# Describe a party you enjoyed: IELTS Speaking sample answers

Speaking Part 2 - Events

Describe a party you enjoyed.

You should say:
- whose party it was
- when and where it took place
- what people did at the party
- and explain why you enjoyed it

Source: Sample answers and examiner notes are written by Testmigo.

## Band 7 sample

I'd like to talk about a surprise birthday party we organised for my best friend, Karan, when he turned twenty-five. That was about two years ago.

The party was held on the rooftop of our friend's apartment building, which has a really nice view of the city. We planned it for nearly a month, and the hardest part was keeping it secret, because Karan is very curious and he always notices when something is strange. In the end his sister told him they are just going to have a quiet dinner, and she brought him up to the roof at about eight o'clock.

When he walked through the door, about thirty people shouted 'surprise!' and he was completely shocked. He actually covered his face with his hands for a few seconds. After that, everyone was eating and chatting. We had ordered food from a local restaurant, mostly grilled chicken and different kinds of rice, and someone had made a huge chocolate cake. Later on we played some music and people were dancing, and a few friends gave short speeches about funny memories with Karan, which made everybody laugh.

I enjoyed it for a few reasons. First of all, it was the first time I organised something like that, so I was really happy that everything went well and nobody spoiled the surprise. Also, the atmosphere was very relaxed and friendly. Many people from different parts of his life were there, like his school friends and his colleagues, and they all got along really well.

But mainly I enjoyed it because Karan was so touched. At the end of the night he told me it was the best birthday he'd ever had, and that made all the effort worthwhile.

**Examiner notes.** This Band 7 answer tells a clear, lively story and covers every point on the card, with good details such as the friend covering his face in surprise. Vocabulary is appropriate ("spoiled the surprise", "so touched", "made all the effort worthwhile"), but much of it is everyday, and the reasons are organised with predictable linkers ("First of all", "Also", "But mainly"). There are typical tense slips: "the first time I organised" (rather than "the first time I'd organised") and a missed backshift in "his sister told him they are just going to have a quiet dinner" (rather than "they were just going to have"). Band 8 adds more idiomatic, precise language and more accurate control of tenses in reported speech.

The Band 8 sample is free with an account on the [topic page](https://testmigo.com/ielts/speaking/topics/describe-a-party-you-enjoyed).

## Common questions

### How long should an IELTS Speaking Part 2 answer be?

You get one minute to prepare and then speak for up to two minutes; the examiner stops you at two. Aim to keep talking for the full time, which is usually 220 to 300 words.

### Can I use these sample answers in my test?

No. Examiners are trained to spot memorised answers, and a learned script is marked down. Use the samples to see what each band does, then answer in your own words.