IELTS Speaking Part 2 · Events
Describe a family celebration you enjoyed
Describe a family celebration you enjoyed
You should say:
- what event was being celebrated
- where and when it took place
- who attended the celebration
and explain why this celebration was particularly memorable to you.
How to plan your answer
Use your 1 minute to jot down key words for each point, not full sentences.
- 1
what event was being celebrated
Event: My grandparents' 50th golden wedding anniversary party held last summer.
- 2
where and when it took place
Where and when: A countryside venue near my hometown last July.
- 3
who attended the celebration
Who attended: Extended family, close friends, and neighbors across three generations.
- 4
and explain why this celebration was particularly memorable to you.
Memorable reason: Reconnecting with distant relatives and seeing my grandparents overjoyed.
Sample answer
about 229 words · 2 minutesI would like to talk about my grandparents' golden wedding anniversary, which was celebrated last summer. It was a massive milestone for our family since fifty years of marriage is quite rare these days. The event took place last July at a charming countryside venue just outside my hometown. We chose that spot because it had a spacious garden where everyone could relax and enjoy the warm weather. As for who attended, it was a wonderful mix of extended family members, close friends, and old neighbors. Relatives came from all over the country, including cousins I had not seen in years. In total, there were around forty people spanning three generations, which made the atmosphere really lively and cheerful. What made this celebration particularly memorable to me was the emotional speech my uncle gave, followed by a slideshow of old family photographs. Seeing my grandparents smile and even shed a few happy tears as they looked back on their life together was truly heartwarming. On top of that, it gave all of us a rare opportunity to catch up properly without the usual rush of daily life. We shared delicious food, danced to vintage music, and took endless photos to remember the day. All in all, it was an unforgettable family gathering that brought us closer together, and I will cherish those memories for a long time to come.
A teaching example, not a script to memorise. Say it in your own words.
Useful phrases
a massive milestone
Graduating from university was a massive milestone for her career.
spanning three generations
The family reunion brought together people spanning three generations.
shed a few happy tears
She shed a few happy tears during her daughter's wedding ceremony.
catch up properly
We met over coffee to catch up properly after the holidays.
cherish those memories
I will cherish those memories of our summer trip forever.
Common mistakes
We were very enjoying the party all night.
We really enjoyed the party all night.
Avoid using 'very' directly before a main verb; use 'really' or 'thoroughly' instead.
The celebration was took place in a small restaurant.
The celebration took place in a small restaurant.
Do not add passive 'was' before the active phrasal verb 'took place'.
It was memorable because everyone was happy and eating food.
It was memorable because the shared stories deepened our family bonds.
Provide specific, descriptive reasons rather than basic lists to achieve higher marks.
Tips for a higher band
- Use a natural mix of narrative tenses, such as past simple and past perfect, to explain events seamlessly.
- Incorporate topic-specific vocabulary like 'milestone', 'venue', and 'reunion' to demonstrate lexical range.
- Vary your tone and stress emotional keywords to sound natural and expressive rather than robotic.
Part 3 follow-up questions
After Part 2 the examiner may ask deeper questions on the same theme.
- How have family celebrations changed in your country compared to the past?
- Why do some people prefer small private celebrations while others enjoy large gatherings?
- Do you think commercialization has negatively impacted traditional family celebrations?
Now try this cue card
1 minute to prepare, up to 2 minutes to speak, then a band estimate and tips for each criterion.
Practice estimate, not an official IELTS score.