Model Answers By Topic
19. Celebrations
SPEAKING
PART 1
1. What did you do on your last birthday?
On my last birthday, I had a small gathering with my closest friends and family members at a restaurant. We enjoyed some delicious food, chatted, and had a good time together.
2. Do you enjoy celebrating your birthday?
Yes, I do enjoy celebrating my birthday. I like to spend it with my loved ones and reminisce about the past.
3. What is the most important festival in your country?
The most important festival in my country is Carnival, which takes place in February or March. It's a massive celebration that involves parades, floats, music, dancing, and dressing up in elaborate costumes.
4. Are you planning to go to any festivals this year?
I’m hoping to be able to go to some music festivals this summer. I haven’t watched any live music for ages so it would be really nice. My husband and I are intending to travel to Rio for the Carnival this year too, so that should be really fun!
5. When did you last meet up with your whole family?
I last got together with my whole family during Christmas. We had a lovely time together, exchanging gifts, enjoying a big feast, and catching up on each other's lives.
6. Do you enjoy family parties?
Yes, I love family parties. It's always great to see everyone, share some good food and laughs, and find out what everyone has been doing.
7. Do you like to travel during public holidays?
Yes, although it’s usually a busy period, public holidays give you the chance to get away for a long weekend or short break. It's a great opportunity to take a break from work and explore new places with family and friends.
8. Are there many religious holidays in your country?
Yes, Brazil has several religious holidays, such as Easter, Christmas, and All Saints' Day. These holidays are typically celebrated with family gatherings and taking part in religious ceremonies.
Listen to Speaking Part 1 Model Answers:
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
Model Answer:
Well, one of the most interesting festivals that takes place in the UK is the Notting Hill Carnival, which is a festival that celebrates Caribbean culture and food as well as UK street culture and music. It’s famous for its large and colourful floats and parades, and there are a lot of stalls selling food and drinks as well as stages with powerful sound systems where people can listen to music and dance.
It's incredibly popular and each year it attracts a huge number of people of all ages. I think around two million people go there each year. That makes it the largest street festival in Europe. The atmosphere is fantastic, although, if you don't like crowds, you should probably stay away.
The carnival was set up in the 1960’s in the Notting Hill area of London to celebrate Caribbean culture in the UK. Since then it has grown bigger and bigger and now it’s a massively popular event with more attendees each year.
The main attractions are the parades with lots of people dressed up in flamboyant costumes, and the music stages where revellers can dance, with live performances from DJ’s. Another great thing about this festival is that you can find lots of delicious food at the many food stalls and you can also buy drinks from street vendors along the road.
Listen to Speaking Part 2 Model Answers:
PART 3
1. What are the differences between family parties and parties given by friends?
Well, the first thing that comes to mind is that at family parties you often have relatives of very different ages, so you might have both babies and elderly people there. Often people exchange gifts at family parties, and there is usually a lot of food. Family parties are usually held on important occasions like Christmas or New Year’s whereas parties with friends can take place any time of year. I think parties with friends are more relaxed and you can have a drink and let your hair down.
2. Are any traditional celebrations in your country disappearing?
Yes, there are some festivals which were probably much more widely celebrated in the past, especially festivals related to agriculture like Plough Monday. These days, these festivals are still celebrated in some particular towns or areas, but the rest of the country doesn’t pay much attention to them. It’s a pity they’re disappearing as these celebrations were important for community spirit and have been passed down from one generation to the next for hundreds of years.
3. What local festival in your area or country would you recommend to a foreign guest?
I would recommend coming to celebrate Guy Fawkes Night. This festival is an important part of English heritage and has its roots in the attempted attack on parliament by Guy Fawkes in 1605. Nowadays, it’s traditional to have large organised events where there are huge bonfires. Usually there are stalls selling food and sweets for children and sometimes people dress up too.
4. Why do you think some people enjoy parties, but others hate them?
I guess it depends on your personality type. People who are more outgoing or extroverted tend to really enjoy hanging out with people at parties. They like to make new friends and chat with strangers. They’re happy to be the centre of attention and are often the life and soul of the party. People who are more introverted often prefer smaller gatherings, and so, like to get together with close friends. I’m definitely more of the latter type of person, so I’m not really into big parties.
5. Do you think public celebrations are important? Why?
Yes, I can definitely see some advantages to public celebrations. It’s great fun when everyone is excited about the same event and it’s fantastic for community spirit. The build-up to Christmas in the UK can be really fun, and it’s nice when everyone's on holiday at the same time. It makes it really easy to meet up with relatives and spend quality time together.
6. Are there any festivals or celebrations you would like to visit in another country?
Yes, for sure. I think it would be fantastic to visit Brazil during Carnival and go to Rio de Janeiro for a few days during this period. I’ve seen so many pictures of the dancers in the parades who are dressed up in amazing flamboyant costumes. What’s more, Brazilians are famous for being relaxed and enjoying a party, so I imagine that the atmosphere is incredible with lots of revellers having a good time. As far as I know there are sound systems where you can dance, and stalls selling food and drink as well as artwork by local artisans.
Listen to Speaking Part 3 Model Answers:
WRITING
GENERAL TEST WRITING TASK 1
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
Model Answer:
Dear Mrs Thompson,
I am writing to ask for your permission to take 3 days off between 3rd and 5th of March. I would like to attend the wedding of my sister which is going to take place in Northern Italy on the 4th of March.
Obviously, this event is of great importance to myself and the whole family. I have relatives based in the United States, France, the U.K. and Spain, and all of us will be getting together for this momentous family event. Not only is it really important for me to be there when my sister gets married, but I’d also really like to see some family members who I haven’t been able to meet in person for several years.
Of course, I understand the importance of ensuring my work is done in my absence so I will speak with other members of the team to make sure that all of my tasks are covered while I’m away. I’ve already made a list of the tasks that will need to be done during this period and will leave detailed instructions for my colleagues on how to carry them out.
Thank-you for your consideration; please let me know if you have any questions.
Yours sincerely,
Christophe Henri
WRITING TASK 2
Model Answer:
It is sometimes argued that it is essential to introduce children to traditional festivities and ensure they participate in them. I completely agree as traditional festivals and celebrations offer an opportunity for children to learn about their heritage, while also creating opportunities to make new social connections.
Each country has its own traditional celebrations that have roots in the country’s history. Such events help to create links to the past that allow children to understand their own history and culture in a deeper way. They are an opportunity for older generations to pass down their cultural knowledge. As an example, in the UK it is common to celebrate Guy Fawkes Night on 5th November. As a child this event inspired me to find out more about Guy Fawkes, as well as British politics in the early 17th century. In a similar way, children can be motivated to find out more about their own ancestors. Taking part in such events is a great way to push children in this direction.
Furthermore, such events are a fantastic way for children to meet other children in their community and to socialise. Usually, these events draw families from a wide area around where they take place, so children are able to make friends with kids outside of their normal social circles. In addition, traditional festivities and celebrations provide a focal point for the community, fostering community spirit, and therefore providing an excellent environment and atmosphere in which children can mingle and make new contacts. In effect, these events can be networking events which promote better relationships among children in the community.
In conclusion, children should be strongly encouraged or even forced to attend traditional festivals and celebrations. Not only can they learn more about their country or area's history, but they can be introduced to other children and widen their social circle.
Some people think we should make children take part in traditional festivals and celebrations.
Do you agree?
VOCABULARY
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.
