Topic: Holidays
Part 1: Introduction and Interview Questions
Directive for Part 1:
- Preparation Time: None (Answer immediately)
- Speaking Time: 4–5 minutes
- Kind of Answer Expected: Short, direct answers with personal experiences or opinions.
Questions:
- Do you like holidays?
- What is your favorite holiday?
- How do you usually spend your holidays?
- Do you prefer spending holidays at home or traveling?
Sample Answers for Part 1:
- Band 9 (Expert User):
“Yes, I love holidays. They give me a break from the usual routine, and it’s a great time to relax.
My favorite holiday is New Year’s Eve because it’s a time to reflect on the past year and look forward to the future. I usually spend it with family and friends, enjoying good food and celebrating.
During holidays, I prefer to travel and explore new places, but I also enjoy spending time at home when I just want to unwind.” - Reason for Band 9:
- Detailed, well-organized answers with clear explanations.
- Sophisticated vocabulary and varied sentence structures.
- Fluent and natural, with no hesitation.
- Band 7 (Good User):
“Yes, I like holidays because I get to relax and spend time with family and friends.
My favorite holiday is Christmas. I like the festive atmosphere, the decorations, and the food.
I usually spend my holidays either traveling or at home, depending on the situation. If I have time, I prefer to go on a short trip.” - Reason for Band 7:
- Clear, concise answers with good explanation.
- Variety in vocabulary and sentence structure, but not as complex as Band 9.
- Fluent but slightly less detailed.
- Band 5 (Modest User):
“Yes, I like holidays. My favorite holiday is Christmas. I spend time with family and eat together.
I like to travel on holidays, but sometimes I stay at home.” - Reason for Band 5:
- Simple and direct answers with minimal elaboration.
- Basic vocabulary and sentence structures.
- Limited development of ideas.
Part 2: Cue Card
Directive for Part 2:
- Preparation Time: 1 minute
- Speaking Time: 2 minutes
- Kind of Answer Expected: A detailed and well-organized response with clear personal examples.
Cue Card:
Describe a holiday you recently had.
You should say:
- Where you went
- What you did there
- Who you went with
- And explain why this holiday was special for you.
Sample Answer for Part 2:
- Band 9 (Expert User):
“Recently, I went to the beach in Thailand for a week-long holiday. I went with a group of close friends, and we stayed in a beautiful beach resort. We spent our days swimming, sunbathing, and exploring the local markets. One of the highlights of the trip was taking a boat tour around nearby islands, where we enjoyed snorkeling and had the chance to relax on quiet, secluded beaches.
This holiday was particularly special to me because it was a much-needed escape from the pressures of work and everyday life. I had the chance to disconnect and spend quality time with my friends, which made it even more memorable.” - Reason for Band 9:
- Well-developed and fully elaborated response with clear organization.
- Uses a wide range of vocabulary and complex sentence structures.
- Fluent and natural, with a personal touch.
- Band 7 (Good User):
“Last summer, I went to a small town in the mountains with my family. We stayed in a cozy cabin, and we spent our time hiking and enjoying the fresh air. I also tried fishing for the first time, which was a fun experience.
It was a special holiday because I don’t usually spend much time in nature, and it was great to reconnect with my family away from the hustle and bustle of the city.” - Reason for Band 7:
- Clear, organized response, but with less depth than Band 9.
- A variety of vocabulary is used, though less sophisticated.
- The story is coherent but not as detailed or complex.
- Band 5 (Modest User):
“I went to the beach last year. I went with my family. We swam, walked, and ate seafood.
It was a nice holiday because I like the beach and being with my family.” - Reason for Band 5:
- Simple response with minimal detail.
- Limited vocabulary and sentence structure.
- Basic ideas with no elaboration.
Part 3: Discussion Questions
Directive for Part 3:
- Preparation Time: None (Answer immediately)
- Speaking Time: 4–5 minutes
- Kind of Answer Expected: Longer, more detailed answers with explanations, opinions, and examples.
Questions:
- What are the benefits of going on holiday?
- Do you think holidays are important for people’s mental health? Why?
- Do you think people in your country take enough holidays?
- How do holidays differ between countries?
Sample Answers for Part 3:
- Band 9 (Expert User):
“Going on holiday has numerous benefits. It allows people to relax and take a break from the stresses of everyday life. Holidays can help improve mental health by giving people the time to recharge and focus on themselves. It’s also an opportunity to experience new cultures and spend quality time with family and friends.
I believe holidays are crucial for mental health. Without proper rest, people can become stressed or even burn out. A change of environment can help refresh one’s mind and improve overall well-being.
In my country, people generally take holidays during public celebrations, but many people do not take enough time off to fully relax. I think this can lead to fatigue or burnout.
Holidays differ greatly between countries in terms of duration, activities, and traditions. For example, in some countries, holidays are focused on religious practices, while in others, they revolve around outdoor activities or festivals. Each culture has its unique way of celebrating, which is fascinating to see.” - Reason for Band 9:
- Fully developed and organized responses with clear, detailed reasoning and personal examples.
- Uses a wide range of sophisticated vocabulary and complex sentence structures.
- Fluent, cohesive answers with varied expressions.
- Band 7 (Good User):
“Holidays are important because they allow people to take a break from their daily routines and relax. They can help people reduce stress and spend time with loved ones.
Yes, holidays are important for mental health. Taking a break from work or other responsibilities can help people feel more refreshed and less anxious.
I think people in my country take holidays during major festivals, but many work long hours and don’t get enough time off.
Holidays in different countries can vary a lot. For example, in my country, we have long summer holidays, but in other places, people take shorter breaks throughout the year.” - Reason for Band 7:
- Clear and structured answers, with good detail but not as complex as Band 9.
- Vocabulary is varied, but less sophisticated than Band 9.
- Ideas are well explained but could be expanded further.
- Band 5 (Modest User):
“Holidays are good because people can relax and have fun.
Yes, holidays are important for health because people need rest.
In my country, people take holidays at festivals. Some people don’t take enough holidays.
Holidays are different in countries. Some have long holidays, some have short.” - Reason for Band 5:
- Basic answers with limited detail.
- Simple vocabulary and sentence structures.
- Responses lack depth or explanation.