Speaking Practice · Week 3 (Writing) · Day 4
Speaking Part 2 · Describe an Event / Experience
Download PDF ↓About today's practice
Event cards are pure storytelling, which is exactly what examiners want in Part 2. The Past–Present–Future shape fits perfectly: what happened, how you feel about it now, whether you’d do it again.
Part 2 is the long turn: you get exactly one minute to make notes, then speak for one to two minutes without interruption. Use the prep minute to jot ideas against each bullet.
Describe a memorable event in your life
You should say:
- what happened
- when and where it took place
- who was with you
- and explain why it was memorable
You have one minute to plan, then talk for one to two minutes.
More cue cards (same category)
Describe a celebration you enjoyed
You should say:
- what it was
- when it took place
- who was there
- and explain why it was memorable
You have one minute to plan, then talk for one to two minutes.
Describe a time you achieved something
You should say:
- what you achieved
- how you did it
- who helped you
- and explain how you felt
You have one minute to plan, then talk for one to two minutes.
Describe an event that surprised you
You should say:
- what happened
- where you were
- how you reacted
- and explain why you still remember it
You have one minute to plan, then talk for one to two minutes.
Model note-plan & sample answer
1-minute note-plan: WHAT: my sister’s wedding · WHEN/WHERE: last spring, our village · WHO: the whole extended family + old friends · WHY: everyone together in one room for once Sample long turn (~2 minutes): I’d like to describe my sister’s wedding, which took place last spring back in our village. It happened over two days, the way weddings do where I’m from, so the whole extended family came and stayed. Who was there? Honestly, almost everyone I love in one place — relatives I hadn’t seen in years, my sister’s university friends, neighbours we grew up with. Why was it so memorable? Partly the obvious reason: it was a joyful occasion and my sister looked genuinely happy. But what really stayed with me was something quieter — it was the first time in a decade that our scattered family had all been in the same room. We sat up laughing about old stories late into the night. Looking back, the wedding was lovely, but that reunion is the part I treasure.
Part 2 follow-up questions
- Why are celebrations important to people?
- Have the ways people celebrate changed in your country?
- Is it better to celebrate with a big group or quietly?
Pair-work sequence (~30 min) ▸ Model & prep · 5 min — Read the card aloud. Show how to turn the four bullets into a quick note-plan — one phrase each — inside the 1-minute prep window. ▸ Talk · round 1 · 10 min — A times B’s 1-min prep + up-to-2-min talk and notes one strength and one fix; swap (~5 min each).
▸ Talk · round 2 · 12 min — Re-pair. Same card — or a fresh one from the extras below — second attempt, smoother, with a clear past–present–future shape and at least one vivid descriptive phrase. Swap. ▸ Feedback · 3 min — Hands up: who lasted the full two minutes the second time? Spotlight one good signposting phrase you heard.
Listen for / feedback: Did they keep going for the full two minutes without drying up? Did they touch all four bullets? Flag anyone who finishes in 40 seconds — they need feelings, detail and a short story. Praise good signposting: “The thing I remember most is…”, “What made it special was…”.
Flexibility: Short on time today? Assign the whole set as paired home practice — a quick voice call or an in-person run — and have each student record one answer to bring back. If the room runs ahead of schedule, this slots straight in after the wrap-up.