Table of Contents
Describe Your Favourite Food At A Traditional Festival Or A Special Event In Your Country
Cue Card
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
My favourite food is “nian gao”, or I can put it as “rice cake”. All of my family members LOVE eating this. It’s become a staple in my family during Spring Festivals or some joyous occasions, like weddings, or house-warming parties. Because it symbolizes prosperity, good luck, a sweet start and fortune.
Well, it’s not easy to make it. Actually, I don’t know how to make it myself. Usually, it’s my mom’s or my grandma’s job to make it. But based on my observation, it begins with soaking some glutinous rice for the whole night, which is quite essential. And then we steam it until it’s soft and sticky. After that, we mix up some sugar syrup or some other ingredients, like red bean paste, lotus seed paste, etc. Or sometimes, we just simply put a few jujubes on the sticky rice. That’s all. But before eating it, we have to steam it again, or just fry it until it’s hot enough. Well, it sounds easy, but it’s really complicated when selecting some glutinous rice and making some red bean pastes as the fillings of it. We have to be really careful because every mistake might ruin the whole process.
What I love most about “nian gao” is the texture and rich flavor of it. You know, the sticky texture melts in your mouth, blending with the sweet and rich fillings. I have to close my eyes when taking each bite.
But unfortunately, not so many people can make it well. That’s why my mom will give it out to some neighbors or relatives. And we really look forward to celebrating Spring Festivals or some big events in my family. That’s the only occasion where my mom makes it. I should learn how to make it someday, shouldn’t I?
Sample Answer 2
Well, I think my favourite food at a special event would have to be not just one item, but a whole dish, and that is Christmas dinner. So Christmas dinner in the UK is a really important thing. It’s a big part of our traditional Christmas celebrations. So we have it usually around 03:00 p.m. on Christmas Day, which is the 25 December. And it consists of, well, it consists of everything. It’s absolutely enormous. It’s massive.
So the main elements would be some kind of roast meat. The most traditional is roast turkey, but you can also have ham or chicken, some people have salmon, and of course, there are vegetarian options as well. But then you have a lot of different sides, and the sides are the things that people love. So the most famous is roast potatoes. And those potatoes have been roasted for over an hour in the oven in different types of fats, and they are crispy and delicious and very, very nice.
You also have roast parsnips, roast carrots, so two different types of root vegetable, and then you complement that with lots of other things as well. One of my favourites is stuffing, which is some ground meat mixed with breadcrumbs and lots of different spices. And then you have gravy, which is a meat sauce. So it’s meat and potatoes with a meat sauce, but it’s absolutely delicious. And it’s made basically with a lot of thyme. So the recipes are not too difficult. It’s just that you have to roast them in the oven for hours and hours. So it’s pretty easy to do.
And I like it because, of course, it tastes very good, but also it’s a special treat. It’s a very heavy meal, it’s full of calories, so you wouldn’t want to have it every day. But it’s a very enjoyable thing that we look forward to having on Christmas Day.
Sample Answer 3
The food I would like to talk about is a special type of noodles that people in my hometown eat on their birthdays. This tradition has been passed down through generations, and it symbolizes health and longevity. The noodles are called “longevity noodles,” and they are made to be longer than regular noodles to represent a long and prosperous life.
I remember having these noodles every year on my birthday, usually at home with my family. The preparation is quite simple, but the meaning behind it is profound. The noodles are typically made from wheat flour and are boiled until they are soft. They are then served in a light broth, sometimes with a few vegetables or a boiled egg added for extra flavor. The key is not to cut the noodles while eating, as this is believed to cut your lifespan.
I particularly enjoy these noodles because they are more than just a meal; they are a symbol of the care and love my family has for me. The taste is comforting, and the tradition adds a layer of warmth and meaning to my birthday celebrations. It’s a simple dish, but it’s one that I hold close to my heart, as it brings back fond memories of my childhood and the feeling of being surrounded by loved ones.
Part 3
1. Do people in your country grow plants at home?
Most people do, because it’s a popular way to add a touch of nature and greenery to their living spaces.
Also, I think there can be some therapeutic benefits of gardening. It’s seen as a relaxing hobby that can help reduce stress and improve mental well-being.
However, I do admit that some people don’t plant anything at home. One of the reasons is that they fear plants might attract many bugs and insects, which could potentially disrupt their living environment or create a mess.
Additionally, some individuals might simply lack the time, interest, or space to engage in gardening activities.
2. What plants can people grow in cities?
Mostly, flowers, like orchids, lilies, jasmines are popular choices.
Also, some succulent plants, cacti are frequently seen as well. Because in cities, space can be limited, so people tend to choose plants that are easy to care for and don’t require too much space.
Oh, I saw that some people even manage to grow tomatoes, chili peppers, or strawberries in hanging baskets or containers. I’d say that those are not so popular choices, but people do grow those because they’re not only decorative but also practical for cooking.
3. Are there any difficulties when people grow plants in cities?
Yes, one of the main difficulties is the limited space.
Apartment dwellers often have to make full use of their balconies, window sills, or even indoor spaces to grow plants.
Additionally, the access to natural sunlight can also be a challenge for those living in high-rise buildings. Without sunlight, flowers and plants don’t blossom easily and plants might wither faster.
Another challenge is a little superstitious I think, because so far, haven’t got any scientific support. Chinese people use a word called “Diqi” which can be roughly translated as “earth’s rhythms”.
Well, I can say the lack of a natural, harmonious connection with the earth’s rhythms may somehow disrupt the delicate balance required for optimal plant growth.
Yeah, those are some difficulties I can find.
4. Do most people prefer vegetables bought from the supermarket or grown at home?
Most people definitely PREFER vegetables grown at home, primarily because they are often seen as organic food, which is healthier than those from supermarkets. This is really easy to understand, because homegrown vegetables are free from harmful pesticides and additives, and are fresher.
However, the reality is that it can be quite challenging for many individuals,
especially those living in urban areas.
5. Why do people like to have a big meal at traditional festivals or big events?
Well, simply because these occasions offer a unique and cherished opportunity for people to come together and celebrate, of course preparing a big meal is necessary. And it’s been deeply rooted in Chinese culture.
Also, I think that in the past, when resources were scarce and daily meals were often modest, festivals provided a rare chance for families to feast on abundant food. These grand meals signified prosperity, abundance, and a momentous break from the routine of everyday life.
Additionally, back then, people often sold their farm produce to get other necessities, which means that they needed to make their daily meals simple and preserve such things for special occasions.
6. Is it bad behavior for people to look at their phone during a meal?
Well, most people wouldn’t think that it’s a polite behavior. Because in most cultures, mealtime is often seen as a time for socializing and connecting with one another. Therefore, constantly checking one’s phone during a meal is generally considered rude and can disrupt the flow of conversation.
While it’s understandable that people might need to check their phones occasionally for important messages or notifications, it’s advisable to prioritize human connection and engage in meaningful dialogue with those present.
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