Describing a festival from your culture is a common topic in IELTS Speaking exams. This theme allows candidates to showcase their cultural knowledge, vocabulary, and ability to structure a coherent response. Given its relevance to personal experiences and cultural awareness, it’s likely to remain a popular topic in future IELTS tests. Let’s explore how to excel in answering questions related to this subject across all parts of the IELTS Speaking exam.

Part 1: Introduction and Interview

In this section, the examiner may ask general questions about festivals. Here are some common questions with a sample answer for one:

1. Do you enjoy festivals?
2. What’s your favorite festival?
3. How do you usually celebrate festivals?
4. Are there any festivals you don’t like?

Let’s look at a sample answer for the question “What’s your favorite festival?”:

Sample Answer (Band 8-9):

“My favorite festival is undoubtedly Diwali, the Festival of Lights. It’s a vibrant celebration that typically falls in October or November. What I love most about Diwali is the sense of unity it brings – families come together, homes are beautifully decorated with oil lamps and colorful rangoli patterns, and there’s an atmosphere of joy everywhere. The festival symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness, which I find deeply meaningful. Plus, the delicious sweets and exciting fireworks displays make it a truly unforgettable experience every year.”

This response demonstrates a wide vocabulary, personal engagement with the topic, and the ability to provide specific details, which are key factors in achieving a high band score.

Diwali Festival of Lights in India

Part 2: Long Turn

Here’s a sample cue card related to describing a festival in your culture:

Describe A Festival In Your Culture

You should say:

• What the festival is called
• When it is celebrated
• What people do during this festival
• And explain why this festival is important in your culture

Sample Answer (Band 6-7):

“I’d like to talk about Lunar New Year, which is the biggest festival in my culture. It usually falls in late January or early February, depending on the lunar calendar. During this time, people clean their houses thoroughly to welcome good luck for the new year. Families gather for reunion dinners, and children receive red envelopes with money inside, which is believed to bring good fortune. People also decorate their homes with red lanterns and paper cuttings. On New Year’s Day, many visit temples to pray for a prosperous year ahead. This festival is important because it marks the beginning of a new year in our lunar calendar and is a time for family reunions and expressing hopes for the future.”

Sample Answer (Band 8-9):

“I’d like to delve into the significance of the Lunar New Year festival, which is undoubtedly the most momentous celebration in my culture. This grand festivity typically falls on the first day of the lunar calendar, usually in late January or early February.

The preparations for this festival are extensive and begin weeks in advance. People engage in a thorough cleansing of their homes, symbolically sweeping away any lingering bad luck from the previous year. This is followed by elaborate decorations, with vibrant red lanterns and intricate paper cuttings adorning doorways and windows, creating a festive atmosphere.

The pinnacle of the celebration is the family reunion dinner on New Year’s Eve. This sumptuous feast often includes symbolic dishes like dumplings, which represent wealth due to their shape resembling ancient gold ingots. Following dinner, many families stay up until midnight to usher in the new year, a tradition known as ‘守岁’ (shǒu suì).

On New Year’s Day, it’s customary for younger generations to pay respects to their elders, wishing them longevity and good health. In return, elders bestow red envelopes containing money, known as ‘红包’ (hóng bāo), which are believed to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck.

The significance of this festival cannot be overstated. It serves as a time for familial bonding, cultural preservation, and spiritual renewal. It’s a period when people reflect on the past year and set intentions for the coming one. The rituals and customs associated with Lunar New Year have been passed down through generations, making it an integral part of our cultural identity.

Moreover, the festival embodies core values of our society, such as respect for elders, the importance of family unity, and the cyclical nature of life and time. It’s a testament to the resilience of our traditions in the face of modernization, serving as a bridge between our rich past and the promising future.”

This response demonstrates a sophisticated vocabulary, complex sentence structures, and in-depth cultural knowledge, which are crucial for achieving a high band score.

Lunar New Year Family Celebration and Traditions

Possible follow-up questions:

1. How has the celebration of this festival changed over the years?
2. Do you think younger generations appreciate this festival as much as older ones?

Sample Answer for question 1 (Band 8-9):

“The celebration of Lunar New Year has undoubtedly evolved over the years, reflecting broader societal changes. While the core traditions remain intact, there have been notable shifts in how people observe the festival.

One significant change is the increasing digitization of certain customs. For instance, the tradition of giving red envelopes has partly moved online, with many young people now sending and receiving digital red packets through mobile payment apps. This technological adaptation has made the custom more convenient, especially for those unable to meet in person.

Another change is the growing commercialization of the festival. In recent years, there’s been a surge in holiday-themed products and marketing campaigns, which some argue has diluted the authentic spirit of the celebration. However, others see this as a natural evolution that helps keep the festival relevant in modern times.

Travel patterns have also shifted. With improved transportation and increasing wealth, many families now opt for vacation trips during the holiday period instead of staying home for traditional visits. This trend has sparked debates about maintaining family bonds and cultural continuity.

Despite these changes, it’s crucial to note that the fundamental values of family reunion, respect for tradition, and hope for the future continue to underpin the festival. The adaptations we’re seeing are largely surface-level, while the essence of the celebration remains deeply rooted in cultural heritage.”

This response demonstrates the ability to analyze changes over time, consider multiple perspectives, and use sophisticated vocabulary and structures, which are key elements for a high band score in Part 3.

Part 3: Two-way Discussion

In this section, the examiner will ask more abstract questions related to festivals and celebrations. Here are some potential questions:

1. How do festivals contribute to a sense of community?
2. Do you think traditional festivals are losing their importance in modern society?
3. How do festivals reflect the values of a culture?

Let’s look at a sample answer for the second question:

Sample Answer (Band 6-7):

“I think traditional festivals are still important, but maybe not as much as before. In the past, festivals were the main way people celebrated and came together. Now, with social media and technology, people can connect anytime. Also, younger people might be more interested in modern celebrations. However, I believe traditional festivals are still valuable because they help us remember our culture and history.”

Sample Answer (Band 8-9):

“The question of whether traditional festivals are losing their importance in modern society is multifaceted and warrants careful consideration. On one hand, there are certainly factors that might suggest a decline in the significance of these celebrations. The rapid pace of modernization, increased globalization, and the rise of individualism in many societies have led to changes in how people perceive and participate in traditional festivals.

Moreover, the demands of modern life, such as busy work schedules and the lure of digital entertainment, can make it challenging for people to fully engage in time-consuming traditional practices. There’s also a generational shift in attitudes, with some younger people viewing certain customs as outdated or irrelevant to their lives.

However, I would argue that rather than losing importance, traditional festivals are undergoing a transformation in how they are celebrated and perceived. Many people are finding new ways to incorporate these celebrations into their modern lifestyles, often blending traditional elements with contemporary practices. This adaptation demonstrates the resilience and enduring relevance of these cultural touchstones.

Furthermore, in an increasingly globalized and homogenized world, traditional festivals can serve as important anchors of cultural identity. They provide a sense of continuity with the past and can be a source of pride and connection for communities. In fact, we often see a resurgence of interest in traditional practices as a response to the pressures of modernization.

It’s also worth noting that many governments and cultural organizations are making concerted efforts to preserve and promote traditional festivals, recognizing their value in cultural heritage and tourism.

In conclusion, while the role and expression of traditional festivals may be evolving, I believe their fundamental importance in fostering community bonds, preserving cultural heritage, and providing a sense of identity remains strong. The challenge lies in finding a balance between preserving the essence of these traditions and allowing them to evolve naturally with societal changes.”

This response demonstrates critical thinking, the ability to consider multiple perspectives, and the use of sophisticated vocabulary and complex sentence structures, all of which are crucial for achieving a high band score in Part 3.

Modern and Traditional Festival Celebration Blend

Key Vocabulary and Phrases for High Scores

To elevate your responses when describing festivals, consider using these advanced words and phrases:

1. Commemorate /kəˈmeməreɪt/ (verb): To recall and show respect for an event or person.
   Example: “We commemorate our ancestors during this festival.”

2. Festivity /feˈstɪvəti/ (noun): The celebration of something in a joyful and exuberant way.
   Example: “The festivities last for an entire week.”

3. Cultural heritage /ˈkʌltʃərəl ˈherɪtɪdʒ/ (noun phrase): The legacy of physical artifacts and intangible attributes of a group or society.
   Example: “This festival is an important part of our cultural heritage.”

4. Time-honored /taɪm ˈɒnəd/ (adjective): Respected or valued because it has existed for a long time.
   Example: “We follow many time-honored traditions during the festival.”

5. Culminate /ˈkʌlmɪneɪt/ (verb): Reach a climax or point of highest development.
   Example: “The festival culminates in a grand fireworks display.”

Using these words and phrases accurately can significantly enhance the sophistication of your responses, contributing to a higher band score.

Examiner’s Advice

To excel in the IELTS Speaking test when describing festivals:

1. Practice describing various festivals, focusing on providing specific details and personal experiences.
2. Develop a range of vocabulary related to celebrations, traditions, and cultural practices.
3. Work on your ability to discuss abstract concepts related to festivals, such as their cultural significance and evolution over time.
4. Improve your fluency by regularly discussing these topics with others or recording yourself speaking.
5. Pay attention to your pronunciation, especially of words specific to festivals and cultural practices.

Remember, the key to a high score is not just about what you say, but how you say it. Aim for clarity, fluency, and depth in your responses.

describe a memorable community event you attended

By following these guidelines and practicing regularly, you can significantly improve your performance in the IELTS Speaking test, particularly when describing festivals from your culture.