The ability to describe a traditional meal from your culture is a valuable skill for the IELTS Speaking test. This topic has appeared frequently in past exams and is likely to continue being a popular choice for examiners. Let’s explore how to effectively answer questions about traditional meals and impress the examiner with your language skills.
Part 1: Introduction and Interview
In this section, the examiner may ask general questions about food and eating habits. Here are some common questions you might encounter:
- What’s your favorite traditional dish from your country?
- How often do you eat traditional food?
- Do you prefer traditional or modern cuisine?
Let’s look at a sample answer for the first question:
Examiner: What’s your favorite traditional dish from your country?
Band 6-7 Answer:
“My favorite traditional dish is pho, which is a Vietnamese noodle soup. It’s made with beef or chicken broth and served with rice noodles, meat, and herbs. I love it because it’s flavorful and comforting.”
Band 8-9 Answer:
“I’d have to say that my all-time favorite traditional dish is pho, a quintessential Vietnamese noodle soup. It’s a culinary masterpiece that combines a rich, aromatic broth simmered for hours with tender rice noodles, thinly sliced meat, and an array of fresh herbs. What I find particularly captivating about pho is its perfect balance of flavors and textures, which never fails to tantalize my taste buds.”
Part 2: Long Turn (Cue Card)
Here’s a sample cue card related to describing a traditional meal:
Describe a traditional meal in your culture
You should say:
- What the meal is called
- What ingredients are used to make it
- How it is prepared
- And explain why this meal is important in your culture
Band 6-7 Answer:
“I’d like to talk about a traditional Vietnamese meal called ‘banh chung’. It’s a special dish we eat during Tet, which is our Lunar New Year celebration.
Banh chung is made with glutinous rice, mung beans, and pork. These ingredients are wrapped in dong leaves, which give the cake its distinctive green color and fragrance.
To prepare banh chung, we first soak the rice and beans overnight. Then, we layer the ingredients in a square mold, with the rice on the outside, mung beans in the middle, and pork in the center. We wrap it all in dong leaves and tie it securely with bamboo strings. The cakes are then boiled for several hours until they’re fully cooked.
This meal is important in our culture because it represents our agricultural heritage and family unity. Making banh chung is often a family activity, bringing everyone together to prepare for the New Year celebrations.”
Band 8-9 Answer:
“I’d be delighted to describe a quintessential Vietnamese traditional meal known as ‘banh chung’. This iconic dish is inextricably linked with our Lunar New Year festivities, known as Tet.
Banh chung is a harmonious blend of simple yet symbolic ingredients: glutinous rice, representing the earth; mung beans and pork, symbolizing the crops and animals nurtured by the land. These components are meticulously encased in dong leaves, which impart a subtle green hue and an enticing aroma to the final product.
The preparation of banh chung is a labor-intensive process that spans several days. It begins with the meticulous cleaning and soaking of the rice and beans. The next step involves the artful arrangement of ingredients within a square mold, layering them to create a perfect balance of flavors and textures. The culmination of this process is the wrapping of the cake in dong leaves, secured with bamboo strings, followed by hours of boiling to achieve the perfect consistency.
The significance of banh chung in Vietnamese culture cannot be overstated. It serves as a tangible link to our agricultural roots and embodies the values of family unity and tradition. The process of creating banh chung is often a communal endeavor, bringing multiple generations together in a shared activity that strengthens familial bonds and passes down cultural knowledge. This dish not only nourishes our bodies but also feeds our collective cultural identity, making it an indispensable part of our New Year celebrations.”
Describe a tradition in your family could be another interesting topic to explore in relation to traditional meals.
Follow-up Questions
Examiner: How has this traditional meal changed over time?
Band 6-7 Answer:
“Banh chung has changed a bit over time. These days, some people use electric rice cookers instead of boiling the cakes for hours. Also, there are now vegetarian versions available for those who don’t eat meat. However, the basic recipe and its importance in our culture remain the same.”
Band 8-9 Answer:
“While the essence of banh chung has remained largely intact, it has undergone some subtle transformations to adapt to modern lifestyles. Notably, the cooking process has been streamlined in many households, with electric rice cookers or pressure cookers replacing the traditional hours-long boiling method. This innovation has made the preparation less labor-intensive without compromising the quality of the final product.
Moreover, there’s been a discernible trend towards diversification of the filling. Vegetarian and vegan versions have gained popularity, catering to changing dietary preferences and reflecting a growing health consciousness in society. Some innovative cooks have even experimented with fusion versions, incorporating non-traditional ingredients while still paying homage to the dish’s cultural significance.
Despite these changes, it’s heartening to note that the fundamental recipe and the cultural importance of banh chung remain steadfast. This adaptability, I believe, is a testament to the resilience of our culinary traditions and their ability to evolve while retaining their core cultural value.”
Part 3: Two-way Discussion
Examiner: How do traditional meals contribute to a country’s cultural identity?
Band 6-7 Answer:
“Traditional meals are important for a country’s cultural identity because they represent the history and values of the people. These dishes often use local ingredients and cooking methods that have been passed down through generations. They also play a big role in festivals and celebrations, bringing people together and helping to preserve cultural traditions.”
Band 8-9 Answer:
“Traditional meals play a pivotal role in shaping and preserving a country’s cultural identity. They serve as culinary ambassadors, offering a tangible and sensory connection to a nation’s history, geography, and social fabric.
Firstly, traditional dishes often embody the collective wisdom of generations, showcasing indigenous ingredients and time-honored cooking techniques that have evolved to suit local conditions. This culinary heritage not only reflects the resourcefulness of a culture but also highlights its deep-rooted connection to the land.
Moreover, traditional meals act as a conduit for cultural transmission. The preparation and consumption of these dishes often involve rituals and customs that encapsulate a society’s values and beliefs. Family recipes passed down through generations, for instance, serve as oral histories, preserving not just flavors but also stories and traditions.
Additionally, traditional cuisine often plays a central role in festivals and celebrations, serving as a unifying force that brings communities together. These shared culinary experiences foster a sense of belonging and reinforce cultural bonds.
In an increasingly globalized world, traditional meals also serve as a point of differentiation, helping nations maintain their unique identities. They become sources of pride and cultural export, introducing the essence of a culture to the wider world through food.
Thus, traditional meals are not merely sustenance; they are living artifacts that continually shape, reflect, and preserve the multifaceted aspects of a country’s cultural identity.”
Describe a meal you shared with friends in a restaurant could provide additional insights into discussing meals and dining experiences.
Key Vocabulary and Phrases
To elevate your IELTS Speaking performance when describing traditional meals, consider using these advanced words and phrases:
Culinary heritage /ˈkʌlɪnəri ˈherɪtɪdʒ/ (noun phrase): The traditional dishes and cooking methods of a particular culture or region.
Example: “Banh chung is an important part of Vietnam’s culinary heritage.”Quintessential /ˌkwɪntɪˈsenʃəl/ (adjective): Representing the most perfect or typical example of a quality or class.
Example: “Pho is a quintessential Vietnamese dish that represents our food culture.”Gastronomic /ˌɡæstrəˈnɒmɪk/ (adjective): Relating to the art or science of good eating.
Example: “The Lunar New Year is a gastronomic celebration in Vietnam.”Aromatic /ˌærəˈmætɪk/ (adjective): Having a pleasant and distinctive smell.
Example: “The aromatic spices in the dish make it irresistible.”To tantalize /ˈtæntəlaɪz/ (verb): To tease or torment by presenting something desirable but unobtainable.
Example: “The smell of banh chung cooking tantalizes everyone in the house.”
Describe a recipe you can cook could be a great opportunity to practice using these culinary terms.
Traditional Vietnamese meal Banh Chung
Examiner’s Advice
To excel in describing traditional meals during your IELTS Speaking test:
Prepare a range of vocabulary: Learn specific terms related to cooking methods, ingredients, and cultural significance.
Practice descriptive language: Use vivid adjectives to describe tastes, textures, and aromas.
Understand the cultural context: Be ready to explain why the meal is important in your culture.
Use personal anecdotes: Share your experiences with the meal to make your answer more engaging.
Structure your answer: Organize your thoughts logically, covering all aspects of the question.
Show enthusiasm: Demonstrate genuine interest in your culture’s culinary traditions.
Remember, the key to a high score is not just what you say, but how you say it. Aim for fluency, coherence, and a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures.
IELTS Speaking practice session
Describe a place you would like to visit for a holiday might be an interesting topic to practice next, as you could incorporate discussions about local cuisine into your answer.
By following these guidelines and practicing regularly, you’ll be well-prepared to discuss traditional meals and other topics in your IELTS Speaking test. Remember, the goal is to communicate effectively and showcase your language skills while sharing interesting aspects of your culture.