Describe a time when you were fascinated with another culture.: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

Which culture is it?
When was this?
Why were you fascinated?

26 unique answers with expert feedback

What aspects of your own culture's weddings do you appreciate?

I appreciate the rich traditions and rituals in Hindu weddings, such as the vibrant colors, the intricate decorations, and the various ceremonies that symbolize the union of two families. The cultural significance and the involvement of family members create a warm and festive atmosphere that I cherish.

Have you ever attended a Christian wedding? What was your experience?

Yes, I attended a Christian wedding last year, and it was a beautiful experience. The ceremony was filled with heartfelt moments, and I was captivated by the vows exchanged. The atmosphere was joyful, and I enjoyed the music and the celebration that followed, which was quite different from Hindu weddings.

How do you think cultural exchanges can benefit individuals?

Cultural exchanges can broaden perspectives and foster understanding between different communities. They allow individuals to appreciate diversity, learn new traditions, and build connections with people from various backgrounds, ultimately promoting tolerance and respect in a multicultural society.

Band 7

00:00

One culture that truly fascinated me was Japanese culture. At first, I became interested in this culture when I watched a documentary about Japanese culture and tradition. What truly inspired me was their simplicity and discipline. For instance, the way they bow at others in a way of greeting. It is not just a formality, but reflects the genuineness and respectfulness of people. Another thing that amazed me was their tea ceremony, which is not just about drinking tea, but celebrating small moments and holding on to a moment that is a must need in a busy life. But the most inspired and striking moment for me was the celebration of a festival called Hanami, that is a celebration about the pink cherry blossom flowers, which people enjoy. They just sit under the trees of pink flowers with loved ones. I have seen some beautiful images of people enjoying this moment and slowing down on to the life, which is essential in the busy and hectic schedule today people have.

Follow up questions

What aspects of Japanese culture do you find most appealing?

I find the simplicity and discipline of Japanese culture very appealing. Their practices, like bowing as a sign of respect and the tea ceremony, emphasize mindfulness and appreciation for small moments, which I believe is essential in our fast-paced lives.

How do you think cultural practices like Hanami impact people's lives?

Cultural practices like Hanami encourage people to slow down and appreciate nature and relationships. In a world where we often rush, such traditions remind us to take a moment to enjoy beauty and connect with loved ones, which can greatly enhance our well-being.

Have you ever participated in any cultural events from other countries?

Yes, I have participated in a few cultural events, such as a Chinese New Year celebration and a Diwali festival. These experiences allowed me to immerse myself in different traditions, enjoy diverse cuisines, and appreciate the values and customs of those cultures.

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.

Band 7

00:00

By all means, I respect all the existing religions in the world. This one particular religion, Islam, has obviously changed a lot of my thought process during these years. 18 years back, I had visited this place called Oman, situated in the Gulf region of the world. My father was transferred there for work purpose and we tagged along as well. I was a kid that time, but the way that country is made really highlights the art history, the culture, the tradition of the Muslims. The first thing that really attracted me was the food. Second to that is my mother's love for the handcrafted articles that were always on sale in the local shops. Moreover, I was really astounded by the people there. They were really helpful, peaceful and they would be up and ready when it came to greeting the travellers and treating the guests with amazing food and music. When it comes to music, I love what art they produce every time. I am really fond of the country itself and I would have loved to explore the religion more.

Follow up questions

What specific aspects of Omani culture did you find most interesting?

I found the blend of tradition and modernity in Omani culture fascinating. The architecture, especially the forts and mosques, showcased a rich history. Additionally, the local customs, like hospitality and the importance of family, really stood out to me and made me appreciate their way of life.

How did your experience in Oman influence your views on other cultures?

My time in Oman opened my eyes to the beauty of diversity. It taught me to appreciate different perspectives and traditions. I realized that every culture has its unique values and practices, which can enrich our understanding of the world and foster mutual respect among people.

Have you tried to learn more about Islam since your visit to Oman?

Yes, I have made an effort to learn more about Islam through reading books and attending cultural events. I wanted to understand the principles and values that guide the Muslim community. This has deepened my respect for the religion and its followers, and I continue to seek knowledge about it.

Band 7

00:00

One culture that I am very fascinated about is Ladakhi culture. In 2019, I got a chance to experience Ladakhi culture wherein I was studying, where I was doing a fellowship on entrepreneurship in Ladakh and I got to interact with a lot of Ladakhi people and experience the culture by being there for 4 months. And the best thing that I like about that culture is that Ladakhi people are very peaceful in nature and they respect everyone and at the same time they are very diligent with their practices with regards to Buddhism and other religions, whatever they practice. But it is deeply ingrained in their culture to be respectful towards others. When I visited the monasteries in Ladakh, I experienced that they have a very unique way of practicing. The festivals of Buddhism are very interesting. One of the monasteries that I visited was Thukthikse Monastery, wherein I saw a unique blend of culture wherein they celebrated their important days by dancing and having different types of masks. The masks were of demons and at the same time they also basically depicted a meaning through those dance forms. And the culture about the nuns and the monks over there was also something that really fascinated me because they meditated and they focus on internal processing rather than doing some sort of external activities.

Follow up questions

What specific aspects of Ladakhi culture did you find most intriguing?

I found the peaceful nature of the Ladakhi people and their deep respect for others to be very intriguing. Their practices related to Buddhism, especially the unique festivals and the way they celebrate with dance and masks, also captivated me. It was a blend of spirituality and community that I admired.

How did your experience in Ladakh influence your perspective on cultural diversity?

My experience in Ladakh opened my eyes to the richness of cultural diversity. It taught me the importance of respecting different beliefs and practices. I realized that every culture has its unique way of life, and understanding these differences can foster greater empathy and connection among people.

Did you participate in any Ladakhi festivals or rituals during your stay?

Yes, I had the opportunity to participate in a local festival where I witnessed traditional dances and rituals. It was fascinating to see how the community came together to celebrate, and I even got to try on some of the traditional masks. It was a memorable experience that deepened my appreciation for their culture.

Band 7

00:00

I had visited Bhutan in 2018 and I was immensely fascinated by their culture. We recently got a delegation from Bhutan to our workplace and I did a capacity building training for them. Hence, I got reminded of how beautifully empathetic their culture is and full of how they are supposed to learn from different situations. My initial observation of their culture was that they propagate and they try to instill from a very young age the virtue of empathy and love for others. The kindness we see from kids to adults to older people is unmatchable from other places. The Bhutanese people often wear vibrant clothes, which is another plus point if we look at the moderately cold temperature that is there. So, it does bring a contrast and a vibrancy to our general lives when we go there. Moreover, I also loved the fact that they base their general productivity through a happiness index, which has originated from that place. The Buddhist principles, which most of the people follow there, have made them more kind and preach Ahimsa more honestly and practice in their daily lives. Their style of livestock rearing and not going to fish and other such activities like involving organic farming only speaks volumes of how they want to protect nature better and their environment in the place. The casual get-up of

Follow up questions

What specific aspects of Bhutanese culture did you find most intriguing?

I was particularly intrigued by their emphasis on empathy and kindness, which is instilled from a young age. The vibrant clothing they wear also caught my attention, as it adds a lively touch to their culture, especially in the cooler climate.

How did your experience in Bhutan influence your perspective on your own culture?

My experience in Bhutan made me reflect on the importance of empathy and kindness in my own culture. It highlighted how we can learn from others and incorporate those values into our daily lives, fostering a more compassionate society.

Can you share more about the happiness index in Bhutan?

The happiness index in Bhutan is a unique approach to measuring success and productivity. It prioritizes the well-being of citizens over economic growth, which I found inspiring. This perspective encourages a more holistic view of progress and quality of life.

Show all 26 answers

Cue 1:Which culture is it?

Begin by clearly stating the culture you were fascinated by, such as a specific country or community.
Provide a brief context about what aspects of the culture caught your attention, like traditions, food, or festivals.

Example

I was particularly fascinated by Japanese culture, especially their traditional tea ceremonies and the concept of 'Omotenashi', which reflects their hospitality.

Cue 2:When was this?

Mention when you first encountered this culture, whether through travel, a festival, or a cultural event.
Include details about the location and the circumstances that led to your exposure to this culture.

Example

This fascination began during my college days in 2019 when I attended a cultural festival in my city that showcased various international traditions, including Japan.

Cue 3:Why were you fascinated?

Explain the specific elements of the culture that intrigued you, such as their customs, values, or art.
Share any personal experiences or interactions that deepened your interest in this culture.

Example

I was fascinated by the meticulous nature of the tea ceremony, which symbolizes peace and harmony. The way the host prepares and serves tea with such grace and respect made me appreciate the depth of their cultural values.

Conclusion

Summarize your overall feelings about the experience and how it impacted your view of cultural diversity.
Mention any actions you took afterward, like learning more about the culture or trying to incorporate elements of it into your life.

Example

In conclusion, my encounter with Japanese culture not only broadened my understanding of cultural diversity but also inspired me to learn more about their language and traditions, which I continue to explore to this day.

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