Travel/Festival: IELTS Speaking Part 1 Sample Answers

The IELTS Speaking Module is designed to assess how well you can communicate in English in real-life situations. Part 1 of the Speaking test involves answering general questions about familiar topics such as travel, festivals, hobbies, or daily routines.

To achieve a high band score, it's important to understand the types of questions commonly asked and to practice responding with clarity, fluency, and appropriate vocabulary.

This blog explores IELTS Speaking Part 1 sample answers on topics like Travel and Festival, along with useful vocabulary and phrases to help you sound more natural and confident during your test. Use these examples as a guide to develop your responses and boost your performance in the IELTS Speaking section.

Aiming for a high Speaking score? Take a look at the expert tips and tricks below!

In IELTS Speaking Part 1, to answer the IELTS examiner’s questions in a natural and fluent way, you should focus on one idea only and then expand that idea into a long meaningful sentence using IELTS Grammar patterns and IELTS Vocabulary, which can help you get Band 8.0+ for IELTS Speaking.

Travel / Festival IELTS Speaking Part 1

In this section, you'll find commonly asked IELTS Speaking Part 1 questions on Travel and Festivals. Use the sample answers and vocabulary to prepare effectively and speak with confidence.  

1 Do you like traveling?

Not really, to be honest. I’m a creature of habit (someone who doesn’t like changes to routine), so I’m usually not keen to change my daily routine. When I do mix it up, it often makes me feel anxious and disoriented (not a clear mind). Furthermore, I have a fear or airplanes and get carsick, so traveling just isn’t for me.

2 Do you often travel by air?

Not at all! I try to avoid it at all costs (very seriously). If I must travel, I will take some motion sickness (getting sick from any kind of transportation) medicine and go by car or train. I was once on an airplane on my honeymoon that came very near to crashing, so my phobia (strong fear) stems from (comes from. Stem is the part where the flower grows) this.

3 How long was the longest trip you took?

I once had to go on business to the Philippines. It was a 24 hour flight! It was a nightmare (we saw this when something is very terrible). On top of this, I was seated next to a child who was relentlessly (not stopping) crying during the entire journey.

4 Which country would you like to travel to in the future?

I’m dying to (I really want to) go to Egypt. I’ve always dreamt of going there since I was a child, actually. I’m really fascinated by their ancient culture. I would be in awe of (amazed by) the Grand Pyramids I’m sure. Unfortunately, since I despise (hate) flying, I don’t think I’ll ever get there.

4 Would you like to travel to space?

Perhaps! I’m not sure how it feels to be in a rocket. I think it would be incredible to see a completely foreign galaxy (another world). I’m curious if other life forms (aliens) exist, so I would definitely go along on this journey to find out for myself. I also wonder if the moon is made out of cheese!

5What is your favorite festival?

Hmm, that’s a tough question because I’m definitely a holiday person (a person who likes holidays), but I would have to say New Years Eve. I’m always keen (want) for change and new beginnings, so I love setting new goals at the start of each new year, not to mention I really enjoy the parties. Second to this would be Valentine’s Day, since I’m a hopeless romantic (a very romantic person).

6 How do you celebrate the festival?

In my culture, it’s more very family-oriented holiday. We usually have a special family dinner at home followed by the countdown to midnight. However, in my culture we add something special to it. At the clock ticks down to midnight, we eat 12 grapes which signify a different wish for each month. After this, we go out to the city or town streets to drink with our friends and wish them a happy new year.

7 What is the most popular festival in your country?

Definitely Christmas, since I’m from a Catholic country. Nearly every town and city goes out of the way to deck (decorate) the streets out with Christmas lights and decorations. However, unlike other countries, we celebrate the epiphany, or day of the three wise men, on January 6 just as much at the 25th. This is the day in which we exchange gifts and watch parades.

8 Do you like western festivals?

Of course! They are part of my culture. I especially love Christmas, Easter, and New Years since they have always been part of my upbringing (childhood). However, I also find eastern festivals interesting. I lived in Vietnam for 2 years, and I was in awe (amazed) of the Lunar New Year and Mid-Autumn festival.

9 Where do people usually go during festivals?

Between homes and the streets. We hold meals in our homes for the holidays, as we value home-cooked meals. However, we are people who enjoy going out, so we often go out to celebrate at bars or even in the streets. For example, the Christmas Eve celebration entails going to a bar with friends until the wee hours (early hours) of the morning, followed by a family lunch the next day.

10 With whom do you like to celebrate festivals?

I love celebrating festivals with all my loved ones. I’d usually hang out with my friends during the day, and night is family time, with my significant other joining us.

11 Do you think western festivals like Christmas are replacing traditional festivals in your country?

That is a really good question. I don’t really think so. There is this common fear among the people that we’re forgetting our local festivals in favour of foreign ones, but I still see us celebrating our own festivals with great pomp and splendour.

Travel/Festival: IELTS Speaking Part 1 Sample Answers Vocabulary

Here are the vocabularies for “Travel / Festival” with examples:

• Creature of habit: someone who doesn’t like changes to routine
  Eg: Her sister is very much a creature of habit.
• Disoriented: not a clear mind
  Eg: The student is very disoriented in studies
• At all costs: very seriously
  Eg: The students must be present at assembly hall at all cost
• Nightmare: we saw this when something was very terrible.
  Eg: It was a nightmare
• Galaxy: another world
  Eg: It is interesting to learn about the galaxy
• Life forms: any living thing.
  Eg: Almost all life forms need water to survive.
• Romantic: a very romantic person
  Eg: It was a romantic evening
• Wee hours: early hours
  Eg: He woke up at the very wee hour of the day.

With regular practice and by using the sample answers and vocabulary in this blog, you'll be better prepared to handle IELTS Speaking Part 1 questions confidently and naturally on test day.

Useful Links:

• How to Prepare a Cue Card for IELTS Speaking
• What to Do if You Forget What to Say During IELTS Speaking Test?
• Latest IELTS Speaking Vocabulary to Boost Your Score
• How to Express Your Mixed Feelings in IELTS Writing & Speaking?
• 10 Useful Structures to Express Contrasting Ideas in IELTS Speaking & Writing Task 2
• 75+ Common English Words Used in IELTS Speaking Test
• 5 Silly Things You Say To Decrease Your IELTS Speaking Band Score
• Reasons for the IELTS examiner to interrupt you in IELTS Speaking