IELTS speaking · Part 3 · Discussion
Theme · Cultural identity, social connection, and changing leisure habits among youthFocus · Compare online entertainment with in-person ritual; qualify yes/no with generational and economic factors.
Let's discuss culture and festivals. Do public festivals still matter to young people?
Typical follow-ups
- How have festivals changed compared with those your parents experienced?
- Should governments fund cultural festivals when budgets are tight?
- Can commercial sponsorship harm the meaning of traditional festivals?
- What role do festivals play in bringing communities together today?
Speaking warm-up
Speak, then sort the highlighted phrases.
Compare: Notice qualified yes/no answers that mention both tradition and how young people actually spend leisure time.
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Identify Examiner Criteria
Yes, they still matter, but often in updated forms — music festivals or street food events rather than only traditional ceremonies. Young people use them to meet friends and feel part of a crowd, which social media cannot fully replace when you want a shared memory in real time.
I would argue public festivals remain relevant when they offer shared experiences and a sense of identity, though attendance depends on cost, safety, and whether events reflect youth culture. Without that fit, festivals become tourist shows that young locals ignore, even when the tradition itself still matters.
For me they still matter, yet the meaning shifts: festivals can anchor community memory and pride, but young people engage when programming feels authentic and accessible — not overly commercial or disconnected from their daily lives. Organisers who invite youth input often keep rituals alive without forcing nostalgia.
Your answer
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