Cambridge IELTS 7 Speaking Test 1

I usually contact my friends by using social media apps, such as WhatsApp, Facebook, or Instagram. I think these apps are very convenient and fast, and they allow me to chat, call, or video call with my friends anytime and anywhere. I also like to send them photos, videos, or memes that I find funny or interesting.

I prefer to contact different people in different ways, depending on the situation and the relationship. For example, I use email for formal or professional communication, such as with my teachers, colleagues, or clients. I use phone calls for urgent or important matters, such as with my family, doctor, or bank. I use text messages for casual or brief conversations, such as with my neighbors, classmates, or co-workers.

I find it easy to keep in contact with friends and family, because I have access to various communication tools and platforms. I can always reach out to them whenever I want or need to, and I can also receive their updates and news through social media. However, sometimes I feel that online communication is not enough, and I miss seeing them in person. I think face-to-face interaction is more meaningful and authentic, and it helps to strengthen the bond and trust between people.

In my country, people in the past did not keep in contact in the same ways as they do today, because technology was not as advanced and widespread as it is now. People used to rely on traditional methods, such as letters, telegrams, or landline phones, which were slower, more expensive, and less accessible. People also had fewer opportunities to travel or migrate, so they tended to stay close to their hometowns and communities. Therefore, people in the past had less frequent and diverse contact with others than people today.

Here are some notes that I made to help me:

• Party: my friend’s birthday party
• Celebration: her 25th birthday
• Location: her apartment
• Guests: about 20 people, mostly her friends and family
• Activities: eating cake, playing games, dancing, singing karaoke, taking photos
• Enjoyment: fun, relaxed, friendly atmosphere, good music, delicious food, nice gifts

One of the parties that I enjoyed was my friend’s birthday party. It was her 25th birthday, and she invited about 20 people to celebrate with her at her apartment. Most of the guests were her friends and family, and I knew some of them from before.

The party was very fun and relaxed. We ate a big chocolate cake that she baked herself, and it was delicious. We also played some games, such as charades, trivia, and cards. The games were very entertaining and competitive, and we laughed a lot. We also danced to some music that she played from her laptop. She had a good taste in music, and she chose songs that suited the mood of the party. Some of us also sang karaoke, and it was hilarious. We sang some old and new songs, and some of us were very good singers, while others were not so good, but we all had fun. We also took some photos with her camera, and we posed in funny ways. We wanted to capture the memories of the party, and we also wanted to make her happy.

I enjoyed the party because it had a friendly and warm atmosphere. Everyone was nice and cheerful, and we all got along well. I also enjoyed the party because it was a good way to show my friend how much I appreciated her. She was a kind and generous person, and she deserved to have a wonderful birthday. I gave her a nice gift, a necklace with her name on it, and she loved it. She thanked me and hugged me, and I felt happy for her.

That was the party that I enjoyed. Thank you for listening.

Family parties- The main reasons why people organise family parties in my country are to celebrate special occasions, such as birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, graduations, or religious festivals. Family parties are also a way to show love and appreciation to family members, to strengthen the family bond, and to share joy and happiness with relatives and friends.

– In some places, people spend a lot of money on parties that celebrate special family events. This is sometimes true in my country, especially in urban areas, where people tend to have more disposable income and higher expectations for parties. Some people may hire professional caterers, decorators, entertainers, or photographers to make their parties more lavish and memorable.

– I think this is a bad trend, because it puts a lot of pressure and stress on the hosts and the guests, who may feel obliged to spend beyond their means or to compete with others. I think parties should be more about the people and the emotions, not about the material things and the appearances. I think simple and sincere parties are more meaningful and enjoyable than extravagant and superficial ones.

– There are many differences between family parties and parties given by friends. For example, family parties are usually more formal and traditional, while parties given by friends are more casual and modern. Family parties may have more rituals and customs, such as cutting a cake, giving speeches, or exchanging gifts, while parties given by friends may have more games and activities, such as dancing, singing, or playing cards. Family parties may also have a wider range of ages and generations, while parties given by friends may have a more homogeneous group of peers.

National celebrations– Some of the national celebrations that we have in my country are:

* Coptic Christmas: This is a Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ on January 7¹. It is a public holiday for all Egyptians, regardless of their faith. People celebrate by attending church services, exchanging greetings and gifts, and eating festive meals.

* Eid al-Fitr: This is an Islamic holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting, on the first day of Shawwal². It is a public holiday for all Egyptians, regardless of their religion. People celebrate by performing prayers, visiting relatives and friends, giving charity and presents, and enjoying special foods and sweets.

* Abu Simbel Sun Festival: This is a cultural event that occurs twice a year, on February 22 and October 22³. It celebrates the alignment of the sun with the statues of the ancient temple of Abu Simbel, which was built by Pharaoh Ramses II. People celebrate by witnessing the spectacular phenomenon, listening to live music, watching traditional dances, and tasting local cuisine.

– I think both young people and old people enjoy national celebrations, but for different reasons. Young people may enjoy national celebrations more for the fun and entertainment aspects, such as the music, the games, the food, and the socializing. Old people may enjoy national celebrations more for the sentimental and nostalgic aspects, such as the history, the culture, the religion, and the family.

– I think some people think that national celebrations are a waste of government money, because they believe that the money could be better spent on more urgent and important issues, such as health, education, security, or infrastructure. They may also think that national celebrations are irrelevant or outdated, and that they do not reflect the current needs and aspirations of the people. I disagree with this view, because I think that national celebrations are valuable and beneficial for the society. They help to preserve and promote the national identity and heritage, to foster the sense of unity and solidarity, and to enhance the morale and happiness of the people.