# Describe a food for special occasions: IELTS Speaking sample answers

Speaking Part 2 - Food

Describe a food that people eat on special occasions.

You should say:
- what the food is
- when people eat it
- how it is made
- and explain why people eat it on special occasions

Source: Sample answers and examiner notes are written by Testmigo.

## Band 7 sample

The food I'd like to talk about is biryani, which is a rice dish that's very popular in many parts of the South Asia, and in my family we always have it at big celebrations.

People usually eat it at weddings, at religious festivals like Eid, and sometimes at big birthday parties. In my family, whenever there's an important occasion, my aunt makes a huge pot of it, enough for maybe thirty people. Honestly, for me a celebration doesn't feel complete without biryani.

Making it is quite complicated and takes a long time, which is one reason people don't cook it every day. First, the meat, usually chicken or mutton, is marinated for several hours in yoghurt and spices. Then the rice is partly cooked separately. After that, the rice and meat are put in layers in a big pot, with fried onions, fresh herbs and sometimes saffron on top. Finally, the pot is sealed and cooked slowly on low heat, so that all the flavours mix together. My aunt says the secret is patience, because if you will rush it, the rice becomes too soft.

I think people eat it on special occasions for a few reasons. Firstly, the ingredients like meat and saffron are quite expensive, so in the past it was a luxury that families could only afford for celebrations. Secondly, it's easy to cook in large amounts, so it's perfect for feeding a lot of guests. And also, it's a dish that brings people together. When I smell biryani cooking, it immediately reminds me of family gatherings and happy times, and I think a lot of people feel the same.

**Examiner notes.** This Band 7 answer is well organised and informative, explaining the process accurately with passive forms ("is marinated", "are put in layers"). Vocabulary is good with some less common items ("marinated", "saffron", "sealed", "a luxury"). There are two typical errors: "will" in an if-clause ("if you will rush it" rather than "if you rush it") and an unnecessary article in "the South Asia" (rather than "South Asia"). The process and the reasons both rely on numbered sequencing ("First", "Then", "Firstly", "Secondly", "And also"), which makes the talk sound slightly rehearsed. For Band 8, the speaker would need more idiomatic language and more varied, natural linking.

The Band 8 sample is free with an account on the [topic page](https://testmigo.com/ielts/speaking/topics/describe-a-food-for-special-occasions).

## Common questions

### How long should an IELTS Speaking Part 2 answer be?

You get one minute to prepare and then speak for up to two minutes; the examiner stops you at two. Aim to keep talking for the full time, which is usually 220 to 300 words.

### Can I use these sample answers in my test?

No. Examiners are trained to spot memorised answers, and a learned script is marked down. Use the samples to see what each band does, then answer in your own words.