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Updated on Sep 13, 2024, 08:50
The IELTS Speaking Test topic 'Describe a Foreign Culture That You Like' invites you to share your thoughts and experiences about a culture from another country that you find intriguing or enjoyable. In this part of the test, known as the Individual Long Turn or Part 2, you'll be given one minute to prepare and then speak for up to two minutes on this topic. It's important to discuss specific aspects of the culture you appreciate, such as customs, traditions, festivals, or food, and explain why these elements stand out to you.
Practising this topic helps enhance your IELTS Speaking skills by encouraging you to organise your thoughts clearly and express them coherently. By focusing on describing and reflecting on cultural elements, you improve your ability to provide detailed and engaging answers, which is crucial for achieving a high score in fluency and coherence.
Introduction (Covers: What culture is it?)
Describing Your Experience/Opinion/Interest (Covers: How do you know about it?)
Key Highlights (Covers: What differences are there between that culture and your own?)
Conclusion (Covers: Explain why you like that foreign culture.)
Introduction (Covers: What culture is it?)
Describing Your Experience/Opinion/Interest (Covers: How do you know about it?)
Key Highlights (Covers: What differences are there between that culture and your own?)
Conclusion (Covers: Explain why you like that foreign culture.)
Introduction (Covers: What culture is it?)
Describing Your Experience/Opinion/Interest (Covers: How do you know about it?)
Key Highlights (Covers: What differences are there between that culture and your own?)
Conclusion (Covers: Explain why you like that foreign culture.)
Also Read: Best IELTS Cue Cards for 7+ Band Score
When the cue card section begins, the examiner will hand you a cue card titled "Describe a Foreign Culture That You Like."
You'll have one minute to prepare your answer, during which you can make notes. After the preparation time, you'll need to speak on the topic for up to two minutes.
The best way to answer a cue card is to break it down into smaller pieces: introduction, describing your experience, key highlights, and conclusion. To structure your response effectively, you can explore various tips and tricks for the IELTS Speaking test.
Introduction (Covers: What culture is it?)
Describing Your Experience/Opinion/Interest (Covers: How do you know about it?)
Key Highlights (Covers: What differences are there between that culture and your own?)
Conclusion (Covers: Explain why you like that foreign culture.)
By following this structure, you can ensure your response is clear, organised, and within the two-minute limit.
Also Read:
In the follow-up questions round, also known as Part 3 of the IELTS Speaking test, the examiner will ask you a series of questions related to the topic you discussed in the cue card round. This section is designed to assess your ability to discuss and elaborate on broader themes and ideas.
You will be expected to provide detailed answers and engage in a more in-depth conversation. For the cue card topic "Describe a Foreign Culture That You Like," the follow-up questions will explore your views on cultural understanding, challenges in a foreign context, and the impact of cultural exchange.
Answer 1: I believe that reading is a valuable way to learn about a culture as it provides detailed insights into its history, customs, and values. Through books and articles, one can gain a deeper understanding of cultural nuances and perspectives. However, I also think that experiencing a culture firsthand through travel or interacting with native people can offer a more immersive and practical understanding.
Answer 2: While reading is certainly informative and can offer a lot of knowledge about a culture, I feel it’s not always the best way to fully understand it. Personal experiences, such as visiting the country or participating in cultural activities, provide a more vivid and tangible sense of what the culture is truly like. Reading is a great starting point, but direct engagement often leads to a richer experience.
Answer 1: One of the biggest challenges when working in a foreign country is adapting to different workplace cultures and communication styles. Misunderstandings and differences in work etiquette can create difficulties. Additionally, adjusting to a new environment and dealing with language barriers can also be significant hurdles.
Answer 2: I think the biggest problem when working abroad is dealing with cultural differences in professional practices. For example, varying attitudes towards hierarchy and decision-making can cause confusion. Additionally, the lack of familiarity with local business customs can make it challenging to build effective relationships with colleagues.
Answer 1: The best way to learn about a foreign culture is to immerse oneself in it through travel and interaction with locals. Engaging in daily activities, attending cultural events, and trying local cuisine provide a hands-on experience that books and media cannot fully replicate. Building relationships with native people can also offer valuable insights.
Answer 2: I believe that combining various methods is the most effective way to learn about a foreign culture. Reading books and watching documentaries provide foundational knowledge while travelling and experiencing the culture firsthand, offering practical understanding. Participating in cultural exchanges and language classes can further enhance your learning experience.
Answer 1: I feel that when other countries' cultures are embraced in our country, it enriches our own cultural landscape. It brings diversity and new perspectives, which can be exciting and educational. However, it’s important to balance this with preserving our own cultural traditions and values.
Answer 2: I think that the presence of other cultures in our country is generally positive, as it fosters multicultural understanding and appreciation. It allows us to experience and learn from different ways of life. On the other hand, it’s essential to ensure that cultural integration happens in a way that respects and maintains our own cultural heritage.
Ans. During the IELTS Speaking test, you should aim to adhere to the time limits provided. For Part 2, you are given 1-2 minutes to speak, and it is important to manage this time effectively. Exceeding the time limit can affect your fluency score, so practice speaking within the allotted time to ensure a concise and coherent response.
Ans. Part 2 involves speaking on a given topic for 1-2 minutes based on a cue card, focusing on your ability to talk fluently about a specific subject. Part 3 is a discussion with the examiner on more abstract and complex issues related to the topic from Part 2, testing your ability to express and justify opinions and analyse, as well as discuss ideas in depth.
Ans. Common cue cards in IELTS include topics such as describing a memorable event, a favourite place, a significant person, or an important achievement. Other frequent topics involve discussing hobbies, experiences, or challenges. Practising these types of cue cards will help you prepare for a range of potential topics you might encounter in the test.
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