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In this free IELTS Speaking lesson on the topic of Celebrations, you will learn how to talk about different kinds of events that we celebrate and how you celebrate them.
Table of Contents
Events we celebrate
We celebrate many different types of events, some are universal and some are particular to one country.
Here are some of the common events we celebrate in the UK.
Birthdays
- We especially celebrate the following birthdays, as they are seen as milestones in our lives: 1, 18, 21, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80.
- 1 year old is a chance for parents to celebrate the fact they have made it through the first 365 days!
- Both18 years old and 21 years old are seen as coming of age (=become an adult).
- The latter is probably a bigger event with family and friends, whereas the former might just be a party with friends.
- In English is says, “Life begins at 40!”, once the kids have flown the nest (=left home) and the parents can begin a kind of second life.
Wedding anniversaries
- Almost every anniversary year has a special gift that you should buy your partner.
- For example the first year you should buy something made of paper.
Find out more about gifts for different wedding anniversaries.
More events to celebrate
Passing exams
New born baby
Graduation
Getting a promotion
Religious festivals
IELTS Speaking vocabulary: Celebrations
How do we celebrate?
Here are some useful phrases you can use to answer this question
We like to crack open a bottle of champagne
- Champagne
- Bubbly
- Cava
- Sparkling white wine
We usually have a party
We tend to throw a party for family and friends
We go out for a slap up meal = a big, fancy meal
We celebrate by ________
We celebrate by going out for dinner
We celebrate by buying each other presents
In our house, it’s a family tradition that the birthday boy / girl has to wear red
In our house, it’s a family tradition to open any presents before eating.
In my country, traditionally we give money in an envelope
- We have a family gathering
- The family gets together
- We have a get-together with family and friends
IELTS discussion: Are celebrations a waste of money?
YES
- Some celebrations have become over-commercialised / highly commercialised
- We neglect (=pay no attention to) the real meaning behind the celebration
- Many families splurge out on (=spend a lot of money on) parties, like wedding parties, when they can’t really afford it.
- There is too much showing off, and the real meaning of the event is lost.
NO
- That said, it’s a great chance to relax and catch up with extended family and friends
- It gives us a break from the mundane routine
- These are special days, once in a lifetime events, that we should spend a lot of money on.
IELTS Speaking idioms about celebrations
The following all means to have a good time:
- We had a ball at my sister’s wedding, it was so much fun!
- I usually have a whale of a time at Christmas
- I had the time of my life last week when we celebrated my birthday
Here are some more useful idioms you could use when discussing this topic.
- We went out and painted the town red when we celebrated Jack’s birthday! = to go to a lot of bars, restaurants, pubs and had a great time.
- A stag night = a party for a man about to be married
- A hen night = a party for a woman about to be married
- I like to let my hair down = to relax and enjoy myself
More Free Lessons
If you liked this lesson, leave a comment below!
There are more lessons you can follow in the links below too.
BUSINESS in IELTS Speaking. Useful vocabulary and idioms to express yourself when talking about Business.
HOLIDAYS in IELTS Speaking. Discover the 10 things the British do on holiday and learn the useful vocabulary and idioms to talk about it.
MONEY PHONES in IELTS Speaking. Learn how to talk about earning, saving and spending money.