Describe an unusual holiday you had IELTS Cue Card
IELTS CUE CARD TOPIC
Describe an unusual holiday you had.
You should say:
- What holiday it was
- Who you were with
- What you did
- And explain why it was unusual.
Sample 1
I’m a workaholic and do not prefer to take a day off. But here I would like to talk about a situation where I had to take a day off.
It happened two years back when my friend lost his dog. In the morning, I woke up and received a call from him. He was terrified, and he was crying over there. He said he lost his dog by accident. His mom left the door open in the morning.
Somehow, he went outside and went missing. As he was my friend, I had to help him anyhow. I took a day off from my work. I had to lie to my boss on that day. I told him that my back was hurting, which was not the case. I took a day off, and then we called our friends and loved ones.
We searched a lot for him. There were four of us, and we explored the surrounding areas and parks. But unfortunately, we didn’t find him. In the afternoon, we reported to the police.
The police got the same report from the other side of the city. They found a dog. It had a red circle around its neck. With this information, my friend just shouted; he was pleased and terrified. We found the dog, but he was scared, and stray dogs bit him.
On that day, we had to take care of him. I was distraught when I went home because I had to take a day off. I told a lie about my health to my supervisor. He was my friend who needed me. He lived alone. He didn’t have anyone to help him. I distracted my mind. That’s the situation. I am not that kind of person.
Sample 2
So, an unusual holiday I had was back in 2022, and it was me and my best friend. We took a leave from college for certain days. It was three to four days. And we made a plan to visit our friend from another state. We went to Hyderabad from Punjab. And the trip was on very short notice, and we went there to surprise him for his birthday. It was unusual because it was an unplanned and impromptu trip with limited funds, and we happened to miss our flight to return.
So it was hilarious then. At the same time, we were very afraid of what we would tell our parents and our hostel warden. So it was enjoyable and unusual because we had to arrange the funds. And if we tell our parents that we missed the flight, they will scold us. And if we don’t, we don’t have enough funds to return. So it was very unusual. But somehow, we managed to manage the funds. And then, in a very short period, we somehow saved ourselves from getting the scoldings.
Follow-ups
.1.Do you think people in your country have long enough holidays?
Yes. In my country, where I belong, India is diverse. There are a lot of holidays which we can see in one year. If I had to give you a number, I would prefer to spend around two months on holiday. In Canada, it’s a different scenario. We only get 7-8 days as a holiday in a year.
2. Which holidays are important in your country?
In my country, family day is significant for the people. It comes in mid-February. Today, our country wants people to spend their time with their families. That’s why it’s called family day. Here, people are more workaholics and need more time to meet their parents. That’s why they introduced this family day to give people one day to spend time with their families.
3. Are there any popular places for holidays in your country?
Yes, definitely. There are a lot of places where people like to spend their time on holidays. First of all, around the GTA area, the more modern and western people usually go over there to spend their holidays. The people who love to explore things can spend time on track.
4. What are the differences between old and young people when spending their holidays?
Young people usually spend their holidays by spending their time outside. They want to hang out with their friends. They also go to the clubs and go to different places. If I talk about old age people, they want to spend their holidays with their families and friends. As I observe here, I see older adults hanging out with their friends on the holidays.
5. Do holidays help people learn about other countries’ cultures?
I don’t think so. In Canada, people spend their holidays enjoying their own. In the past few years, people have usually shown interest in Diwali, an Indian festival. As Canadian, as in Canada, most of the majority are Indians. Now, Canadian people are showing their interest in celebrating Diwali.
6. Why do some people dislike holidays?
As it happens, those who work during the holidays love their work and want to earn more money. So a break from work disturbs their routine, so they hate holidays.
7. What is your favourite holiday and why?
My favourite holiday was back when I was in 7th standard. My family and I, along with another family and a friend’s family, went to Orissa together. We went there by train, and we came back on a train. The train’s name is Rajdhani. And the journey was very interesting because it was a big group and we had a lot of fun on that trip. After that, I went on many trips, which was very enjoyable because of the people and the location.
8. Can you describe a typical family tradition you have during the holidays?
A typical family tradition we have for the holidays, especially in the summers, we used to go to visit our grandmother. And there we used to get together. All the cousins used to come. We used to get together and have a good period of one week. We used to celebrate our brother’s birthday because my brother’s birthday happened to be in that particular month. We had a lot of fun while visiting our hometown.
9. How do you usually celebrate your birthday?
I usually celebrate my birthday by going to the temple in the morning. After that, I met my parents and grandparents to receive their blessings. After that, my friends visit my house. They come and surprise me mostly. Then, we go for a family dinner at night, and that’s how I celebrate my birthday.
10. What holiday do you look forward to the most each year and why?
I look forward to the Diwali break, which we get about four or five days. And that is somewhere around September or April every year because that is when Diwali is celebrated on a very good note at our home. Many relatives come over, and all the cousins get together and have a good time. So I always wait for Diwali because it is a festival of lights that brings much happiness and good vibes.
11. Do you enjoy any special holiday foods or treats?
All the holiday food and treats depend on the weather. So if the holidays are the summer holidays, we enjoy eating watermelon at that time. If I talk about Diwali, there are many sweets at our home. And we give and receive gifts. So, in gifts, we receive a lot of dry fruits. And my mother cooks a special Diwali dinner every year. So that is one tradition that I will always like to preserve.
12. How do you usually decorate your home during the holidays?
When discussing the Diwali holidays, my family and I decorate our house with lights. On the day of Diwali, we put flowers on the floor and the door. We also made a colourful pattern with rangoli colours. We light candles in the evening on the balcony and the stairs.
13. What is the best gift you have ever received for a holiday?
The best gift I have received for a holiday is a new dress. I receive it every year, and it is mostly a surprise from my mother. She buys me a nice new dress every year for Diwali. It is always special, and I am always excited about the gift because it is a surprise. My mother always finds out the best and perfect fit for me. And somehow, even though I don’t tell her what I need for that particular year or Diwali, she manages to get the same colour and outfit I want.
14. Do you prefer spending holidays with family or friends?
I prefer spending the holidays with family. But mostly, my friends come over and are part of my family. So we all get together, and family and friends are good companies to enjoy.
15. What is the most memorable holiday experience you have had?
The most memorable holiday experience I have had I had as a child. My family, my friend, and I went to Orissa. We went there by train journey, and it was amazing because the company was good, and the food was new. We liked the beach and the sacred places we visited.
16. How do you typically spend New Year’s Eve?
I spend the New Year or the first of January every year going to the temple in the morning. We go to the temple yearly, and my brother mostly accompanies me. And after that, when we come back, my mother prepares a New Year’s meal, and it’s very special. And it stays the same every year. Even if we have it after one year, the taste doesn’t change. Then, we get together with our extended family. Sometimes my friends also come over, and sometimes I only enjoy it at home.