IELTS Speaking Part 2: Describe a foreign country or culture you would like to know more about
You should say:
- what country or culture
- where it is
- how you know about it
- and explain why you would like to know more about it.
Sample Answer
I love travelling. Meeting new people rejuvenates the mind and the soul. And I consider myself blessed to have itchy feet. I’ve been to some countries like the UK and Canada, but there is one place which I long to see. It is Japan.
(what country or culture) (where it is) (how you know about it) Japan is an island country situated in the east of Asia. It is quite a small country but has a rich history. From the moment I read about the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bomb blasts in my history classes, I’m hankering to see this place. It is a motivational story of how they regained their status in the world by rising from the ruins.
(and explain why you would like to know more about it) I’ve also read some books on the culture of Japanese people. It was fascinating. I’ve heard that they are busy people and sometimes called workaholics. Also, it is a place which is susceptible to many volcano attacks and earthquakes. It is a mystery how they manage to live amongst these constant hurdles from nature. I want to meet those people and learn about their lifestyle and working methodologies. They celebrate a flower festival called Ikebana which is spellbinding. They also celebrate the tea ceremony every season, which is one of the most riveting aspects of their culture. In fact, one of my friends who had been there got a couple of tea chocolates which tasted bitter and fueled my desire to go there. There are no extreme summers or winters, which makes it an ideal place to live. But all these are, knowledge I gathered from books and friends. So I want to go there in person and enjoy the place.
Vocabulary for IELTS Speaking Part 2
Itchy feet (idiom) – To want to travel or to do something new.
Eg: I think Tom’s grandfather has itchy feet. He has gone on a world tour but still wants to go somewhere.
Hankering ( adj ) – a strong desire to have or do something.
Eg: He was hankering for a cup of tea.
susceptible (adj) – likely or liable to be influenced or harmed by a particular thing.
Eg: She was susceptible to cold.
spellbinding (adj) – holding one’s attention completely as though by magic; fascinating.
Eg: The magic show was spellbinding riveting (adj) – completely engrossing; compelling.
Eg: Keats’ poems are riveting.
IELTS Speaking Part 3 Topic & Questions (Discussion)
What do you think is the best way to learn about a foreign (country or) culture?
(Give a direct answer to the question) (Explain your reason or reasons) Books and the internet are the best sources of information. Be it language, culture, food, music or places to visit; they are generous in providing data. But, it is through interacting with a foreigner that one learns best about their culture. Interaction opens doors to unexplored pathways. It can unlock interesting facts about the other person, their approach to different things etc.
What do you think are some of the main problems people face when they work in a foreign country?
(Give a direct answer to the question) (Explain your reason or reasons) People face great challenges in getting the food they want. In most cases, people adapt themselves to the food of the foreign land. Also, there may be variations in the way they work. (Give an example) For example, Westerners enjoy the weekends compulsorily whereas Japanese may work all through the week to finish a project. Timelines for a project may vary based on the work culture. So if a person is accustomed to the western way of working, he may find it difficult to work on weekends.
Some people say that reading a book about another country or culture is the best way to learn about it. Do you agree?
(Give a direct answer to the question) (Explain your reason or reasons) Books are undeniably one of the best providers of knowledge. But with the advent of the internet, where you can start interacting with a foreigner in no time, people no longer read books. Also, when searching for a particular country, the internet displays pictures of the foreign land, its people, mode of travel, places to stay and must-see places. One may have to buy separate books for gaining information about each of these. Also, not all information on the internet can be found in books.
Vocabulary for IELTS Speaking Part 3 (Discussion)
Generous (adj) – showing a readiness to give more of something, especially money, than is strictly necessary or expected.
Eg: He was a generous man.
unexplored ( adj ) – (of a country or area) not investigated or mapped; not evaluated or discussed in detail.
Eg: The “ABC Tourism” contains details on unexplored areas of China.
adapt(verb) – become adjusted to new conditions.
Eg: The father adapted himself to the son’s ways of living.
Accustom (verb) – be used to.
Eg: Sita was accustomed to working late hours undeniably (adj) – unable to be denied or disputed.
Eg: It is undeniable that Ram was innocent.
