Describe a person from a different cultural background with whom you enjoy spending time: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

Who this person is?
What their cultural background is?
What activities you do together?
And explain how this experience impacted you.

193 unique answers with expert feedback

What cultural differences have you noticed when spending time with this person?

I have noticed several cultural differences, such as their unique traditions, food preferences, and communication styles. For example, they celebrate festivals that I am not familiar with, and their approach to social gatherings is quite different from mine.

How has spending time with this person influenced your perspective on their culture?

Spending time with them has greatly broadened my understanding of their culture. I've learned to appreciate their customs and values, which has made me more open-minded and respectful towards different ways of life.

Can you share a memorable experience you had together that highlights cultural exchange?

One memorable experience was when they invited me to their family celebration. I got to try traditional dishes and participate in their rituals, which was a wonderful way to experience their culture firsthand and share my own traditions in return.

Band >7

00:00

So, a person who is from a different cultural background whom I most like is my uncle. My paternal uncle is from Nizamabad and often people from Nizamabad as you know perceived as someone who are very stingy and they like to stick on to you and that is irritable but my uncle is different and I also thought that he is the same before meeting him and when I got to know him, I built the idea that he is not so much a different person from me or my folks so he has changed me a lot too as he has a wholehearted nature and he is always ready to help.

Follow up questions

What specific qualities do you admire in your uncle?

I admire his wholehearted nature and his willingness to help others. He is always there for family and friends, which shows his generosity and kindness. His ability to connect with people from different backgrounds also inspires me to be more open-minded.

How has your uncle influenced your perspective on cultural differences?

My uncle has taught me that cultural stereotypes can be misleading. By getting to know him, I realized that individuals are unique and should not be judged based on where they come from. This has encouraged me to appreciate diversity and seek deeper connections with others.

Can you share a memorable experience you had with your uncle?

One memorable experience was when we attended a cultural festival together. He introduced me to traditional foods and customs from his region. It was a fun day filled with laughter and learning, and it deepened my appreciation for his culture and our bond.

Band >7

00:00

I have many friends or I had many friends, many friends or I would know different kind of person who related different background or different culture. In my friends I have would you like to say about my childhood friends or person or people his name Rahul, Rahul is a good person and he is a relate he is a South Indian relate culture his background South his family with a background of South India, South India. His culture they are celebrating many festivals like Onam or any or others festival in their festivals he spread or he give many charity to poor peoples. When I was when I was go to his city or his place Chennai I do a lot of work to work with them and I also I also give a charity or give poor people food to poor people when I was a visitor.

Follow up questions

What cultural festivals have you participated in with your friend?

I have participated in Onam and Pongal celebrations with Rahul. These festivals are vibrant and full of traditions, including special foods, dance, and rituals. It was a great experience to see how his family celebrates and to learn about the significance of these festivals.

How has spending time with Rahul influenced your perspective on different cultures?

Spending time with Rahul has broadened my understanding of South Indian culture. I've learned about their values, traditions, and the importance of community. It has made me appreciate cultural diversity and the richness it brings to our lives.

What activities do you enjoy doing together with your friend from a different culture?

We enjoy cooking traditional South Indian dishes together, exploring local markets, and volunteering for charity events. These activities not only strengthen our friendship but also allow me to immerse myself in his culture and contribute positively to the community.

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Band 7

00:00

India is known for its diverse cultural background and today one person whom I would like to talk about from a different cultural background is my friend, my close friend Jhanvi Soshdev. She comes from a Sindhi cultural background which was initially started from the northern states of India. Sindhi culture is known for their sweet cuisine. I would like to ask Jhanvi Soshdev, how did you come to know about Sindhi culture? Basically I have observed that the dishes actually do taste if you build on a habit of having them every week. It started as an obligation so that she doesn't feel bad about her culture or the kind of dishes, cuisines they offer. Eventually I accepted the offerings and now I can say that it was a blessing in disguise that I was open to try new things.

Follow up questions

What specific Sindhi dishes do you enjoy the most?

I particularly enjoy Sindhi curry and Sindhi biryani. The flavors are unique and the spices used are quite different from what I'm used to. Jhanvi often prepares these dishes for me, and I love how they reflect the rich heritage of her culture.

How has your friendship with Jhanvi influenced your view on cultural diversity?

My friendship with Jhanvi has opened my eyes to the beauty of cultural diversity. It has taught me to appreciate different traditions and cuisines, and I now actively seek out experiences that allow me to learn about other cultures, which has enriched my life.

Have you learned any Sindhi customs or traditions from Jhanvi?

Yes, I've learned about several Sindhi customs, such as their festivals and family gatherings. For instance, I now participate in their New Year celebrations, which involve special prayers and feasts. It's fascinating to see how these traditions bring families together.

Band 7

00:00

In the next two minutes I'll describe someone I know who is from a different cultural background and with whom I love spending my time. So I met Aditya a year ago when I joined Aditya Birla group. Both of us joined at the same time as graduate engineering trainees. We met on the first day and we have been friends ever since. He is a Marathi who is basically a person who belongs to the state of Maharashtra in India and it's safe to say that he is Marathi through and through. He has taught us the language, he has taught us the culture and he has made us taste the food and let me tell you it is quite amazing. The flavors, the spice, the condiments, the variety of the food, the Marathi cuisine is simply astonishing. They make use of so many vegetables and so many different textures. Just eating Marathi cuisine for me is a delight and over this one year or so he has made us experience the Marathi culture, food traditions and it has been such an amazing experience, such a transforming experience for me. I am an Odia, I belong to the state of Odisha and our culture is entirely different.

Follow up questions

What aspects of Marathi culture do you find most fascinating?

I find the festivals, traditional music, and dance forms of Marathi culture particularly fascinating. The vibrant celebrations, like Ganesh Chaturthi, showcase a strong sense of community and joy. Additionally, the folk dances like Lavani and Tamasha are rich in history and storytelling, which I really enjoy.

How has your friendship with Aditya influenced your perspective on cultural diversity?

My friendship with Aditya has greatly broadened my understanding of cultural diversity. It has taught me to appreciate different traditions and lifestyles. I now see the value in learning from others and embracing differences, which has enriched my life and made me more open-minded.

Have you tried cooking any Marathi dishes yourself?

Yes, I have tried cooking a few Marathi dishes, like Puran Poli and Vada Pav. It was a fun experience, and I enjoyed learning the recipes from Aditya. Cooking these dishes helped me connect more with his culture and appreciate the effort that goes into preparing traditional meals.

Show all 193 answers

Cue 1:Who this person is?

Introduce the person by name and mention how you met them.
Share a brief description of their personality traits that you admire.

Example

The person I enjoy spending time with is my friend Aisha. I met her during my college days when we were both part of the cultural committee. Aisha is very friendly and has a great sense of humor, which makes her fun to be around.

Cue 2:What their cultural background is?

Describe Aisha's cultural background, including her ethnicity and any specific traditions.
Mention how her background differs from yours and what you find interesting about it.

Example

Aisha comes from a Bengali background, which is quite different from my Punjabi roots. She often shares stories about the rich traditions of Durga Puja and how her family celebrates it with elaborate rituals and delicious food. I find her culture fascinating and love learning about the different customs.

Cue 3:What activities you do together?

List some specific activities you enjoy doing together that reflect her cultural background.
Explain how these activities help you bond and learn from each other.

Example

We often cook together, trying out traditional Bengali recipes like fish curry and mishti doi. I also enjoy attending cultural events with her, where I get to experience her music and dance. These activities not only strengthen our friendship but also allow me to appreciate her culture more deeply.

Cue 4:And explain how this experience impacted you.

Reflect on how spending time with Aisha has broadened your perspective.
Discuss any personal growth or changes in your views due to this friendship.

Example

Spending time with Aisha has significantly impacted my understanding of cultural diversity. It has made me more open-minded and appreciative of different traditions. I now celebrate Durga Puja with her family, which has enriched my life and helped me build a deeper connection with my friend.

Conclusion

Example

In conclusion, my friendship with Aisha has not only been enjoyable but also transformative. It has taught me the importance of embracing cultural differences and has made my life more colorful and fulfilling.

Following this structure will ensure you cover all the essential points while providing a clear and engaging response to the cue card topic.

Tips to answer this Cue Card

1: Avoid Generalizations About Culture

Making broad statements about a culture can lead to inaccuracies and misunderstandings. It's important to focus on specific aspects of the person's background.

Tip

Provide specific examples from your experiences with the person to illustrate their unique cultural traits.

2: Neglecting Personal Connection

Failing to explain your personal connection with the person can make your answer less engaging. It's essential to share why you enjoy spending time together.

Tip

Include personal anecdotes or feelings that highlight your bond and shared experiences.

Lack of Detail in Activities

Being vague about the activities you do together can make your response less vivid. Detailed descriptions help paint a clearer picture.

Tip

Describe specific activities you enjoy, including where you do them and what makes them special.

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