Describe an Unusual Holiday You Had- IELTS Speaking Part 2 and 3

We all need a break sometimes. Whether it’s a getaway with family or friends, holidays are a must-have for a healthy life. They break up the routine and leave you feeling recharged and ready to tackle anything.
As holidays are a part of our lives, ensure you’re well-prepared for holiday-related Speaking topics like ‘ Describe an Unusual Holiday’ in IELTS Speaking Parts 2 & 3 to achieve your desired band level.

Describe an Unusual Holiday You Had – IELTS Cue Card Sample Answer 1

• What holiday was it?

It was the festival of Holi at Mathura. In March, people in India celebrate Holi, the vibrant festival of colors. People throw colorful powders and watercolors at each other, creating a joyful mess. Evenings are spent sharing delicious food with loved ones at home.

• Who were you with?

Usually, at festivals, I’m at home with my family. However, that Holi, I decided to celebrate with my friends, and it was one of the best decisions of my life. Celebrating a festival far from home made it a completely unusual and different experience.

• What did you do?

We awoke early in the morning and hailed a cab to reach the main temple in Mathura. As we arrived, the vibrant Holi celebrations were already in full swing. Mathura’s Holi is renowned throughout India for its unique character, featuring a variety of festivities that range from flower offerings to vibrant colors and even playful mud fights in certain areas. On this particular day, the temple was celebrating a special “Flower Holi,” and the entire place was awash with an intoxicating floral fragrance. Despite the bustling crowds, the experience proved to be worthwhile. We patiently waited in the queues for hours, and upon entering the temple. After participating in that unique holi, we ventured outside to eat some delicious local food and after that tiring celebration food tasted much better.

• Explain why it was unusual.

It was unusual because in every part of India Holi is celebrated with colors, but here the celebration was with flowers – a variety of flowers, so many we couldn’t even count. People from all over the country were there, celebrating Holi with strangers like their own family members. Even some people were offering sweets and food on the temple road. There was only joy and the fragrance of flowers.

Describe an Unusual Holiday You Had – IELTS Cue Card Sample Answer 2

• What holiday was it?

It was a trip to Himachal Pradesh with my family during the summer. Since it was summer vacation, we decided to visit Himachal Pradesh, a region known for its pleasant climate year-round, unlike most of India which experiences scorching summers. To be specific, our destination was Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh.

• Who were you with?

My family doesn’t enjoy traveling much, but during our summer vacation, my siblings and I managed to convince them to take a trip to the mountains. It wasn’t an easy task, but we were successful in convincing them and booked our tickets to Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh.

• What did you do?

As we were with family, hiking to the mountains wasn’t an option since they don’t enjoy hiking much. So, we decided to book a local cab to show us around the area. The cab driver took us to all the famous tourist attractions and waterfalls. The weather was quite enthralling, with rain in some parts and sunshine in others. It was unexpected for May. We enjoyed trying the local food and even had a delightful tea by the waterfall.

• Explain why it was unusual.

As we sat by the waterfall, rain and sun alternated unusually. After a while, the sky cleared completely, revealing a stunning rainbow and it felt close enough to touch. But the surprise didn’t end there for us. Another rainbow appeared above the first, creating a double rainbow right before our eyes. It was so close, it felt like we could reach out and grab it. It felt like someone had painted over there with colors. This was a sight we’ll never forget.

Describe an Unusual Holiday You Had – IELTS Cue Card Sample Answer 3

• What holiday was it?

It was Dev Deepawali, also known as the Festival of Lights. While Diwali is a widely celebrated Indian festival, Dev Deepawali is lesser known than Deepawali. It Occurs approximately fifteen days after Diwali, the main festivities take place in Varanasi, India. Lakhs (hundreds of thousands) of people gather to celebrate, creating a spectacular sight as countless diyas (oil lamps) illuminate the holy Ganges River.

• Who were you with?

So, every year, my cousins and I watched videos of Dev Deepawali. We were very eager to go and participate in the festival. Since it was a holiday, we got permission from our parents. Then we packed our bags and left for Varanasi, which is very close to our home.

• What did you do?

We arrived in Varanasi the day before the festival, eager to explore its streets. The excitement grew as the festival day dawned. Having booked a boat ride a day earlier, we arrived three hours before the celebration to avoid the massive crowds and jammed roads. We enjoyed some tea while waiting and then boarded our boat. The four-hour boat ride was a spectacular display of fire shows, light shows illuminating the ghats, and thousands of diyas floating on the water. All the boats were adorned with beautiful flowers and lights. Not a moment passed without us being captivated by the sights. We even participated in the tradition by floating flowers and diyas on the holy Ganges River.

• Explain why it was unusual

It was unlike any Diwali we’d ever celebrated. Diwali is always a festival of lights at home, but here, the lights danced on the river, their reflections creating a mesmerizing spectacle. Millions of diyas (oil lamps) floating together – a sight I never thought I’d witness! The light show was spectacular, and the joyous atmosphere was contagious. Everyone was singing, dancing, and floating diyas – pure celebration! I’d never seen so many boats gathered on a river before. It was an experience everyone should have.

Vocabulary You Can Use to Answer IELTS Speaking Part 2 Questions on Describe an Unusual Holiday You Had

• Joyful Mess
  Meaning: An event that might be a little chaotic but ultimately positive and fun.
  Example: Flour-dusted aprons and delighted faces marked a joyful mess in the cooking class.

• Bustling
  Meaning: It means full of lively energy or activity.
  Example: The city streets were bustling with crowds at the festival.

• Pleasant
  Meaning: It means enjoyable or agreeable to the senses or mind.
  Example: The weather was very pleasant there.

• Enthralling
  Meaning: That captures and holds your attention completely
  Example: The book was so enthralling that I finished it in one day.

• Alternative
  Meaning: It means to happen or be done in turns.
  Example: You both will do the cleaning on alternative days.

• Spectacular
  Meaning: It means something is very impressive or beautiful in a noticeable way.
  Example: The fireworks were spectacular that day with vibrant colors and lights.

• Illuminating
  Meaning: It refers to providing light or making something brighter.
  Example: The candle illuminated the dark room.

Describe an Unusual Holiday You Had – IELTS Part 3 Follow-Up Questions

• Would you recommend your holiday to others? Why or why not?

I would absolutely recommend my holiday to others. After all, life is all about new experiences. We all get exhausted by our daily routines, and a vacation is the perfect way to recharge. Immersing yourself in different cultures, meeting people from various regions, and encountering the unexpected all contribute to a greater appreciation for life. It’s a chance to rediscover the joy in everyday moments and return to work feeling refreshed and inspired.

• What was the most interesting part of your holida

The most interesting part of my holiday was all the unplanned surprises. Seeing a rainbow instilled a deep sense of gratitude for life’s beauty and the wonders of nature. Reaching the destination is certainly enjoyable, but it’s the unplanned encounters and discoveries on the way that truly become unforgettable memories.

•  How do unusual holidays contribute to personal growth and understanding of different cultures?

Planned trips are great, but sometimes unexpected vacations turn into great lessons about how to be strong and appreciate what we have. Traveling or unusual holidays can throw you into tricky situations, like dealing with big crowds or getting lost without a phone network. These moments don’t just make you braver, they also prepare you to handle whatever comes your way later. Experiencing different cultures while traveling is one of the most enriching experiences you can have. It opens your eyes to the vastness of the world, and the multitude of cultures and festivals that exist, and allows you to participate and gain a deeper understanding of the people who celebrate them.

• How do you describe a holiday?

For me, holidays are a time of peace, a chance to escape the daily grind and express gratitude for life’s blessings, for what I have. It is a time to recharge and get ready to return to work. They also provide an opportunity to reconnect with the lives of my loved ones, deepen my understanding of them, and, most importantly, meet strangers and share their stories.

•  In what ways did an unusual holiday challenge your expectations or perceptions about travel?

Travel often conjures images of escape and tranquility, but unexpected events can be blessings in disguise. While positive experiences spark joy and gratitude, negative encounters can make us question the value of travel. Getting sick or facing transportation issues can certainly dampen our spirits. However, even in these moments, a helping hand often emerges – be it from kind strangers or our travel companions. This inherent human connection reminds us that even in darkness, there’s always a light. Ultimately, unexpected holidays offer a bittersweet mix of experiences, shaping us into more resilient and adaptable travelers.

Vocabulary You Can Use to Answer IELTS Speaking Part 3 Questions on Describe an Unusual Holiday You Had

• Exhausted
  Meaning: It means super tired, with no energy left, both physically and mentally.
  Example: I was exhausted after working all day.
  

• Immersing
  Meaning: It means surrounding yourself completely in something.
  Example: I was immersed in that book and didn’t hear you come in.
  

• Instilled
  Meaning: To gradually introduce an idea, attitude, or value into someone’s mind.
  Example: The coach instilled a sense of teamwork in his players
  

• Vastness
  Meaning: It refers to the immense size or amount of something.
  Example: The vastness of the internet offers endless information.

• Daily Grind
  Meaning: It refers to the routine and repetitive tasks of every day.
  Example: I can’t wait to go on a holiday to escape this daily grind.

• Conjure
  Meaning: Causing someone to remember or think about something.
  Example: The scent of her mother’s perfume conjured up memories of her childhood.
  

• Disguise
  Meaning: It refers to something used to hide someone’s identity or appearance.
  Example: He disguised his voice to avoid being recognized.

We believe the IELTS cue card topic ‘Describe an Unusual Holiday You Had,’ along with the sample answers, would be immensely valuable in your preparation for the Speaking test. Refine your vocabulary and speaking style and achieve a Band 8+ score on the IELTS Speaking test.

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