Describe your favourite food at a traditional festival or a special event in your country IELTS Cue Card
IELTS CUE CARD TOPIC
Describe your favourite food at a traditional festival or a special event in your country
You should say:
What it is
At which festival/event you eat it
How it is made
And explain why you like it
Sample Answer
I’m a big foodie, and one dish I absolutely adore, especially during festivals, is paneer tikka. As someone who enjoys trying different foods, paneer tikka has always stood out for me. Its unique blend of spices and textures never fails to make my taste buds dance! This dish has been a staple in my family during special events, and I look forward to it every year.
Paneer tikka is particularly popular during Diwali, the festival of lights. Diwali is a time for family, celebration, and delicious food, and paneer tikka always has a place on the table. The dish is made by marinating cubes of paneer, which is Indian cottage cheese, in a spiced yogurt mixture, and then grilling them until they are perfectly golden and slightly charred.
The preparation starts with mixing yogurt, spices like cumin, turmeric, coriander, and chili powder, along with ginger and garlic paste. The paneer is soaked in this marinade for a few hours to ensure it absorbs all the rich flavors. After that, the paneer is either grilled in a tandoor or on a stovetop until it develops a slightly smoky flavor, which adds to its appeal.
What I love most about paneer tikka is how it manages to be both light and flavorful. It has a soft, creamy texture on the inside but a crispy, spiced coating on the outside. The contrast of textures and the delicious combination of spices make it irresistible. Plus, making paneer tikka during Diwali has become a family tradition, which makes the dish even more special to me.
Describe your favourite food at a traditional festival or a special event in your country IELTS Cue Card
Follow up
1. Is it valuable for people to look at their phones during a meal?
Answer – No, it’s better to avoid looking at phones during a meal, especially during special occasions. Meals are a time for connection and conversation, and phones can be a distraction from that.
2. Why do people like to have a big meal at traditional festivals or significant events?
Answer – Big meals are often a way to celebrate abundance and joy. Festivals and events are times for people to come together, and sharing a meal is a way to strengthen family bonds and enjoy the moment.
3. Do most people prefer vegetables from the supermarket or grown at home?
Answer – Many people prefer vegetables grown at home because they believe they are fresher and healthier. However, for convenience, most people still buy from supermarkets, especially in urban areas.
4. Are there any difficulties when people grow plants in cities?
Answer – Yes, growing plants in cities can be tough due to limited space and lack of sunlight. People living in apartments may not have access to gardens, making it harder to grow plants.
5. What plants can people grow in cities?
Answer – In cities, people can grow herbs like basil, mint, and coriander, and small vegetables such as tomatoes and chilies in pots or containers on balconies or windowsills.
6. Do people in your country grow plants at home?
Answer – Yes, many people in my country enjoy growing herbs or small vegetable gardens at home. It’s a fun and rewarding hobby that also provides fresh ingredients for cooking.
Vocabulary, Idioms, and Phrases
Taste buds dance – A fun way to describe when something tastes amazing. “The unique blend of spices in paneer tikka always makes my taste buds dance.”
Staple – A basic or essential part of something. “Paneer tikka is a staple during Diwali in my family.”
Absorbs the flavors – To take in the tastes of the ingredients. “The paneer absorbs all the rich flavors from the marinade.”
Perfectly golden – A way to describe food that is cooked just right. “The paneer is grilled until it is perfectly golden and slightly charred.”
Look forward to – To feel excited about something that is going to happen. “I always look forward to having paneer tikka during the festival season.”
Smoky flavor – A taste that comes from grilling or cooking over a fire. “The paneer develops a slightly smoky flavor after being grilled.”