Of course! Talking about "public holidays" is a very common and high-scoring topic in IELTS Speaking Part 1 and Part 3. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you structure your answers, use advanced vocabulary, and sound natural.

Why is this a good topic for IELTS?

• Relatable: Everyone has holidays, so it's easy to talk about.
• Personal: You can easily share your own experiences and feelings.
• Opportunity for Vocabulary: It allows you to use a range of vocabulary related to time, culture, traditions, and feelings.
• Opportunity for Grammar: You can use a variety of tenses (past, present, future, conditional) and complex sentence structures.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases (高分词汇与短语)

Using a mix of common and less common words will boost your score for Lexical Resource.

Types of Holidays:

• Public holiday / Bank holiday (公共假日/银行假日) - UK English
• Federal holiday (联邦假日) - US English
• National holiday (国家法定假日)
• Statutory holiday (法定假日)
• Long weekend (小长假) - e.g., a three-day weekend
• Day off (休息日)
• Vacation / Holiday (假期 - for longer periods)

Verbs to Use:

• Celebrate (庆祝)
• Commemorate (纪念)
• Observe (遵守/过某个节) - e.g., "We observe the Mid-Autumn Festival."
• Take time off work/school (休假)
• Relax and unwind (放松)
• Spend time with family/friends (与家人朋友共度时光)
• Travel (旅行)
• Have a day off (放假一天)

Nouns & Adjectives:

• Tradition / Tradition (传统)
• Custom / Customs (习俗)
• Culture / Cultural (文化)
• Significance / Significant (意义/重要的)
• Festive atmosphere (节日气氛)
• Family reunion (家庭团聚)
• Leisure time (休闲时间)
• A much-needed break (一次急需的休息)
• Meaningful (有意义的)
• Joyful (快乐的)
• Somber / Solemn (严肃的/庄重的) - for holidays like Remembrance Day

Sample Answers for Different Parts

Here are sample answers for different levels (Band 5-6, Band 7-8, Band 9) to give you a clear idea of the progression.

Part 1: Questions & Answers

Q1: What public holidays do you have in your country?

• Band 5-6 Answer:

  "We have many public holidays in China. For example, we have National Day on October 1st, and Spring Festival, which is the most important holiday for us. We also have Labor Day on May 1st." (Simple sentences, basic vocabulary, answers the question directly but lacks detail.)

  

  （图片来源网络，侵删）

• Band 7-8 Answer:

  "Well, China has quite a number of public holidays throughout the year. The most significant one, without a doubt, is the Spring Festival, or Chinese New Year. It's a time for family reunions. Then there's National Day on October 1st, which commemorates the founding of the People's Republic of China. We also have several other holidays like the Mid-Autumn Festival and Dragon Boat Festival, which are more traditional and cultural." (Uses a range of vocabulary like "significant," "without a doubt," "commemorates." Uses linking words like "then" and "also." Provides more context.)

• Band 9 Answer:

  "The calendar in China is dotted with a rich variety of public holidays. Arguably, the most culturally significant is the Spring Festival, a multi-day celebration centered around family reunions and traditions. Then there's National Day on October 1st, which marks a pivotal moment in modern Chinese history and is often marked by grand celebrations. We also have traditional holidays like the Mid-Autumn Festival, which is all about family togetherness and moon-gazing, and the Dragon Boat Festival, which has fascinating historical roots." (Uses sophisticated vocabulary like "dotted with," "culturally significant," "pivotal moment," "moon-gazing." Uses complex sentences and idiomatic expressions.)

Q2: Is there a public holiday you particularly enjoy? Why?

• Band 5-6 Answer:

  "Yes, I like Spring Festival very much. I can get a week off. I eat delicious food and see my family. It's very happy." (Simple, repetitive structures. Vocabulary is basic.)

• Band 7-8 Answer:

  "Yes, definitely. My favorite public holiday is the Mid-Autumn Festival. I love it because it's a wonderful opportunity to spend quality time with my family. We usually have a big dinner together, and in the evening, we gather in our courtyard to admire the full moon and eat mooncakes. It's a very peaceful and heartwarming tradition that I really look forward to every year." (Good use of vocabulary like "quality time," "admire the full moon," "heartwarming." Explains the "why" with specific details.)

• Band 9 Answer:

  "Absolutely. While I enjoy the festive atmosphere of the Spring Festival, the Mid-Autumn Festival holds a special place in my heart. I'm particularly drawn to its emphasis on family harmony and tranquility. It's a time when the hustle and bustle of daily life slows down. The act of simply sitting with my loved ones, sharing stories under the luminous full moon, and savoring sweet mooncakes is incredibly meaningful. It's a beautiful reminder to appreciate the simple things and cherish family bonds." (Uses advanced structures like "While I enjoy...". Vocabulary is precise and evocative ("hustle and bustle," "luminous full moon," "cherish family bonds"). The answer is reflective and personal.)

Q3: How do people usually celebrate public holidays in your country?

• Band 5-6 Answer:

  "People celebrate in different ways. Some people travel. Some people stay at home with family. They eat good food and watch TV." (Very general and lacks specific examples.)

• Band 7-8 Answer:

  "Celebrations really depend on the specific holiday. For major holidays like Spring Festival, people often travel back to their hometowns for a big family reunion. There's a lot of eating, traditional gift-giving, and watching the annual Spring Festival Gala on TV. For holidays like National Day, many people choose to travel domestically or take a short break, and you'll see a lot of national flags displayed in public." (Shows understanding that holidays are different. Provides specific examples for different types of holidays.)

• Band 9 Answer:

  "The way people celebrate public holidays in China is quite diverse and often deeply rooted in tradition. For instance, Spring Festival is characterized by a mass migration of people returning to their ancestral homes, embodying the cultural value of filial piety and family unity. The celebration involves a flurry of activities like cleaning the house, putting up red decorations, and setting off fireworks. In contrast, more modern holidays like National Day might see people engaging in patriotic activities, such as visiting historical museums or simply enjoying a day off, often with a trip to a tourist destination. So, you have this fascinating blend of ancient customs and contemporary leisure pursuits." (Demonstrates a high level of analysis by contrasting different types of holidays. Uses sophisticated vocabulary like "mass migration," "ancestral homes," "filial piety," "flurry of activities," and "contemporary leisure pursuits.")

Part 3 Discussion & Extension Questions

In Part 3, the examiner will ask more abstract and opinion-based questions.

Q: Do you think public holidays are important for society?

• How to approach: Give a balanced answer. Yes, they are important for... (social cohesion, mental health, culture). But, maybe there are downsides (e.g., economic disruption, overcrowding).

• Sample Answer (Band 8+):

  "I believe public holidays play a crucial and multifaceted role in modern society. Firstly, they are vital for social cohesion. By commemorating shared history or cultural values, they foster a sense of national identity and community spirit. Secondly, they provide a much-needed respite from the relentless pace of work and study. This downtime is essential for mental well-being, allowing people to recharge and return to their duties with renewed focus. However, I suppose there can be downsides, like the strain on public transport and tourist hotspots during peak travel times. But overall, I think the benefits to individual happiness and collective spirit far outweigh these logistical challenges."

**Q: Do you think the number of public