IELTS Speaking Part 2 Describe an Event: Complete Answer Guide

Quick Answer: To ace the "describe an event" cue card, use the PPF structure (Past, Present, Future) and expand each point with sensory details and personal feelings. Focus on vocabulary for celebrations, atmosphere, and emotions. Practice timing yourself for 2 minutes.

Table of Contents

Understanding the Task

How to Structure Your Answer

Key Vocabulary and Phrases

Band Score Comparison Table

Understanding the Task

In IELTS Speaking Part 2, you receive a cue card with a topic and three to four bullet points. For "describe an event", a typical cue card looks like:

Describe a memorable event in your life.

You should say:

– what the event was

– when and where it happened

– who was with you

– and explain why it was memorable.

You have 1 minute to prepare and then speak for 1-2 minutes. The examiner wants to see fluency, coherence, lexical resource (vocabulary), grammatical range, and pronunciation. The event can be a wedding, festival, concert, sports match, graduation, or even a small family gathering.

Why this topic is common: Events are universal – everyone has experienced something worth describing. They allow examiners to test your narrative skills and ability to express emotions, which are key for a high score.

How to Structure Your Answer

A well-structured answer helps you stay on track and provides a logical flow. Use the PPF method (Past – Present – Future) combined with the bullet points.

Past (What, When, Where, Who)

Start with a clear opening: “I’d like to talk about my graduation ceremony, which took place last summer at my university.”

Describe the event briefly, who attended, and the setting.

Present (What happened, feelings, atmosphere)

The main body: talk about the sequence of events, your emotions, and interactions. Use past tenses (simple, continuous, perfect).

“I remember feeling incredibly proud as I walked across the stage. The hall was filled with cheering family and friends.”

Future (Why it’s memorable, impact on you)

Explain the significance. “This event changed my perspective on hard work and motivated me to pursue further studies.”

Optionally, mention if you’d like to experience something similar again.

Time management: Aim for about 30 seconds for Past, 60 seconds for Present, and 30 seconds for Future.

Key Vocabulary and Phrases

Use topic-specific vocabulary to impress the examiner. Here are some high-scoring words and phrases for events:

Type	Vocabulary
General	memorable, significant, once-in-a-lifetime, heartwarming, overwhelming, joyous
Atmosphere	electric, vibrant, festive, solemn, glamorous, intimate
Emotions	exhilarated, touched, nostalgic, grateful, amazed
Actions	celebrate, commemorate, gather, honor, mark (an occasion)
Describing people	ecstatic, tearful, beaming, emotional, pumped

Examples:

“The atmosphere was electric as the band took the stage.”

“I felt overwhelmed with gratitude seeing everyone there.”

“We celebrated the occasion with a lavish dinner.”

Include idioms naturally: “I was on cloud nine,” “It was the icing on the cake,” “Time flew by.”

Band Score Comparison Table

Band	What Examiner Wants
6	Simple structure, limited vocabulary on topic, some hesitation, basic tenses (mostly past simple). Understandable but not detailed.
7	Good structure (PPF), clear description with some less common vocabulary (e.g., "commemorate", "emotional rollercoaster"), mix of tenses, minor errors. Covers bullet points fully.
8	Fluent with only occasional hesitation. Uses a range of vocabulary (idioms, collocations), complex structures (conditionals, relative clauses), and cohesive devices. Feeling is clearly expressed.
9	Effortless fluency, natural use of advanced vocabulary and sophisticated grammar. The answer is engaging, with vivid imagery and emotional depth. Pronunciation is native-like.

Sample Answers

Band 7:

“I’d like to talk about the time I attended a music festival last year. It was in August, near my hometown. I went with three close friends. The festival lasted two days, and we listened to many bands. The atmosphere was exciting, and I felt very happy. I remember the main stage had huge screens and lights. The highlight was when my favourite band played – the crowd went wild. It was memorable because it was my first big festival, and I made good memories with my friends. Overall, it was a great experience.” Why Band 7? Covers bullet points, uses some good vocab ("atmosphere", "crowd went wild"), but lacks depth and variety in grammar (mostly simple past). No complex structures or idiomatic expressions.

Band 8:

“I’d like to talk about my cousin’s wedding, which took place in a beautiful countryside venue last spring. The event was a blend of tradition and modernity – we had a traditional ceremony followed by a glamorous reception. I was accompanied by my immediate family. The ceremony was emotional; I could see tears in my grandmother’s eyes. Later, the reception was vibrant with live music and dancing. I felt genuinely joyful seeing everyone together. What made it truly memorable was the sense of unity – even distant relatives came to celebrate. In hindsight, it reinforced the importance of family bonds in my life.” Why Band 8? Clear structure, uses less common vocabulary ("blend", "glamorous", "reinforced"), varied tenses (past simple, past continuous, past perfect), and includes personal reflection. Fluent and cohesive.

Band 9:

“I’ll never forget the evening when I attended the Nobel Prize lecture in Stockholm – a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I’d only dreamed of. The event took place in December last year, in a magnificent concert hall filled with luminaries from the scientific community. I was fortunate enough to be accompanied by my mentor, who had invited me. As the laureate walked on stage, the atmosphere was electric – a palpable mix of reverence and excitement. I was absolutely mesmerised by the lecture; it was not merely a talk but a profound journey through decades of discovery. The sense of awe that washed over me was indescribable. This event remains etched in my memory because it ignited a deeper passion for research and taught me that dedication can lead to extraordinary achievements. Even now, thinking about it gives me goosebumps. In the future, I hope to attend more such events and perhaps one day contribute something meaningful to the world.” Why Band 9? Fluent, advanced vocabulary ("palpable", "mesmerised", "etched in my memory"), idiomatic expressions ("once-in-a-lifetime", "gives me goosebumps"), complex sentences, vivid imagery. Emotional depth and personal impact are clearly expressed. Pronunciation and rhythm would be natural.

Common Mistakes

❌Only describing what happened, not why it matters – The cue card asks "explain why it was memorable". Many candidates list events without explaining feelings or lessons learned. Always include your emotional response and significance.

❌Sticking to just the bullet points – The bullet points are a guide, not a script. Expand by adding extra details, comparisons, or future implications. This shows fluency and flexibility.

❌Using the same vocabulary (e.g., "happy", "big", "nice") – Repetition lowers your lexical resource score. Prepare synonyms and collocations for common adjectives. Use specific words like "exhilarated", "magnificent", "memorable" instead.

Top Tips

💡 Use the 1-minute preparation wisely – Quickly jot down keywords for each bullet point and a few advanced phrases. Don't write full sentences – just triggers to remember your structure.

💡 Practice with a timer – Speak for exactly 2 minutes. Record yourself to check fluency, hesitation, and pronunciation. Aim to reduce fillers like "um", "uh", "you know".

💡 Make it personal – The best answers include a personal story or a unique detail. Even a common event (e.g., birthday) can be highly memorable if you describe a specific moment or feeling.

Resources

Check out IELTS Active for practice tests and study materials. Their simulation tools and expert feedback can help you refine your speaking skills with real-life cue cards.

FAQ

Q: How long should I speak for in Part 2? A: Aim for 1 minute 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Speaking under 1 minute may suggest you lack ideas; exceeding 2 minutes will be cut off. Q: Can I choose any event, or must it be the one on the card? A: You must describe the type of event asked (e.g., "a memorable event"). You can choose any real or imagined event that fits the prompt. It's okay to invent details to make it more interesting. Q: What if I don't know much vocabulary about events? A: Learn a set of universal phrases: "once-in-a-lifetime", "a turning point", "from that day on". These can be adapted to almost any event. Also, practice describing atmosphere using the five senses. Q: Should I use complex grammar all the time? A: No – aim for a mix. Use some complex sentences (relative clauses, conditionals) but keep most sentences clear and accurate. Spontaneous speech with some errors is better than forced, unnatural grammar.

Key Takeaways

✅Structure your answer using the PPF method: Past (event details), Present (feelings/atmosphere), Future (significance).

✅Use advanced vocabulary related to events: "electrifying", "commemorate", "heartwarming", "profound".

✅Explain why the event is memorable – the "why" is more important than the "what".

✅Practice with timed recordings to improve fluency and reduce hesitation.

Related Posts:

[IELTS Speaking Part 2 Describe a Person: Full Guide]

[IELTS Speaking Part 2 Describe a Place: Tips and Samples]

[IELTS Speaking Part 3: How to Discuss Abstract Topics]