IELTS Speaking: Superstitions and Lucky Charms
Superstitions and lucky charms
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Superstitions, Beliefs & Good Luck
How to use this lesson
👩🏫 For Teachers
- Guide students through Module 1 vocabulary and check patterns in 10 mins.
- Use the 4 standard criteria to review speaking fluency in Module 2.
🧑🎓 For Learners
- Review the words and guess the fun facts to warm up your thinking.
- Tap record to answer the speaking prompts and compare with model answers.
Vocabulary, Patterns & Cultural Facts
Learn key words and easy patterns before you speak.
Topic Word Bank (10 Core Words):
Part A: Complete the sentences with words from the word bank
Type the exact single word that completes each sentence.
1. He keeps a lucky coin in his pocket as a good luck ____.
2. In Western folklore, breaking a ____ brings seven years of bad luck.
3. Many people refuse to walk under a ____ leaning against a wall.
4. Some people visit a temple so a master can tell their ____ for the upcoming year.
5. If you are superstitious, you try to ____ anything that might bring bad luck.
Part B: Match the Collocations
Match each common phrase to its natural meaning or action.
Part C: 4 Natural Speaking Sentence Patterns
Study the 4 patterns, then choose the best pattern to complete the prompt below.
"If you [action], you [result]..."
"If you walk under a ladder, some people think it brings bad luck."
"If I were [situation], I would [action]..."
"If I were in that situation, I would probably avoid it just in case."
"I'm not really sure, but I guess..."
"I'm not really sure, but I guess older folks care about it more."
"In my culture / In my family, we often believe that..."
"In my family, we often believe that red clothes bring good fortune."
Check: Which sentence uses Pattern 2 correctly to express an imagined personal choice?
In Chinese, the word for one number sounds like the word for death, so some buildings skip that floor. Which number is it? (Source: China Daily, 2012)
The Beijing Olympic Games opened at about 8 pm on the eighth day of the eighth month. In which year was this? (Source: China Daily, 2012)
Speaking Part 1 & Part 2 Cue Card
Practice real speaking questions with AI feedback and natural model answers.
🎙️ Part 1: Short Interview Questions
Do you have a lucky number or a lucky colour?
Speak for 15-25 seconds. Use natural everyday phrases.
[Bài tập luyện nói]
"Well, to be honest, my lucky number is seven. Whenever I have an important test or choose a seat on a bus, I go for seven. I don't really know why, but it gives me peace of mind."
• to be honest: a phrase you say when you tell the truth.
• go for: phrasal verb meaning to pick or choose something.
• gives me peace of mind: helps me feel relaxed and worry-free.
Do people in your family follow any old beliefs about luck?
Speak for 15-25 seconds. Mention a family custom or habit.
[Bài tập luyện nói]
"Yes, definitely. For example, my grandmother always tells us never to sweep the floor on New Year's Day because it sweeps away good luck. I think it's just a family tradition, but we stick to it."
• sweeps away good luck: takes your good luck away.
• a family tradition: a habit passed down through generations.
• stick to it: to follow or keep doing a rule/habit.
Have you ever kept a small object with you for good luck?
Speak for 15-25 seconds. Mention what the object was and who gave it.
[Bài tập luyện nói]
"Yeah, I actually do. I usually carry a tiny jade pendant in my backpack. It was a gift from my mom before my high school exams. It acts as a little reminder of her love and helps me stay calm."
• acts as: works like.
• reminder of her love: an item that brings back warm memories.
• stay calm: remain peaceful without feeling anxious.
Do you think young people believe in superstitions less than older people?
Speak for 15-25 seconds. Compare older and younger generations.
[Bài tập luyện nói]
"I guess so, yeah. Older people often take these customs seriously, while young folks usually treat them as harmless fun. Many teenagers just laugh about breaking a mirror rather than worrying it brings bad fortune."
• take these customs seriously: think these customs are important.
• harmless fun: light amusement that causes no trouble.
• bad fortune: negative luck or misfortune.
📜 Part 2: Long Turn (Cue Card)
Describe a belief or habit about luck that someone you know follows.
You should say:
- who the person is
- what they believe or do
- how you found out about it
- and explain what you think about it.
Speaking Tip: Use your 1-minute prep time to note down 3-4 bullet words (for example: a name, an object, a day, your opinion). Keep speaking naturally until the time is up!
[Bài tập luyện nói]
"I'd like to talk about my close friend, Nam, who has a funny habit before every big football match or exam. He always wears a specific pair of bright red socks because he believes they bring him victory. I first found out about this during our high school finals when he told me he hadn't washed them for three days, so he wouldn't wash away the luck! Personally, I find it quite amusing. I don't believe socks can change the score, but for him, it really boosts his confidence and takes the pressure off. In a way, it's just his personal ritual to calm his nerves. As long as it makes him feel ready and doesn't hurt anyone, I think it's a completely harmless routine."
Useful Phrases Explained:
• wash away the luck: a playful superstition that cleaning an item removes its lucky power.
• boosts his confidence: helps him feel much more sure of himself.
• takes the pressure off: reduces feeling stressed or anxious.
• calm his nerves: helps him feel less nervous.
• harmless routine: a regular habit that does not hurt anyone.
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