Speaking Sample Test
Part 1: Introduction & Interview
Q1
Do you enjoy taking part in local festivals or special events?
Sample response
Yes, I do, especially when the whole neighborhood gets involved. I like the atmosphere more than anything else because the streets feel more lively, people seem more relaxed, and there’s usually good food everywhere. I wouldn’t say I attend every single event, but I enjoy the bigger ones.
Q2
What kinds of traditional food are common in your hometown?
Sample response
In my hometown, a lot of traditional dishes are rice-based, and we also eat quite a bit of noodle soup and sticky rice. During special occasions, families often make things like spring rolls, steamed sticky rice, and slow-cooked meat dishes. They’re quite time-consuming to prepare, so people usually associate them with family gatherings.
Q3
Did your family follow any special customs when you were a child?
Sample response
Yes, definitely. When I was a child, my family followed a lot of customs during Lunar New Year, like cleaning the house before the holiday, visiting relatives, and giving lucky money to children. Looking back, those little routines made the celebration feel really meaningful.
Q4
Are there any old buildings or places in your area that people are proud of?
Sample response
Yes, there are a few places like that. In particular, there’s an old communal house and a small temple in my area that people really value because they reflect the history of the town. Even people who aren’t especially religious still see them as an important part of local identity.
Q5
Do you like learning about the history of your hometown?
Sample response
Yes, I actually do. The more I learn about it, the more attached I feel to the place because history explains why the town developed in a certain way and why local people have particular habits. It also makes ordinary places feel more interesting.
Q6
Have your interests in music, art, or dance changed over time?
Sample response
Yes, quite a lot, actually. When I was younger, I mainly listened to whatever music was popular, but now I’m much more open to traditional music and even certain forms of folk dance and visual art. I think age makes you appreciate cultural depth a bit more.
Q7
Is it important for young people to know about older ways of life?
Sample response
Yes, I’d say it is. If young people know how older generations lived, they can understand their culture more deeply instead of taking everything for granted. It also helps them respect the sacrifices and values that shaped their community.
Q8
Do you prefer modern styles of living or more traditional ones?
Sample response
To be honest, I prefer a mix of both. I enjoy the convenience and freedom of modern life, but I still think traditional values like close family ties and community spirit are worth keeping. If I had to choose, I’d go for a modern lifestyle with some traditional elements.
Q9
Have you ever worn traditional clothes for a special occasion?
Sample response
Yes, I have. I’ve worn traditional clothes during Tet and at family weddings, and I actually liked the experience because it made the occasion feel more formal and memorable. It’s not something I wear regularly, of course, but for special events it feels appropriate.
Part 2: Long Turn (Cue Card)
Describe a traditional celebration in your area. You should say: - when this celebration takes place - what people usually do during it - why it is special for local people And explain whether you think this celebration will remain important in the future.
Sample response
I’d like to talk about Tet, which is the Lunar New Year celebration and probably the most important traditional event in my area. It usually takes place sometime in late January or early February, depending on the lunar calendar, and people often prepare for it well in advance. To begin with, families clean and decorate their homes, buy flowers like peach blossoms or apricot blossoms, and prepare traditional food. During the celebration itself, people visit relatives, go to temples, give children lucky money, and share meals together. What stood out to me when I was younger was the feeling that the whole town changed overnight. The streets became brighter, everyone dressed more neatly, and even people who were usually busy made time for family. Another thing is that Tet is special not just because it is festive, but because it carries a lot of emotional meaning for local people. It’s a time to honour ancestors, reconnect with family members, and sort of leave old problems behind. For many people, especially those who work far from home, it is the one occasion in the year when they make a real effort to return. Personally, I think this celebration will remain important in the future, although the way people celebrate may change. Life is becoming faster and more modern, so some customs might become simpler. Overall, though, I believe Tet will still matter because it gives people a strong sense of belonging, and that is something modern life can’t easily replace.
Part 3: Two-way Discussion
Q1
Why do some traditions remain strong while others disappear over time?
Sample response
I think traditions remain strong when they still serve a clear purpose in people’s lives, whether emotional, social, or religious. If a custom brings families together or gives people a sense of identity, they are much more likely to keep it. By contrast, traditions often disappear when they feel irrelevant or too inconvenient for modern lifestyles. For example, large family gatherings during major festivals usually survive, while smaller daily customs may gradually fade away.
Q2
How can schools help young people learn about older customs and ways of life?
Sample response
Schools can help a lot by making culture more practical and engaging rather than just teaching it from a textbook. For instance, they can invite older people to speak about local customs, organise traditional craft workshops, or arrange trips to museums and historical sites. Students usually connect better with older ways of life when they can see, hear, or experience them directly. I also think project-based learning works well, such as asking students to interview grandparents about how life used to be.
Q3
Do you think international travel helps people respect different ways of life, or does it make places more similar?
Sample response
I’d say it does both, but overall it probably helps people become more respectful. When people travel, they often realise that different habits around food, clothing, or family life are not strange; they’re just different. That kind of direct experience can reduce prejudice much more effectively than reading about another culture online. Having said that, tourism and global business can also make city centres look increasingly alike, with the same brands, cafés, and lifestyles appearing everywhere.
Q4
What effects can social media have on traditional music, food, or festivals?
Sample response
Social media can have a very mixed impact on traditional culture. On the positive side, it can make traditional music, food, or festivals more visible, especially to younger people who might not encounter them in everyday life. A short video about a local dish or a folk performance can spread incredibly quickly and even attract tourists. On the negative side, traditions can be simplified or turned into trends just for views, so people may focus more on appearance than real meaning. In that sense, social media can both preserve culture and commercialise it.
Q5
Is it better to protect old ways of life exactly as they are, or allow them to change naturally?
Sample response
In my opinion, it’s better to let old ways of life change naturally, as long as their core meaning is preserved. Culture has never been completely fixed, and trying to freeze it exactly as it was can make it feel artificial or disconnected from modern reality. For example, a festival can still reflect community values even if people celebrate it in a simpler or more modern way. What matters most is not copying the past perfectly, but keeping the spirit and significance alive for the next generation.