IELTS Speaking · Part 3
Festivals and celebrations: IELTS Speaking Part 3 questions
Last updated 2 September 2026
In short
Discussion questions
The examiner usually opens the discussion with: "Why are celebrations important to people in most cultures?", then works up from concrete to abstract.
Warm-up (concrete)
What do people usually enjoy most about festivals?
Opinion
Development (societal)
How have the ways people celebrate changed over time?
ComparisonDo you think some festivals have lost their original meaning?
OpinionWhat are the benefits of bringing large numbers of people together to celebrate?
Evaluation
Depth (abstract & hypothetical)
Should governments spend public money on national celebrations?
OpinionHow might the way people celebrate be different in the future?
SpeculationIf a country had no festivals at all, what effect would that have?
HypothesisAre modern celebrations becoming too commercial, in your view?
Evaluation
Useful vocabulary for this theme
Band 7+ language for discussing festivals and celebrations.
- get into the festive spirit
- start to feel cheerful and celebratory
- “I always get into the festive spirit as soon as December arrives.”
- a public holiday
- an official day off work for everyone
- “We have several public holidays around the new year.”
- let your hair down
- relax completely and enjoy yourself
- “Festivals are the one time I really let my hair down.”
- a family gathering
- an occasion when relatives come together
- “Every festival ends with a big family gathering at my grandmother's.”
- put on a spread
- lay out a generous amount of food
- “My aunt always puts on a huge spread for celebrations.”