Describe a Holiday Postcard or Email You Received and that You Liked - IELTS Speaking Actual Test

Receiving a holiday postcard or email is a simple yet meaningful experience that reflects personal relationships and shared memories. The IELTS Speaking topic ‘Describe a holiday postcard or email you received and that you liked’, one of the recent IELTS topics in IELTS Speaking tests, evaluates your ability to describe communication, express emotions, and explain why something was memorable or touching. 

Thus, in this blog, we have included some Part 1 questions along with three high-scoring sample answers for ‘Describe a Holiday Postcard or Email You Received and that You Liked’ to assist you on how to answer IELTS Speaking Part 2. You can prepare for similar topics with this, along with some relevant Part 3 questions and answers, and a selection of helpful work-related vocabulary.

IELTS Speaking Part 1: Common Questions & Band 8+ Answers

'Communication' is a recurring subject in IELTS Speaking Part 1, but questions aren't always topic-specific from the examiner. 

Below, you will find a list of common questions to help you prepare. They will show you how to practice for IELTS Speaking Part 1, speak with self-assurance, and employ a rich vocabulary.

1 What is your full name?

Well, I am Aniket Ghosh.

2 Can I see your ID?

Of course. Here it is.

3 Where are you from?

I am from Bangalore. It is the capital city of Karnataka. It is widely famous for its tech industry and advancements in that field. It is also famous for its natural parks, botanical Garden and sanctuaries.

4 Do you work or study?

At present, I am a GATE aspirant. I am in my final year and simultaneously preparing for it. I mainly study the subjects like aptitude, coding, computer organisation and several other subjects. I got a few job offers but I want to pursue M.Tech.I have good grades so far and i am expecting to continue it.

5 Do you like flowers ? (Why?)

Yes, I do like flowers. As an introvert, sometimes, I find myself feeling peaceful and relaxed while enjoying nice flowers in my garden. I have a habit of taking pictures of flowers after the rain. I feel most at peace spending chunks of good-time on my own, in relative silence, contemplating the beauty of flowers with raindrops through my camera lens.

6 What is your favorite flower?

White roses are truly my favorite flower. They are traditionally associated with marriages and new beginnings. However, their beauty has also made them a gesture of remembrance. Therefore, a bouquet of white roses is a perfect way to say “I’m thinking of you”.

7 Do you think flowers are important?

For an introvert like me, enjoying the harmonization of various types of flowers with different gorgeous colors in the garden or in florist shops could brighten up my days and lift my spirits.

8 Do you write every day?

I love writing I must say. Writing helps me stay focused and organize things way more effectively. In the classes I always have my pen and notebook ready to take some notes and when going out I type my notes on the phone.

9 What do you usually write?

Mostly I like to write notes in class since it helps me concentrate on the lectures. Written notes are also good reference for exams. Besides, I often write to-do list so that I make use of my time. I also make lists of stuffs I need to buy before I go shopping or things I need to pack before any trips.

10 Do you usually write by hand or write using a computer?

With the advent of technology, the most common means of daily communication nowadays is typing. Personally, I prefer typing email due to high standardization. However, if it’s a letter, a card or postcards to relatives or friends, I’d love to send them a handwritten form to show my respect and love.

Describe a Holiday Postcard or Email You Received and that You Liked IELTS Speaking Part 2 Question & Sample Answers

In IELTS Speaking Part 2, you are allotted exactly one minute for preparation before speaking on the given cue card topic. It may be challenging for you to frame your Band 8+ answer if you are not prepared on how to prepare a cue card for IELTS Speaking.

So, explore the sample answers to ‘Describe a Holiday Postcard or Email You Received and that You Liked’ cue card that will help you score better in IELTS Speaking Part 2.

Describe a Holiday Postcard or Email You Received and that You Liked - Sample Answer 1

To tell you the truth, my friends and relatives are actually not used to sending postcards, yet all of a sudden a friend of mine who’s living thousands miles from me made me almost burst into tears by sending me a beautiful handwritten postcards on my last birthday.

Similarly to other normal postcards, it has a photo in the front and some writing lines at the back. However, my friend knew me so well that the photo she picked was a night sky full of stars. She said I once told her I had never had a chance to to watch the real one, which made me completely taken aback for a while because even I didn’t remember that I said so. What a breathtaking photo I’ve ever seen. At the back is her handwriting with special birthday wishes for me and a promise to see each other again real soon.

It was such a huge surprise for me, to be honest. Since we were living in different countries, different time zones prevent us from chatting as often as before. I thought she would just give me a call or text me a message on my birthday, but a postcard was sent instead. Later that day I called to thank her and we had a long conversation after months. I brought the postcard with me when I returned home on holiday to keep it safe in my memory box under my bed. I’m so thankful for having such a good friend.

Describe a Holiday Postcard or Email You Received and that You Liked - Sample Answer 2

One holiday message I truly appreciated was an email from my close friend who was visiting Japan last year. She sent it while exploring Kyoto during the cherry blossom season, which is considered one of the most picturesque times of the year.

I received the email late in the evening, and it was surprisingly detailed and expressive. She vividly described walking through streets lined with blooming cherry trees, visiting ancient temples, and experiencing traditional tea ceremonies. The email also included photos capturing delicate pink blossoms drifting in the wind. She wrote about how peaceful and almost surreal the atmosphere felt.

I liked this email because it was incredibly descriptive and emotionally engaging. Her writing was so vivid that I could visualise the scenery effortlessly. It also reflected her excitement and gratitude, which made the message feel genuine and heartfelt. More importantly, it inspired me to add Japan to my own travel wishlist, which shows how impactful her message was.

Vocabulary You Can Use For IELTS Speaking Part 2 Questions on Describe a Holiday Postcard or Email You Received and that You Liked

Given below is the list of words related to the topic, Describe a Holiday Postcard or Email You Received and that You Liked IELTS cue card, that will expand your latest IELTS Speaking vocabulary to boost your score.

Describe a Holiday Postcard or Email You Received and that You Liked IELTS Speaking Part 3 Question & Sample Answers

In IELTS Speaking Part 3, the examiner expands the discussion to broader ideas related to communication, travel messages, and personal connections. These questions test your ability to express opinions, compare trends, and discuss social changes.

So, let us explore some Part 3 questions related to letters and email, and the cue card, Describe a Holiday Postcard or Email You Received and that You Liked.

1 What are the differences between emails and handwritten letters?

The basic difference between an email and a handwritten letter is the medium. A letter is written on an actual paper and sent through the mail (post) while an electronic mail is typed on a device (can be a computer or a smartphone) and sent to the recipient. Nowadays, emails have become the most popular means of communication for business organizations and individuals because of its speed. However, there’s still some place for traditional handwritten letters in the tech-oriented world.

2 Will hand-written letters become obsolete in the future? Why?

I don’t think so. The written word will never become obsolete as it has many advantages. It is easy to write in a paper. And no matter how much we have moved towards digital technology, a good handwritten note will save a day.

3 Why should we write letters to friends and relatives?

We should write letters to our friends and families because a thoughtful letter can be treasured forever. It also confirms the importance of a relationship. Taking the time to send a thoughtful note to your loved ones shows how much you cherish a relationship.

4 What are the important qualities of a good letter?

A hand-written letter is written with love which has certain objectives. The effectiveness of a letter depends upon certain factors like clarity, correctness, completeness, attractiveness, courtesy, conciseness, creativeness, and coherence.

Vocabulary You Can Use For IELTS Speaking Part 3 Questions on Describe a Holiday Postcard or Email You Received and that You Liked

Let’s explore a list of IELTS vocabulary that has been used in the above sample answers.

• Effective: successful or achieving the results that you want
  Eg: Paracetamol is an effective medicine for a headache.
• Obsolete: something which is no longer in use or no longer useful
  Eg: Most factories in the village are obsolete.
• Treasure: keep carefully (a valuable or valued item).
  Eg: I treasured the ring given by my mother.
• Clarity: the quality of being clear and easy to understand, see, or hear
  Eg: The essays written by Rose were edited for clarity.
• Conciseness: the condition of being short
  Eg: When writing business letters, clearness and conciseness should be given the utmost attention.

In conclusion, cue cards like ‘describe a holiday postcard or email’ is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate narrative clarity, emotional expression, and descriptive vocabulary in IELTS Speaking. You can transform a simple message into a compelling Band 8+ speaking answer by focusing on emotional impact, vivid imagery, and meaningful connection. 

Useful Links:

• Describe an important letter or email you wrote – IELTS Cue Card Sample Answers
• Important Letter: IELTS Speaking Practice Test 
• Describe a Dinner You Really Enjoyed - IELTS Speaking Part 2 & 3
• IELTS Speaking Topic – Family: Cue Cards, Vocabulary & Band 8+ Tips
• Common Mistakes to Avoid in the IELTS Speaking Test
• How to Organize Your Responses on the IELTS Speaking Exam?