Birthdays

Welcome to IELTS TIME! I’m your host, Archer. Today, we’re looking at a Part 1 Speaking topic: Birthdays.

We’ll start by hearing Joseph share his answers to a few common birthday questions. Listen carefully to how he answers—and afterwards, I’ll go over his responses and explore some alternative ways you might respond, depending on your own experiences.

Let’s get started.

What do you usually do on your birthday?

Honestly, my birthdays are pretty chill. I’m not really into big, elaborate parties anymore. Usually, I just love to hang out with my closest friends and family. We might grab a nice meal together – nothing too fancy, just good food and good company. Sometimes we’ll just stay in, order some takeout, and watch movies or play board games. It’s more about just relaxing and enjoying time with the people I care about.

What did you do on your birthday when you were a child?

Oh, when I was a kid, my birthdays were definitely a lot more elaborate! My parents always threw me a birthday party at home with all my friends from school and the neighbourhood. There’d always be a big cake – usually something themed, like a superhero or a cartoon character. We’d play classic party games like musical chairs or pass the parcel, and I always looked forward to opening all the presents. It was a lot of fun and a bit chaotic, in the best possible way!

Is it important for you to celebrate your birthday?

Honestly, it’s not super important to me to have a big, formal celebration. For me, the real importance lies in connecting with the people I care about. Whether that’s a quiet dinner with family or just hanging out with friends, it’s more about the company than the actual event.

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve started to see my birthday more as a chance to reflect on the past year and look forward to the next. So, while I appreciate the good wishes and a chance to spend time with loved ones, I don’t feel like I need a huge party to mark the occasion.

Which birthdays are the most important ones in your country?

I’d say there are a few particularly important birthdays here.

The 1st birthday is definitely a big deal for families, a huge milestone for the baby’s first year. Then, the 16th birthday can be quite significant for teenagers, often marking a step towards more independence. The 18th birthday is certainly a major one, as it’s when you legally become an adult – you can vote, buy alcohol, and it feels like a real step into adulthood. Many people have a proper celebration for this one. And finally, the 21st birthday, while not legally changing much from 18, is still often celebrated as a significant entry into full young adulthood, usually with a bigger party.

Beyond those, turning 30, 40, 50, and so on are also often marked with larger celebrations, as people hit those big decade milestones.

Do you think children should celebrate their birthdays with a party?

I think for younger children, yes, absolutely! Birthday parties are fantastic for them. It’s not just about the presents; it’s about the excitement, the special attention, and the joy of being with their friends. It helps them feel celebrated and creates really vivid, happy childhood memories.

As they get a bit older, maybe into their teens, the ‘party’ might evolve into something different, like just a smaller get-together with close friends, but that sense of celebration and marking another year is still important for them to feel valued.

Are birthdays more important for children or adults?

I think, in a way, birthdays are definitely more important for children. For kids, it’s just pure magic – the party, the presents, being the center of attention. It builds these amazing childhood memories and really makes them feel special and loved.

For adults, while it’s still nice to be celebrated, it often becomes a bit more understated. We appreciate the good wishes and time with loved ones, but that intense, pure excitement usually isn’t quite there anymore. So, yeah, I’d say the significance often feels a lot bigger for a child.

That was great—big thanks to Joseph for those thoughtful answers. You can hear how natural he is when expressing himself, and that’s the kind of vibe you want in Part 1.

Now, let’s break down each of Joseph’s answers and, more importantly, explore some alternative ways you could approach these questions, depending on your own experiences. Remember, the key is to be authentic while showcasing your language range.

First up, Joseph was asked: “What do you usually do on your birthday?”

He described his birthdays as “pretty chill,” focusing on “hanging out with closest friends and family,” perhaps a “nice meal” or “takeout and movies.” This is a great, relatable answer for many of us who prefer a relaxed approach.

But what if your birthday experience is different? Maybe you’re more of a big celebrator! You could say something like, “Oh, I absolutely love celebrating my birthday! I usually try to organize a big gathering with all my friends, maybe a themed party or going out dancing. It’s a great excuse to get everyone together and just let loose.” See how that shows enthusiasm and different vocabulary.

Or perhaps you’re an experience seeker. You might explain, “For my birthday, I actually prefer to do something unique. Sometimes I’ll take a short trip somewhere new, or try an activity I’ve always wanted to do, like hiking a specific trail or visiting a new exhibition. It’s more about creating a special memory than having a traditional celebration.” This showcases vocabulary related to travel and unique activities.

And then there are those who prefer a very quiet reflection. You could adapt Joseph’s answer to be even more personal: “To be honest, I usually keep my birthday quite low-key. I might just spend the day reflecting, perhaps go for a long walk by myself, or just enjoy some quiet time at home. For me, it’s more of a personal milestone than a public celebration.”

Moving on, the next question was: “What did you do on your birthday when you were a child?”

Joseph fondly recalled “elaborate” parties at home, “themed cakes,” and “classic party games” like musical chairs. He said it was “a lot of fun and a bit chaotic, in the best possible way!” He paints a clear picture of a very common childhood memory.

However, not everyone had those big parties. If your childhood was more about a simple family gathering, you might say, “When I was a child, my birthdays were usually quite simple. We didn’t have big parties, but my family would always gather for a special dinner at home, and I’d get to choose the meal. It was cosy and always felt very loving.”

Perhaps you were a specific activity child. “My childhood birthdays often involved a special outing! We’d usually go to the local amusement park, or perhaps the science museum, or even just a fun picnic in the countryside. It was more about the adventure than a traditional party.”

And sometimes, celebrations came later in life. You could be honest and say, “Funnily enough, we didn’t really do much for birthdays when I was very young. It was only when I got a bit older, perhaps around 8 or 9, that my parents started letting me have a few friends over for a small party. Before that, it was just a quiet family day.”

Next up, Joseph was asked: “Is it important for you to celebrate your birthday?”

His take was that it’s “not super important” for big celebrations, but more about “connecting with people” and “reflection.” This is a very mature and common perspective.

But what if you feel differently? Maybe for you, it’s highly important! You could express, “Absolutely, it’s very important to me! It’s one day a year that’s all about me, a chance to feel special and appreciate the gift of another year. It’s a great excuse to gather loved ones and make new memories.”

On the other hand, some people feel it’s not important at all. You might say, “To be completely honest, it’s not important to me at all. I see it as just another day on the calendar. I appreciate well-wishes, but I don’t feel the need for any special fuss or attention.” This shows a candid and unfussy attitude.

Then came the question: “Which birthdays are the most important ones?”

Joseph mentioned the 1st birthday, which is huge for families, then the 16th for teenagers, the 18th for legal adulthood, and the 21st for full social freedoms. He also included the decades like 30, 40, 50, which are often marked with larger gatherings. This covers the typical significant milestones that are widely recognized.

You could also emphasize the legal or social transitions. “Well, the ones that mark significant legal or social transitions are usually considered the most important. Becoming an adult at 18, for example, or sometimes 21, due to different rights and freedoms. These are often celebrated quite widely.”

Alternatively, you could focus on the shift from childhood to adulthood. “I think the ‘big’ birthdays shift throughout life. For children, the 1st, 5th, or 10th might feel huge. As you get older, it’s often the ‘milestone’ birthdays – the ones ending in a zero like 30, 40, 50 – that prompt bigger gatherings as people reflect on their life stages.”

Next, Joseph was asked: “Do you think children should celebrate their birthdays with a party?”

He gave a strong “yes, absolutely!” He highlighted the excitement, special attention, and joy it brings, emphasizing that it helps create vivid, happy childhood memories. A very positive and common viewpoint.

What if you have a different opinion, perhaps a more nuanced one? You could take the ‘it depends’ view. “I think it really depends on the child and the family. For some children, a big party is wonderful, but for others, it might be overwhelming or simply not their preference. A smaller gathering or a special outing can be just as meaningful.” This shows a balanced and thoughtful perspective.

Some might even lean towards an ‘against commercialism’ view. “While the sentiment is nice, I sometimes worry about the pressure and commercialism surrounding children’s parties today. I think it’s more important to teach them about connection and value, rather than just gifts and extravagant events. So, perhaps yes, but in a simpler, less materialistic way.”

And finally, the last question Joseph tackled: “Are birthdays more important for children or adults?”

Joseph’s firm stance was that “birthdays are definitely more important for children” due to the “magic” and “pure excitement.” A very honest and widely shared view that many of us can relate to.

However, there’s also the perspective that they are equally important, but for different reasons. You could argue, “I’d say they’re equally important, but for different reasons. For children, it’s about pure joy and excitement, a magical experience. For adults, it becomes more about reflection, appreciation for another year of life, and a chance to reconnect with loved ones. Both are valuable.”

Though less common, some might even feel they’re more important for adults. You could explain, “Funnily enough, I think they might be more important for adults. As you get older, life gets busier, and a birthday becomes a necessary pause, a reminder to celebrate yourself and the relationships in your life that you might otherwise take for granted.”

So, there you have it! By listening to Joseph’s answers and then considering these diverse viewpoints, you can see how to approach these questions with confidence, flexibility, and a rich vocabulary. Remember, there’s no single “right” answer, just your authentic, well-expressed answer.

Join me next time for more IELTS speaking content. Until then, happy practising!