IELTS Speaking Part 1:Relatives

What role do your relatives play in your life? 

I live in a nuclear family. So all my relatives live at a distance. And whenever we talk to them, we get to know about their lives, and we share the achievements and difficulties of our own lives with them. So relatives are not a very big part of my life. But yes, it is always good talking to them. 

Can you describe some of your favourite memories or experiences with your relatives? 

One of my favourite childhood memories is when we used to go to our grandmother’s house during the summer vacation, and all the cousins used to get together. We used to play games all night, and we used to dance. And on my brother’s birthday, we were used to falling in the vacations. So we used to celebrate, and it was a good time because we all were kids then. And my mother and my aunt used to cook together. And in general, it was a happy break from our busy schedule. 

How do family traditions and customs vary among different relatives? 

Family traditions and customs vary with every relative I’ve known. There is an aunt, there’s my aunt. She is in the Air Force. So she gets transferred every three or four years. She experiences new cultures and new customs in every state she goes to. Whenever we met after three or four years, she introduced us to the culture in which she lived. It varies with every relative, especially if they live in this part of the world or abroad. So everybody is different, and everybody is different in terms of the place is different and their language is different.

What are some common challenges or conflicts that arise within families? 

The most challenging aspect of having a joint family but not living all together is caring for older people. There are very few people who want to live with the older people. These days, people feel that the elderly population is a burden. And that causes conflicts between siblings. It hurts the grandchildren as well. It is the most critical issue. 

How have your relationships with your relatives evolved? 

Over time, my relationship with my relatives has grown. As a child, I was reticent and I was introverted. And even at family gatherings, I used to stay quiet. But now I am starting the conversation and building the conversation. And I am even able to maintain the conversation. So maturity comes with the age. And for me specifically, the relationship has grown for good. 

 What qualities do you value most in your relatives? 

The most important and fantastic quality I have experienced is that they share their achievements. And whenever they give me a call and tell me about their accomplishments, that I’ve got this job, or this is a new house I’ve bought, this is a new car I’ve bought. We feel delighted, and we think that our family is growing. And everybody takes a moment to congratulate. And they believe that they pray for each other. And that is the most amazing thing I feel about my relatives. 

Can you discuss the importance of communication and honesty in maintaining healthy relationships with relatives? 

Yes, communication is the key to having a healthy relationship. When people cannot communicate, they cannot have good bonds with the other relative. So it’s essential to keep in touch and talk about it. Even if people cannot take time every day, at least they should share their achievements. If they are not able to keep up, they should always give them a call and talk to them. They should speak about festivals and birthdays, and they can catch up on that. Talking and communication are essential because they keep the relationship going. 

How do cultural or generational differences influence your relationships with relatives? And how do you bridge these gaps? 

As I told you, my relatives live very far apart. For example, I live in the northern part of India. My aunt’s family is in the southern part of India. Then other people are in the eastern part, some are in the western part. So there is a cultural difference and a traditional difference. But it has never come in between the bond we share. Because we communicate well, we tell each other about our day. And sometimes we call to check up on each other. We care about each other, and even if we disagree on a specific topic, we try to talk it out and solve it. And things have not been difficult for me while conversing with my relatives because they all are very mature and understanding. 

What role do extended relatives play in your life?

 Extended relatives play a minor part in my life. I am not very in touch with all the extended family members. But we check on each other on various occasions, festivals, birthdays, and anniversaries. And we can meet whenever possible. But extended family is very well spread all over the country. So we keep in touch and try to meet whenever possible. 

How do you think the concept of family has evolved in modern society?

 In earlier times, people used to live all together. People used to have bigger family sizes. Joint families do not happen to exist in these times. At the same time, many people enjoy living in a joint family. However, staying in a joint family in an urban setting is not feasible. People have shifted their family to a nuclear family. And everybody has their own house and own kitchen. So, that is not because of the lack of understanding or conflicts. That is because everybody knows and has accepted that people want to grow in their profession, career, and culture. So everybody has a piece for the same.