Describe a public holiday that people enjoy.: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

What public holiday is it ?
How is it celebrated?
What you do during that time?

50 unique answers with expert feedback

What other public holidays are celebrated in Tamil Nadu?

In addition to Pongal, Tamil Nadu celebrates other public holidays like Diwali, Tamil New Year, and Independence Day. Each of these holidays has its own unique customs and traditions, bringing families together to celebrate with food, rituals, and cultural events.

How do you think public holidays impact family relationships?

Public holidays like Pongal strengthen family bonds as they provide opportunities for family members to gather, share meals, and create memories together. These occasions allow families to reconnect and celebrate their cultural heritage, fostering a sense of belonging and unity.

What are some traditional foods prepared during Pongal?

During Pongal, traditional foods like 'Pongal' (a rice and lentil dish), sugarcane, and various sweets are prepared. Families often cook a grand meal that includes a variety of dishes, showcasing the richness of Tamil cuisine and the spirit of sharing during the festival.

Band 7

00:00

A public holiday that people enjoy in my country is Diwali. It is considered to be the festival of lights. It is one of my most favorite holiday because I get to spend it with my family. I visit home during Diwali and it is the one time of the year where I can just kick back and relax and not worry about anything. We celebrate it with some traditional rituals that we have been following for years in my country. We start off with puja and then children as well as the adults, we light up firecrackers. It's a very fun time and I personally love Diwali because it allows me to hang out with my old friends because everyone visits home that time. It gives me plenty of time to catch up with them and just to be able to find out what's been going on with everyone. Moreover, it allows me to devour on endless sweets guilt free. I can just put on some holiday weight and no one is going to judge me because everyone is in the same boat as I am. That is another reason that I love Diwali so much. I also have a very personal connection to it as I am sure every Indian does because this is the one festival that everyone spends with their family and everyone has a different memory attached to it. It just makes me very nostalgic to think about it but every year I make a different memory. I just keep going back to my childhood and I think Diwali is the one festival that people love celebrating in my country.

Follow up questions

What other public holidays are popular in your country?

In addition to Diwali, other popular public holidays in my country include Holi, Eid, and Christmas. Each of these holidays has its own unique traditions and celebrations, bringing people together to enjoy festivities, food, and family time.

How do people prepare for Diwali in your community?

In my community, preparations for Diwali start weeks in advance. People clean their homes, buy new clothes, and decorate with lights and rangoli. Families also prepare a variety of sweets and snacks to share with friends and neighbors, creating a festive atmosphere.

What is the significance of Diwali for you personally?

Diwali holds a deep personal significance for me as it represents family bonding and cherished memories. It reminds me of my childhood, the joy of being with loved ones, and the values of love, sharing, and gratitude that the festival embodies.

IELTS Cue Cards asked last week

Reported by Leap students who gave IELTS

Describe your favourite food at a traditional festival or a special event in your country

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

Pitampura Test Centre, New Delhi

Answer

I like to taste different types of cuisine. Here I would like to talk about my favorite dish at my traditional festival of Onam which is Sadya. Sadya is popular in my city. We are experimenting these cuisines on Onam festival day. Onam is a famous festival in my city. All family members get together in my home and we make a delicious Sadya. There are many ingredients includes that Sadya. Moreover, we make a big feast that day as well as we create a lot of memories together and we wear that day the traditional dress called Sari and men wear the Dhotis. That festival is really important to us because the whole day we are conducting different kinds of games at our homes and all the family members came together. It's a memorable day in my life. This is the festival. We are making the Sambar and Aviyal. These all the kinds of foods are making with the vegetables.

Talk about a toy you liked in your childhood

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 8

Sector 34 Test Centre, Chandigarh

Answer

The toy which I liked in my childhood was a panda doll, which makes me pleasant and makes me more blush. The pandas are the most beautiful creatures of the world, which looks gigantic and has pooshy cheeks and they are like stars in the clouds and they dream in me. Furthermore, these have been given by my father. My father is a very very beautiful artistic person, who makes me think of that. Every day you will face every difficulties and make you suffer and move forward. Pandas are always seen in Japanese countries. It is my lifelong dream to visit a Japanese country and click a photo with the original pandas, which makes sounds better.

Describe a time you were in a place where you didn't know the local language

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 6.5

Whitefield Test Center, Bengaluru

Answer

As India is a very large country full of diversity, so there are many places which have their own language and speak their native language. The place which I visited and I didn't know about their language was Leladakh, which is about 300 km away from my hometown and it is a very good place as it consists of different kind of trees, animals and have many scenic views and I visited over there last year in summers as it was the best time to visit because it has many, it was cold over there and we had summers in our area so it was the best time to visit over there and I went over there with my whole family.

Describe a time when your friend damaged something you owned

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7

Begumpet Test Centre, Hyderabad

Answer

When I was a kid, I had a little pencil box which had these four buttons which gave the pencil box an operative use. When you press the button, the box would open up. When you press the second button, a little part of it would slide out. Basically it was just a little electronical and a fun thing to have and I owned it when I was in 6th. One day after break, I was standing and talking there with one of my friends and another friend of mine was running through the hallway and accidentally she pushed my shoulder and my pencil box hit the ground and it broke into multiple pieces to the point that it was not functional anymore.

Describe a book you recently read

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

CBD Belapur Test Centre, Navi Mumbai

Answer

It Ends With Us is a book I read recently. It's by the author Colleen Hoare. It's mainly a story about two teenagers, Atlas and Lily, and how they just handle their life going through high school, adolescence, and just domestic violence at home. Both of them come from very, very different families. However, they have one common determining factor between them, which is domestic violence. The abuse that they've seen their moms go through is just insane, and they connect through that on a different level. They're actually in the same high school, but they never speak to each other until Atlas actually crashes into an empty house next to Lily's villa. When Atlas is homeless and he doesn't have anywhere to go, he just comes and breaks into the house next to Lily's, and Lily helps him with all the daily necessities like clothes and food, medicines and stuff. Furthermore, their friendship blossoms into love, but it doesn't really fructify as Atlas has to leave. This book really gave me a lot of knowledge about domestic abuse and how to deal with it.

Yes, public holidays like New Year's Day are important as they bring people together, foster a sense of community, and provide a break from daily routines. They allow individuals to reflect on their lives, set new goals, and strengthen relationships with family and friends, which is essential for social cohesion.

Show all 50 answers

Cue 1:What public holiday is it?

Begin by naming the holiday and providing a brief background about its significance.
Mention why this holiday is particularly enjoyed by people in your community.

Example

The public holiday I would like to talk about is Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights. It is celebrated by millions of people across India and signifies the victory of light over darkness and good over evil.

Cue 2:How is it celebrated?

Describe the various traditions and activities associated with the holiday.
Include details about decorations, food, and any special events that take place.

Example

Diwali is celebrated with great enthusiasm. People decorate their homes with colorful rangoli designs and lights. Families gather to perform puja (prayers) to Goddess Lakshmi, and the evening is filled with fireworks, which light up the night sky.

Cue 3:What you do during that time?

Share your personal experiences and activities you engage in during the holiday.
Mention any special memories or traditions that are important to you and your family.

Example

During Diwali, I spend time with my family preparing sweets and snacks. We also visit relatives and exchange gifts. One of my favorite memories is the family gathering where we light diyas (oil lamps) together, creating a beautiful atmosphere of joy and togetherness.

Conclusion

Summarize the significance of the holiday and its impact on people's lives.
Express your feelings about the holiday and why it is meaningful to you.

Example

In conclusion, Diwali is not just a holiday; it is a time of joy, love, and togetherness. It brings families closer and allows us to celebrate our culture and traditions. I cherish this holiday deeply as it fills my heart with happiness and gratitude.

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