Cue Card Sample
Describe a public holiday in your country - Cue Card # 805
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IELTS Speaking Part 2: IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card.
Describe a public holiday in your country.
You should say:
- what public holiday it is
- how it is celebrated
- what you do during this holiday
and explain how important this public holiday is to people in your country.
[Instruction: You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you are going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]
Model Answer 1:
People in my country, Thailand, celebrate a number of public holidays throughout the entire year. Today, I would like to describe one of those holidays and tell you how people usually like to celebrate it.
The name of this public holiday or celebration is popularly known as “Songkran”. Now, although many people in Thailand and outside of it like to associate this holiday or festival with “religion”, it is actually celebrated to mark the beginning of a new lunar year in Thailand.
Here it is worth mentioning that the word “Songkran” comes from a phrase in the “Sanskrit” language which literally means “passage of the sun”. In other words, this holiday’s main focus is to “move forward”. Kicking off around mid-April, this particular holiday usually lasts for three days, even though the festivities can start early and end later in some cities.
Now, as for how it is celebrated or what people do to enjoy this public holiday, it actually starts with a “sprinkle or splash of water”. Yes, water plays a vital role in this festival, speaking symbolically, it washes away the previous year so that people can start anew for the next year. During this holiday, they clean their houses, schools, offices, and other public spaces. They’re also joined by their other family members who have moved away and returned for the holiday to spend time with their loved ones. Many families wake up early during Songkran and visit Buddhist temples as well, where they bring offerings such as food and listen to monks as they preach.
As far as I am concerned, I also like to enjoy this public holiday by doing the same things, like sprinkling water over the hands of the elders to show them respect and visiting the places of my relatives and friends.
But, no matter how we enjoy this public holiday, it is really important to the people in my country, primarily because it unites the family in a loving bond. Besides, it also rejuvenates the minds and moods of our people to start fresh, after forgetting the past.
Model Answer 2:
What public holiday it is:
Thank you very much for this nice topic. In fact, in my country - Vietnam, we have many public holidays throughout the year, but one of the most important and widely celebrated holidays is "Tet", also known as Lunar New Year. Tet is the biggest holiday of the year in Vietnam, and it usually takes place between late January and mid-February.
How it is celebrated:
Tet is celebrated for three days, but in reality, the holiday lasts for almost a week. People decorate their homes with colourful flowers such as peach blossoms, kumquat trees, and chrysanthemums to welcome the new year. There is also a tradition of cleaning the house to sweep away any bad luck from the previous year. Moreover, people prepare special foods like Banh Chung, a traditional cake made of sticky rice and pork belly, and other delicious dishes for the Tet feast.
What you do during this holiday:
During Tet, people often visit their relatives and friends to wish them a happy new year and give them lucky money in red envelopes. I also follow this tradition, and I love it so much. I also decorate our house and help my mom and sister to clean it. And finally, I enjoy the traditional dishes that my mom cooks on this day.
And explain how important this public holiday is to people in your country:
Tet is an extremely important holiday in Vietnam as it is a time for people to reunite with their families and express their gratitude and respect for their ancestors. It's a time to forget about the past and look forward to a brighter future. The atmosphere during Tet is filled with joy, love, and happiness. The holiday is also a time for people to take a break from work and recharge for the upcoming year.
Sample Asnwer 3:
Introduction:
Thank you for the time and opportunity you have given me to talk about a public holiday in my country. I'd like to give you some details about this holiday, what I do then, how it is celebrated in my coutry, and finally why it is important for people in my country.
What public holiday it is:
Well, it is one of the most important public holidays in India, and it is called "Diwali". It is also known as the Festival of Lights. It typically falls between October and November, and it's celebrated for five days.
How it is celebrated:
During Diwali, people light up their houses and streets with candles, lanterns, and colorful lights. They also burst firecrackers, exchange gifts and sweets with each other, and perform prayer ritual, to honor the goddess of wealth, Lakshmi.
On the first day of Diwali, people clean and decorate their homes and offices to welcome the goddess Lakshmi. The second day is known as Choti Diwali, which is the day before the main festival. On the third day, which is the most important day of Diwali, people wear new clothes, light up lamps, perform Lakshmi puja, and exchange gifts and sweets. The fourth day is known as Govardhan Puja, which is celebrated to honor Lord Krishna, and the fifth day is called Bhai Dooj, which celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters.
What you do during this holiday:
During Diwali, I usually visit my relatives and friends, and we exchange gifts and sweets. I also enjoy watching the colorful fireworks and the illuminated streets. Moreover, I take part in the puja ceremony and help my family decorate our house with lights and candles.
And explain how important this public holiday is to people in your country:
Diwali is a joyous festival that brings people together, and it's an important occasion for people in India to celebrate their culture and traditions. It is a significant public holiday in India that is celebrated with enthusiasm and happiness. It's a time to rejoice, share, and spread positivity, and it's a testament to the rich cultural heritage of India.
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