Speaking Sample Test
Part 1: Introduction & Interview
Q1
Do you enjoy special celebrations in your country?
Sample response
Yes, I really do. Special celebrations bring a different atmosphere to everyday life, and people seem more open and cheerful. I especially enjoy the way families gather, share food, and keep old customs alive.
Q2
What kind of public celebrations are most popular where you live?
Sample response
Where I live, national holidays and New Year celebrations are probably the biggest ones. City centres usually have fireworks, music performances, and food stalls, so they feel lively and quite inclusive. Even people who are not usually very social tend to join in.
Q3
Did you often take part in these events when you were a child?
Sample response
Yes, quite a lot, actually. When I was a child, my parents used to take me to local festivals and holiday events, and I remember being excited by the decorations and street performances. At that age, it felt almost magical.
Q4
Do you usually celebrate important occasions with your family or with friends?
Sample response
Most of the time, I celebrate major occasions with my family. For things like New Year or traditional festivals, being with relatives feels more meaningful because there’s a sense of continuity and shared memories. I usually save celebrations with friends for birthdays or more casual events.
Q5
Are there any traditional occasions in your hometown that are especially meaningful to people?
Sample response
Yes, definitely. In my hometown, the Lunar New Year is especially meaningful because it’s not just a holiday; it’s a time when people return home, visit relatives, and show respect to older family members. It has a strong emotional value for people there.
Q6
Do you prefer large community events or small private celebrations?
Sample response
To be honest, I prefer small private celebrations. Large public events can be exciting, but they’re often crowded and noisy, so after a while I get tired. A quieter gathering with people I’m close to feels warmer and more enjoyable to me.
Q7
How do people usually prepare for important days in your country?
Sample response
People usually prepare quite carefully. They clean and decorate their homes, shop for food and gifts, and plan family meals in advance. For big occasions, some people also buy new clothes or travel back to their hometown.
Q8
Have these kinds of celebrations changed in recent years?
Sample response
Yes, they’ve changed a fair bit. Celebrations are more modern now, with online invitations, digital greetings, and even cash gifts sent through mobile apps. At the same time, I think some traditions have become slightly less personal than they used to be.
Q9
Is there a particular time of year when people in your country like to celebrate most?
Sample response
Yes, I’d say the biggest festive period is around the New Year, especially the traditional lunar one. That’s when people have time off, schools close, and families make a real effort to reunite. It feels like the whole country slows down and celebrates together.
Part 2: Long Turn (Cue Card)
Describe a traditional celebration in your country. You should say: - when it takes place and where people usually celebrate it - what people do during this occasion - why it is important to people And explain how you feel about this celebration.
Sample response
I’d like to talk about the Lunar New Year, which is one of the most important traditional celebrations in my country. It usually takes place in late January or early February, depending on the lunar calendar, and people celebrate it almost everywhere, from big cities to small villages. Even people who live or work far away usually try to return to their hometown for it. To begin with, there are lots of preparations before the actual day. Families clean their homes, decorate them with red banners or flowers, and buy special food for reunion meals. During the celebration itself, people visit relatives, give lucky money to children, wear new clothes, and in some places they also watch fireworks or lion and dragon dances. What stood out to me when I was younger was the feeling that the whole neighborhood became more alive and connected. This occasion is important because it’s really about family, renewal, and respect for tradition. It gives people a chance to leave their busy routines behind and spend meaningful time with the people who matter most. Another thing is that it helps pass cultural values from one generation to the next, because children learn customs simply by taking part. Personally, I feel very warmly about this celebration. I love the atmosphere, the food, and the sense of reunion it creates. Overall, even though preparations can be tiring, it’s still the celebration I look forward to most every year.
Part 3: Two-way Discussion
Q1
Why do you think traditional celebrations are important for a society?
Sample response
I think traditional celebrations are important because they give a society a shared sense of identity. They remind people of their history, values, and customs, which is especially important in a fast-changing world. Without those occasions, culture can become something abstract rather than something people actively experience. For example, a festival can teach younger generations about respect, family, or community in a much more memorable way than a textbook can. So in my view, they help strengthen social bonds as well as cultural continuity.
Q2
How can large public celebrations influence local businesses and tourism?
Sample response
Large public celebrations can have a very positive effect on local businesses and tourism. Hotels, restaurants, transport services, and small vendors often earn much more during festival periods because there is a sharp rise in visitor numbers. In addition, these events create publicity for a city or region, especially if they are shown on social media or television. For instance, one well-organised cultural festival can attract both domestic and international tourists who might not otherwise visit. Of course, the economic benefit depends on good planning, but overall the impact is usually strong.
Q3
Do you think younger people value traditional occasions as much as older generations? Why or why not?
Sample response
I’d say younger people often value these occasions differently rather than less. Older generations may feel more emotionally attached to traditions because they grew up with them in a more consistent way, while younger people are influenced by global culture and modern lifestyles. However, many young people still enjoy traditional festivals, especially when they involve family reunions, food, or a strong social atmosphere. The difference is that they may celebrate in a more flexible or modern way, for example by sharing greetings online instead of visiting in person. So the value is still there, but the expression of it has changed.
Q4
In what ways have modern lifestyles changed how people celebrate important occasions?
Sample response
Modern lifestyles have changed celebrations in several ways, mainly because people are busier and more mobile than before. Many families no longer live in the same town, so gatherings are shorter and sometimes less frequent. Technology has also had a major impact, since people now send digital invitations, online gifts, or video-call relatives instead of meeting everyone face to face. On the one hand, this makes celebrating more convenient; on the other hand, it can reduce the emotional depth of the occasion. Compared with the past, celebrations today are often more efficient but a bit less intimate.
Q5
Should governments spend money supporting large cultural celebrations, or should this be left to local communities?
Sample response
I think governments should provide some support, especially for large cultural celebrations that have national or historical significance. These events often preserve heritage, encourage tourism, and create a sense of unity, so public funding can be justified. That said, local communities should still play a central role, because they understand the traditions best and can keep the celebration authentic. If everything is controlled from the top, the event may become too commercial or artificial. So ideally, it should be a partnership: governments provide resources, while communities shape the content.
Q6
How can a country preserve its traditional ways of celebrating while still adapting to modern society?
Sample response
A country can preserve traditional celebrations by keeping the core values and customs intact while allowing some practical updates. For example, people can still wear traditional clothes, prepare symbolic foods, or perform old rituals, even if they organise the event through modern technology. Schools and media can also help by teaching the meaning behind these traditions, not just the surface-level activities. At the same time, some adaptation is necessary so celebrations remain relevant to younger generations and urban lifestyles. In my opinion, tradition survives best when it evolves naturally instead of being frozen in the past.