APIEIELTS Speaking: Carnival Parades and Costumes
Carnival parades and costumes
Answers and an explanation for each question appear once you add this activity to your own library.
Carnival Parades & Costumes 🎭
📌 How to use this lesson
For Teachers:
• Use this 25-minute lesson to build vocabulary and guide natural B1 speaking practice.
• Check AI feedback scores on all 4 criteria to assess student recording progress.
For Learners:
• Complete Module 1 first to master core vocabulary, collocations, and sentence structures.
• Record your speaking answers in Module 2, then expand the model answers to compare.
Get ready with key words and ideas for carnival topics!
Unit Target Words:
Section A: Vocabulary Practice
1. Dancers walk on high wooden poles called ___ to stand tall above the crowd.
2. The performers wear colorful costumes covered in bright glass ___ that shine under the sun.
3. Musicians hit their instruments to create a heavy ___ that keeps everyone moving in time.
4. The dancers ___ gently from side to side to the slow music.
5. People in the parade lift their feet high and ___ hard on the ground to make noise.
Section B: Collocation Matching
Match each collocation on the left to its correct meaning on the right.
Meanings list:
M1: A powerful rhythm that sets the music tempo | M2: Go along in a row, keeping step with the others | M3: Put on decorative clothes for a celebration
M4: Move gently from side to side with rhythm | M5: Step forward using long poles under your feet | M6: Provide fun and excitement for viewers
Section C: Useful Sentence Structures
"The thing I liked most was ..."
"The thing I liked most was the loud drumbeat."
Why this works: Clear way to highlight your favorite detail of an event.
"The people I went with were ..."
"The people I went with were my high school friends."
"The street we walked along was full of people."
Why this works: Adds natural personal context about your group.
"If I had a chance, I would ..."
"If I had a chance, I would try walking on stilts."
Why this works: Great for describing future wishes or hypothetical ideas.
"It really makes me feel ..."
"It really makes me feel energetic when dancers twirl."
Why this works: Directly connects an event feature to your feelings.
Section D: Carnival Fun Facts Guessing Game
🎉 Fact Guess 1: According to UNESCO (2026), how many days does the Carnival of Oruro in Bolivia last?
💃 Fact Guess 2: According to UNESCO (2026), how many dancers take part in the procession at Oruro?
Speak naturally using your new words and answer the questions.
Record your response for each item. AI will evaluate your speaking on Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and Pronunciation.
Part 1: Warm-up Questions
Have you ever worn a costume to a party or to a school event?
[Bài tập luyện nói]
💡 Show Model Answer & Useful Phrases"To be honest, I haven't worn a full costume since primary school. We had a small festival, and I wore a simple colorful mask. It was really fun, but now I usually just wear casual clothes with friends."
• To be honest: A natural way to start an honest answer.
• It was really fun: Say this about something you enjoyed.
• wear casual clothes: Everyday clothes, not special ones.
What do people in your town usually do on a public holiday?
[Bài tập luyện nói]
💡 Show Model Answer & Useful Phrases"Most people here love to gather in the town center to watch local performances. You know, families usually go out for food together, while young people like to walk around and enjoy the lively atmosphere."
• Most people here: Everyday phrase to describe local habits.
• watch local performances: Viewing community shows or street music.
• go out for food: Common phrase for eating at restaurants together.
• enjoy the lively atmosphere: Say this when a place feels full of life.
Would you rather watch a parade or take part in one?
[Bài tập luyện nói]
💡 Show Model Answer & Useful Phrases"Well, I'd definitely prefer to watch from the side. Taking part seems exciting, but I'm a bit shy, so I'd rather just take photos of dancers and enjoy the music without being on stage."
• I'd definitely prefer: Natural phrase for expressing choice.
• I'm a bit shy: Short personal explanation for a preference.
• take photos of dancers: Everyday description of spectator activity.
• enjoy the music: A simple phrase for listening to songs and having a good time.
Do you think that children enjoy parades more than adults?
[Bài tập luyện nói]
💡 Show Model Answer & Useful Phrases"I think so, yes. Kids get really excited when performers wear fancy costumes or walk on stilts. Adults enjoy the event too, but it seems to me that children get much more thrilled by the bright colors."
• I think so: Quick spoken agreement phrase.
• wear fancy costumes: A good phrase for dressing up in special clothes.
• walk on stilts: Walk high on long poles, like in a parade.
• it seems to me: Natural way to share a personal opinion.
Part 2: Individual Long Turn (Cue Card)
Describe a parade or a street festival that you have seen or would like to see.
You should say:
• where it takes place
• what people do and wear there
• who you would go with
and explain why you find it interesting.
[Bài tập luyện nói]
💡 Show Model Answer & Useful Phrases"Well, I haven't seen a big street parade yet, but if I had a chance, I'd go to one in a big city. I think it would take place on a wide main street in spring. People would wear fancy costumes, you know, with bright masks and long ribbons. Some of them would sway to the music, and a few would walk on stilts. I'd go with my sister and two close friends. My sister loves taking photos, so she'd be happy. The thing I'd like most is the loud drumbeat. I find it interesting because everybody joins in and forgets about school or work for a day. It really makes me feel good when a whole street is dancing. I'd definitely love to see it one day."
Key B1 Phrases & Spoken Structure Notes:
• if I had a chance: Use it to talk about something you would like to do.
• wear fancy costumes: A good phrase for dressing up for a party.
• sway to the music: Move slowly from side to side with the song.
• walk on stilts: Walk high on long poles.
• It really makes me feel: A simple way to say how something makes you feel.
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