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Describe an event you attended where you met many new people

Try the card on the exam timer first, then read the band-8 sample answer and the Part 3 questions that follow it.

Practice it like the exam

Part 2 · Candidate task card

Describe an event you attended where you met many new people.

You should say:

  • what the event was
  • where and when it took place
  • who you met there

and explain how you felt about meeting new people at this event.

Ready

1 minute to prepare, then 2 minutes to speak. It switches on its own.

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Band 8 sample answer

254 words · about 2 minutes at a natural pace · Phrases from the vocabulary list are highlighted.

I'd like to talk about the orientation day at the beginning of my first year at university, which I think was one of the most important events of my student life. It took place in September, in the main courtyard and several buildings of the campus, and all the new students were invited.

I arrived feeling quite nervous because I'd moved to a new city and didn't know anyone. The day started with a welcome speech by the rector, followed by a tour of the library, the labs and the sports centre. After that, we were divided into small groups with a senior student as a guide. My group had about twelve people, and the first activity was a game in which we had to introduce the person sitting next to us. That was clever, because it forced us to talk to each other.

During lunch, I started chatting with a girl named Laylo, who was also studying languages, and we realised we loved the same books. We hit it off straight away, and by the end of the afternoon, we'd joined the same photography club together. I also met a boy who lived in my dormitory and later became one of my closest friends.

I felt nervous at first and a little out of place, but the organisers made everything so friendly that my worries disappeared quickly. I learned that most people are in the same situation and are happy when someone says hello first. That lesson has helped me many times since.

What to notice

  • It takes the points on the card in order, so the examiner can follow it.
  • Each point gets a specific detail or a short story, which is what keeps a talk going for two minutes.
  • The "explain" line at the end gets the most time, because that is where you give an opinion and show your range of language.

We wrote this answer for practice; it does not come from IELTS. Take its structure and phrases and tell your own story, because examiners notice memorised answers.

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Useful vocabulary

PhraseMeaning
make a good first impressionto appear positive when meeting someone
strike up a conversationto start talking to someone
feel out of placeto feel you do not belong
common interestshobbies or topics two people share
exchange contact detailsto give each other phone numbers or emails
hit it offto get along well straight away

Plan it in one minute

Choose what to talk about in the first ten seconds, then write two or three key words for each point. Full sentences take too long to write and to read back.

Who or what you could talk about

  • The first-week orientation at university
  • A language exchange meeting
  • A professional networking evening

How to spend the two minutes

  1. 25 swhat the event was
  2. 25 swhere and when it took place
  3. 25 swho you met there
  4. 45 sand explain how you felt about meeting new people at this event.

Part 3 questions

In the exam these come straight after your talk, on the wider subject: Meeting new people. Answer each in 3–4 sentences, with your view, a reason and an example.

  1. Why do some people find it easy to talk to strangers while others find it hard?
  2. What are the best ways to make friends in a new place?
  3. Do you think social media has made it easier or harder to meet people?
  4. How do events like orientation weeks help newcomers?
  5. Is networking important for success at work?
  6. How do first impressions affect relationships?

Frequently asked questions

How should I describe an event in an IELTS cue card?

Set the scene with when, where and who was there, then walk through what happened in order. Finish with why it was memorable. If you were not at a big event, a small one you remember well works better.

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