Writing: Missed Chances and Travel Mishaps
Missed chances and travel mishaps
Answers and an explanation for each question appear once you add this activity to your own library.
👩🏫 Teacher Guidance
Use this 50-minute module to review target vocabulary, essay transition phrases, and grammar before students begin writing. Check answers together after each section to reinforce correct word forms and third conditional structures.
🎓 Learner Instructions
Start by practicing the unit vocabulary, collocations, and essay phrases to build your word bank. Next, complete the sentence rewriting and grammar recap exercises to prepare for your IELTS essay.
Module 1: Build-up & Key Skills
Welcome to Module 1! In this lesson, you will practice essential vocabulary, useful essay linking phrases, and third conditional structures to talk about travel mishaps and missed opportunities.
📝 1. Word Forms Practice
Complete each sentence with the correct form of the word in brackets.
1. We received a sudden [cancel] ________ of our train, so we had to stay at the station overnight.
2. Our [fly] ________ was delayed for three hours because of severe weather conditions.
3. Because our bus arrived late, I missed my train [connect] ________ in London.
4. The customer service manager offered a sincere [apologise] ________ to all affected passengers.
5. Listen carefully to the airport speaker for any official [announce] ________ regarding your boarding gate.
🔗 2. Word Combinations (Collocations)
Choose the best word to complete each common travel phrase.
1. It is always wise to take expert ________ before planning a trip to a foreign country.
2. The rental car stopped in the middle of the highway because it ran out of ________.
3. After losing his passport, the traveler expressed deep ________ for not keeping it in a safe place.
4. The tour bus had an unexpected mechanical ________, which delayed our arrival at the hotel.
5. We had bad ________ with the weather during our holiday, as it rained every single day.
✍️ 3. Common Essay Phrases
Complete each sentence using one phrase from the word bank below (use each phrase exactly once).
1. ________, traveling without a fixed plan gives people total freedom to explore new places.
Hint: Used to introduce a personal opinion.
____2. Planning ahead saves time and money. ________, booking early often guarantees lower ticket prices.
Hint: Used to introduce an example.
____3. Careful planning prevents unexpected travel mishaps. ________, a good plan makes it easier to share the costs with friends.
Hint: Used to add another supporting idea.
____4. Some travelers prefer strict hotel schedules. ________, others enjoy deciding where to stay as they go.
Hint: Used to introduce an opposing argument.
____5. The airline canceled all evening flights due to bad weather. ________, hundreds of passengers waited at the airport overnight.
Hint: Used to show the outcome or effect of a situation.
____🔄 4. Sentence Rewriting (Paraphrasing)
Fill in the missing word to complete the rewritten sentence so that it keeps the same meaning as the original sentence.
Original Sentence:
"If you book hotel rooms early, you do not have to pay high prices."
Rewritten Sentence:
Booking accommodation in advance helps travelers ________ paying expensive rates.
____Original Sentence:
"The sudden storm caused the airline to cancel several flights."
Rewritten Sentence:
Several flights were ________ due to severe storm conditions.
____Original Sentence:
"Many tourists regret not asking for local recommendations before starting their journey."
Rewritten Sentence:
Many travelers wish they had taken local ________ before beginning their trip.
____⚙️ 5. Grammar Recap: Third Conditional
Review the rule below, then complete the practice sentences.
Pattern Rule:
Use this structure to talk about past situations that did not happen and their imagined past results.
1. If I ________ (leave) home ten minutes earlier, I would have caught the airport bus.
2. She ________ (not miss) her flight if she had checked the boarding gate on the information screen.
3. If we had asked for directions at the station, perhaps we ________ (find) the platform faster.
Module 2: The Task
Now it is time to write your essay. Read the topic prompt below, follow the simple 4-paragraph plan, check your work against the self-check list, and write your essay in the response box.
"Some people think that travellers should plan every part of a journey carefully, with tickets and hotels booked early. Others believe that it is better to travel without a plan and decide as you go. Discuss both views and give your own opinion."
🗺️ 4-Paragraph Essay Plan
Use this paragraph layout and sentence starters to organize your writing:
"In this essay I will discuss ..."
"Some people believe ..."
"However, others argue ..."
"In conclusion, ..."
✅ Self-Check List
Before you submit your essay, make sure your writing meets all four requirements:
✍️ Free Writing Task
Write your essay in the response box below. Make sure to write at least 200 words, include at least 3 third conditional sentences, and use at least 5 words from the unit list.
Module 3: Model Essay
Read this sample essay to see how a strong student organizes ideas, uses unit vocabulary, and includes sentences about past mistakes and results.
Model Answer (IELTS Task 2)
In this essay I will discuss whether travellers should plan their trips carefully or travel without a plan. Nowadays, people have different opinions about how to prepare for a journey.
Some people believe that planning every detail is the safest way to travel. When you book hotel rooms and tickets early, you avoid stress and save money. For instance, my family once traveled without booking accommodation in advance. If we had booked our hotel earlier, we would not have slept at a noisy station.
However, others argue that traveling without a plan offers more freedom. You can decide where to stay depending on your mood. Nevertheless, unexpected travel problems happen easily. Last year, my friend drove into the countryside without checking his car. If he had checked his fuel, he would not have suffered a breakdown on the highway. He missed his flight connection and waited hours for a cancellation announcement. If he had followed local advice, he would have avoided this bad luck. In my view, planning essential details is always better.
In conclusion, although traveling without a plan seems exciting, it often leads to deep regret when mishaps occur. Therefore, I believe preparing key parts of a trip is necessary for a smooth holiday.
💡 Why This Essay Works
- ✓ Clear Structure: Follows the exact 4-paragraph plan with simple transition words.
- ✓ Grammar Goals: Includes 3 target sentences describing past situations that did not happen.
- ✓ Unit Words: Uses unit vocabulary naturally (flight, connection, announcement, fuel, breakdown, cancellation, advice, luck, regret).
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