Of course! "Visit relatives" is a very common and high-frequency topic for IELTS Speaking Part 1. It's a great way to talk about your personal life, family, and habits.

Here’s a complete guide to help you answer questions about this topic, including sample answers, vocabulary, and tips for a higher score.

核心词汇与短语

First, let's build up your vocabulary. Using these words will make your answers sound more natural and sophisticated.

Verbs (动词):

• Visit: 拜访 (最常用)
• Go and see / Drop in on: 顺道拜访 (更口语化，有“顺便”的意思)
• Catch up with: 聊天，叙旧 (强调交流近况)
• Get together with: 聚一聚 (强调团聚的氛围)
• Look forward to: 期待
• Keep in touch with: 保持联系

Nouns (名词):

• Relatives / Family members: 亲戚 / 家人
• Relatives on my mother's/father's side: 我妈妈/爸爸那边的亲戚
• Extended family: 大家族，大家庭 (指除了核心家庭以外的亲戚)
• Gathering / Reunion: 聚会，家庭团聚
• Chit-chat / Small talk: 闲聊，寒暄
• Quality time: 高质量的相处时光
• A sense of belonging: 归属感

Adjectives (形容词):

• Close: 关系亲近的
• Distant: 关系疏远的
• Warm / Heartwarming: 温暖的，暖人心的
• Lively: 活泼的，热闹的
• Awkward: 尴尬的
• Joyful: 充满喜悦的

Part 1: 常见问题与高分回答

Here are the typical questions you might be asked in Part 1, along with sample answers at different levels.

Question 1: How often do you visit your relatives?

Standard Answer (基础版):

"I visit my relatives about once a month. Usually, I visit my grandparents on weekends. We have dinner together and talk."

（图片来源网络，侵删）

Good Answer (进阶版):

"I'd say I try to visit my relatives quite regularly, perhaps once a month or so. My grandparents live in the same city, so it's quite convenient for me to pop over for a weekend lunch. It’s a nice way to break up the routine."

Excellent Answer (高分版):

"I make it a point to visit my relatives fairly frequently, at least once a month. My grandparents are quite close by, so I often drop in on them for a casual meal. I find it's a great way to stay connected and escape the hustle and bustle of city life for a little while."

Question 2: Who do you usually visit?

Standard Answer (基础版):

"I usually visit my grandparents and my aunt and uncle. They are very nice to me."

Good Answer (进阶版):

"Well, I'm quite close to my immediate family, like my parents and my younger brother. But when it comes to visiting relatives, I most often see my maternal grandparents – my mum's parents. They live in the countryside, and I always look forward to those visits."

Excellent Answer (高分版):

"That's a good question. I'm particularly close to my grandparents on my mother's side. They live in a small town about an hour away, and I try to visit them as often as I can. Besides them, I also have a couple of cousins in the city, and we get together for a coffee or a meal every now and then. We all share a great sense of humor, so it's always a lively time."

Question 3: Do you prefer visiting relatives or having them visit you?

Standard Answer (基础版):

"I prefer visiting them. Because I can go to their house and see their life. It's interesting."

Good Answer (进阶版):

"Hmm, I think I prefer visiting them, actually. When I go to their place, I don't have to worry about cleaning the house or preparing food. I can just relax and enjoy their company. It feels more like a proper break for me."

Excellent Answer (高分版):

"That's an interesting point. While having them visit is nice, I personally prefer going to their place. The main reason is that it allows me to step out of my own environment and routine. It feels less like a chore and more like a mini-adventure. Plus, when I'm at their home, I can focus entirely on catching up with them without being distracted by household duties. It creates a more relaxed and genuine atmosphere for us to connect."

Question 4: What do you usually do when you visit relatives?

Standard Answer (基础版):

"We usually eat dinner together and talk. Sometimes we watch TV."

Good Answer (进阶版):

"It really depends on which relatives I'm visiting. When I'm with my grandparents, we often just sit in the living room, sip some tea, and they'll tell me stories about the old days. With my cousins, it's more active – we might go to the movies or play some video games. But the main thing is always having a good chat and catching up on each other's lives."

Excellent Answer (高分版):

"Our activities vary quite a bit depending on the relatives and the occasion. With my elderly relatives, like my grandparents, the pace is much slower. We'll spend hours just chit-chatting over a home-cooked meal, and they love sharing anecdotes from their past. It’s incredibly heartwarming. However, when I get together with my younger cousins, it's a completely different story – we're usually out and about, trying out new cafes, watching the latest blockbuster, or even playing some sports. The common thread, though, is that it's all about quality time and strengthening our family bonds."

Part 2 & Part 3 拓展思路

While "visit relatives" is primarily a Part 1 topic, the ideas can be extended to Part 2 (Cue Card) and Part 3.

Part 2 (Cue Card) 可能的话题:

• Describe a time you visited a relative.

  • You can talk about visiting your grandparents during a holiday (e.g., Chinese New Year).
  • Describe the journey, the house, the food they cooked, the stories they told, and how you felt.
  • Explain why this visit was memorable (e.g., it was the last time you saw them, or you learned something important).

• Describe a family member you are close to.

  • This is closely related. You can talk about how you visit this person often and what you do together.
  • Explain why you are close (shared interests, they give you good advice, etc.).

Part 3 (Follow-up) 可能的深层次问题:

• Why do you think some families live far apart from each other?
  • Reasons: For work/education opportunities, modern lifestyles are more mobile, people pursue their own dreams in different cities or even countries.
• Do you think it's important for families to live close to each other?
  • Pros: Easier to provide support (emotional, financial, practical), stronger family bonds, easier to help with childcare/eldercare.
  • Cons: Can lack privacy, might lead to family conflicts, restricts personal freedom and career choices.
• How has technology changed the way families interact?
  • Positive: Social media, video calls (like Zoom/WeChat) make it easier to "visit" relatives who are far away. You can share photos and updates instantly.
  • Negative: It might replace face-to-face interaction, leading to weaker real-world relationships. Online communication can lack the warmth and depth of in-person conversation.
• What are the differences between visiting relatives in the past and now?
  • Past: Less frequent, often for special occasions (weddings, funerals), more formal, involved more traditional activities.
  • Now: More frequent but often shorter and less formal, more casual (e.g., just for a meal), heavily reliant on cars for transport.

高分技巧总结

1. Use a Range of Vocabulary: Avoid repeating "visit" and "relatives." Use the synonyms we listed above.
2. Give Details and Examples: Don't just say "it was fun." Say why it was fun. "We laughed so much because my uncle told a hilarious story about his pet dog."
3. Show Emotions: Use words like "heartwarming," "joyful," "nostalgic," or "rejuvenating" to describe your feelings. This makes your answer more personal and engaging.
4. Use Connectors: Use words like "however," "moreover," "on the other hand," "for instance" to structure your answers logically, especially in Part 3.
5. Be Natural: The goal is to have a conversation, not