Looking at celebrating holidays and traditions from various cultures makes for engaging conversations in IELTS Speaking. This topic frequently appears across all parts of the speaking test, particularly in Part 2 cue cards, as it allows candidates to demonstrate their cultural awareness and descriptive abilities.
IELTS examiner and candidate discussing holiday traditions
Part 1: Introduction and Interview Questions
Common questions in Part 1 related to holidays and traditions include:
- Do you enjoy traditional festivals?
- What’s your favorite holiday celebration?
- How do people celebrate holidays in your country?
Sample answer (Band 8-9):
“I absolutely adore traditional festivals, especially Lunar New Year. It’s deeply rooted in our culture and gives us a chance to reconnect with family members. The atmosphere is always incredibly festive with red decorations everywhere and traditional foods being prepared.”
describe a recent memorable family meal often includes discussions about holiday traditions and special celebrations.
Part 2: Cue Card
Task Card
Describe a holiday tradition in your culture
You should say:
- What the tradition is
- When people follow this tradition
- How people celebrate it
- And explain why this tradition is important
Sample Answer (Band 8-9):
“I’d like to talk about the Mid-Autumn Festival, which is one of the most significant cultural celebrations in my country. This time-honored tradition takes place on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month, typically falling in September or October.
The celebration centers around family reunions and expressing gratitude for the harvest. People traditionally gather under the full moon to share mooncakes, which are intricately designed pastries filled with various ingredients like lotus seed paste and salted egg yolk. Children parade through the streets with colorful lanterns, creating a magical atmosphere.
What makes this tradition particularly meaningful is its role in preserving cultural heritage and strengthening family bonds. It’s a time when family members, no matter how far apart they live, make an effort to come together, similar to how people describe a family celebration you attended recently.”
Traditional mooncakes and lanterns for Mid-Autumn Festival
Part 3: Discussion Questions
Q: How have holiday celebrations changed over the years in your country?
Sample Answer (Band 8-9):
“Holiday celebrations have undergone significant transformation in recent decades. While the core values remain intact, the way people celebrate has become more modernized and commercialized. For instance, many young people now prefer to describe an ideal place to spend a holiday rather than staying home for traditional gatherings.”
Q: Do you think traditional holidays will remain important in the future?
Sample Answer (Band 8-9):
“I’m firmly convinced that traditional holidays will retain their significance, though their forms may evolve. These celebrations are deeply woven into the fabric of our cultural identity, much like how describe a season you enjoy the most often connects with traditional festivities.”
Key Vocabulary and Expressions
- Time-honored tradition /taɪm ˈɒnəd trəˈdɪʃən/ (adj.): respected and maintained for a long time
- Cultural heritage /ˈkʌltʃərəl ˈherɪtɪdʒ/ (n): traditions passed down through generations
- Intricately designed /ˈɪntrɪkətli dɪˈzaɪnd/ (adj.): made with careful attention to detail
- Preserve /prɪˈzɜːv/ (v): maintain something in its original state
- Commercialization /kəˌmɜːʃəlaɪˈzeɪʃən/ (n): the process of making something profitable
Remember to practice these expressions naturally within context and describe a skill you have improved recently could help you enhance your speaking abilities for discussing traditions effectively.
