Prepare for IELTS by Topic
19. Celebrations
Celebrations, parties and family events often appear in IELTS. As such you should be prepared to talk, and write about this topic. Being able to use some advanced topic specific vocabulary could help you reach the highest bands in the test.
LISTENING
Listening Test Part:
4
Questions 1 - 10
Complete the notes below.
Write ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.
Bonfire night in the UK
Bonfire night commemorates the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605.
This event was an important event in English 1 ___________.
The plot aimed to kill King James I and his government.
Religious tensions
In early 17th century England there was significant tension between Catholics and Protestants.
The 2 ____________ of Catholics to the King was questioned.
Robert Catesby felt that the government treated people with the Catholic 3 ___________ unfairly.
The plot
The 4 ____________ of the conspirators was to blow up the House of Lords.
They wanted to make Princess Elizabeth the 5 ___________.
The plot failed when Guy Fawkes was found with the explosives.
The authorities became suspicious due to an anonymous 6 ___________.
The aftermath
The authorities began to look for other Catholics plotting against the king.
Religious tensions increased.
Further anti-Catholic 7 ___________ were passed by the government.
Bonfire Night
People of London celebrated the king's survival by lighting bonfires.
This became an 8 __________ event called Bonfire Night.
Bonfire night also became connected with the beginning of 9 __________.
It continues to be an important national 10 __________ in the UK.
Communities get together, light fireworks and eat traditional foods.
READING
Having a Whale of a Time at Hermanus Whale Festival
A
The Hermanus Whale Festival is an annual celebration of the return of the southern right whales to the region. It is the only eco-marine festival in the world and has grown from humble beginnings 32 years ago to attract 75,000 – 130,000 visitors annually over a 3-day period. It takes place at the end of September, which is the peak of whale activity in the region. The festival is a tribute to the legacy left to the town by Wendy the Whale, whose story is about man’s ability to live in harmony with nature as well as how community spirit can be important to the protection of the environment.
B
Wendy the Whale was a lone female southern right whale who was beached on the shore of Hermanus, a small fishing town in South Africa, in the 1930s. The townspeople came together to help release her back into the sea, and year after year, she returned to the same cove near Hermanus. The village folk soon considered her as one of the family and fondly named her Wendy. She often played near the cliffs and danced through the waves with her offspring, and eventually, a house called Wendy Cottage was built on the edge of the cliffs. Nowadays, Hermanus is regarded as the best place in the world to watch whales from land. With her annual return, Wendy the Whale initiated a whale-watching industry that has turned into a crucial part of the heritage of Hermanus. The Hermanus Whale Festival, which is held every year to celebrate the return of the southern right whales, grew out of this legacy and aims to honour it.
C
The festival is focused on raising awareness of how to protect the whales and all marine wildlife who share the coastal waters. There is a wide range of eco and marine-related environmental exhibitions and stalls, and the heartbeat of the festival, the Eco-Marine Tent, has become the festival’s biggest attraction. Informative and entertaining, with a focused appeal to children, adults, and anyone who cares about preserving our ocean wildlife, the tent offers a chance to learn about marine life and how to protect it.
D
The festival includes a spectacular street parade, bustling markets with street vendors selling the work of local artisans, great food, educational marine displays, lots of children’s entertainment, and live music. There is also a focus on sports activities with various events happening alongside the festival. T he Whale Festival Fun Run at Wildekrans Wine Estate is one such event. The run is open to all ages and fitness levels and takes place on a scenic route through the vineyards of Wildekrans Wine Estate.
E
The Whale Festival also hosts a vintage car show, which is a popular attraction for car enthusiasts. Vintage cars are generally considered to be cars from the period of 1919 to 1930, and they are often sought after by car enthusiasts and collectors. The vintage car show at the Hermanus Whale Festival is a chance for visitors to see some of these classic cars up close and learn about their history. The vintage car show is usually held in a designated area, and visitors can walk around and admire the cars on display. The show is a great opportunity for car enthusiasts to connect with other like-minded individuals and share their passion for classic cars.
F
The festival is a family-friendly and highly anticipated event that gives everyone the opportunity to experience a natural wonder, while also enjoying a range of other events and entertainment put on by the organisers. Thanks to Wendy the Whale, the kind locals that saved her, and the hard work of the organisers, the Whale Festival at Hermanus has become a celebration that is known around the world and which grows in popularity with every year that goes by.
Questions 1-6
The reading passage has six paragraphs A-F.
Which paragraph mentions the following?
NB You may use any letter more than once.
1. exhibiting creations by talented local craftsmen
2. Wendy the Whale playing with her children
3. educating people about sea life
4. the chance to meet people with similar interests
5. when the event is held
6. a whale getting stuck on a beach
Questions 7-10
Complete the summary below.
Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the text for each answer.
The Hermanus Whale Festival is an annual eco-marine celebration of southern right whales' return, with 75,000 to 130,000 7__________ coming to the event over three days. Wendy the Whale, a beloved figure, inspired the event by her annual return to Hermanus. The festival combines environmental 8____________, an amazing street 9____________, lively artisan 10____________, marine displays, and family-friendly entertainment. Additionally, it hosts a popular vintage car show for enthusiasts. Wendy's legacy and community effort have made the festival a global attraction, emphasising harmony with nature and environmental protection.
SPEAKING
Speaking Part 1
1. What did you do on your last birthday?
2. Do you enjoy celebrating your birthday?
3. What is the most important festival in your country?
4. Are you planning to go to any festivals this year?
5. When did you last meet up with your whole family?
6. Do you enjoy family parties?
7. Do you like to travel during public holidays?
8. Are there many religious holidays in your country?
Speaking Part 2
Describe an important festival in your county.
You should say:
what it is
why people celebrate this day
and explain how people like to celebrate
Speaking Part 3
1. What are the differences between family parties and parties given by friends?
2. Are any traditional celebrations in your country disappearing?
3. What local festival in your area or country would you recommend to a foreign guest?
4. Why do you think some people enjoy parties, but others hate them?
5. Do you think public celebrations are important? Why?
6. Are there any festivals or celebrations you would like to visit in another country?
WRITING
Writing Task 1 Assignment (General Training)
You would like to ask for leave from your work in order to travel back to your hometown to attend an important celebration.
Write a letter to your manager. In your letter:
provide details of the celebration you would like to attend
say why it is important to you
and explain how you will make sure that your work is done while you are away
Writing Task 2 Assignment
Some people think we should make children take part in traditional festivals and celebrations.
Do you agree?
VOCABULARY
Vocabulary Exercises:
Exercise 1: Multiple-Choice Exercise
Choose the best vocabulary word to complete each sentence.
1. The yearly village fair is important to building ___________ among the villagers.
a) parade
b) reveller
c) community spirit
2. The dancers wore ___________ costumes during their performance.
a) float
b) flamboyant
c) dress up
3. During the long weekend, families gathered for a festive ___________.
a) feast
b) heritage
c) build-up
4. The ___________ set up stalls selling handmade crafts.
a) businessmen
b) street vendors
c) revellers
5. The land has been ___________ from one generation to the next for 240 years.
a) passed down
b) lived on
c) inherited
6. He’s normally so serious but he ___________ at the Christmas party.
a) dressed up
b) let his hair down
c) life and soul of the party
7. He didn’t have a ___________ for the fancy dress party.
a) costume
b) sound system
c) float
8. Her great grandmother’s ring was an important part of the family ___________.
a) roots
b) history
c) heritage
9. The ___________ continued dancing until 5am the next morning.
a) dancers
b) dj’s
c) revellers
Exercise 2: Gap-fill Exercise
Fill in the blanks with the appropriate word from the list provided below.
1. The ___________ for the upcoming festival is getting everyone excited.
2. The ___________ featured colourful floats and lively music.
3. The community gathered for a potluck ___________ to celebrate the holiday.
4. To experience the local culture, visitors can explore the ___________ markets.
5. For Halloween, kids love to ___________ as their favourite characters.
6. The staff weren’t at work on Monday because it was a ___________.
7. The music from the ___________ echoed through the entire festival grounds.
8. During the holiday season, it's common to ___________ gifts with friends and family.
9. Street vendors set up colourful ___________ to sell handmade crafts.
10. He caught everyone's attention thanks to his ___________ costume.
Exercise 3: Matching Exercise
Match words from A with words from B to form noun phrases and phrasal verbs.
A
community
dress
exchange
long
pass
sound
street
B
weekend
up
system
gifts
vendor
down
spirit
Topic Vocabulary:
build-up (noun [c]):
Definition: The growth of excitement or tension before a big event.
Example: There was a lot of build-up and excitement before the big concert.
community spirit (noun phrase):
Definition: The feeling of togetherness and support among members of a community.
Example: The community spirit was evident at the fundraising event for the local school.
costume (noun [c]):
Definition: Clothes worn for a particular occasion or event, often representing a particular character or theme.
Example: She wore a pirate costume to the Halloween party.
dress up (phrasal verb):
Definition: To wear formal or fancy clothes for a special occasion or event.
Example: They dressed up in their best outfits for the wedding ceremony.
exchange gifts (verb phrase):
Definition: To give and receive presents or gifts as a gesture of goodwill or celebration.
Example: They exchanged gifts on Christmas morning and shared a special moment together.
feast (noun [c]):
Definition: A large and elaborate meal, often shared with friends or family for a special occasion or celebration.
Example: They prepared a feast for Thanksgiving and invited all their loved ones to share the meal.
flamboyant (adjective):
Definition: Someone or something that is very showy or extravagant, often to get attention or to be noticed.
Example: The singer's flamboyant costume and energetic performance wowed the audience.
float (noun [c]):
Definition: A decorated vehicle or platform that is used in a parade for entertainment or display purposes.
Example: The float representing the local sports team was a hit with the crowd during the parade.
heritage (noun [u]):
Definition: The traditions, customs and objects that are handed down from generation to generation in a culture.
Example: The museum's exhibit showcases the city's rich cultural heritage.
let your hair down (idiom):
Definition: To relax and be yourself without worrying about what others might think.
Example: After a week of hard work, she decided to let her hair down and have some fun at the party.
live (adjective):
Definition: To experience something in real-time, not recorded.
Example: Do you want to watch the live broadcast of the concert, or would you rather see a recording?
long weekend (noun phrase):
Definition: A period of time, typically three or four days, that includes a weekend and a holiday or special event.
Example: They're planning to take advantage of the long weekend and go on a road trip.
parade (noun [c]):
Definition: A special event where a group of people, often in colourful costumes, walk together.
Example: We watched the annual Christmas parade and enjoyed the festive atmosphere and colourful decorations.
pass down (phrasal verb):
Definition: Traditions or practices that are handed down from one generation to the next.
Example: The family recipe for apple pie has been passed down through generations.
reveller (noun [c]):
Definition: Someone who enjoys celebrating and having fun, often at a party or a festival.
Example: The revellers at the New Year's Eve party danced and sang until midnight.
roots (noun [pl]):
Definition: The place or culture that a person or thing originally comes from.
Example: Even though she was born in a different country, she still feels connected to her roots.
sound system (noun):
Definition: A set of speakers and other electronic equipment used to amplify and play music or other sounds.
Example: The DJ had a powerful sound system that made the music sound amazing.
stall (noun [c]):
Definition: A small, simple structure used for selling things at a market or fair.
Example: The market had many stalls selling fruits, vegetables, and handmade crafts.
street vendor (noun phrase):
Definition: Someone who sells goods or services on the street, often from a small cart or a stand.
Example: The street vendor sold fresh fruits and vegetables from his cart on the corner.
the life and soul of the party (idiom):
Definition: The person who brings a lot of energy, fun, and excitement to a social event.
Example: Tom is always the life and soul of the party as he knows how to make everyone laugh.
Questions 1 - 10
Complete the notes below.
Write ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.
Bonfire night in the UK
Bonfire night commemorates the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605.
This event was an important event in English 1 ___________.
The plot aimed to kill King James I and his government.
Religious tensions
In early 17th century England there was significant tension between Catholics and Protestants.
The 2 ____________ of Catholics to the King was questioned.
Robert Catesby felt that the government treated people with the Catholic 3 ___________ unfairly.
The plot
The 4 ____________ of the conspirators was to blow up the House of Lords.
They wanted to make Princess Elizabeth the 5 ___________.
The plot failed when Guy Fawkes was found with the explosives.
The authorities became suspicious due to an anonymous 6 ___________.
The aftermath
The authorities began to look for other Catholics plotting against the king.
Religious tensions increased.
Further anti-catholic 7 ___________ were passed by the government.
Bonfire Night
People of London celebrated the king's survival by lighting bonfires.
This became an 8 __________ event called Bonfire Night.
Bonfire night also became connected with the beginning of 9 __________.
It continues to be an important national 10 __________ in the UK.
Communities get together, light fireworks and eat traditional foods.
Reading Answer Key:
1. D, 2. B, 3. C, 4. E, 5. A, 6. B, 7. visitors, 8. exhibitions, 9. parade, 10. markets
Vocabulary Answer Key:
Exercise 1: 1c, 2b, 3a, 4b, 5a, 6b, 7a, 8c, 9c
Exercise 2: 1. build-up, 2. parade, 3. feast, 4. street, 5. dress up, 6. long weekend, 7. sound system, 8. exchange, 9. stalls, 10. Flamboyant
Exercise 3: community spirit, dress up, exchange gifts, long weekend, pass down, sound system, street vendor