Describing a traditional festival is a common topic in IELTS Speaking tests, particularly in Part 2. This topic allows candidates to showcase their cultural knowledge, vocabulary range, and ability to structure a coherent response. Let’s explore how to effectively tackle this topic and achieve a high band score.

Part 1: Introduction and Interview

In Part 1, the examiner may ask some general questions about festivals to warm you up. Here’s an example question with a suggested answer:

Q: Do you enjoy attending festivals?

A: Absolutely! I find festivals to be a wonderful way to immerse myself in local culture and traditions. They’re often vibrant, colorful events that bring communities together, which I find truly enriching. Plus, there’s usually delicious food involved, which is always a bonus!

Crowd celebrating at a traditional festival

Part 2: Long Turn (Cue Card)

Here’s a sample cue card for this topic:

Describe A Traditional Festival In Your City
You should say:

• What the festival is called
• When it takes place
• What activities are involved
• And explain why this festival is important to your city

Sample Answer (Band 6-7)

The traditional festival I’d like to talk about is the Lunar New Year, which we call Tet in my city, Ho Chi Minh City. It usually takes place in late January or early February, depending on the lunar calendar.

During Tet, the whole city comes alive with various activities. People clean and decorate their homes with flowers and plants, especially peach blossoms and kumquat trees. Families gather for special meals, and children receive red envelopes with lucky money. There are also fireworks displays and lion dances in the streets.

This festival is important to our city because it’s a time for family reunions and paying respect to ancestors. It also marks the beginning of spring and a new year, so people use this time to reflect on the past and make wishes for the future. Tet brings a sense of renewal and hope to everyone in the city.

Sample Answer (Band 8-9)

I’d be delighted to describe the Lunar New Year festival, known as Tet, which is undoubtedly the most significant celebration in Ho Chi Minh City, where I reside. This quintessential Vietnamese festival typically falls in late January or early February, aligning with the lunar calendar.

Tet is a veritable cornucopia of activities that transform the city into a vibrant spectacle. In the lead-up to the festival, there’s a palpable sense of anticipation as people engage in thorough spring cleaning, symbolizing the sweeping away of bad fortune. Homes and streets are adorned with an array of decorations, particularly lucky red banners, peach blossoms, and kumquat trees, which are believed to bring prosperity.

The festival itself is a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity. Families congregate for elaborate feasts, savoring traditional dishes like banh chung (sticky rice cakes) and mut tet (candied fruits). Children don new clothes and receive “li xi” – red envelopes containing lucky money. The city resonates with the sounds of firecrackers and the mesmerizing sight of lion dances, creating an atmosphere of jubilation.

Tet holds immense cultural significance for Ho Chi Minh City. It’s a time for honoring ancestral roots and strengthening family bonds. The festival also marks the advent of spring and a new year, providing a collective moment for reflection and renewal. It’s a period when the frenetic pace of the city slows, allowing people to focus on personal relationships and spiritual well-being.

Moreover, Tet plays a crucial role in preserving our cultural heritage in an increasingly globalized world. It serves as a conduit for passing down traditions to younger generations, ensuring the continuity of our customs and values. The festival also showcases the city’s rich culture to international visitors, fostering cultural exchange and understanding.

In essence, Tet is more than just a festival; it’s a testament to the resilience and vibrancy of Ho Chi Minh City’s culture, uniting its residents in a shared celebration of hope, prosperity, and new beginnings.

Traditional Tet festival decorations and food

Follow-up Questions

Q: How has this festival changed over the years?

A (Band 6-7): The festival has changed quite a bit. These days, more people travel during Tet instead of staying at home. Also, some traditional customs are less common now, especially among young people in the city. However, the main spirit of family reunion is still strong.

A (Band 8-9): The Tet festival has undergone a notable evolution over the years, reflecting the changing dynamics of our society. While the core essence of family reunions and cultural pride remains intact, there have been discernible shifts in how it’s celebrated.

In recent years, there’s been a growing trend towards travel during the Tet holiday, with many urban dwellers opting for vacations rather than staying at home for traditional observances. This shift has led to a more cosmopolitan interpretation of the festival, blending traditional elements with modern leisure activities.

Additionally, some time-honored customs, such as the elaborate preparation of traditional foods or the practice of visiting every relative’s home, have become less prevalent, particularly among the younger generation in urban areas. This change is largely due to the fast-paced urban lifestyle and the influence of global culture.

However, it’s important to note that these changes don’t signify a decline in the festival’s importance. Rather, they represent an adaptation of traditions to contemporary life. Many young people are finding innovative ways to honor their heritage, such as using social media to send Tet greetings or organizing virtual family reunions.

Moreover, there’s been a recent resurgence of interest in traditional aspects of Tet, with many people consciously efforts to preserve and revitalize ancient customs. This renaissance is evident in the popularity of traditional craft fairs, calligraphy exhibitions, and folk game events during the festival period.

In essence, while the outward manifestation of Tet may have evolved, its fundamental role as a cornerstone of cultural identity and family bonding remains as strong as ever, adapting to the needs and lifestyles of modern Vietnamese society.

Part 3: Two-way Discussion

Q: How do festivals contribute to a country’s cultural identity?

A (Band 6-7): Festivals play a big role in shaping a country’s cultural identity. They showcase traditional customs, food, and clothing that are unique to that country. Festivals also bring people together and help pass down cultural values from one generation to the next. This helps keep the culture alive and distinct.

A (Band 8-9): Festivals serve as pivotal elements in forging and maintaining a country’s cultural identity. They act as living repositories of a nation’s heritage, encapsulating centuries of traditions, beliefs, and social norms in vibrant, experiential forms.

Firstly, festivals provide a tangible link to a country’s historical roots. They often commemorate significant historical events or religious observances, thereby keeping the collective memory of a nation alive. This connection to the past gives people a sense of continuity and belonging, which is crucial for cultural identity.

Moreover, festivals serve as platforms for cultural expression. Through traditional music, dance, costumes, and rituals, they showcase the unique artistic and creative elements of a culture. This not only reinforces the distinctiveness of the culture for its own people but also presents a vivid image to the outside world, contributing to the country’s cultural brand.

Festivals also play a vital role in social cohesion and community building. They bring people together, transcending social, economic, and sometimes even political divides. This shared experience of celebration strengthens social bonds and reinforces a sense of collective identity.

Furthermore, festivals act as vehicles for intergenerational transmission of cultural knowledge. They provide opportunities for older generations to pass down traditions, stories, and skills to younger ones, ensuring the continuity of cultural practices and values.

In an increasingly globalized world, festivals can also serve as bulwarks against cultural homogenization. They remind people of their unique heritage and can spark renewed interest in preserving and promoting local cultures.

Lastly, festivals often evolve over time, incorporating new elements while retaining their core essence. This evolution reflects the dynamic nature of cultural identity, demonstrating how it can adapt to changing times while maintaining its fundamental character.

In essence, festivals are not merely celebratory events, but powerful mechanisms for cultural preservation, expression, and evolution, playing a crucial role in shaping and reinforcing a country’s unique cultural identity.

Key Vocabulary and Phrases for High Scores

1. Quintessential (adj.) /ˌkwɪn.təˈsen.ʃəl/ – representing the most typical example or most important parts of something
   Example: Tet is a quintessential Vietnamese festival.

2. Cornucopia (n.) /ˌkɔː.njəˈkəʊ.pi.ə/ – a large amount of something good
   Example: The festival is a cornucopia of cultural activities.

3. Palpable (adj.) /ˈpæl.pə.bəl/ – so obvious that it can easily be noticed or felt
   Example: There’s a palpable sense of excitement in the air during the festival.

4. Harmonious blend (phrase) – a pleasing combination of different elements
   Example: The festival represents a harmonious blend of old and new traditions.

5. Immense cultural significance (phrase) – great importance in terms of culture
   Example: Tet holds immense cultural significance for Vietnamese people.

6. Conduit (n.) /ˈkɒn.djuɪt/ – a channel through which something flows or is transmitted
   Example: Festivals serve as a conduit for passing down traditions to younger generations.

7. Testament (n.) /ˈtes.tə.mənt/ – something that proves or shows clearly that something exists or is true
   Example: The festival is a testament to the resilience of our culture.

8. Discernible shift (phrase) – a noticeable change
   Example: There has been a discernible shift in how younger generations celebrate the festival.

9. Cosmopolitan interpretation (phrase) – a modern, global understanding or version of something
   Example: Many young people have a more cosmopolitan interpretation of traditional festivals.

10. Cornerstone (n.) /ˈkɔː.nə.stəʊn/ – something of great importance that everything else is based on
    Example: This festival remains a cornerstone of our cultural identity.

Examiner’s Advice

To achieve a high score in the IELTS Speaking test when describing a traditional festival:

1. Structure your answer clearly, addressing all parts of the question.
2. Use a wide range of vocabulary, including idiomatic expressions and less common words related to festivals and culture.
3. Demonstrate your ability to use complex grammatical structures accurately.
4. Provide specific details and examples to support your points.
5. Show critical thinking by discussing the significance and impact of the festival, not just describing it.
6. Practice fluency by speaking at a natural pace without long pauses.
7. Develop your ideas fully, going beyond surface-level descriptions to deeper analysis.
8. Use appropriate pronunciation and intonation to enhance the clarity of your speech.
9. Stay on topic while smoothly transitioning between ideas.
10. Engage with the examiner by maintaining eye contact and showing enthusiasm for the subject.

Remember, regular practice with a variety of topics will help you become more confident and proficient in your speaking skills. Consider recording yourself and listening back to identify areas for improvement. You might also find it helpful to describe a memorable experience you had during a festival to further enhance your ability to discuss this topic comprehensively.