Mastering IELTS Speaking: How to Brilliantly Describe a Traditional Event You Enjoy Celebrating

Traditional events and celebrations are common topics in IELTS Speaking exams, particularly in Part 2 and Part 3. The ability to describe these events effectively can significantly boost your score. This article will guide you through answering questions about traditional events you enjoy celebrating, providing sample answers and valuable tips to help you excel in your IELTS Speaking test.

Describe a cultural festival in your country is a related topic that often appears in IELTS Speaking tests. Let’s explore how to tackle questions about traditional events and celebrations effectively.

Part 1: Introduction and Interview

In Part 1, the examiner may ask you some general questions about traditional events and celebrations. Here’s a sample question with a suggested answer:

Question: Do you enjoy traditional events and celebrations?

Sample Answer (Band 7-8):

Yes, I absolutely adore traditional events and celebrations. They offer a wonderful opportunity to connect with my cultural roots and spend quality time with family and friends. I find that these events often have a unique charm and atmosphere that you can’t experience in everyday life. Plus, they’re usually filled with delicious traditional foods and fascinating customs that have been passed down through generations.

Part 2: Long Turn (Cue Card)

Cue Card:

Describe a traditional event that you enjoy celebrating.
You should say:

• What the event is
• When it takes place
• What you do during this event
• And explain why you enjoy celebrating it

Sample Answer (Band 6-7):

I’d like to talk about Diwali, which is a traditional Hindu festival that I really enjoy celebrating. It’s also known as the Festival of Lights and usually takes place in October or November, depending on the lunar calendar.

During Diwali, we do many things to celebrate. First, we clean and decorate our homes with colorful rangoli patterns and string lights. We also light small clay lamps called diyas and place them around the house. In the evening, we perform a special prayer ceremony called puja to honor the goddess Lakshmi.

One of the best parts of Diwali is the food. We prepare and share traditional sweets and snacks with family and friends. It’s also common to exchange gifts during this time. Another exciting aspect is the fireworks display that lights up the night sky.

I enjoy celebrating Diwali because it brings the whole family together. It’s a time of joy, renewal, and strengthening bonds with loved ones. The festive atmosphere, with all the lights and decorations, creates a magical feeling that I look forward to every year. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to reflect on the past year and set intentions for the future.

Sample Answer (Band 8-9):

I’d be delighted to share with you about Diwali, a quintessential Hindu festival that I absolutely relish celebrating. Often referred to as the Festival of Lights, this auspicious occasion typically falls in October or November, contingent on the lunar calendar.

The preparations for Diwali are nothing short of elaborate. We meticulously clean and adorn our homes with intricate rangoli patterns and scintillating string lights. A crucial part of the decorations involves placing small clay lamps, known as diyas, around the house, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness. As evening descends, we partake in a special prayer ceremony, or puja, to invoke the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth and prosperity.

One of the most cherished aspects of Diwali is the culinary extravaganza that accompanies it. We painstakingly prepare an array of traditional sweets and savory snacks, which are then shared with family and friends. The exchange of gifts is also a prevalent custom during this period. The celebration culminates in a spectacular fireworks display that illuminates the night sky, creating a mesmerizing spectacle.

I find celebrating Diwali immensely gratifying for several reasons. Primarily, it serves as a catalyst for family reunions, fostering a sense of unity and togetherness. The festive ambiance, replete with lights and decorations, engenders a magical atmosphere that I eagerly anticipate each year. Moreover, Diwali provides an excellent opportunity for introspection, allowing me to reflect on the past year’s experiences and set intentions for the future. The festival’s underlying message of the victory of good over evil and light over darkness resonates deeply with me, making the celebration not just enjoyable, but also profoundly meaningful.

Follow-up Questions:

1. How has the celebration of this event changed over the years?
2. Do you think traditional events are important in modern society?

Sample Answers (Band 8-9):

1. The celebration of Diwali has undoubtedly evolved over the years. While the core traditions remain intact, there have been notable changes in how people observe the festival. For instance, there’s been a significant shift towards more environmentally friendly practices. Many people now opt for eco-friendly diyas and decorations, and there’s a growing trend of using less polluting fireworks or even opting for laser light shows. Additionally, the advent of technology has transformed how people connect during the festival. Social media platforms are now inundated with Diwali wishes and virtual celebrations, allowing people to share the festive spirit even when physically distant. However, I believe these changes have enhanced rather than diminished the essence of the festival, making it more inclusive and sustainable.

2. I firmly believe that traditional events play a crucial role in modern society. In our fast-paced, globalized world, these events serve as cultural anchors, helping us stay connected to our roots and heritage. They provide a sense of continuity and identity, which is especially important in multicultural societies. Moreover, traditional events often promote social cohesion, bringing communities together and fostering a sense of belonging. They also offer a welcome respite from the stresses of modern life, allowing people to step back from their daily routines and celebrate shared values and experiences. Furthermore, many traditional events carry profound messages or teachings that remain relevant today, offering valuable life lessons and promoting positive values. Thus, far from being outdated, I believe traditional events are more pertinent than ever in our modern world.

Describe a public event you attended is another related topic that you might encounter in your IELTS Speaking test. Practice describing various events to improve your speaking skills.

Part 3: Two-way Discussion

In Part 3, the examiner will ask more abstract questions related to the topic of traditional events and celebrations. Here are some sample questions and answers:

Question 1: How do traditional celebrations contribute to a country’s cultural identity?

Sample Answer (Band 7-8):

Traditional celebrations play a significant role in shaping a country’s cultural identity. They serve as a link to the past, helping to preserve and pass down important customs, values, and beliefs from one generation to the next. These celebrations often reflect a nation’s history, religious beliefs, and social norms, giving both locals and outsiders a deeper understanding of the country’s cultural fabric.

Moreover, traditional celebrations can foster a sense of unity and belonging among people. When communities come together to celebrate shared traditions, it strengthens social bonds and promotes cultural pride. This sense of shared identity can be particularly important in multicultural societies, where traditional celebrations can help maintain cultural diversity while also creating a sense of national unity.

Additionally, these celebrations often showcase unique aspects of a country’s culture, such as traditional music, dance, costumes, and cuisine. This not only helps preserve these cultural elements but also makes them more visible and accessible to younger generations and visitors, contributing to cultural education and tourism.

Sample Answer (Band 8-9):

Traditional celebrations play an indispensable role in forging and maintaining a country’s cultural identity. They serve as a vital conduit between past and present, facilitating the transmission of crucial customs, values, and beliefs across generations. These celebrations often encapsulate a nation’s historical narrative, religious tenets, and social mores, offering both inhabitants and outsiders a nuanced comprehension of the country’s cultural tapestry.

Furthermore, traditional celebrations act as a powerful catalyst for social cohesion and cultural pride. The act of communal celebration fosters a profound sense of unity and belonging, which is particularly salient in multicultural societies. Here, these traditions can serve a dual purpose: preserving cultural diversity while simultaneously cultivating a shared national identity.

Moreover, these celebrations often serve as a showcase for the quintessential elements of a country’s culture, including indigenous music, dance forms, traditional attire, and culinary heritage. This visibility not only aids in the preservation of these cultural artifacts but also renders them more accessible to younger generations and international visitors. Consequently, traditional celebrations contribute significantly to cultural education and can be a major draw for tourism, thereby playing a role in both cultural and economic spheres.

In essence, traditional celebrations are not mere remnants of the past, but dynamic, evolving expressions of a country’s cultural identity. They adapt to contemporary contexts while retaining their core significance, thus ensuring the continuity and relevance of cultural heritage in an ever-changing world.

Traditional event celebration contributing to cultural identity

Question 2: Do you think globalization is affecting traditional celebrations? How?

Sample Answer (Band 7-8):

Yes, I believe globalization is definitely affecting traditional celebrations in various ways. On one hand, globalization has led to a greater awareness and appreciation of different cultures and their traditions. People now have more opportunities to learn about and participate in celebrations from other parts of the world, which can be enriching and broadening.

However, globalization also poses some challenges to traditional celebrations. As cultures become more interconnected, there’s a risk of homogenization, where unique local traditions might be overshadowed by more globally recognized holidays or customs. For example, in many countries, Valentine’s Day or Halloween are becoming increasingly popular, sometimes at the expense of local traditions.

Another impact is the commercialization of traditional celebrations. Global brands often capitalize on these events, which can sometimes lead to a loss of authenticity or a shift in focus from cultural significance to consumerism.

On the positive side, globalization has also allowed diaspora communities to maintain connections with their cultural roots and celebrate their traditional events even when living far from their home countries. Technology and social media have made it easier to share and preserve cultural knowledge and practices across borders.

Sample Answer (Band 8-9):

Globalization is undeniably exerting a profound influence on traditional celebrations, manifesting in a multifaceted array of both positive and negative consequences. On the affirmative side, globalization has fostered an unprecedented level of cross-cultural awareness and appreciation. It has facilitated the dissemination of knowledge about diverse cultural practices, enabling individuals to partake in and comprehend celebrations from various corners of the globe, thereby enriching their cultural repertoire.

Conversely, globalization also presents formidable challenges to the preservation of traditional celebrations. The increasing interconnectedness of cultures carries with it the risk of cultural homogenization, where distinctive local traditions may be eclipsed by more universally recognized holidays or customs. This phenomenon is evident in the growing popularity of Western-centric celebrations like Valentine’s Day or Halloween in non-Western countries, often at the expense of indigenous traditions.

Another significant ramification is the escalating commercialization of traditional celebrations. Multinational corporations frequently capitalize on these cultural events, which can lead to a dilution of authenticity or a shift in emphasis from cultural significance to consumerism. This commercialization can alter the essence of these celebrations, potentially diminishing their spiritual or communal value.

However, it’s crucial to note that globalization has also yielded some unexpected benefits for traditional celebrations. It has empowered diaspora communities to maintain robust connections with their cultural heritage, enabling them to observe their traditional events even when geographically distant from their ancestral homes. The advent of digital technologies and social media platforms has revolutionized the way cultural knowledge is shared and preserved, transcending geographical boundaries and ensuring the continuity of cultural practices.

Moreover, globalization has sparked a counter-trend of cultural revitalization in many societies. As people become more aware of the potential loss of their unique traditions, there’s often a renewed interest in preserving and promoting local cultural events. This has led to innovative adaptations of traditional celebrations, blending ancient customs with modern practices to ensure their relevance and appeal to younger generations.

In conclusion, while globalization poses certain threats to traditional celebrations, it also offers unprecedented opportunities for cultural exchange, preservation, and evolution. The key lies in striking a delicate balance between embracing global influences and safeguarding the essence and integrity of traditional celebrations.

Globalization's impact on traditional celebrations

Describe a traditional event you enjoy is another topic that could come up in your IELTS Speaking test. Practicing with various topics will help you become more confident and fluent.

Key Vocabulary and Phrases for High Scores

To achieve a high score in your IELTS Speaking test, it’s crucial to use a wide range of vocabulary and complex sentence structures. Here are some key words and phrases that can help elevate your responses:

1. Quintessential /ˌkwɪntɪˈsenʃl/ (adj): Representing the most perfect or typical example of a quality or class.
   Example: Diwali is a quintessential Indian festival that embodies the spirit of light and joy.

2. Auspicious /ɔːˈspɪʃəs/ (adj): Favorable; giving or being a sign of future success.
   Example: The New Year is considered an auspicious time for new beginnings in many cultures.

3. Elaborate /ɪˈlæbərət/ (adj): Involving many carefully arranged parts or details; thorough and detailed.
   Example: The wedding ceremony involved elaborate rituals that lasted for several hours.

4. Culminate /ˈkʌlmɪneɪt/ (v): Reach a climax or point of highest development.
   Example: The festival culminates in a spectacular fireworks display at midnight.

5. Resonate /ˈrezəneɪt/ (v): Evoke or suggest images, memories, and emotions.
   Example: The traditional music played during the celebration resonates deeply with the older generation.

6. Intrinsic /ɪnˈtrɪnsɪk/ (adj): Belonging naturally; essential.
   Example: Gift-giving is an intrinsic part of many holiday celebrations around the world.

7. Revitalize /ˌriːˈvaɪtəlaɪz/ (v): Imbue with new life and vitality.
   Example: Efforts are being made to revitalize ancient festivals that were on the verge of being forgotten.

8. Engender /ɪnˈdʒendə(r)/ (v): Cause or give rise to a feeling, situation, or condition.
   Example: These traditional celebrations engender a sense of community and belonging among participants.

Remember to use these words naturally and in the correct context to showcase your language proficiency effectively.

Key vocabulary for describing traditional events in IELTS Speaking

Describe a unique traditional event in your country is another topic you might encounter. Practicing with a variety of related topics will help you develop a broader vocabulary and improve your ability to discuss different aspects of traditional events.

Tips from an IELTS Examiner

As an experienced IELTS examiner, here are some key tips to help you excel in the Speaking test, particularly when discussing traditional events:

1. Develop your ideas: Don’t just list facts. Explain why things happen and how they make you feel. This shows depth of thought and language ability.

2. Use a range of tenses: When describing traditional events, you’ll naturally need to use different tenses. Practice using past, present, and future tenses accurately.