Describe a Festival in Your Country - IELTS Cue Card

A cue card is used to assess the candidates' eloquence and vocabulary. On the day of the IELTS speaking test, you will be given a cue card mentioning a topic for approximately two minutes. The card will also include 2-4 pointers that you can expound on. Before speaking, you can take a minute to organise your thoughts and structure your answer by jotting the important points on paper. Following the one-minute preparation period, the examiner will ask you to begin answering.

A breakdown of the duration of the cue card is provided below:

IELTS cue cards are an essential part of the speaking section of the IELTS exam. They are prompts that provide you with a topic to talk about for two minutes.  Here's why they are important!

IELTS Cue Cards are important for several reasons:

• Assessing your ability to think and speak can be challenging. The one-minute preparation time will help you organize your thoughts . It will make you feel prepared and ready to present.

• They test your language proficiency. You show mastery in English vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and fluency.

• The Cue Card measures your topic development skills. You must support your answer with facts, instances, and reasoning. So, your response should be concise, logical, and accurate.

• Your Cue Card task score affects your speaking score. This score is crucial for meeting language requirements in tertiary institutions or immigration.

Practice speaking by familiarizing yourself with the IELTS Cue Card format. Answer spontaneous questions to improve performance on the IELTS Speaking test.

This IELTS cue card's speaking part must be completed in three to four minutes. You will have a minute to get ready and another two minutes to express your viewpoints.

You must include the following in your answer:

• When is the festival celebrated?
• What do people do during this festival?
• What do you like or dislike about it?
• Why is this festival important in your country?

A festival is an event held by a community based on their religious beliefs and customs followed for generations. Here, I'll discuss one of the most popular festivals - Diwali which is celebrated wholeheartedly in my country. 

• When is the festival celebrated?

Diwali is celebrated in the Hindu lunar months of Ashvin and Kartika. It is the Hindu festival of lights, with variations observed in various Indian religions. It represents the spiritual triumph of light over darkness, righteousness over evil, and wisdom over ignorance.

• What do people do during this festival?

During Diwali, people dress up and decorate their homes with saaki (earthen lamps), diyas (oil lamps) and rangolis (colourful floor patterns). The people perform to seek blessings from the Goddess Lakshmi, who is known as the goddess of prosperity and wealth. 

• What do you like or dislike about it?

Wearing new clothes, preparing sweets, and sharing with neighbours, friends, and family are my favourite things to do during Diwali. Dislikes include the fact that Diwali, originally known as the festival of lights. Perhaps the only thing I dislike during Diwali is the grand scale of pollution that comes from burning firecrackers.

• Why is this festival important in your country?

According to Hindu mythology, Diwali honours Lord Rama's triumphant return to Ayodhya following the rescue of his wife Sita, from the demon king Ravana. To commemorate his victory, people celebrate this day as Diwali.

• Conclusion

Diwali, the festival of light, brings everyone together. It banishes all forms of darkness and evil and leads to the triumph of truth. This makes Diwali one of the most popular and well-loved festivals in my country.

Holidays are celebrated differently as per individual faiths. Here, I'll discuss the festival, which lasts more than nine days in my country - Navratri!

• When is the festival celebrated?

Navaratri is a Hindu festival held in honour of the goddess Durga, also known as “Adi Parashakti.” It is observed for various reasons and is celebrated variedly by different Hindus across India. The festival takes place on the tenth day of the Hindu lunar calendar month of Ashvin.

• What do people do during this festival?

Navratri is celebrated in different ways across India. Followers of Hinduism, as well as others, dress up beautifully during the festival and spend quality time with friends and family. Many people worship the goddess Durga in her various forms. Bengalis celebrate her homecoming as Durga Puja, while in the northern part of the country, it is celebrated as Navratri. Feasts continue for days, and people indulge in plentitude. 

• What do you like or dislike about it?

I enjoy this festival because it helps cleanse the body and soul. The 'garba' and dressing differently theme-wise is my favourite part. Moreover, it gives devotees time to concentrate on their worship and prayers. Dislikes include rules regarding time that must be followed throughout these celebrations.

• Why is this festival important in your country?

To commemorate "Goddess Durga's" victory over Mahishasura and the ultimate triumph of "Good over Evil," people worship Goddess Durga and celebrate Navratri. 

• Conclusion

Navratri is a festival that is widely observed throughout India with fervour and excitement. I enjoy being part of the festival, as it brings home a lot of adrenaline.

Suggested: Describe An Activity That You Usually Do That Wastes Your Time

Today I am going to talk about one of the most widely celebrated festivals in my country, Eid. It is celebrated by Muslims, but owing to the secular nature of the country, the festival is enjoyed by everyone.

• When is the festival celebrated?

Eid al-Fitr is celebrated on the first day of the Islamic month of Shawwal, which follows the holy month of Ramadan. The Islamic calendar is lunar-based, hence the date on the Gregorian calendar varies every year.  

• What do people do during this festival?

On Eid, many Muslims attend a special prayer service that begins early in the morning. People exchange unique Eid greetings, such as "Eid Mubarak," which means "Blessed Eid." People also prepare ‘Sheer khurma’,’  a traditional sweet dish and wear newly stitched ‘salwar kameez’ and ‘kurtas’. Donating to charity is a significant aspect of Eid. Zakat al-Fitr, an obligatory charity, is collected before the Eid prayer to let the underprivileged people partake in the festivities.

• What do you like or dislike about it?

What I love the most about Eid is that it is the time to strengthen links and renew relationships. I get to spend time with my extended family, neighbours, and close friends, enjoying meals and conversations. Moreover, getting 'Eidi' (gift money) from elders is a perk! 

• Why is this festival important in your country?

In India, Eid is a time for spiritual introspection, joyful celebration, and community building. Eid is a national holiday in India, and individuals from all walks of life join in the festivities. This fosters a sense of inclusion and respect for Islamic traditions.

• Conclusion

Eid is a joyous occasion celebrated with delectable foods, vibrant clothes, and a sense of togetherness. I enjoy the festival and look forward to it, every year.

Festivals are held to promote national integration and unity and to remind us of cultural values. I'm going to tell you about Pongal, which is majorly celebrated in South India. Here, we express our gratitude to nature and God.

• When is the festival celebrated?

Celebrated by the Tamils, Pongal is a harvest festival. It is celebrated for four days and marks the start of the Tamil month of Thai, which is considered auspicious. The celebration is held in mid-January each year and is one of South India's most renowned harvest festivities.

• What do people do during this festival?

Pongal honours the sun god Suryaian and relates to Makar Sankranti. The harvest festival, known by several regional names, is celebrated throughout India. Bhogi Pongal, Surya Pongal, and Mattu Pongal are the names of the three days that make up the Pongal festival. Kaanum Pongal, the fourth day of Pongal, is celebrated by some Tamils.

• What do you like or dislike about it?

I enjoy the festival of Pongal. I belong to a family of farmers, that have maintained their ties with agriculture for centuries. This fosters a personal connection between me and Pongal. My favourite thing to do during Pomgal is decorate my house and the cattle with garlands and enjoy feasting with family and friends.

• Why is this festival important in your country?

Pongal's primary objective is to offer gratitude to the Sun god, nature, farm animals, and agriculturalists.

• Conclusion

Pongal is more than just a celebration; it's a great lesson in life. It teaches us to be grateful, share our blessings, respect all forms of life, and celebrate together.

Suggested: Describe a Foreign Person's IELTS Cue Card

Following your response to the IELTS cue card about describing a festival celebrated in your country, the following follow-up questions may be asked:

Q1. Are traditional holidays losing their importance?

A1. Traditional celebrations have been disappearing as people’s hectic lives hinder them from celebrating or educating today's generation about the essence of festivals. This has led traditional events to lose some of their significance.

Q2. How are festivals now different from those in the past?

A2. The primary distinction between festivals now and before is how they are celebrated. Festivals used to be attended with reverence, but now people only celebrate to have fun. They do not comprehend the true significance of the holidays.

Q3: What traditional foods are related to Diwali?

A3. Diwali is associated with sweets such as 'laddoos', 'barfis', and 'gulab jamuns'. Savoury appetisers  like 'samosas' and 'chaklis' are also popular. These foods represent not just taste, but also the sharing of joy.

Q4. How does Diwali affect the local economy?

A4. Diwali has a huge contribution to the local economy. There is an increase in retail sales as people shop for apparel, gifts, and decorations. Small companies and artisans manufacturing traditional goods find a significant increase in sales, promoting economic vibrancy and community support.

Q5. Are there any environmental problems related to Diwali?

A5. While Diwali is a joyous event, it also raises environmental issues, notably because of the air and noise pollution caused by fireworks. However, recently there has been a growing awareness towards celebrating in an eco-friendly manner.

• Practice Diverse Topics: Build confidence and flexibility by practising discussing various topics.
• Self-Recording: Identify areas for improvement in pronunciation, pace, and clarity by recording yourself.
• Expand Vocabulary: Describe feelings, sensations, and cultural practices vividly by expanding your vocabulary.
• Practice Partners: Engage with practice partners to simulate the test environment and receive constructive feedback.
• Stay calm during the test and ask for clarification if a question is unclear. 
• Structured answer: Structure your answer with a clear beginning, middle, and end for consistency.
• Idiomatic Expressions: Use idiomatic expressions judiciously to add flair to your language, ensuring appropriateness.
• Cultural Nuances: Familiarize yourself with the cultural nuances of your country to discuss festivals and traditions authentically.
• Substantiate Points: Always back up your points with examples or personal anecdotes for authenticity.
• Adaptability: Practice speaking about both familiar and unfamiliar topics to build adaptability.

Suggested: Describe a Foreign Person IELTS Cue Card

The IELTS Speaking Part 2 Cue Card is more than just a test instrument; it provides examiners with insight into an individual's ability to formulate thoughts concisely.  Achievement on the IELTS speaking test relies on planning, performance, and attitude. Describing festivals like Diwali, Navratri, and Pongal allows aspirants to demonstrate their cultural knowledge and language skills. Remember to practise beforehand, as it will boost your confidence and help you relax on the test day.

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