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Written by IELTS Mentor

IELTS Speaking Test # 91

Part 1 Topic: "Keeping in contact with people".
Part 2 Topic: "Describe a party that you enjoyed".
Part 3 Topic: "Family parties" & "National celebrations".

Part One - Introduction

[The examiner asks the candidate about him/herself, his/her home, work or studies and other familiar topics.]

Keeping in contact with people:

Q. How do you usually contact your friends? [Why?]
Answer: I usually contact my friends over the phones by having a voice chat. I prefer this contact method over the others mainly because talking over the phones makes it more personal and engaging where I can express my emotions much more easily.

Q. Do you prefer to contact different people in different ways? [Why?]
Answer: No, I don’t necessarily contact different people in a “pre-defined” sort of different ways mainly because I don’t know for sure what methods of contact are more appropriate, based on the time, circumstances and location of both me and the other people at the other end.

Q. Do you find it easy to keep in contact with friends and family? [Why/Why not?]
Answer: Yes, I certainly find it easy to keep in contact with my friends and family mainly because I can rely on more than just one mode of communication. If my phone is not working, I can always send email messages to them. But even if my emails are not functioning properly, I could always leave an online or offline message on different chat apps and messengers.

Q. In your country, did people in the past keep in contact in the same ways as they do today? [Why/Why not?]
Answer: No, people in Brazil didn’t use to contact others in the same ways as they do today. In the past, we used to rely heavily on the postal mails and land telephones (but only sometimes) to contact with others if they were far away from us. Sometimes, we even used ‘telegraphs” for urgent contact. But, today, we use mostly mobile/cell phones and the internet to contact others whether they live close by or far away from us.

Part 2 - Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card

[The topic for your talk will be written on a card which the examiner will hand you. Read it carefully and then make some brief notes.]

Describe a party that you enjoyed.

You should say:

• whose party it was and what it was celebrating
• where the party was held and who went to it
• what people did during the party

and explain what you enjoyed about this party.

[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.]

[Examiner: All right? Remember you have one to two minutes for this, so don't worry if I stop you. I'll tell you when the time is up. Can you start speaking now, please?]

The answer to this Cue Card topic:

Part 3 - Two-way Discussion:

Discussion topics:  Family parties:

Q. What are the main reasons why people organise family parties in your country?
Answer: We Brazilian people just love to celebrate and have fun whether we are having a private family party or any other public festivals. Anyway, some of the family parties, which we organize in our country, are birthday parties, wedding parties, Christmas parties, and “pregnancy craving” parties. While all of these family parties are celebrated by following the normal western and Christian traditions, “pregnancy craving” parties are little unique in Brazil where it is a tradition to give a small treat, along with a picture of the new baby, to people or family who come to visit when a baby is born.

Q. In some places, people spend a lot of money on parties that celebrate special family events. Is this ever true in your country? Do you think this is a good trend or a bad trend?
Answer: Like some other places in the world, unfortunately, Brazilian people also spend a lot of money on family parties. In fact, Brazilian wedding parties can easily be considered as some of the most expensive and extravagant in the world. But, I don’t really think that this is such a good trend since the extra money, which people spend in celebrating these parties, could actually be used by the newly-wedded couple in order to give them a good start in their new life. Besides, spending more money than needed is like a “waste” of money to me which could always be used to help out poor people.

Q. Are there many differences between family parties and parties given by friends? Why do you think this is?
Answer: No, I don’t really think that there are many differences between family parties and parties given by friends primarily because both kinds are aimed at providing fun and happiness to the participants of the parties. Besides, whatever we do in those parties in order to have a good time are pretty much the same.  But, of course, it all depends on what kind of people attends the parties. However, family parties can be little lesser messy and more ‘solemn’ than the parties, thrown by friends.

Discussion topics:  National celebrations:

Q. What kinds of national celebration do you have in your country?
Answer: Brazil is well-known for many of its festivals and national celebrations. In fact, no matter what time of year tourists visit our country, they are sure to notice the friendly ambience and merry characteristics of the Brazilian locals. Anyway, some of our national celebrations are New Year’s Day, Good Friday & Easter Sunday (March or April), Labor Day, Christmas, and National Carnival. While most of these celebrations are celebrated just like the rest of the western and Christian world, "Carnival" is the one which is pretty unique to Brazil.

Q. Who tends to enjoy national celebrations more - young people or old people? Why?
Answer: While celebrations are just “celebrations”, the reality is some of the national celebrations are enjoyed more by the young while some are enjoyed more by the old. Usually, old people, perhaps because of their “maturity”, tend to enjoy those celebrations more which have religious “fervour and tone” and which are “solemn” in nature. On the other hands, celebrations to young people usually are all about having fun and a good time without any “holding back”. Therefore, it is only natural that the young people would prefer celebrations which would allow them to dance, sing and drink to the full content of their hearts.

Q. Why do you think some people think that national celebrations are a waste of government money? Would you agree or disagree with this view? Why?
Answer: I would respectfully like to disagree with those people who tend to think that national celebrations are a waste of government money mainly because national celebrations bring unity and solidarity among the citizens of a country more often than not. Besides, national celebrations, or any other kind celebrations for that matter, get the entire nation into a happy mood which is certainly good for the mental health and spirit of all the people. And, the more spirited and happy a nation is, the more will it prosper in the national and international arena.

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