Describe A Memorable Holiday You Have Had IELTS Cue Card

Get ready to practice the “Describe A Memorable Holiday You Have Had” IELTS cue card with 3 model answers, useful vocabulary and IELTS Speaking Part 3 follow-up questions. Use these sample answers to practice the topic, build your speaking confidence and work towards a higher IELTS band score.

Describe A Memorable Holiday You Have Had- Band 8

Where Did You Go?

The most memorable holiday I had was my summer vacation when I was in 5th grade. That year, several of my cousins came to stay at our house for the summer, and there were around six of us. We also attended VBS (Vacation Bible School) at our church during the vacation. 

After the classes ended, we went on a trip to Yercaud Hills, which made the holiday even more special.

Tips: Clearly mention when the holiday happened and where you went. Give a little background about the holiday, such as who you travelled with or what the occasion was.

What Was This Place Like?

Yercaud was a nice place to visit, especially because there were several things for us to do. We went to a park and a rose garden, went boating and visited the Shevaroy Temple. Since we were children, we were mostly excited about spending time together and trying out different activities rather than simply sightseeing.

Tips: Mention what you noticed about the place, such as its surroundings, atmosphere, weather or attractions. Connect the description to your own experience to make the answer more personal.

What Did You Do?

We spent most of our holiday attending the VBS. Every year, I used to look forward to them because there would be many children around my age. We learnt Bible stories, acted in small dramas and learnt Bible rhymes. 

There were also riddles, games and dances, along with snacks during the breaks. After ten days, we had a farewell function for that year's batch, followed by our trip to Yercaud.

Tip: Avoid simply listing activities; briefly explain what you enjoyed about them.

Why Was It The Best Holiday/Vacation You Have Had?

It was the best holiday because I got to spend so much time with my favourite bunch of cousins. We normally didn’t get to stay together for such a long time, so having them at home made the whole vacation more enjoyable. I also got to spend time with my friends at VBS, and the trip at the end was an added bonus. I still remember that summer because it was simply a fun time with people I really enjoyed being around.

Tip: Explain what made this holiday different from your other holidays. Focus on the personal reason you remember it. End by clearly connecting that reason to why the holiday was memorable or the best one you have had.

Describe A Memorable Holiday You Have Had- Band 8

Where Did You Go?

The most memorable holiday I have had was during the semester holiday of my sixth semester of engineering. My friend and I got an opportunity to do a one-month internship at L&T in Chennai, so we decided to stay there for the whole month. We rented a small one-bedroom house and lived there on our own.

What Was This Place Like?

Life in chennai was completely different from what I was used to. I had always been a day scholar at school and college, so I had never really stayed away from home. My parents were also quite strict, so I didn't get many opportunities to go out on my own. Staying in Chennai gave me a sense of freedom that I hadn't experienced before.

What Did You Do?

Before leaving Chennai, I made a small bucket list of things I wanted to do. I watched a sunrise, tried different kinds of food and desserts, went to night shows at the theatre and had a few night outs with my friend. We also visited places like Vandalur Zoo, the lighthouse, an eco park, Wonderla, St. Thomas Mount and a few other popular spots in the city.

Another thing I enjoyed was living on my own. Since we were staying in a rented house, I had to take care of little things myself instead of depending on my parents. I learnt to manage my time, take care of my daily work and make small decisions on my own.

Why Was It The Best Holiday/Vacation You Have Had?

I would say it was the best holiday I had because it was the first time I had experienced that kind of independence. I was away from home, living with a friend and exploring a new city on my own. I also got to do things that I had wanted to try for a long time. It was only one month, but I learnt a little about managing life by myself, so it became a memorable holiday.

Describe A Memorable Holiday You Have Had- Band 7

Where Did You Go?

The most memorable holiday I have had was my Christmas holiday in 2019, when I was in 8th grade. I went to Mumbai with my family and stayed at my cousin’s house in Wadala for about a week, from Christmas until New Year.

What Was This Place Like?

Mumbai was a completely new experience for me because I had always wanted to explore the city with my cousin. We had talked about visiting Mumbai during every vacation, but somehow it never happened. So, when we finally got the chance, we were really excited.

What Did You Do?

During that week, we explored quite a few places. We visited the Five gardens, went shopping in Kurla and Dadar, and visited Mahim Church and Haji Ali. We also went to the Nehru planetarium and an aquarium near Juhu Beach. 

One of my favourite moments was visiting the Gateway of India, because I had seen it in pictures before but had never imagined I would actually be standing there. My cousin and I even bought matching outfits, which made the trip more special. She also introduced me to some really tasty Mumbai chaats and snacks, which I still remember.

Why Was It The Best Holiday/Vacation You Have Had?

I think it was the best holiday I had because it was something my cousin and I had wanted to do for a long time. We got to explore a new city together, try different food and simply spend time with each other. It felt like a dream come true, especially because it happened during Christmas and New Year. Even though it was only one week, it gave me so many memories that I still remember clearly.

Vocabulary for Describe A Memorable Holiday You Have Had- IELTS Speaking Cue Card

Words/Phrases	Meaning	Example
Day scholar	A student who attends school or college but lives at home	I had always been a day scholar, so staying away from home was new for me.
VBS (Vacation Bible School)	A holiday programme at a church where children learn Bible stories and take part in activities	We attended VBS during our summer vacation.
Aquarium	A place where fish and other aquatic animals are kept and displayed	We visited an aquarium near Juhu Beach during our holiday.
Planetarium	A place where shows about stars, planets and space are presented	We visited a planetarium during our trip to Mumbai.
Explore	To travel around a place and learn about it	We got to explore a new city together.
Bucket list	A list of things you want to do or experience	I made a small bucket list before going to Chennai.
Sense of freedom	A feeling of being free to make your own choices	Staying away from home gave me a sense of freedom.
Dream come true	Something you wanted to happen that finally happens	Visiting Mumbai with my cousin felt like a dream come true.
Added bonus	Something extra that makes an experience better	The trip at the end of the holiday was an added bonus.

Describe A Memorable Holiday You Have Had- IELTS Speaking Part 3 Follow-up Questions

1. Do you think it’s important for people to go on holiday?

Definitely. Holidays are important because they give people a chance to relax and take a break from their usual routine. Travelling can also help people learn about new cultures and spend quality time with family or friends.

2. What are the differences between travelling alone and with others?

Travelling alone gives you more freedom because you can make your own plans and do things the way you want. It can sometimes feel lonely too. Travelling with friends or family gives you company and allows you to share experiences, but you may have to compromise certain things so that everyone is comfortable.

3. What are the benefits of going on holiday?

Going on holiday can help people reduce stress and return to their work or studies feeling refreshed. It can also be a good learning experience, as people may discover new cultures, try unfamiliar activities and learn to handle different situations.

4. Do you think people spend too much money on holidays?

I think some people do spend more than they need to, especially when they choose expensive hotels or visit popular tourist places at peak times. At the same time, a holiday does not have to be expensive. People can enjoy a good trip by planning their budget, dates and choosing affordable options.

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