, presented advantages for both sides fairly, and concluded with a personal preference supported by suggestions.

Related lessons