B1IELTS-style · Band 4.5–5.0Speaking25 min

IELTS Speaking: Superstitions and Lucky Charms

Superstitions and lucky charms

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🎯 Target: 5.0-5.5 | Unit: Superstitions & Lucky Charms ⏱️ Suggested Time: 25 mins

Superstitions, Beliefs & Good Luck

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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.
Module 1: Build-up

Vocabulary, Patterns & Cultural Facts

Learn key words and easy patterns before you speak.

Topic Word Bank (10 Core Words):

fortune belief ladder unlucky charm avoid sign mirror chance superstitious
1

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.

2

Part B: Match the Collocations

Match each common phrase to its natural meaning or action.

Phrase
Brings Good Luck
Unlucky Action
Tells the Future
1. good luck charm
____ Brings Good Luck ____ Unlucky Action ____ Tells the Future
2. break a mirror
____ Brings Good Luck ____ Unlucky Action ____ Tells the Future
3. walk under a ladder
____ Brings Good Luck ____ Unlucky Action ____ Tells the Future
4. a sign of bad luck
____ Brings Good Luck ____ Unlucky Action ____ Tells the Future
5. tell someone's fortune
____ Brings Good Luck ____ Unlucky Action ____ Tells the Future
6. bring good fortune
____ Brings Good Luck ____ Unlucky Action ____ Tells the Future
3

Part C: 4 Natural Speaking Sentence Patterns

Study the 4 patterns, then choose the best pattern to complete the prompt below.

Pattern 1

"If you [action], you [result]..."

"If you walk under a ladder, some people think it brings bad luck."

Pattern 2

"If I were [situation], I would [action]..."

"If I were in that situation, I would probably avoid it just in case."

Pattern 3

"I'm not really sure, but I guess..."

"I'm not really sure, but I guess older folks care about it more."

Pattern 4

"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?

____ a. In my culture, we often believe that sweeping at night brings misfortune. ____ b. If I were taking a test tomorrow, I would carry my lucky pen just in case. ____ c. If you break a mirror, you get seven years of misfortune.
🏮 Fun Fact 1: Guess the Number

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)

____ Number 2 ____ Number 4 ____ Number 6
🏅 Fun Fact 2: Guess the Year

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)

____ 1988 ____ 2008 ____ 2028
Module 2: Speaking Practice

Speaking Part 1 & Part 2 Cue Card

Practice real speaking questions with AI feedback and natural model answers.

🎙️ Part 1: Short Interview Questions

1

Do you have a lucky number or a lucky colour?

Part 1

Speak for 15-25 seconds. Use natural everyday phrases.

[Bài tập luyện nói]

💡 Tap to view Model Answer & Key Phrases (38 words)

"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.

2

Do people in your family follow any old beliefs about luck?

Part 1

Speak for 15-25 seconds. Mention a family custom or habit.

[Bài tập luyện nói]

💡 Tap to view Model Answer & Key Phrases (36 words)

"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.

3

Have you ever kept a small object with you for good luck?

Part 1

Speak for 15-25 seconds. Mention what the object was and who gave it.

[Bài tập luyện nói]

💡 Tap to view Model Answer & Key Phrases (40 words)

"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.

4

Do you think young people believe in superstitions less than older people?

Part 1

Speak for 15-25 seconds. Compare older and younger generations.

[Bài tập luyện nói]

💡 Tap to view Model Answer & Key Phrases (35 words)

"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)

Candidate Task Card ⏱️ Prep: 1 min | Speak: 60-90 secs

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.
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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]

💡 Tap to view Part 2 Model Answer & Key Phrases (125 words)

"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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