The IELTS Speaking test is designed to evaluate various aspects of a candidate’s spoken English ability. As an IELTS Speaking Examiner, I can tell you that achieving a high score requires a combination of fluency, coherence, vocabulary range, grammatical accuracy, and pronunciation. Among the frequently asked topics, describing a festival or celebration in your country is quite common. In this article, I will guide you through the effective strategies to tackle this topic in the IELTS Speaking test, providing sample questions and answers, and essential vocabulary to help you achieve the highest score possible.
Part 1: Introduction and Interview
In Part 1 of the IELTS Speaking test, the Examiner will ask you general questions about yourself and a range of familiar topics. Here’s a sample question relevant to our topic:
Sample Question
Q: Can you tell me about a festival or celebration that is important in your country?
Sample Answer
A: Sure. One of the most important festivals in my country is the Lunar New Year, also known as Tet. It marks the beginning of the lunar calendar and is a time for family gatherings, feasts, and various cultural activities. People usually decorate their homes with peach blossoms and kumquat trees, and children receive lucky money in red envelopes. It’s a vibrant and joyful time for everyone.
Analyzing this answer:
- Fluency and Coherence: The answer flows logically, with clear sentences.
- Vocabulary Range: Words like “important,” “marks,” “family gatherings,” “feasts,” and “vibrant” showcase a rich vocabulary.
- Grammatical Accuracy: Uses various tenses correctly.
- Pronunciation: Ensure that each word is pronounced clearly.
Part 2: Long Turn
In Part 2, you will be given a cue card with a topic and some bullet points as prompts. You will have one minute to prepare and up to two minutes to speak.
Cue Card
Describe a festival or celebration in your country. You should say:
- What it is
- When it is celebrated
- How it is celebrated
- And why it is important
Sample Answer
A: The most significant festival in my country is the Lunar New Year, or Tet, celebrated in late January or early February. It commemorates the first day of the lunar calendar and lasts for about a week. Preparations for Tet often begin weeks in advance, as people clean their homes to ward off bad luck. On the eve of Tet, families gather to enjoy a sumptuous meal, including traditional dishes like “banh chung,” a square sticky rice cake. During the festival, people honor their ancestors through altars and offerings, visit friends and relatives, and participate in street parades featuring lion dances and fireworks. Tet is crucial as it emphasizes cultural heritage, family bonds, and the hope for prosperity in the coming year.
Lunar New Year Celebration
This answer:
- Covers all the bullet points on the cue card.
- Uses specific details and vivid descriptions.
- Maintains a natural and logical structure.
Follow-up Questions and Answers
Q: How do people prepare for this festival?
A: People usually start cleaning their houses weeks before the festival to get rid of bad luck and welcome good fortune. They buy new clothes, prepare traditional foods, and decorate their homes with peach blossoms and kumquat trees.
Q: What is the significance of giving lucky money?
A: Giving lucky money in red envelopes is a way to wish good luck and prosperity to the recipients, usually children and elderly members of the family. It’s a beloved tradition that symbolizes good fortune and happiness.
Part 3: Two-way Discussion
In Part 3, the Examiner will ask more abstract questions related to the topics discussed in Part 2, aiming to evaluate your ability to discuss and elaborate on more complex ideas.
Sample Discussion
Examiner: How do festivals and celebrations unite people in your country?
Candidate: Festivals like Tet play a pivotal role in fostering unity among people. They provide a common ground for individuals to come together, irrespective of their background, to celebrate shared customs and traditions. During Tet, for example, families reunite, neighbors share food, and communities organize parades, which enhances social cohesion and a sense of belonging.
Examiner: Do you think the way festivals are celebrated has changed over the years?
Candidate: Absolutely. With globalization and modernization, the way festivals are celebrated has evolved. Traditional practices are sometimes replaced with new customs influenced by other cultures. For instance, many people now incorporate Western-style parties and New Year’s countdowns into their Tet celebrations. Despite these changes, the core values of honoring cultural heritage and family remain intact.
Essential Vocabulary and Structures for High Scores
Vocabulary
Ancestors (ˈæn.ses.tərz): Ancestors are family members from past generations.
*Example: “During Tet, families honor their ancestors with altar offerings.”Commemorate (kəˈmem.ə.reɪt): To honor or keep alive the memory of an event or person.
*Example: “Tet commemorates the start of the lunar new year.”Sumptuous (ˈsʌmp.tʃu.əs): Extremely rich and luxurious.
*Example: “The sumptuous Tet meal includes various traditional dishes.”Prosperity (prɒsˈper.ɪ.ti): The state of being successful or thriving.
*Example: “Tet emphasizes the hope for prosperity in the coming year.”Cohesion (kəʊˈhiː.ʒən): The action or fact of forming a united whole.
*Example: “Festivals foster social cohesion and unity among communities.”
Structures
Complex Sentences: Use subordinating conjunctions such as “although,” “because,” and “while” to create complex sentences.
*Example: “Although the ways of celebrating Tet have been modernized, the essence of the festival remains unchanged.”Present Perfect Tense: Often used to discuss changes over time.
*Example: “The celebration of Tet has evolved significantly over the years.”
Examiner’s Tips for High Scores
- Practice Regularly: Regular practice helps in achieving fluency and coherence.
- Expand Your Vocabulary: Read extensively to learn new words and phrases.
- Use Real-life Examples: Incorporating personal experiences makes your responses more genuine and engaging.
- Seek Feedback: Regularly seek feedback from proficient English speakers or tutors.
- Focus on Pronunciation: Clear and correct pronunciation is crucial for high scores.
By following these guidelines and using the sample answers provided, you will be well-prepared to tackle the “Describe a festival or celebration in your country” topic in the IELTS Speaking test.