STANAG 6001 Level 3 – Speaking Task (Discussion): Factors Making Travel Easier
Examination Task
Nowadays people travel more than in the past. Look at the list below. Discuss the following factors which make travelling easier and try to decide which is the most and the least important. Be ready to justify your choice.
- Cost
- Speed
- Many connections
Sample Discussion
A: Nowadays people travel more than in the past. Let’s discuss the factors that make travelling easier and decide which is the most and the least important. Shall we start with cost?
B: Yes, that sounds like a good idea. In my opinion, cost is the most important factor, especially nowadays. The global travel industry is facing a major shift because rising fuel costs are making travel more expensive. Airlines, for example, depend heavily on fuel, so when prices go up, ticket prices also increase.
A: I agree. This is already visible in many regions. Travellers are finding fewer cheap deals, and even budget airlines are reducing discounts. As a result, people are starting to limit their travel and choose shorter trips instead of long holidays.
B: Exactly. Higher fuel prices affect not only flights but also other forms of transport, such as taxis, car rentals, and even cruises. So overall travel expenses are increasing at every stage of the journey.
A: That’s a very good point. It shows that cost influences not only whether people travel, but also how they travel. For example, many people now prefer domestic tourism or nearby destinations to reduce expenses.
B: Yes, and this trend is becoming more and more common. People are also choosing cheaper accommodation and public transport. So cost clearly plays a central role in travel decisions.
A: I completely agree. Let’s move on to speed. I think it is still very important, especially for long-distance travel. The fastest option is usually direct flights, because they allow passengers to reach their destination without stopping.
B: That’s true. However, when direct flights are not available, travellers often have to choose connecting flights, which means changing planes at another airport. This usually increases the total travel time and can make the journey less convenient.
A: Exactly. In countries like Poland, which do not have a major global hub airport, travellers to Asia or South America often have to use connecting flights. They usually transfer at large international airports such as London Heathrow, Charles de Gaulle, Frankfurt, or Amsterdam Schiphol.
B: Yes, and these large hubs offer a wide network of connections, which makes it possible to travel to almost any destination in the world. So even though connections can make travel longer, they also increase accessibility.
A: That’s a good point. However, from the traveller’s perspective, direct flights are definitely more convenient and time-efficient.
B: I agree. However, I think speed may become less important if travel continues to get more expensive. Some people might choose slower but cheaper options, like trains or buses instead of flights.
A: That makes sense. In fact, this could also encourage more sustainable travel, as people become more aware of environmental issues.
B: Exactly. Now, what about the number of connections? I think having many connections makes travelling more flexible and easier to organise.
A: Yes, it definitely improves convenience. However, I would say it is the least important factor. Even if there are many connections, people will not travel if they simply cannot afford it.
B: I agree. Taking everything into account, cost is clearly the most influential factor, especially due to rising fuel prices and increasing travel expenses.
A: I share your opinion. And as for the least important factor, I would choose the number of connections, since it has a smaller impact on the overall decision to travel.
B: I couldn’t agree more. So, to sum up, we believe that cost is the most important factor, while the number of connections is the least influential.
Photo: World Time Chart © Singapore Changi Airport